§ 2-172. Mental Health Advisory Committee: Composition, Appointments, Terms of Office.

(a)

The Mental Health Advisory Committee for Prince George's County, hereinafter referred to as the "Advisory Committee," is established pursuant to Section 10-308, et seq., Health-General Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, to serve as advocate for a comprehensive mental health system for persons of all ages and shall have and exercise the powers, duties, and functions provided hereinafter.

(b)

The voting membership shall be representative of the County's major socioeconomic and ethnic groups and shall consist of:

(1)

Seven (7) representatives to be selected from among the following groups or agencies:

(A)

The County Board of Education;

(B)

The County Department of Social Services;

(C)

The County Medical Society;

(D)

Mental health professionals who are not physicians;

(E)

Member of the clergy;

(F)

The Prince George's County Bar Association;

(G)

The Mental Health Association of Prince George's County;

(H)

The Police Department;

(I)

The Sheriff's Department;

(J)

A local general hospital that contains an inpatient psychiatric unit;

(K)

A local agency working with the elderly;

(L)

The Department of Juvenile Services;

(M)

A local alcohol and drug abuse agency;

(N)

A local community rehabilitation or housing program; and

(O)

Members of the general public.

At least two members shall be appointed from (G) and (O), above.

(2)

At least seven (7), but no more than nine (9), individuals shall be selected from among the following groups or organizations:

(A)

At least two (2) individuals who are currently receiving or who have in the past received mental health services;

(B)

Parents or other relatives of adults with mental disorders;

(C)

Parents or other relatives of children or adolescents with emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders, the onset of which occurred during childhood or adolescence.

(c)

The nonvoting ex-officio members shall be the following individuals or their designees:

(1)

The County Executive;

(2)

A Member of the County Council;

(3)

The County Health Officer;

(4)

The Director of the Mental Hygiene Administration, Southern Regional Office;

(5)

A representative from at least one of the State inpatient facilities that serves the County to be appointed by the Director of the Mental Hygiene Administration;

(6)

The Director of the Directorate of Mental Health of the County Health Department;

(7)

The Director of the Core Service Agency.

(d)

The term of office of each voting member of the Advisory Committee shall be for three (3) years, commencing on the first day of July of the year of an appointment. The terms of one-third of the members shall end each year. Members who have served two (2) consecutive, full three-year terms shall not be eligible for reappointment for a period of two (2) years following completion of such terms.

(CB-81-1976; CB-60-1979; CB-117-1989; CB-4-1992)