(a)
(1) The Council consists of the following voting members, appointed by the Secretary of Health:
(i) 21 individuals with lived experience participating in an Administration program that shall include:
- 1. Representatives from advocacy groups for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and
- 2. Equal representation from individuals who have experienced self-directed delivery models and individuals who have experienced traditional delivery models;
- (ii) Two licensed providers of residential and day services;
- (iii) Two certified providers of services including employment, personal support, technology, and transportation;
- (iv) Two coordination of community services providers;
- (v) One financial management and counseling services provider;
- (vi) One representative of an ethnic advocacy group in the State;
- (vii) One representative of the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities;
- (viii) One representative of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council;
- (ix) One representative of the Self-Directed Advocacy Network of Maryland;
- (x) One representative of the Parents' Place of Maryland;
- (xi) One representative of the Maryland Association of Community Services;
- (xii) One representative of The Arc Maryland;
- (xiii) One individual who is a support broker;
- (xiv) One representative of Service Coordination, Inc.;
- (xv) Three family members with experience with self-directed services; and
- (xvi) Three family members with experience with traditional services.
(2) The Council consists of the following nonvoting members:
- (i) One member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate;
- (ii) One member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
- (iii) The Director of Federal Programs and Integrity in the Administration;
- (iv) One representative of the Department of Disabilities, designated by the Secretary of Disabilities;
- (v) One representative of the Department of Housing and Community Development, designated by the Secretary of Housing and Community Development;
- (vi) One representative of the Department of Human Services, designated by the Secretary of Human Services;
- (vii) One representative of the Division of Rehabilitation Services in the State Department of Education, designated by the State Superintendent of Schools;
(viii) The following members, designated by the Secretary of Health:
- 1. One representative of the Office of Long Term Services and Supports;
- 2. One representative of the Behavioral Health Administration;
- 3. One representative of the Office of Health Care Quality;
- 4. One representative of the Eligibility Determination Division of the Office of Eligibility Services; and
- 5. One representative of the Maryland Long Term Services and Support system program management office; and
(ix) The following members, appointed by the Secretary of Health:
- 1. One representative of the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services; and
- 2. One representative of Applied Self-Direction.
- (3) Family members appointed to the Council shall include at least one family member from each region.
- (4) The Administration shall establish an application process and review process for members who wish to serve on the Council.
- (5) To the extent practicable, the membership of the Council shall reflect the gender, racial, ethnic, and geographical diversity of the State.
(b)
- (1) The term of a member is 3 years.
- (2) The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for the members of the Council on October 1, 2025.
- (3) At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
- (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) A member may not serve consecutive terms but may serve for multiple nonconsecutive terms.
(c)
- (1) The Director of Federal Programs shall serve as a nonvoting cochair.
- (2) The Council shall vote for the additional cochair.
(d)
- (1) The Administration shall provide staff for the Council.
- (2) The Department shall include a dedicated Council webpage on the Department's website that includes meeting dates and times, agendas and other meeting documents, and recorded past meetings of the Council.
(e) A member of the Council:
- (1) May not receive compensation as a member of the Council; but
- (2) Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.
- (f) The Council may provide travel arrangements, as necessary, for members of the Council with disabilities.
Added by Acts 2025, c. 756, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.