(a)    There is an Assisted Living Programs Board established to:

(1)    develop statewide policy on assisted living programs;

(2)    coordinate agency responsibility for implementation of policies and programs related to assisted living;

(3)    review and approve policies and regulations governing assisted living programs; and

(4)    establish appropriate interagency agreements relative to assisted living programs.

(b)    The Board consists of 15 voting members as follows:

(1)    the Secretary of Health;

(2)    the Secretary of Human Services;

(3)    the Secretary of Aging; and

(4)    the following voting members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate:

(i)    one representative of the Disability Law Center;

(ii)    one representative of a small program that was certified as a sheltered housing project by the Department of Aging as of December 31, 1995, or could have been certified as a sheltered housing project by the Department of Aging if it had been in existence on December 31, 1995;

(iii)    one representative of a small program that was certified as a care program by the Department of Human Services as of December 31, 1995, or could have been certified as a care program by the Department of Human Services if it had been in existence on December 31, 1995;

(iv)    one representative of a small program that was licensed or registered as a domiciliary care program by the Maryland Department of Health as of December 31, 1995, or could have been licensed or registered as a domiciliary care program by the Maryland Department of Health if it had been in existence on December 31, 1995;

(v)    four consumer members;

(vi)    one representative of the Assisted Living Facilities Association of America;

(vii)    one representative of the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Homes for the Aging;

(viii)    one representative of the Health Facilities Association of Maryland; and

(ix)    one representative of the Long–Term Care Association.

(c)    (1)    The Governor shall appoint a chairperson of the Board from among the three State agency representatives to the Board.

(2)    (i)    The Governor shall appoint the provider and consumer members from the recommendations of organizations representing assisted living program providers and consumers.

(ii)    The Governor is not restricted to these recommendations in appointing members.

(3)    The provider and consumer members shall represent a broad geographic cross section of the State.

(d)    The term of a member who is not a cabinet member or who does not represent the Maryland Disability Law Center or the Department of Aging is 4 years.

(e)    Each member of the Board shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations.

(f)    The Board may establish its own procedures and voting requirements.

(g)    The Maryland Departments of Health, Human Services, and Aging shall provide the Board with the necessary staff and support services.