reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 10A - Miscellaneous Statutory Committees › Section 2-10A-03 - Workers' Compensation Benefit and Insurance

(a)    There is a Joint Committee on Workers’ Compensation Benefit and Insurance Oversight.
(b)    (1)    The Committee consists of 16 members.
(2)    Of the 16 members:
(i)    1.    2 shall be members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate; and
2.    2 shall be Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; and
(ii)    12 shall be appointed jointly by the President and the Speaker as follows:
1.    1 representative of the business community;
2.    1 representative of the Maryland labor organizations;
3.    1 representative of the Maryland building and construction labor organizations;
4.    1 representative of a self–insured local government entity;
5.    2 members of the public;
6.    1 member of the insurance industry;
7.    1 member of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland;
8.    1 member of a workers’ compensation rating organization;
9.    2 members of the Bar of the Court of Appeals of Maryland, 1 of whom represents plaintiffs in workers’ compensation cases and 1 of whom represents defendants in workers’ compensation cases; and
10.    1 member who is certified by the Workers’ Compensation Commission as a Maryland rehabilitation service provider.
(c)    The members of the Committee serve at the pleasure of the presiding officer who appointed them.
(d)    The President and the Speaker shall jointly appoint a Senator and a Delegate each to serve as cochair.
(e)    (1)    The Committee shall examine and evaluate:
(i)    the condition of the workers’ compensation benefit and insurance structure in the State; and
(ii)    the effect of Chapters 590 and 591 of the Laws of Maryland of 1987 on that structure.
(2)    This examination shall include the regulations adopted by the Workers’ Compensation Commission that are to be used by physicians to measure impairment when preparing medical evaluations of claimants.
(f)    The Insurance Commissioner and the Workers’ Compensation Commission shall:
(1)    cooperate fully with the Committee;
(2)    keep the Committee fully informed as to the condition of workers’ compensation benefits and workers’ compensation insurance in the State; and
(3)    submit an annual report, subject to § 2–1257 of this title, to the Committee on or before October 1 of each year that incorporates the information described in item (2) of this subsection.
(g)    The Committee shall report to the Governor and the Legislative Policy Committee on December 31 of each year.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 10A - Miscellaneous Statutory Committees › Section 2-10A-08 - Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight

(a)    There is a Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight.
(b)    (1)    The Joint Committee consists of eight members.
(2)    Of the eight members:
(i)    four shall be members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; and
(ii)    four shall be members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
(c)    The members of the Joint Committee serve at the pleasure of the presiding officer who appointed them.
(d)    The President and the Speaker jointly shall appoint a Senator and a Delegate to serve as cochairs.
(e)    The Joint Committee shall have oversight over:
(1)    employment policies and personnel systems in the Executive Branch of State government, including:
(i)    the State Personnel Management System;
(ii)    the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Human Resources Management System; and
(iii)    the personnel systems of State institutions of higher education; and
(2)    matters in State government of equal employment opportunity policies and practices for State employees.
(f)    The purposes of the Joint Committee are to:
(1)    review reports;
(2)    evaluate the effectiveness of programs, policies, and practices; and
(3)    identify areas of concern and, as appropriate, recommend corrective measures to the Governor and the General Assembly.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 10A - Miscellaneous Statutory Committees › Section 2-10A-11 - Joint Committee on Unemployment Insurance Oversight

(a)    There is a Joint Committee on Unemployment Insurance Oversight.
(b)    The Committee consists of the following 15 members:
(1)    three members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate;
(2)    three members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates;
(3)    the Secretary of Labor, or the Secretary’s designee;
(4)    the Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary’s designee;
(5)    a representative of the Maryland Retailers Association, designated by the Maryland Retailers Association;
(6)    a representative of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, designated by the Maryland Chamber of Commerce;
(7)    a representative of the National Federation of Independent Business, designated by the National Federation of Independent Business;
(8)    a representative of the Job Opportunities Task Force, designated by the Job Opportunities Task Force;
(9)    two representatives of union labor, designated by the Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL–CIO; and
(10)    a representative of the academic profession who is knowledgeable in unemployment insurance law, designated jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates.
(c)    The members of the Committee serve at the pleasure of the presiding officer who appointed them.
(d)    The President and the Speaker shall appoint a Senator and a Delegate, respectively, each to serve as cochair.
(e)    (1)    The Committee shall examine the condition of the unemployment insurance system in the State as a result of the implementation of Chapter 169 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2005.
(2)    The Committee may examine the need for additional alterations to the unemployment insurance system, including the charging and taxation provisions and the eligibility and benefit provisions, in consideration of the fairness of the system and in order to maintain the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund at a level sufficient to ensure that benefits will be paid from the Fund.
(f)    (1)    The Department of Legislative Services shall provide staffing for the Committee.
(2)    The Maryland Department of Labor shall report to the Committee on the condition of unemployment insurance in the State.
(g)    A member of the Committee may not receive compensation for serving on the Committee, but is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.
(h)    The Committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and, subject to § 2–1257 of this title, the General Assembly on December 31 of each year in which the Committee meets.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 10A - Miscellaneous Statutory Committees › Section 2-10A-13 - Joint Committee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Biotechnology

(a)    There is a Joint Committee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Biotechnology.
(b)    The Committee consists of the following 12 members:
(1)    six members of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate; and
(2)    six members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
(c)    The members of the Committee serve at the pleasure of the presiding officer who appointed them.
(d)    The President and the Speaker shall appoint jointly a Senator and a Delegate to serve as cochairs who shall alternate in serving as the presiding chair of the Committee each year.
(e)    The Committee shall:
(1)    work to broaden the support, knowledge, and awareness of advances in cybersecurity, information technology, and biotechnology to benefit the people of Maryland;
(2)    evaluate State cybersecurity systems and the adequacy of economic development and job skills training programs to advance cybersecurity in the State;
(3)    make recommendations regarding actions to promote cybersecurity, information technology, and biotechnology industries in the State; and
(4)    examine and evaluate additional cybersecurity–, information technology–, or biotechnology–related issues as designated by the cochairs of the Committee.
(f)    The Committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of this title, the Legislative Policy Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and the House Economic Matters Committee on or before December 31 of each year.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 10A - Miscellaneous Statutory Committees › Section 2-10A-14 - Joint Committee on Legislative Information Technology and Open Government

(a)    There is a Joint Committee on Legislative Information Technology and Open Government.
(b)    (1)    The Committee consists of 12 members.
(2)    Of the 12 members:
(i)    6 shall be members of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate; and
(ii)    6 shall be members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
(c)    From among the membership of the Committee, the President of the Senate shall appoint a Senator to serve as the Senate Chair of the Committee, and the Speaker of the House shall appoint a Delegate to serve as the House Chair of the Committee.
(d)    The Department of Legislative Services shall provide staff assistance to the Committee.
(e)    The Committee shall:
(1)    review and evaluate legislative information technology systems and goals for the General Assembly and its staff agencies;
(2)    identify areas in which the State can improve its technology, websites, programs, and services to increase transparency, citizen engagement, and public awareness of and access to government resources, publications, and actions;
(3)    evaluate the effects of transparency and open government policies and actions on the security of State information technology systems and information held by State units;
(4)    make recommendations regarding:
(i)    legislative information technology systems and goals for the General Assembly and its staff agencies;
(ii)    policies or actions to enhance the security of State information technology systems and information held by State units; and
(iii)    laws, programs, services, or budgetary priorities necessary to ensure and promote transparency and open government in the State; and
(5)    perform any other activity related to legislative information technology systems or open government as designated by the cochairs of the Committee.
(f)    (1)    Subject to § 2–1257 of this title, the Committee shall submit a report to the Legislative Policy Committee on or before December 1 each year.
(2)    The report shall include:
(i)    a description of the work of the Committee; and
(ii)    any recommendations of the Committee.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 11 - Miscellaneous Provisions on Committees › Section 2-1101 - Duties of Presiding Officers

(a)    When the General Assembly is not in session, any decision that relates to or affects a member of a committee of the General Assembly shall be made:
(1)    as to a Senate member, by the President; and
(2)    as to a House member, by the Speaker.
(b)    The responsibilities of the President and the Speaker under this section include:
(1)    appointing members of committees;
(2)    appointing officers of committees; and
(3)    setting the dates, times, and places for committee meetings.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 11 - Miscellaneous Provisions on Committees › Section 2-1103 - Miscellaneous Powers and Duties of Standing Committees

(a)    While the General Assembly is not in session, each standing committee may:
(1)    study and prepare recommendations and reports on any matter that is within the usual and customary jurisdiction of the standing committee; and
(2)    otherwise exercise the usual and customary powers that the standing committee has when the General Assembly is in session.
(b)    If time permits, each standing committee shall send to the Legislative Policy Committee a copy of each proposed bill and joint resolution that the standing committee intends to introduce in the General Assembly.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 11 - Miscellaneous Provisions on Committees › Section 2-1104 - Authority of Standing Committees as to Subpoenas, Oaths, Testimony, and Depositions

(a)    With the prior approval of the Legislative Policy Committee, a standing committee, in carrying out any of its functions or powers, may:
(1)    issue subpoenas;
(2)    compel the attendance of witnesses;
(3)    compel the production of any papers, books, accounts, documents, and testimony;
(4)    administer oaths; and
(5)    cause the depositions of witnesses, who reside in or outside of the State, to be taken in the manner provided by law for taking depositions in a civil case.
(b)    (1)    If a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued under this section or fails to testify on any matter on which the person lawfully may be interrogated, on petition of a member of the standing committee, a circuit court may pass an order directing compliance with the subpoena or compelling testimony and may enforce the order by proceedings for contempt.
(2)    Venue and procedures for a proceeding under paragraph (1) of this subsection to direct compliance with a subpoena or compel testimony are as provided in § 2–1803 of this title.
(c)    False swearing by a witness before a standing committee is perjury.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part I - General Provisions; Executive Director › Section 2-1201 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Department” means the Department of Legislative Services.
(c)    “Executive Director” means the Executive Director of the Department.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part I - General Provisions; Executive Director › Section 2-1203 - Executive Director -- in General

(a)    The head of the Department is the Executive Director, who shall be appointed jointly by the President and the Speaker.
(b)    The Executive Director:
(1)    serves without a fixed term and may be removed by the Legislative Policy Committee on the recommendation of the President and the Speaker;
(2)    is entitled to the salary provided in the State budget;
(3)    shall devote full time to the duties of the Office; and
(4)    shall serve in a nonpartisan capacity and ensure that the activities of the Department are conducted in a nonpartisan manner.
(c)    Subject to the policies and directives of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House and the Legislative Policy Committee, the Executive Director has general administrative control of the operation of the Department and its units.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part I - General Provisions; Executive Director › Section 2-1204 - Executive Director -- Duties

The Executive Director, under the direction of the President and the Speaker, shall:
(1)    oversee the activities of the Department to ensure that its functions are performed correctly, efficiently, and in a timely and nonpartisan manner;
(2)    coordinate the activities of the offices of the Department to ensure that the responsibilities of each office are carried out, maximize cooperation among the Department’s employees, and achieve the greatest efficiency in the use of personnel and other resources;
(3)    prepare the annual budget for the Department after consultation with the office directors;
(4)    conduct an annual evaluation of the performance of each office director;
(5)    communicate the opinions, needs, and concerns of the Department’s employees to the President and the Speaker; and
(6)    perform any other function required by the President and the Speaker.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part I - General Provisions; Executive Director › Section 2-1205 - Employment of Staff

(a)    The Department shall employ a staff and engage other staff and consultant services in accordance with the State budget.
(b)    Positions in the Department are subject to the personnel guidelines established under subsection (c) of this section.
(c)    The Legislative Policy Committee shall adopt guidelines that are not inconsistent with law and that, for employees of the Department, govern:
(1)    hiring;
(2)    probationary periods;
(3)    tenure;
(4)    promotion;
(5)    overtime compensation;
(6)    discrimination;
(7)    compensatory work for absences due to religious beliefs;
(8)    holidays;
(9)    part-time employment;
(10)    grievance procedures;
(11)    removal; and
(12)    political activity.
(d)    The provisions of § 2-304 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article do not apply to an employee of the Department.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part II - Organization and General Authority of Department › Section 2-1206 - Units; Office Directors

(a)    The following units are in the Department:
(1)    the Office of Legislative Audits;
(2)    the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability;
(3)    the Office of Policy Analysis;
(4)    the Office of Operations and Support Services; and
(5)    any other offices as may be designated by the President and the Speaker.
(b)    With the approval of the President and the Speaker and in consultation with the minority leader of the Senate and the minority leader of the House of Delegates, the Executive Director shall appoint the following office directors:
(1)    the director of the Office of Legislative Audits;
(2)    the director of the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability;
(3)    the director of the Office of Policy Analysis;
(4)    the director of the Office of Operations and Support Services; and
(5)    any director of an office designated by the President and the Speaker under subsection (a)(5) of this section.
(c)    Each office director serves without a fixed term and, subject to the approval of the President and the Speaker and in consultation with the minority leader of the Senate and the minority leader of the House of Delegates, may be removed by the Executive Director.
(d)    Each office director shall serve in a nonpartisan capacity and ensure that all activities of the office are conducted in a nonpartisan manner.
(e)    Each office director is entitled to the salary provided in the State budget.
(f)    After consultation with the Executive Director, each office director may appoint an appropriate number of qualified individuals to serve in management functions in the respective offices.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part II - Organization and General Authority of Department › Section 2-1207 - Duties of the Department

In addition to any duties set forth elsewhere, the Department shall provide:
(1)    budget and fiscal review, analysis, research, studies, and reports;
(2)    legislative drafting and statutory revision services;
(3)    legal research, review, analysis, studies, and reports;
(4)    general research and policy analysis;
(5)    fiscal/compliance, financial statement, and performance audits of units of the State government;
(6)    legislative research, legislative document and material collection and preservation, and other library services;
(7)    public information services about legislative activities;
(8)    document preparation and publication services;
(9)    legislative information systems maintenance, development, and support; and
(10)    administrative support services for the Department and, where appropriate, for the General Assembly relating to finance, personnel, distribution, telecommunications, printing and copying, supplies, housekeeping, and maintenance.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part II - Organization and General Authority of Department › Section 2-1208 - Use of Staff and Facilities

(a)    The staff and facilities of the Department shall be available to prepare fiscal, legal, and policy reports for and otherwise help:
(1)    any standing committee;
(2)    any statutory committee;
(3)    any special committee of the Legislative Policy Committee; and
(4)    with the consent of the President and the Speaker, any joint legislative and executive body that the Governor appoints.
(b)    The Executive Director shall assign, to the staff of the Department or to a special research or consulting agency, the preparation of any fiscal, legal, or policy report that the Legislative Policy Committee or a standing committee requests.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part II - Organization and General Authority of Department › Section 2-1209 - Duty to Review Reporting Requirements for Agencies

On or before December 1 of the year immediately preceding the beginning of a term of the General Assembly, the Department of Legislative Services, in consultation with agencies and institutions in State government and all other entities required by law to submit reports at specified times and on specified matters to the General Assembly or the Governor, shall:
(1)    review the laws of the State that require the submission of reports at specified times and on specified matters to the General Assembly or the Governor; and
(2)    make recommendations to the Legislative Policy Committee and prepare legislation for introduction to repeal or modify those statutory requirements to submit reports if the reports are no longer warranted because they have become obsolete, duplicative, impractical, inefficient, or otherwise unnecessary.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part III - Office of the Executive Director › Section 2-1211 - Definitions

(a)    In this part the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Director” means the Director of the Office of Operations and Support Services.
(c)    “Office” means the Office of Operations and Support Services.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part III - Office of the Executive Director › Section 2-1213 - Legislative Accounting Functions

(a)    (1)    The Office shall receive and analyze requests from members of the General Assembly for reimbursement and from other persons for payment of legislative expenses, including:
(i)    office rent;
(ii)    secretarial and other services;
(iii)    telephone and other communication expenses;
(iv)    equipment;
(v)    supplies; and
(vi)    travel.
(2)    The Office shall provide the reimbursement or make payments as provided in the State budget and account for the reimbursements and payments.
(3)    The Office shall make payments and reimbursements consistent with the policies of the President and the Speaker, the Management Subcommittee, and the Legislative Policy Committee.
(b)    (1)    The President and the Speaker may authorize the Office to create accounts for revenues received from payment of fees or charges and to utilize the funds to provide services to individuals, organizations, or other units of State or local governments.
(2)    Funds in the accounts may only be expended in accordance with the budget or by budget amendment.
(3)    On directive by the President and the Speaker, unexpended revenues in the accounts may revert to the State or may be retained for expenditure in a subsequent budget.
(4)    The Comptroller’s Office shall be notified of accounts created in accordance with this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part III - Office of the Executive Director › Section 2-1214 - Personnel Functions

(a)    The Office shall manage all personnel activities of the Department and generally carry out the duties set forth in § 2–1205 of this subtitle.
(b)    The Office shall manage the personnel activities of the General Assembly as assigned by the President and the Speaker.
(c)    (1)    The Office shall maintain electronic records that include:
(i)    the name of each member of the General Assembly, each employee of the General Assembly, and each employee of the Department who takes workplace harassment prevention training;
(ii)    the date the workplace harassment prevention training was completed; and
(iii)    the name of the person who conducted the training.
(2)    The Office shall:
(i)    maintain the records required under paragraph (1) of this subsection for at least 5 years after the member or employee takes workplace harassment prevention training; and
(ii)    publish the records related to training of members of the General Assembly on the website of the General Assembly.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part III - Office of the Executive Director › Section 2-1215 - Document Preparation

In addition to any other duties set forth elsewhere, the Office shall:
(1)    provide for the preparation and publication of legislation, session laws, journals of proceedings, indexes, and other documents;
(2)    directly supervise support services to the General Assembly that are not assigned to one of the Department’s other offices; and
(3)    perform any other function required by the Executive Director, the President and the Speaker, or the Legislative Policy Committee.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part III - Office of the Executive Director › Section 2-1216 - Physical and Online Services, Technology, Applications, and Information Systems

The Office shall:
(1)    develop, coordinate, support, and maintain the physical and online services, technology, applications, and information systems that support the work and meet the needs of the General Assembly and the Department;
(2)    evaluate and make recommendations regarding the physical and online services, technology, applications, and information systems that support the work of the General Assembly to ensure maximum efficiency;
(3)    evaluate and ensure that appropriate systems are in place to address cybersecurity threats to the work of the General Assembly and the Department;
(4)    plan for the future information systems needs of the General Assembly, its staff, and the Department; and
(5)    carry out any other function required by the Executive Director, the President and the Speaker, or the Legislative Policy Committee.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part IV - Office of Legislative Audits › Section 2-1218 - Legislative Auditor

(a)    The head of the Office of Legislative Audits is the director of the Office of Legislative Audits, who shall serve as the Legislative Auditor.
(b)    The Legislative Auditor must:
(1)    be licensed as a certified public accountant in the State;
(2)    at the time of appointment, have at least 3 years’ auditing experience; and
(3)    while in office, be covered by a surety bond in the form and amount required by law.
(c)    Subject to the policies and directives of the President and the Speaker, the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee, and the overall supervision and control of the Executive Director, the Legislative Auditor has general administrative control of the operation of the Office of Legislative Audits.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part IV - Office of Legislative Audits › Section 2-1219 - Additional Staff

(a)    With the approval of the Executive Director, the Legislative Auditor shall appoint a Deputy Legislative Auditor and other professional staff and may contract with consultants as authorized representatives.
(b)    (1)    The Deputy Legislative Auditor must be licensed as a certified public accountant in the State.
(2)    The Deputy Legislative Auditor:
(i)    has the duties delegated by the Legislative Auditor; and
(ii)    may be designated by the Executive Director to act as Legislative Auditor if the office is vacant or the Legislative Auditor is unable to perform the duties of office.
(c)    With the approval of the Executive Director, the Legislative Auditor shall appoint professional staff to conduct audits of local school systems in accordance with § 2-1220(e) of this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part IV - Office of Legislative Audits › Section 2-1221 - Scope of Audit

(a)    A fiscal/compliance audit conducted by the Office of Legislative Audits shall include:
(1)    examining financial transactions and records and internal controls;
(2)    evaluating compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
(3)    examining electronic data processing operations; and
(4)    evaluating compliance with applicable laws and regulations relating to the acquisition of goods and services from Maryland Correctional Enterprises.
(b)    A performance audit conducted by the Office of Legislative Audits may include:
(1)    evaluating the efficiency, effectiveness, and economy with which resources are used;
(2)    determining whether desired program results are achieved; and
(3)    determining the reliability of performance measures, as defined in § 3–1001(g) of the State Finance and Procurement Article, identified in:
(i)    the managing for results agency strategic plan developed under § 3–1002(c) of the State Finance and Procurement Article; or
(ii)    the StateStat agency strategic plan developed under § 3–1003(d) of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
(c)    The purpose of financial statement audits conducted by the Office of Legislative Audits shall be to express an opinion regarding the fairness of the presentation of a unit’s financial statements.
(d)    The audits referred to in subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section shall be conducted in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.
(e)    (1)    Upon approval of the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee, the Office of Legislative Audits shall develop and use a rating system that is based on the results of a fiscal/compliance audit to determine an overall evaluation of a unit’s financial transactions, records, and internal controls and compliance with applicable laws and regulations as a means of comparing the various units of State government.
(2)    When an evaluation is issued, it shall be provided to the unit and shall be available to the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee and the Budget Committees of the Maryland General Assembly.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part IV - Office of Legislative Audits › Section 2-1222 - Place of Audits

(a)    An examination conducted by the Office of Legislative Audits shall generally be made at the offices of the State unit, county officer or unit, corporation, association, or local school system that is subject to examination.
(b)    (1)    If considered appropriate and after consultation with the unit or body being examined, the Legislative Auditor may authorize all or a portion of an examination to be conducted at the offices of the Office of Legislative Audits.
(2)    Before the original or only copy of any record is removed from the State unit’s premises, the prior approval of the State unit for the removal is required.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part IV - Office of Legislative Audits › Section 2-1223 - Audit Procedures

(a)    (1)    Except as prohibited by the federal Internal Revenue Code, the employees or authorized representatives of the Office of Legislative Audits shall have access to and may inspect the records, including those that are confidential by law, of any unit of the State government or of a person or other body receiving State funds, with respect to any matter under the jurisdiction of the Office of Legislative Audits.
(2)    In conjunction with an examination authorized under this subtitle, the access required by paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include the records of contractors and subcontractors that perform work under State contracts.
(3)    The employees or authorized representatives of the Office of Legislative Audits shall have access to and may inspect the records, including those that are confidential by law, of:
(i)    any local school system to perform the audits authorized under § 2–1220 of this subtitle or in accordance with a request for information as provided in § 5–114(d) of the Education Article;
(ii)    the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City to perform the audits authorized under § 2–1220(f)(1) of this subtitle;
(iii)    the board of license commissioners for a county or for the City of Annapolis to perform the audits authorized under § 2–1220(f)(2) of this subtitle;
(iv)    the Board of License Commissioners for Prince George’s County to perform the audits authorized under § 2–1220(g) of this subtitle; and
(v)    the Baltimore Police Department and the Baltimore City government to perform the audits required under § 2–1220(h) of this subtitle.
(b)    Each officer or employee of the unit or body that is subject to examination shall provide any information that the Legislative Auditor determines to be needed for the examination of that unit or body, or of any matter under the authority of the Office of Legislative Audits, including information that otherwise would be confidential under any provision of law.
(c)    (1)    The Legislative Auditor may issue process that requires an official who is subject to examination to produce a record that is needed for the examination.
(2)    The process shall be sent to the sheriff for the county where the official is located.
(3)    The sheriff promptly shall serve the process.
(4)    The State shall pay the cost of process.
(5)    If a person fails to comply with process issued under this subsection or fails to provide information that is requested during an examination, a circuit court may issue an order directing compliance with the process or compelling that the information requested be provided.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part IV - Office of Legislative Audits › Section 2-1223.1 - Communicating Preliminary Findings of Examination

On the preliminary completion of an examination of a public senior higher education institution by the Office of Legislative Audits, the Legislative Auditor shall send a copy of the discussion notes of the examination relating to any preliminary findings of substantial fiscal impropriety to the following individuals and governing boards of the respective institutions that were subject to the examination:
(1)    the Chancellor of the University System of Maryland and the University System of Maryland Board of Regents Audit Committee;
(2)    the President of Morgan State University and the Finance and Facilities Committee of the Board of Regents of Morgan State University; or
(3)    the President of St. Mary’s College of Maryland and the Finance, Investment, and Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees of St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part IV - Office of Legislative Audits › Section 2-1225 - Reports on Violations and Defaults

(a)    (1)    In addition to the reports under § 2–1224 of this subtitle, the Legislative Auditor shall report an apparent violation of any law on use of State funds by the unit of the State government or other body that is examined.
(2)    A report under this subsection shall be submitted to:
(i)    the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee;
(ii)    the Executive Director;
(iii)    the unit or body that is the subject of the report; and
(iv)    the Office of the Attorney General.
(b)    (1)    If the Legislative Auditor discovers any alleged criminal violation by a person during the course of an examination, the Legislative Auditor shall report the alleged violation to the Attorney General and an appropriate State’s Attorney.
(2)    A report under this subsection shall ask the Attorney General and State’s Attorney to take appropriate action.
(3)    Unless the Attorney General or State’s Attorney decides to prosecute an alleged criminal violation reported under this subsection, the Attorney General and State’s Attorney shall keep the report of the Legislative Auditor under this subsection confidential.
(4)    The Attorney General may investigate and prosecute any alleged criminal violation reported under this subsection and has all the powers and duties of a State’s Attorney, including the use of a grand jury in any county or Baltimore City, to investigate and prosecute the alleged violation.
(c)    (1)    The Office of the Attorney General shall respond, in writing, to a report received from the Legislative Auditor under this section.
(2)    The response of the Attorney General shall include what actions, if any, were taken as a result of the findings of the Legislative Auditor.
(3)    The response of the Attorney General shall be submitted to:
(i)    the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee;
(ii)    the Executive Director;
(iii)    the unit or body that is the subject of the report; and
(iv)    the Legislative Auditor.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part IV - Office of Legislative Audits › Section 2-1226 - Confidentiality

(a)    Except as provided in § 2–1225 of this subtitle and subsection (b) of this section, information that an employee or authorized representative of the Office of Legislative Audits obtains during an examination or in relation to an act or allegation of fraud, waste, or abuse:
(1)    is confidential; and
(2)    may not be disclosed except to another employee or authorized representative of the Office of Legislative Audits.
(b)    The Legislative Auditor may authorize the disclosure of information obtained during an examination or in relation to an act or allegation of fraud, waste, or abuse only to the following:
(1)    another employee of the Department, with the approval of the Executive Director;
(2)    federal, State, or local officials, or their auditors, who provide evidence to the Legislative Auditor that they are performing investigations, studies, or audits related to that same examination and who provide justification for the specific information requested; or
(3)    the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee, if necessary to assist the Committee in reviewing a report issued by the Legislative Auditor.
(c)    Except as provided in § 2–1225 of this subtitle, if information that an employee or authorized representative obtains during an examination also is confidential under another law, the employee, authorized representative, or the Legislative Auditor may not include in a report or otherwise use the information in any manner that discloses the identity of any person who is the subject of the confidential information.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part IV - Office of Legislative Audits › Section 2-1227 - Penalties

A person is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 if the person:
(1)    fails to comply promptly with process that the Legislative Auditor issues under this Part IV of this subtitle; or
(2)    violates any provision of § 2–1224(b) or § 2–1226 of this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part IV - Office of Legislative Audits › Section 2-1228 - Allegations of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse of State Resources -- Report and Investigation

(a)    (1)    The Office of Legislative Audits shall maintain a fraud hotline for the reporting of allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse in the obligation, expenditure, receipt, or use of State resources.
(2)    The Office of Legislative Audits may investigate an allegation received under paragraph (1) of this subsection within the scope of its authority or refer the allegation to the appropriate federal, State, or local agencies responsible for the enforcement or administration of the matter for investigation.
(b)    Each unit of State government shall:
(1)    keep posted in conspicuous places on its premises a notice prepared by the Office of Legislative Audits setting forth the methods for reporting fraud, waste, and abuse of State resources;
(2)    keep posted in conspicuous places on its website a direct link to the website of the Office of Legislative Audits for reporting fraud, waste, and abuse; and
(3)    on request of the Office of Legislative Audits, distribute information related to the prevention, detection, and reporting of fraud, waste, and abuse of State resources to State employees and other persons or bodies receiving State funds.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part V - Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability › Section 2-1230 - Definitions

(a)    In this Part V the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Committees of jurisdiction” means the committees of the General Assembly that routinely handle the policy issues and legislation related to a specific governmental activity or unit subject to review under this part.
(c)    “Director” means the Director of the Office.
(d)    “Office” means the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability.
(e)    “Performance evaluation” means the review of a governmental activity or unit used to determine:
(1)    whether the governmental activity or unit, if subject to termination, should be reestablished or terminated; and
(2)    what, if any, statutory or nonstatutory changes should be recommended to the General Assembly to improve the operations and efficiency of the governmental activity or unit.
(f)    (1)    “Unit” includes each State department, agency, unit, and program, including each register of wills and each local school system.
(2)    “Unit” does not include a department, an agency, or a unit in the Legislative or Judicial Branch of State government.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part V - Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability › Section 2-1232 - Director

(a)    The head of the Office is the Director.
(b)    Subject to the policies and directives of the President and the Speaker, the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee, and the overall supervision and control of the Executive Director, the Director has general administrative control of the operation of the Office.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part V - Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability › Section 2-1233 - Deputy Director and Staff

(a)    With the approval of the Executive Director, the Director may appoint a Deputy Director and other professional staff and contract with consultants as authorized representatives.
(b)    The Deputy Director:
(1)    has the duties delegated by the Director; and
(2)    may be designated by the Executive Director to act as Director if the office is vacant or the Director is unable to perform the duties of office.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 2 - General Assembly › Subtitle 12 - Staff and Services -- Department of Legislative Services › Part V - Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability › Section 2-1234 - Conduct of Performance Evaluations by Office

(a)    (1)    The Office shall conduct a performance evaluation of units of State government, in accordance with the work plan developed by the Director in consultation with the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee.
(2)    An agency or a program may be evaluated separately or as part of a larger organizational unit of State government.
(3)    In addition to the performance evaluations conducted under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Office:
(i)    may conduct a performance evaluation of a unit on a request by the Legislative Auditor; and
(ii)    shall conduct a performance evaluation of a unit:
1.    when directed by the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee or the Executive Director; or
2.    when otherwise required by law.
(4)    (i)    When directed by the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee, the Executive Director, or the Director, the Office shall conduct a separate investigation of an act or allegation of fraud, waste, or abuse in the obligation, expenditure, receipt, or use of State resources.
(ii)    The Director shall determine whether an investigation shall be conducted in conjunction with an audit undertaken in accordance with Part IV of this subtitle or separately.
(b)    In addition to the performance evaluations conducted under subsection (a) of this section, the Office may conduct performance evaluations in accordance with the Maryland Program Evaluation Act.
(c)    The Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee may direct the Office to:
(1)    conduct an assessment or a scoping performance evaluation of a unit of State government in order to determine whether the unit should undergo a more comprehensive performance evaluation under this part; and
(2)    based on the findings of the assessment or scoping preliminary evaluation conducted under item (1) of this subsection, waive the unit from a more comprehensive performance evaluation under this part.
(d)    If directed by the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee, the Office shall conduct a performance evaluation of a corporation or an association to which the General Assembly has appropriated money or that has received funds from an appropriation from the State Treasury.
(e)    (1)    If directed by the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee, the Executive Director, the Director, or when otherwise required by law, the Office shall conduct a performance evaluation of a local school system.
(2)    A performance evaluation conducted under paragraph (1) of this subsection may be performed concurrently with or separately from an audit conducted by the Office of Legislative Audits in accordance with § 2–1220 of this subtitle.
(3)    The Office shall provide information regarding the performance evaluation process to the local school system before the performance evaluation is conducted.