(a) There is a Direct–Entry Midwifery Advisory Committee within the Board.
(b) (1) The Committee consists of seven members appointed by the Board.
(2) Of the seven members:
(i) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection and subsection (d) of this section, three shall be licensed direct–entry midwives;
(ii) Two shall be licensed nurses certified as nurse–midwives;
(iii) One shall be a representative of the Maryland Hospital Association; and
(iv) One shall be a consumer member.
(3) (i) The Board shall appoint the licensed direct–entry midwife members of the Committee from a list of qualified individuals submitted to the Board by AIMM.
(ii) The Board may request an additional list of qualified individuals from AIMM if the initial list is determined to be inadequate.
(c) Each member of the Committee shall be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the State.
(d) Each licensed direct–entry midwife member of the Committee:
(1) Shall meet the licensure requirements of this subtitle; and
(2) May not be a licensed nurse who is certified as a nurse–midwife.
(e) The consumer member of the Committee:
(1) Shall be a member of the general public;
(2) May not be or ever have been:
(i) A licensed direct–entry midwife;
(ii) A licensed nurse certified as a midwife;
(iii) A health care practitioner who is directly involved with pregnancy or labor; or
(iv) In training to be a licensed direct–entry midwife, a licensed nurse certified as a midwife, or a health care practitioner who is directly involved with pregnancy or labor;
(3) May not have a household member who is:
(i) A licensed direct–entry midwife, a licensed nurse who is certified as a nurse–midwife, or a health care practitioner who is directly involved with pregnancy or labor; or
(ii) In training to be a licensed direct–entry midwife, a licensed nurse who is certified as a nurse–midwife, or a health care practitioner who is directly involved with pregnancy or labor;
(4) May not:
(i) Participate or ever have participated in a commercial or professional field related to the practice of direct–entry midwifery;
(ii) Have a household member who participates in a commercial or professional field related to the practice of direct–entry midwifery; or
(iii) Have, or have had within 2 years before appointment, a substantial financial interest in a person who is regulated by the Board.
(f) The Committee shall elect a chair from among its members to a 2–year term.
(g) (1) The term of a member is 4 years.
(2) The terms of the members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Committee on October 1, 2015.
(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 rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(5) A member may not serve more than two consecutive full terms.
(6) To the extent practicable, the Board shall fill any vacancy on the Committee within 60 days of the date of the vacancy.
(h) A majority of the full authorized membership of the Committee is a quorum.
(i) In addition to any other meeting requirements of this title, the Committee shall meet:
(1) At the request of the executive director of the Board; and
(2) As necessary to conduct Board or Committee business.
(j) In accordance with the State budget, each member of the Committee is entitled to:
(1) Compensation, at a rate determined by the Board, for each day, or part of a day, on which the member is engaged in the duties of the Committee; and
(2) Reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations.
(k) (1) The Board may remove a member for incompetence or misconduct.
(2) The Board may remove a member who is absent from two successive Committee meetings without adequate reason.