(1) Full or conditional designation by the federal government by October

1, 1982;

(2) The ability to perform the functions prescribed in subsection [(c)] (D)
of this section; or

(3) Received the support of the local governments in the areas in which
the agency is to operate.

[(b)] (C) The Commission shall establish by [regulations] REGULATION
criteria for designation of local health planning agencies.

[(c)] (D) Applicants for designation as the local health planning agency shall,
at a minimum, be able to:

(1) Assure broad citizen representation, including a board with a
consumer majority;

(2) Develop a local health plan by assessing local health needs and
resources, establishing local standards and criteria for service characteristics,
consistent with State specifications, and setting local goals and objectives for systems
development;

(3) Provide input into the development of statewide criteria and
standards for certificate of need and health planning; and

(4) Provide input into evidentiary hearings on the evaluation of
certificate of need applications from its area. Where no local health planning agency
is designated, the Commission shall seek the advice of the local county government of
the affected area.

(E)(1) THE COMMISSION SHALL ESTABLISH CRITERIA FOR OBTAINING INPUT
FROM AFFECTED LOCAL HEALTH PLANNING AGENCIES WHEN CONSIDERING AN
APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF NEED.

(2) WHERE NO LOCAL HEALTH PLANNING AGENCY IS DESIGNATED, THE
COMMISSION SHALL SEEK THE ADVICE OF THE LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF
THE AFFECTED AREA.

[(d)] (F) The Commission shall require that in developing local health plans,
each local health planning agency:

(1) Use the population estimates that the Department prepares under §
4-218 of this article;

(2) Use the figures and special age group projections that the Office of
Planning prepares annually for the Commission;

(3) Meet applicable planning specifications; and

(4) Work with other local health planning agencies to ensure consistency
among local health plans.