1. (a)

   1. (1) The Commission shall consist of 15 members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.

   2. (2) Of the 15 members:

      1. (i) Nine shall be individuals who do not have any connection with the management or policy of a health care provider or payor; and

      2. (ii) Of the remaining six members:

         1. 1. Two shall be physicians;
         2. 2. Two shall be payors, as defined in § 19-132 of this subtitle;
         3. 3. One shall be a nursing home administrator in the State; and
         4. 4. One shall be a nonphysician health care practitioner.

2. (b)

   1. (1) The term of a member is 4 years.
   2. (2) The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Commission on October 1, 1999.
   3. (3) At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
   4. (4) A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
   5. (5) The Governor may remove a member for neglect of duty, incompetence, or misconduct.
   6. (6) A member may not serve more than two consecutive terms.

3. (c) When appointing members to the Commission, the Governor shall:

   1. (1) Assure that:

      1. (i) At least five members are residents of different counties with a population of 300,000 or more; and

      2. (ii) At least three members are residents of different counties with a population of less than 300,000, of which at least:

         1. 1. One shall be a resident of the Eastern Shore;
         2. 2. One shall be a resident of Allegany County, Garrett County, Washington County, Carroll County, or Frederick County; and
         3. 3. One shall be a resident of Southern Maryland; and
   2. (2) To the extent practicable, assure geographic balance and promote racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in the Commission's membership.

Added as Health-General § 19-1503 by Acts 1993, c. 9, § 1, eff. July 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1994, c. 472, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1994. Renumbered as Health-General § 19-104 and amended by Acts 1999, c. 702, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2001, c. 29, § 5, eff. April 10, 2001; Acts 2005, c. 294, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2005.