History

Preamble
Whereas, The General Assembly recognizes the contribution of the Asian Pacific American community to Maryland; and

Whereas, The Asian-Pacific American community is a significant minority population in the State; and

Whereas, In the Executive Branch there exist offices to assist other minority groups, including the Office of Minority Affairs, the Maryland Commission for Women, the Commission on Indian Affairs, and the Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs; and

Whereas, The Asian-Pacific American community and the State would benefit from the creation of a similar office to assist and promote the interest and needs of the Asian-Pacific American community; now, therefore,

(A) “Asian- Pacific American” means an individual with national origins from:

1. the following Asian countries:
   1. Burma;
   2. Thailand;
   3. Malaysia;
   4. Indonesia;
   5. Singapore;
   6. Brunei;
   7. Japan;
   8. China;
   9. Taiwan;
   10. Laos:
   11. Cambodia (Kampuchea);
   12. Vietnam;
   13. Korea;
   14. the Philippines
   15. U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands(Republic of Palau);
   16. Republic of the Marshall Islands;
   17. the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands;
   18. Guam;
   19. Samoa;
   20. Macao;
   21. Hong Kong;
   22. Fiji;
   23. Tonga;
   24. Kiribati;
   25. Tuvalu;
   26. Naura; or
2. one of the following Asian subcontinent countries:
   1. India;
   2. Pakistan;
   3. Bangladesh;
   4. Sri Lanka;
   5. Bhutan;
   6. The Maldive Island; or
   7. Nepal.

(B) The General Assembly requests the governor to establish an Office on Asian- Pacific American Affairs in the Executive Branch.

© Subject to the limitations of any law that governs the activities of other units of the Executive Branch of the State government, the Office shall:

1. advise the Governor on:
   1. the activities of the State government that are intended to promote the social and economic development of Asian-Pacific Americans; and
   2. any other matter that affects the rights and interests of Asian- Pacific Americans and the communities in which they live;
2. as authorized by the Governor;
   1. provide help to Asian- Pacific Americans and the communities in which they live;
   2. represent the Governor in any mater that relates to Asian- Pacific Americans or Generally to the promotion of equality among the people of the State; and
   3. perform any other responsibility that the Governor assigns; and
3. assist and advise the Governor and executive agencies concerning public and private programs or efforts to assist or develop Asian-Pacific American businesses.

(D) The Governor is requested to reported to the Legislative Policy Committee of the General Assembly on the establishment of an Office of Asian-Pacific American Affairs prior to the beginning the 1992 Regular Session.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED
That this Act shall take effect July 1, 1991.