(a)    This section applies only to Howard County.

(b)    (1)    The purpose of this section is to authorize the establishment of a quasi–public authority which may be activated by Howard County, if the county decides to designate a quasi–public authority as the core service agency or local behavioral health authority to perform the duties imposed under this subtitle.

(2)    This section has no effect on any other form of core service agency or local behavioral health authority, whether it is a unit of Howard County government, a local health department, or a private, nonprofit corporation.

(c)    (1)    If activated as a quasi–public authority by an ordinance or resolution of the governing body of Howard County, there is established a quasi–public authority in Howard County.

(2)    The quasi–public authority shall:

(i)    Serve as the core service agency or local behavioral health authority for the jurisdiction; and

(ii)    Be a public body, corporate and politic.

(d)    The local ordinance activating the quasi-public authority shall include the following:

(1)    The name of the quasi-public authority;

(2)    The method of appointing individuals to the authority, including whether or not appointments require approval of the chief elected official of the jurisdiction and the legislative body of the jurisdiction;

(3)    The number of members of the authority;

(4)    The terms of members;

(5)    The duties and powers of the authority in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle; and

(6)    Specific terms governing the operation of the authority, including, but not limited to financial reporting, budgetary, and personnel requirements, provided that these specific terms may not add powers to the authority which are not included under this subtitle.

(e)    The quasi-public authority is exempt from taxation by the State and the county.

(f)    Howard County shall send to the Secretary a copy of any ordinance or resolution activating a quasi–public authority which will serve as a core service agency or local behavioral health authority.