(a) There is a Joint Committee on Ending Homelessness. (b) (1) The Committee consists of 16 members. (2) Of the 16 members: (i) eight shall be members of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate; and (ii) eight shall be members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House. (c) (1) The members of the Committee serve at the pleasure of the presiding officer who appointed them. (2) (i) If a vacancy occurs among the Senators on the Committee, a successor promptly shall be appointed by the President of the Senate. (ii) If a vacancy occurs among the Delegates on the Committee, a successor promptly shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House. (d) 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. (e) A majority of the full authorized membership of the Committee is a quorum. (f) The Department of Legislative Services shall provide staff assistance to the Committee. (g) The Committee shall hold: (1) an organizational meeting promptly after the appointment of its members; and (2) any other meetings that the Committee considers necessary to carry out its duties efficiently. (h) The Committee may: (1) hold a hearing on any matter relating to the functions of the Committee; and (2) consider a vote on a bill or resolution referred to the Committee by the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House. (i) To ensure that public resources, programs, and policies are coordinated and effective in preventing, mitigating the effects of, and ending homelessness in Maryland, the Committee shall: (1) study issues relating to homelessness, including: (i) housing; (ii) income; (iii) health care; (iv) education; (v) government supports; and (vi) veterans experiencing homelessness; (2) consult with governmental agencies, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to identify State policies, programs, and actions that should or could prevent, mitigate the effects of, and end homelessness in Maryland; (3) review and make recommendations to align State statutes, regulations, programs, services, and budgetary priorities with the State policies and actions described in item (2) of this subsection; (4) search for any intradepartmental or interdepartmental gaps, inconsistencies, and inefficiencies in the implementation or attainment of the State policies, programs, and actions described in item (2) of this subsection; and (5) identify new laws, regulations, programs, services, and budgetary priorities that are needed to prevent, mitigate the effects of, and end homelessness in Maryland. (j) The Governor's Interagency Council on Homelessness shall: (1) cooperate fully with the Committee; (2) keep the Committee fully informed as to its priorities and progress; 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 includes: (i) a description of the Council's work; (ii) a report on the Council's priorities and progress; and (iii) recommendations for new laws, regulations, programs, services, and budgetary priorities that are needed to prevent, mitigate the effects of, and end homelessness in Maryland. (k) (1) Subject to § 2-1257 of this title, the Committee shall submit a report to the General Assembly 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.
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