Additionally, page 42 of the Howard County Auditor's 2022 Comprehensive Financial Report indicates HCLS (as well as HCPSS and two other organizations) being a separate legal entity from the County. They are included in the report only due to their receipt of funding from the County.

This is also why you'll find nothing in the Howard County code governing the HCLS and its operations.

https://cc.howardcountymd.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=n3VwAQoZUnY%3d&tabid=132&portalid=0