(a) (1) On or before July 1, 2021, the Commission shall establish a Health Equity Resource Community Advisory Committee.

(2) The duties of the Advisory Committee include:

(i) Providing initial and ongoing assistance and guidance regarding program evaluation and data collection metrics for Health Equity Resource Communities and health equity research practitioners;

(ii) Assisting the Commission in preparing the required annual report described in § 20-1408(b) of this subtitle and § 19-2112 of this article;

(iii) Proposing strategies for tax incentives and loan repayments to assist Health Equity Resource Communities in achieving their mission; and

(iv) Providing guidance, as determined by the Commission, to the Commission as necessary to implement the provisions of this subtitle.

(b) The Advisory Committee consists of:

(1) The Chair of the Community Health Resources Commission or the Chair’s designee;

(2) The Director of the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, or the Director’s designee;

(3) Three members appointed by the Governor, including:

(i) One individual representing the Maryland Department of Health; and

(ii) One individual with expertise in health care financing;

(4) Three members appointed by the President of the Senate, including:

(i) One individual with expertise in the social determinants of health; and

(ii) One individual who is a member of the general public residing in an area that has been or may be designated a Health Equity Resource Community; and

(5) Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House, including:

(i) One individual with expertise in health equity; and

(ii) One individual who is a member of the general public residing in an area that has been or may be designated a Health Equity Resource Community.

(c) (1) Collectively, the members of the Advisory Committee shall have knowledge of the following:

(i) Existing or potential health disparities in the State;

(ii) Groups of residents negatively affected by health disparities;

(iii) Systems, policies, and methods likely to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities;

(iv) Effective prevention services;

(v) Health care costs, trends, and drivers;

(vi) Clinical health services research;

(vii) Consumer or patient perspectives; and

(viii) Innovative ways to address social determinants of health through the use of community health workers.

(2) To the extent practicable and consistent with federal and State law, the membership of the Advisory Committee shall reflect the racial, ethnic, geographic, and gender diversity of the State.

(3) The Chair of the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission shall chair the Advisory Committee.

(d) (1) The term of a member of the Advisory Committee is 4 years.

(2) The Commission shall stagger the terms of the initial appointed members.

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

(4) A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the remainder of that term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

(5) The Commission may remove an appointed member for incompetence, misconduct, or failure to perform the duties of the position.

(e) A member of the Advisory Committee:

(1) May not receive compensation as a member of the Advisory Committee; but

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

(f) The Advisory Committee shall:

(1) On or before January 1, 2022, hold an initial meeting; and

(2) Meet at least once every 6 months thereafter.

(g) The Commission may convene working or advisory groups to facilitate the implementation of this subtitle that shall include individuals who reside in an area that has been or may be designated as a Health Equity Resource Community.