1. (a) The State Board may remove a member of the county board for any of the following reasons:

   1. (1) Immorality;
   2. (2) Misconduct in office;
   3. (3) Incompetency;
   4. (4) Willful neglect of duty; or

   5. (5) Failure to attend, without good cause:

      1. (i) At least 75% of the scheduled meetings of the county board in any 1 calendar year; or
      2. (ii) Three consecutive scheduled meetings of the county board.
2. (b) Before removing a member, the State Board shall send the member a copy of the charges against the member and give the member an opportunity within 10 days to request a hearing.

3. (c) If the member requests a hearing within the 10-day period:

   1. (1) The State Board promptly shall hold a hearing, but a hearing may not be set within 10 days after the State Board sends the member a notice of the hearing; and
   2. (2) The member shall have an opportunity to be heard publicly before the State Board in the member's own defense, in person or by counsel.
4. (d) A member removed under this section has the right to a de novo review of the removal by the Circuit Court for Talbot County.

Added by Acts 2005, c. 524, § 4, eff. Oct. 1, 2005.