(10) Juvenile Justice;

(11) Labor, Licensing, and Regulation;

(12) Natural Resources;  

(13) Public Safety and Correctional Services;

(14) State Police; [and]

(15) Transportation; AND

(16) VETERANS AFFAIRS.

Subtitle 9. DEPARTMENT OF Veterans AFFAIRS.
Part I. [Definition] ESTABLISHED.

9-901.

(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED. 

(B) "DEPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(C) "SECRETARY" MEANS THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(D) Except as otherwise provided in §§ 9-913 and 9-914 of this subtitle, [in
this subtitle,] "veteran" means an individual who served on active duty in the armed
forces of the United States, OTHER THAN FOR TRAINING, AND WAS DISCHARGED OR
RELEASED UNDER CONDITIONS OTHER THAN DISHONORABLE.

9-902.

(A) THERE IS A DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, ESTABLISHED AS A
PRINCIPAL DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

(B) THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT IS THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS WHO SHALL BE:

(1) A VETERAN WHO HAS AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM ACTIVE
SERVICE WITH A UNIFORMED SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES; AND

(2) APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF
THE SENATE.

(C) (1) THE SECRETARY SERVES AT THE PLEASURE OF THE GOVERNOR AND
IS RESPONSIBLE DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNOR. THE SECRETARY SHALL ADVISE THE
GOVERNOR ON ALL MATTERS ASSIGNED TO THE DEPARTMENT AND IS RESPONSIBLE
FOR CARRYING OUT THE GOVERNOR'S POLICIES ON THESE MATTERS.

(2) THE SECRETARY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OPERATION OF THE
DEPARTMENT AND SHALL ESTABLISH GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES TO PROMOTE
THE ORDERLY AND EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT.