§20–1405.

    (a)    (1)    On or before October 1, 2023, the Commission shall issue a request for proposals to designate areas as Health Equity Resource Communities in accordance with this subtitle.

        (2)    The Commission:

            (i)    Shall consider geographic diversity, among other factors, when designating areas as Health Equity Resource Communities; and

            (ii)    May conduct outreach efforts to facilitate a geographically diverse pool of applicants, including efforts to facilitate submission of applications from rural areas.

        (3)    After receiving all applications submitted to the Commission, the Commission shall report to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Health and Government Operations Committee, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the names of applicants and geographic areas in which applicants are located.

    (b)    The Commission shall give priority to applications that demonstrate:

        (1)    Support from and participation of key stakeholders in the public and private sectors, including residents of the area and local government;

        (2)    A plan for long–term funding and self–sustainability;

        (3)    Inclusion of supporting funds from the private sector;

        (4)    Integration with the State Health Improvement Process and the goals set out in the strategic plan of the local health improvement coalition;

        (5)    A plan for evaluation of the impact of designation of the proposed area as a Health Equity Resource Community and strategies for quality improvement;

        (6)    Other factors that the Commission determines are appropriate to demonstrate a commitment to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes; and

        (7)    A previous designation as a Health Enterprise Zone or inclusion of areas previously included in a Health Enterprise Zone.

    (c)    (1)    An application for designation of an area as a Health Equity Resource Community submitted by a nonprofit community–based organization, a nonprofit hospital, an institution of higher education, a federally qualified health center, or a local government agency shall provide for the employment and supervision of employment of one full–time employee to serve as an evaluator of the operation, impact, and effectiveness of the Health Equity Resource Community designated under this subtitle.

        (2)    To be designated as an evaluator under this subsection, the employee must demonstrate experience in methods of qualitative and quantitative research methodology.

        (3)    An employee designated as an evaluator under this subsection shall coordinate with the Commission to:

            (i)    Monitor the operation, effectiveness, and impact of the Health Equity Resource Community; and

            (ii)    Provide data, statistics, and analysis to the Commission that shall address the reporting elements specified under § 20–1408(b) of this subtitle.

    (d)    Notwithstanding the requirement to hire a full–time employee to serve as an evaluator under subsection (c) of this section, a nonprofit community–based organization, a nonprofit hospital, an institution of higher education, a federally qualified health center, or a local government agency may contract with a historically black college or university in the State to provide evaluator services.

    (e)    The decision of the Commission to designate an area as a Health Equity Resource Community shall be a final decision.

    (f)    A designation by the Commission of an area as a Health Equity Resource Community shall have a term of 5 years and may be renewed in accordance with an application approved by the Commission.