Ch. 347                                    1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(2) The deputy secretary:

(i) serves at the pleasure of the Secretary;

(ii) is entitled to the salary provided in the State budget; and

(iii) has the duties provided by law or delegated by the Secretary.

(b) (1) The Secretary may appoint a staff in accordance with the Code and the
State budget.

(2)     Each assistant secretary and each professional consultant is appointed
by and serves at the pleasure of the Secretary.

(3)     Unless otherwise provided by law, the Secretary shall appoint and
remove all other staff in the Department in accordance with this Division I.

(4)     The Secretary may review personnel actions of a unit of State
government within the authority of the Department.

[2-105.] 4-105.

(a)     The Secretary is responsible for the budget of the Office of the Secretary and
for the budget of each unit in the Department.

(b)     The Secretary may create advisory units of any size that the Secretary
considers appropriate for the operation of the Department.

(c)     The Secretary shall have a seal.

(d)     (1) The Secretary is responsible for the comprehensive planning of
programs and services of the Department.

(2) The Secretary shall review the plans of the units in the Department and
may approve, disapprove, or revise any of the plans.

[2-106] 4-106.

(a)     [The Secretary shall adopt regulations to carry out those provisions of this
Division I that are subject to the authority of the Secretary.] TO CARRY OUT THOSE
PROVISIONS OF THIS DIVISION I THAT ARE SUBJECT TO THE AUTHORITY OF THE
SECRETARY, THE SECRETARY MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, OR
POLICIES.

(b)     [The Secretary shall review and may approve, disapprove, or revise
regulations of any unit in the Department.] AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE
OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS, THE SECRETARY SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS
GOVERNING PEER REVIEW PANELS, THAT INCLUDE PROCEDURES FOR A PRINCIPAL
UNIT TO ESTABLISH PEER REVIEW PANELS AS AN ALTERNATIVE MECHANISM FOR
DISPUTE RESOLUTION UNDER TITLES 11 AND 12 OF THIS ARTICLE.

[2-107.

(a) (1) Subject to the approval of the Governor, the Secretary shall establish
classes and classify all positions in the classified service and the unclassified service.

- 2110 -