1. (a) In the Office of the Governor, there is an Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

2. (b)

   1. (1) The head of the Office is the Director.

   2. (2)

      1. (i) The Director is appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.
      2. (ii) The Director serves at the pleasure of the Governor and is responsible directly to the Governor.

   3. (3) The Director shall be:

      1. (i) a deaf or hard of hearing person; and
      2. (ii) knowledgeable and experienced with issues affecting deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
   4. (4) The Director is entitled to the salary provided in the State budget.

3. (c)

   1. (1) The Office shall:

      1. (i) advise the Governor on all matters assigned to the Office; and
      2. (ii) carry out the Governor's policies on the matters assigned to the Office.

   2. (2) The Director shall:

      1. (i) manage the operation of the Office and establish guidelines and procedures to promote the orderly and efficient operation of the Office; and
      2. (ii) adopt regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this subtitle.
   3. (3) Subject to the provisions of this subtitle, the Director may establish, reorganize, or consolidate areas of responsibility in the Office as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities assigned by the Director.
4. (d) The Office shall be given adequate staff and funding to carry out its duties.

Added by Acts 2001, c. 537, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2001.