Section 24-804 - Oversight committee.

§ 24-804. Oversight committee.
 

(a)  Appointment.- The Mayor of Baltimore City shall appoint an oversight committee for the Program. 

(b)  Composition.- The oversight committee shall consist of: 

(1) Two representatives from academia who specialize in public health issues; 

(2) One representative from law enforcement, nominated by the Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; 

(3) One representative of the Baltimore City Police Department; 

(4) Two representatives from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Department of Juvenile Services, or the Department of Education, nominated by the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene; 

(5) One representative of a Baltimore City community group; 

(6) One representative of an AIDS advocacy group; 

(7) One drug abuse treatment counselor; 

(8) One recovering injecting drug user; and 

(9) Up to three other individuals whom the Mayor of Baltimore City determines to be appropriate for appointment to the oversight committee. 

(c)  Duties and responsibilities.- The oversight committee shall: 

(1) Provide advice to the Commissioner of Health and the Program Director on developing: 

(i) Program operating procedures for the furnishing and one-for-one exchange of hypodermic needles and syringes to injecting drug users; 

(ii) A plan for community outreach and education; 

(iii) A protocol for providing a linkage for Program participants to substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation; and 

(iv) A plan for evaluating the Program; 

(2) Before the Program begins operating, review and make a recommendation to the Commissioner of Health for the approval or disapproval of: 

(i) The Program operating procedures for the furnishing and one-for-one exchange of hypodermic needles and syringes to injecting drug users; 

(ii) The community outreach and education plan; 

(iii) The protocol for providing a linkage for Program participants to substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation; and 

(iv) The plan for evaluating the Program; and 

(3) Provide ongoing oversight of the Program and make recommendations to the Program Director or the Commissioner of Health regarding any aspect of Program procedures, operation, or evaluation. 
 

[1994, ch. 360; 1995, ch. 8, § 4; 2003, ch. 53, § 6.]