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It is hereby declared to be the public policy of Montgomery County, Maryland, to eliminate discrimination or prejudice of any form that may exist on account of sex; to fully utilize the potential of each citizen, regardless of sex, in order to preserve our democratic way of life; and to provide equal opportunities to all citizens, regardless of sex, in employment, education, home and community services, and before the law. (1972 L.M.C., ch. 22, § 1; 1977 L.M.C., ch. 30, § 13.)
(a) Creation and composition; appointment of members; chairperson. There is a Commission for Women. The Commission consists of 15 members appointed by the County Executive subject to confirmation by the County Council. Nine members are appointed from among those applicants who have been nominated and recommended for appointment by organizations within the County whose interests relate to the status of women. Six members are appointed from among those applicants applying on their own behalf. The Commission must elect one of its members as chairperson and another as vice chairperson, each to serve at the pleasure of the Commission, and such other officers as it determines. Representatives of the Board of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services serve as ex officio members of the Commission. Any city, town, village and special taxing area in the County may appoint one representative to serve as an ex officio member of the Commission.
(b) Terms: vacancies; reappointments. The term of office of each of the appointive members shall commence on July 1 of the year of appointment and shall be for a period of 3 years. Of the members first appointed, 5 shall be appointed for terms which will expire in one year, 3 of whom shall be nominees of County-wide organizations and 2 of whom shall be individual applicants; the same shall be appointed for terms which shall expire in 2 years; and the same for terms which shall expire in 3 years. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired terms. The members shall continue in office until their successors are appointed and have qualified and members shall be eligible for reappointment.
(c) Compensation. Members of the Commission receive no compensation for their services.
(d) Meetings; reports. The commission shall meet at the call of the chairperson as frequently as required to perform its duties, but no less than once each month. A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and a majority of those present at any meeting shall be sufficient for any official action taken by the Commission. The Commission shall submit an annual report to the County Executive and County Council summarizing its activities, needs, recommendations and the degree to which the goals of the Commission are being met. (1972 L.M.C., ch. 22, § 1; 1977 L.M.C., ch. 28, §§ 10, 13; 1978 L.M.C., ch. 3, § 1; FY 1991 L.M.C., ch. 9, § 1; 1995 L.M.C., ch. 13, § 1.)
Editor's note—See County Attorney Opinion dated 4/13/99-A discussing what should occur when an Ethics Commission member holds over as a result of the Council not having confirmed a newly appointed member.
Section 5 of 1995 L.M.C., ch. 13, reads as follows: "Sec. 5. A regulation that implements a function assigned to the Department of Health and Human Services by 1995 LMC ch. 13 continues in effect but is amended to the extent necessary to provide that the regulation is administered by the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services."
The commission shall have the power and it shall be its duty:
(a) To develop when necessary an information and referral system for all services in the county related specifically to the needs of women, to cooperate with the community services coordinating commission and to develop other services when a need for such services is determined.
(b) To research, assemble, analyze and disseminate pertinent data and educational materials relating to activities and programs which will assist in meeting the needs of women and in the elimination of prejudice and discrimination on account of sex; and to institute and conduct educational and other programs, meetings and conferences to promote equal rights and opportunities for all persons regardless of their sex. In performance of its duties, the commission shall cooperate with interested citizens, community, business, professional, technical, educational and civic organizations.
(c) To cooperate with the county executive and all governmental agencies concerned with matters within the jurisdiction of the commission.
(d) To study and investigate by means of public or private meetings, conferences and public hearings, conditions which may result in unmet needs or in discrimination or prejudice because of sex.
(e) To advise and counsel the residents of the county, the county council, the county executive and the various departments of county, state and federal governments on matters involving the needs of women and on matters relating to discrimination or prejudice on account of sex, and to recommend such procedures, program or legislation as it may deem necessary and proper to promote and insure equal rights and opportunities for all persons, regardless of their sex.
(f) To work to remove inequalities due to unmet needs or discrimination or prejudice on the basis of sex in such areas as housing, recreation, employment, education, community services and related matters.
(g) To adopt, under method (2) of section 2A-15 of this Code, such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this article; to keep a record of its activities and minutes of all meetings; such records and minutes shall be on file and shall be open to the public at reasonable business hours upon request.
(h) To prepare and submit to the county executive a budget to include the recommended appropriation for its own operation. In submitting a recommended budget for carrying out the operation of the commission, the county executive shall take into consideration the recommendations of the commission. (1972 L.M.C., ch. 22, § 1; 1977 L.M.C., ch. 30, § 13; 1984 L.M.C., ch. 24, § 30.)
The chairman of the commission may, with the approval of the commission appoint committees from its members to assist in carrying out any of the functions and duties of the commission. Any committee appointed shall consist of not less than three (3) members. The chairman of the commission may also appoint advisory committees of citizens and at least one (1) commission member as in his judgment will aid in effectuating the purposes of the commission. The committee and advisory committee actions shall not be deemed to be the action of the commission and shall in no way bind the commission or its members. (1972 L.M.C., ch. 22, § 1; 1977 L.M.C., ch. 30, § 13.)
An advisory council, composed of representatives from organizations interested in the activities of the commission, shall be established to advise the commission. Unaffiliated individuals may attend advisory council meetings, but may not vote. Advisory council action shall not be deemed to be the action of the commission and shall in no way bind the commission or its members. (1972 L.M.C., ch. 22, § 1; 1977 L.M.C., ch. 30, § 13.)
The commission may engage the services of volunteer workers and consultants without salary as they may find necessary from time to time and may engage other workers and consultants in accordance with the laws of the county subject to budget appropriations to assist it in carrying out its duties. Services of an individual as a volunteer worker or consultant for the commission shall not be considered as service of employment bringing such individual within any merit system of the county or the state. (1972 L.M.C., ch. 22, § 1; 1977 L.M.C., ch. 30, § 13.)
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