OFFICE OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

The Office of Minority Affairs was created in 1980 (Chapter 25, Acts of 1980). It replaced the Office of Minority Business Enterprise of the Department of Economic and Community Development.

The Office of Minority Affairs strengthens business development by affording economic opportunity to all citizens and including minority-owned firms in the State procurement process. The Office promotes and coordinates programs to strengthen such firms and provides them with technical and management assistance. The Office encourages State agencies to strive for 14 percent minority participation on all procurements and contracts as authorized by the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR, Title 21). On matters affecting minority employment, rights, and interests, the Office advises the Governor and assists minority citizens, as authorized by the Governor (Code State Government Article, secs. 9-301 through 9-306).

INTERDEPARTMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR MINORITY AFFAIRS
The Interdepartmental Advisory Committee for Minority Affairs was created within the Office of Minority Affairs in 1986 (Chapter 719, Acts of 1986). The Committee advises the Director of the Office of Minority Affairs on proposals to promote minority businesses in Maryland and the hiring of minority persons in the State.

The Committee has nineteen ex officio members (Code State Government Article, sec. 9-303.1).

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