Explanation: Capitals indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill
Introduced by: Councilmembers Middleton, Stokes
At the request of: The Administration (Office of Children and Family Success)
A Bill Entitled
An Ordinance concerning
title
Children Youth and Families - Youth Commission - Amendment
For the purpose of amending the composition of the Youth Commission; providing for the compensation of Commission members; providing for the selection of certain officers; establishing the Executive Committee; providing for the membership and duties of the Executive Committee; requiring the adoption of a constitution and bylaws; updating the powers and duties of the Commission; providing for staff to the Commission; requiring agency cooperation with the Commission; and generally related to amending certain provisions related to the Commission.
body
By repealing and re-ordaining, with amendments
Article 1 - Mayor, City Council, and Municipal Agencies
Sections 22-5 to 22-7
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
By adding
Article 1 - Mayor, City Council, and Municipal Agencies
Sections 22-8
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, That the Laws of Baltimore City read as follows:
Baltimore City Code
Article 1. Mayor, City Council, and Municipal Agencies
Subtitle 22. Children, Youth, and Families
Part II. Youth Commission
§ 22-5. Composition.
(a) In general.
The Commission comprises 17 [voting] members [and 14 non-voting members].
(b) [Voting members] Members.
(1) The [voting] members shall be appointed by the Mayor, in accordance with City Charter Article IV, § 6, as follows:
(i) 1 youth from each of the 14 Council Districts, at least 1 of whom is not a graduate of or then enrolled in a traditional educational program; and
(ii) 3 at-large youths recommended by the President of the City Council.
(2) Each [voting] member of the Commission must be a resident of Baltimore City.
(3) A youth may not be appointed to a term as a [voting] member of the Commission if that youth would become [26] 23 years old during that term.
[(c) Agency representatives.]
[Each of the following entities shall designate a non-voting member to represent that entity:]
[(1) Baltimore City Public School System.]
[(2) Department of Recreation and Parks.]
[(3) Health Department.]
[(4) Police Department (PAL Centers).]
[(5) Department of Social Services.]
[(6) State’s Attorney’s Office.]
[(7) Enoch Pratt Free Library.]
[(8) Mayor’s Office of Employment Development.]
[(9) Housing Authority of Baltimore City.]
[(10) State Department of Juvenile Services.]
[(11) Family League of Baltimore City.]
[(12) Baltimore City Community College.]
[(d) Mayoral and Council representatives.]
[(1) 2 non-voting, ex officio members are:]
[(i) the Mayor; and]
[(ii) the President of the City Council.]
[(2) The Mayor or Council President may designate another person to serve in her or his
place.]
§ 22-6. Terms, organization, meetings, etc.
(a) Terms.
(1) The term of a [voting] member expires at the end of the Mayor’s term.
(2) At the end of a term, a [voting] member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(3) A member may only serve a maximum of 3 terms.
(b) Compensation; expenses.
The members of the Commission[:] serve with compensation based on hours served, as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates.
[(1) serve without compensation; but]
[(2) are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in the
performance of their duties, as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates.]
(c) [Officers; committees.] Officers.
(1) The Mayor shall designate a [voting] member to serve as Commission Chair.
[(2) The Chair may select other officers.]
(2) At the beginning of each term and after all members are appointed, the Commission Chair shall call a meeting of the Commission and the Commission shall elect members to serve as:
(i) Vice Chair;
(ii) Treasurer; and
(iii) Secretary.
[(3) The Chair may appoint committees to assist the Commission in carrying out its
functions and duties.]
(d) Committees.
(1) There is an Executive Committee in the Commission that comprises the following members:
(i) the Chair;
(ii) the Vice Chair;
(iii) the Treasurer;
(iv) the Secretary; and
(v) an at-large member, who shall be elected by majority vote of the
Commissioners at the Commission’s first meeting.
(2) The Executive Committee:
(i) may expend funds authorized in the Ordinance of Estimates or any supplemental appropriations;
(ii) may appoint Committees to assist the Commission in carrying out its functions and duties; and
(iii) shall generally oversee the administration of the Commission.
(e) [(d)] Meetings; quorum.
(1) The Commission shall meet on the call of the Chair as frequently as required to perform its duties, but not less than [6 times nor more than 10 times each year] 1 time each month.
(2) A majority of the [voting] members constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.
(3) An affirmative vote of at least a majority of a quorum is needed for any official action.
(f) Constitution and bylaws.
(1) In general.
The Commission must adopt a constitution and bylaws to govern its meetings and operations.
(2) Constitution.
(i) The Commission must adopt a constitution within 30 days of electing the Executive Committee.
(ii) The Commission must review, revise, and re-adopt the constitution within 30 days of electing a new Executive Committee after the start of each new Mayoral term.
(3) Bylaws.
(i) The Commission must adopt bylaws within 60 days of electing the Executive Committee.
(ii) The Commission must review, revise, and re-adopt the bylaws within 60 days of electing a new Executive Committee after the start of each new Mayoral term.
(g) Staff.
The Office of Children and Family Success, or its successor, shall:
(1) provide staff to the Commission; and
(2) provide the personnel and capital support necessary for the Commission to perform its duties, as provided for in the Ordinance of Estimates.
(h) [(e)] Rules and regulations.
Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act - Regulations”} of the City General Provisions Article, the Commission may adopt rules and regulations to govern its meetings and operations.
§ 22-7. [Commission] Powers and duties.
(a) Powers.
In addition to any other powers specified in this subtitle, the Commission may:
(1) engage, consult, and partner with a City official and any unit of City government; and
(2) engage, consult, and partner with a community-based organization.
(b) Duties.
The Commission shall:
[(1) develop and maintain a 3-year plan of action that outlines specific areas for
Commission study and recommendations;]
[(2) review issues relating to programs and services for children and youth;]
[(3) identify and recommend priorities among programs and services for children and
youth;]
[(4) create a forum for discussions with children, youth, and their families;]
[(5) advocate services and programs for children and youth;]
[(6) make recommendations for programs, policies, procedures, or legislation it
deems necessary to promote the well-being of children, youth, and their
families;]
[(7) work with the public and private sector in a collaborative effort to:]
[(i) bring forth the concerns of children and youth; and]
[(ii) evaluate and strengthen programming that will enhance the interpersonal
and social development of children and youth;]
[(8) develop a communications network to share information about public and
private services to children and youth;]
[(9) submit an annual report to the Mayor and the City Council; and]
[(10) perform any other duties that the Mayor requests.]
(1) create and deliver a year-end annual report on Commission activities to the Mayor and City Council;
(2) review resources available to children and youth and provide feedback regarding effectiveness to the respective resource administrator;
(3) host and participate in public forums with and about children and youth;
(4) advocate for resources for children and youth;
(5) make recommendations for programs, policies, procedures, or legislation deemed necessary to promote the well-being of children, youth, and their families;
(6) raise awareness of resources available to children, youth, and their families; and
(7) review and evaluate existing and proposed policies, programs, and legislation as they relate to the well-being of children, youth, and their families.
§ 22-8. Agency cooperation.
All City officials and agencies shall cooperate with the Commission and extend the services and facilities that the Commission requires to the extent that the officials and agencies are able to do so given personnel and budgets as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates.
Section 2. And be it further ordained, That this Ordinance takes effect on the 30th day after the date it is enacted.