Ch. 319                                   2004 LAWS OF MARYLAND

9-3A-02. 20-1002.

THERE IS AN OFFICE OF MINORITY HEALTH AND HEALTH DISPARITIES IN THE
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT.

9-3A-03. 20-1003.

(A) THE HEAD OF THE OFFICE OF MINORITY HEALTH IS THE DIRECTOR OF
MINORITY AFFAIRS.

(B) THE DIRECTOR SHALL REPORT TO THE SECRETARY.

9-3A-04. 20-1004.

THE OFFICE SHALL:

(1)      BE AN ADVOCATE FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF MINORITY HEALTH
CARE BY WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT ON ITS OWN, OR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
OTHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES TO ESTABLISH APPROPRIATE FORUMS,
PROGRAMS, OR INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC REGARDING
MINORITY HEALTH AND HEALTH DISPARITIES ISSUES, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON
PREVENTIVE HEALTH AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLES;

(2)     ASSIST THE SECRETARY IN IDENTIFYING, COORDINATING AND
ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES FOR PROGRAMS, SERVICES, AND RESOURCES THAT THE
STATE SHOULD PROVIDE FOR MINORITY HEALTH AND HEALTH DISPARITIES ISSUES;

(3)      COLLECT, CLASSIFY, AND ANALYZE RELEVANT RESEARCH
INFORMATION AND DATA COLLECTED OR COMPILED BY:

(I)      THE DEPARTMENT;

(II)     THE DEPARTMENT IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHERS; AND
(III) THE MINORITY HEALTH ADVISORY COMMISSION; AND

(IV) (III) OTHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES;

(4)      RESEARCH INNOVATIVE METHODS AND OBTAIN RESOURCES TO
IMPROVE EXISTING DATA SYSTEMS TO ENSURE THAT THE HEALTH INFORMATION
THAT IS COLLECTED INCLUDES SPECIFIC RACE AND ETHNICITY IDENTIFIERS;

(5)      SERVE AS A CLEARINGHOUSE AND RESOURCE LIBRARY FOR
INFORMATION ABOUT MINORITY HEALTH AND HEALTH DISPARITIES DATA,
STRATEGIES, SERVICES, AND PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS MINORITY HEALTH AND
HEALTH DISPARITIES ISSUES;

(6)      DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PLAN TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SERVICES AND
PROGRAMS TARGETING MINORITIES;

(7)      OBTAIN FUNDING AND, CONTINGENT UPON FUNDING, PROVIDE
GRANTS TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND HISTORICALLY BLACK
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO CONDUCT SPECIAL RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATION,
AND EVALUATION PROJECTS FOR TARGETED AT-RISK RACIAL AND ETHNIC

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