ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor

Article - State Government

SUBTITLE 3A. 10. OFFICE OF MINORITY HEALTH AND HEALTH DISPARITIES.
9-3A-01. 20-1001.

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

(B)      "COMMISSION" MEANS THE MINORITY HEALTH ADVISORY COMMISSION.

(C) "DEPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL
HYGIENE.

(D) (B) "DIRECTOR" MEANS THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MINORITY
AFFAIRS HEALTH AND HEALTH DISPARITIES.

(E) (C) "MINORITY PERSON" INCLUDES AFRICAN AMERICANS, HISPANICS,
ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS, AND AMERICAN INDIANS STATEWIDE.

(F) (D) "OFFICE" MEANS THE MARYLAND OFFICE OF MINORITY HEALTH
AND HEALTH DISPARITIES ESTABLISHED UNDER § 9-3A-02 § 20-1002 OF THIS
SUBTITLE.

(G) "SECRETARY" MEANS THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND MENTAL
HYGIENE.

9-3A-02. 20-1002.

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

- 2071 -

Ch. 443