(a)    There is a Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Advisory Council in the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention.

(b)    The Council consists of the following members:

(1)    the Executive Director;

(2)    one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate;

(3)    one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(4)    one individual from a higher education institution who studies public health, appointed by the Executive Director;

(5)    one individual who has been affected by gun violence, appointed by the Executive Director; and

(6)    subject to subsection (c) of this section, eight individuals appointed as follows:

(i)    four individuals from community–based or hospital–based organizations that use evidence–based health programs or evidence–informed health programs, two appointed by the President of the Senate and two appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(ii)    two individuals from local police departments or the Department of State Police, one appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by the Speaker of the House; and

(iii)    two individuals from local health departments that are implementing violence prevention strategies, one appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by the Speaker of the House.

(c)    In making appointments under subsection (b)(6) of this section, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall ensure the inclusion of members from multiple cities and counties affected by violence.

(d)    (1)    The Council shall:

(i)    advise the Executive Director on the allocation of funds for the evaluation of the efficacy of evidence–based health programs or evidence–informed health programs that receive funding in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection;

(ii)    provide input to the Executive Director on the administration of the Fund;

(iii)    assist the Executive Director in establishing procedures for local governments and nonprofit organizations to apply for funding;

(iv)    assist the Executive Director in establishing procedures for the distribution of funding;

(v)    create guidelines for funding eligibility;

(vi)    review and publish reports regarding the success and failure of nonsuppression–based violence intervention and prevention programs;

(vii)    advise the Governor and the Executive Director on the implementation of gun violence prevention programs in the State; and

(viii)    be governed by a majority vote.

(2)    An evaluation of the efficacy of evidence–based health programs or evidence–informed health programs that receive funding under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection shall be undertaken by an independent, third–party researcher selected by the Council.

(3)    The results of the evaluation under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be posted to the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention’s website.

(e)    A member of the Council:

(1)    may not receive compensation as a member of the Council; but

(2)    is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.