(a)    There is a Maryland School for the Deaf.

(b)    The governance of the Maryland School for the Deaf is vested in the Board of Trustees of the Maryland School for the Deaf.

(c)    (1)    The Board of Trustees shall consist of 19 members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(2)    Of the 19 members, at least 6 members shall be deaf.

(3)    Each member of the Board shall:

(i)    Be a resident of the State;

(ii)    Be a member of the general public; and

(iii)    Have demonstrated an active interest in the education of deaf children.

(4)    Each geographic region of the State shall be represented by at least one member of the Board.

(d)    (1)    The term of a member is 6 years.

(2)    The terms of the members are staggered as required by the terms provided for the members of the Board on October 1, 1992.

(3)    At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

(4)    A member may not serve more than two consecutive terms.

(e)    The Board may:

(1)    Apply for, accept, and spend any gift or grant from the federal government, any foundation, or any other person; and

(2)    Maintain, manage, and invest any gifts or grants that it accepts.

(f)    The Board shall establish an annual operating budget.

(g)    (1)    There is a branch of the Maryland School for the Deaf.

(2)    This branch shall be located near the population center of the State.

(3)    The branch shall be administered and operated as part of and is subject to the Maryland School for the Deaf.

(h)    (1)    The Maryland School for the Deaf shall adopt written standards for the admission of students.

(2)    The standards shall define and distinguish between students who are bona fide Maryland residents and those who are out–of–state students, for purposes of admission and tuition.

(i)    The Maryland School for the Deaf shall admit students free of charge who:

(1)    Are bona fide Maryland residents; and

(2)    Meet the admission standards of the Maryland School for the Deaf.

(j)    (1)    The Maryland School for the Deaf may admit out–of–state students for tuition who meet the admission standards of the Maryland School for the Deaf.

(2)    The Maryland School for the Deaf shall establish tuition rates on an annual basis.

(k)    Each teacher who is employed by the Maryland School for the Deaf is in the professional service in the State Personnel Management System.