Section 2-201 – Department Established
There is a Department of Human Services established as a principal department of the State government.
Section 2-202 – Secretary
(a) (1) With the advice and consent of the Senate, the Governor shall appoint the Secretary of Human Services. (2) The Secretary is the head of the Department. (b) Before taking office, the appointee shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution. (c) (1) The Secretary serves at the pleasure of the Governor and is […]
Section 2-203 – Administration of Department
(a) The Secretary is responsible for the operation of the Department and shall establish guidelines and procedures to promote the orderly and efficient administration of the Department. (b) The Secretary may establish, reorganize, or abolish areas of responsibility in the office of the Secretary as necessary to fulfill effectively the duties assigned to the Secretary.
Section 2-204 – Deputy Secretaries
(a) With the approval of the Governor, the Secretary shall appoint three deputy secretaries. (b) The deputy secretaries: (1) serve at the pleasure of the Secretary; and (2) are entitled to the compensation provided in the State budget. (c) The deputy secretaries have the duties delegated by the Secretary. (d) The Secretary shall designate a deputy secretary to be the acting […]
Section 2-205 – Staff — Secretary’s Office
(a) In accordance with the State budget, the Secretary may employ a staff attached to the office of the Secretary. (b) The Secretary may designate a staff assistant to be in charge of a particular area of responsibility. (c) (1) (i) The Secretary shall appoint each staff assistant in the office of the Secretary in charge of a particular area […]
Section 2-206 – Removal of Appointees
If the Secretary is required by law to make an appointment with the approval of the Governor to a particular office in the Department and the appointee is required to serve at the pleasure of the Secretary, the Secretary may not remove the appointee without first obtaining the Governor’s approval.
Section 2-207 – Staff — Other Units
(a) The appointment or removal of personnel by a unit in the Department is subject to the approval of the Secretary. (b) The Secretary may delegate the power of approval established under subsection (a) of this section to the head or governing body of the unit.
Section 2-208 – Legal Counsel
(a) This section does not apply to a unit in the Department to the extent that the unit is authorized by law to employ its own legal adviser or counsel. (b) The Attorney General is the legal adviser to the Department. (c) The Attorney General shall assign to the Department the number of assistant Attorneys General that are […]
Section 2-209 – Regulations
(a) The Secretary shall adopt regulations for the office of the Secretary. (b) (1) The Secretary shall review regulations proposed by a unit in the Department. (2) The Secretary may approve, disapprove, or revise regulations proposed by a unit in the Department.
Section 2-210 – Secretary’s Duties — Budget
The Secretary is responsible for the budget of the office of the Secretary and for the budget of each unit in the Department.
Section 2-211 – Secretary’s Duties — Plans and Activities
(a) The Secretary is responsible for planning activities of the Department. (b) The Secretary may review and approve, disapprove, or revise the plans, proposals, and projects of units in the Department.
Section 2-212 – Secretary’s Powers — Assumption of Functions
The Secretary may exercise or perform any power, duty, responsibility, or function of any unit in the Department.
Section 2-213 – Secretary’s Powers — Advisory Boards
In addition to any advisory boards established by law, the Secretary, with the approval of the Governor, may create advisory boards or use as an advisory board any existing commission established by executive order.