EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*hb0546*
HOUSE BILL 546
F2, K3, C8 3lr0133
CF SB 551
By: The Speaker (By Request – Administration) and Delegates Rosenberg,
Addison, Allen, Alston, Amprey, Anderton, Attar, Bagnall, Bhandari, Boafo,
Boyce, Cardin, Charkoudian, Charles, Conaway, Crosby, Crutchfield,
Cullison, Davis, Ebersole, Edelson, Feldmark, F ennell, Foley,
Fraser–Hidalgo, Grossman, Guyton, Harris, Healey, Henson, Holmes,
Hornberger, D. Jones, Kaiser, Kaufman, Kelly, Kerr, J. Long, Lopez, Love,
McCaskill, McComas, Mireku –North, Moon, Palakovich Carr, Pasteur,
Patterson, Phillips, Queen, Reznik , Ruth, Sample –Hughes, Shetty,
Simmons, Simpson, Smith, Solomon, Stewart, Taveras, Toles, Turner,
Valderrama, Vogel, Watson, Wells, Wilkins, Williams, Woods, Wu, Young,
and Ziegler
Introduced and read first time: February 2, 2023
Assigned to: Appropriations
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted with floor amendments
Read second time: March 5, 2023
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Education – Service Year Option Program – Establishment 2
(Serving Every Region Through Vocational Exploration Act of 2023) 3
FOR the purpose of establishing the Service Year Option Maryland Corps Program; 4
requiring the Department of Service and Civic Innovation to administer and provide 5
staff for the Program; requiring a Program participant to work at least a certain 6
number of hours per week and partner with an on–site mentor while working in a 7
service placement; requiring a participating employer to pay a Program participant 8
a certain wage and provide health insurance benefits to a Program participant; 9
authorizing a participating employer to provide wraparound services to a Program 10
participant; authorizing the Department to disburse a stipend of up to a certain 11
amount and a higher education award of a certain amount to a Program participant 12
who completes a service placement; requiring a Program participant to perform 13
certain duties and participate in certain training and activities as part of a service 14
placement; establishing the Service Year Option Maryland Corps Program Fund as 15 2 HOUSE BILL 546
a special, nonlapsing fund; requiring interest earnings of the Fund to be credited to 1
the Fund; requiring the Department to procure the services of a third–party entity 2
to conduct an independent study and assessment of the Program and submit a report 3
to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before a certain date; requiring the 4
Department, on or before a certain date, to publish an online dashboard of key 5
performance indicators shown in the report; repealing the provisions of law relating 6
to the Maryland Corps Program; altering the use of specifying that certain funding 7
appropriated to the Dedicated Purpose Account in the fiscal year 2023 budget bill 8
from shall be used for the Maryland Corps Program to the Service Year Option 9
Program in the Department of Service and Civic Innovation; and generally relating 10
to the establishment of the Service Year Option Maryland Corps Program and the 11
repeal of the Maryland Corps Program. 12
BY adding to 13
Article – Education 14
Section 24–11A–01 through 24–11A–07 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 11A. 15
Service Year Option Maryland Corps Program” 16
Annotated Code of Maryland 17
(2022 Replacement Volume) 18
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 19
Article – State Finance and Procurement 20
Section 6–226(a)(2)(i) 21
Annotated Code of Maryland 22
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 23
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 24
Article – State Finance and Procurement 25
Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)170. and 171. 26
Annotated Code of Maryland 27
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 28
BY adding to 29
Article – State Finance and Procurement 30
Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)172. 31
Annotated Code of Maryland 32
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 33
BY repealing 34
Article – State Government 35
Section 9–2811 through 9–2820 and the part “Part II. Maryland Corps Program” 36
Annotated Code of Maryland 37
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 38
(As enacted by Chapter 1 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2023) 39
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 40
Chapter 484 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2022 41 HOUSE BILL 546 3
Supplemental Budget No. 5, Item 14(16) 1
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASS EMBLY OF MARYLAND, 2
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 3
Article – Education 4
SUBTITLE 11A. SERVICE YEAR OPTION MARYLAND CORPS PROGRAM. 5
24–11A–01. 6
(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 7
INDICATED. 8
(B) “DEPARTMENT ” MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF SERVICE AND CIVIC 9
INNOVATION. 10
(C) “FUND” MEANS THE SERVICE YEAR OPTION MARYLAND CORPS 11
PROGRAM FUND. 12
(D) “PARTICIPATING EMPLOYE R” MEANS A PUBLIC OR PR IVATE ENTITY 13
PARTICIPATING AS AN EMPLOYER UNDER THE PROGRAM. 14
(E) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE SERVICE YEAR OPTION MARYLAND CORPS 15
PROGRAM. 16
(F) “PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO: 17
(1) HAS RECEIVED A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOM A, GED, OR COMPARABLE 18
PROOF OF EQUIVALENT EDUCATIONAL LEVEL WITHIN 2 YEARS BEFORE APPLYIN G 19
FOR A SERVICE PLACEM ENT UNDER THE PROGRAM: 20
(I) A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA , GED, OR COMPARABLE PROOF 21
OF EDUCATIONAL LEVEL ; OR 22
(II) A MARYLAND HIGH SCHOOL CERTIFICATE OF COMPL ETION; 23
OR 24
(2) QUALIFIES FOR A SERVI CE PLACEMENT UNDER A LTERNATIVE 25
CRITERIA ESTABLISHED BY THE SECRETARY. 26
(G) “SECRETARY” MEANS THE SECRETARY OF SERVICE AND CIVIC 27
INNOVATION. 28
4 HOUSE BILL 546
(H) “SERVICE PLACEMENT ” MEANS THE JOB ASSIGN MENT DESIGNATED TO 1
AN INDIVIDUAL PARTIC IPATING IN THE PROGRAM UNDER THIS SU BTITLE. 2
(I) “WRAPAROUND SERVICES ” INCLUDES: 3
(1) CHILD CARE; 4
(2) TRANSPORTATION ; 5
(3) HOUSING; 6
(4) MENTAL HEALTH ; 7
(5) CRISIS INTERVENTION ; 8
(6) SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVE NTION OR TREATMENT ; 9
(7) LEGAL AID; 10
(8) FINANCIAL LITERACY PR OGRAMMING ; 11
(9) JOB SEARCH AND APPLIC ATION SUPPORT ; AND 12
(10) COLLEGE APPLICATION S UPPORT. 13
24–11A–02. 14
(A) THERE IS A SERVICE YEAR OPTION MARYLAND CORPS PROGRAM IN 15
THE STATE. 16
(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO: 17
(1) PROVIDE SERVICE PLACE MENTS TO RECENT HIGH SCHOOL 18
GRADUATES AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH SIMILAR LEVELS OF ED UCATION AS AN 19
ADDITIONAL OPTION TO PURSUING CAREER AND TECHNICAL TRAINING O R 20
POSTSECONDARY EDUCAT ION; 21
(2) EQUIP PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WITH PROFESSIONAL 22
DEVELOPMENT , MENTORING , JOB TRAINING, AND OTHER SUPPORT WH ILE WORKING 23
IN HIGH–IMPACT SERVICE PLACEMENT S; 24
(3) HELP ADDRESS THE STATE’S GREATEST CHALLENGE S BY 25
CHANNELING THE NEXT GENERATION INTO PUBL IC IMPACT WORK ; AND 26
HOUSE BILL 546 5
(4) STRENGTHEN A PIPELINE OF TALENT INTO STATE AND LOCAL 1
GOVERNMENTS TO FILL PRESENT AND FUTURE S TAFFING NEEDS ; 2
(5) EQUIP PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WITH THE SKILLS THAT WILL 3
ENABLE THEM TO SUCCE SSFULLY MAKE THE TRA NSITION FROM HIGH SC HOOL TO 4
AN INSTITUTION OF HI GHER EDUCATION OR TO THE WORKFORCE ; AND 5
(6) PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE 6
COMPLETE D THE PROGRAM TO BE USED AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGH ER EDUCATION 7
TOWARD VOCATIONAL CE RTIFICATES, ASSOCIATE’S DEGREES, OR BACHELOR ’S 8
DEGREES. 9
(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 10
(1) ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM; AND 11
(2) PROVIDE STAFF FOR THE PROGRAM AS PROVIDED I N THE STATE 12
BUDGET. 13
24–11A–03. 14
(A) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 15
(1) DESIGN THE PROGRAM; 16
(2) IDENTIFY AND WORK WIT H NONPROFIT ENTITIES WHO MAY 17
RECEIVE GRANTS TO SE RVE AS REGIONAL PROGRAM LEADERS ACROS S THE STATE; 18
(3) CREATE A STATEWIDE NE TWORK FOR ALL PROGRAM 19
PARTICIPANTS ACROSS THE STATE; 20
(4) PROMOTE AND COMMUNICA TE PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES TO 21
HIGH SCHOOLS , RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIO NS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATI ONS, AND 22
POTENTIAL PARTICIPAT ING EMPLOYERS ACROSS THE STATE; 23
(5) (I) DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A CENTRAL APPLICATION 24
PROCESS; AND 25
(II) ASSIST APPLICANTS WIT H THE APPLICATION PR OCESS; 26
(6) BUILD AND MAINTAIN AN ACCURATE AND UP –TO–DATE ONLINE 27
PORTAL TO MANAGE OPE NINGS FOR SERVICE PL ACEMENTS; 28
6 HOUSE BILL 546
(7) IDENTIFY PARTICIPATIN G EMPLOYERS WHO CAN PROVIDE A WIDE 1
ARRAY OF BENEFITS , INCLUDING MENTORING AND CAREER AND COLLE GE 2
COACHING; 3
(8) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, SELECT PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS 4
THAT REFLECT THE GEN DER, RACIAL, ETHNIC, AND GEOGRAPHIC DIVER SITY OF THE 5
STATE; AND 6
(9) EVALUATE THE OVERALL OPERATIONS OF THE PROGRAM IN 7
COLLABORATION WITH A N INDEPENDENT ENTITY . 8
(B) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SET TARGETS FOR PROGRAM 9
PARTICIPATION , INCLUDING: 10
(1) 200 PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS IN THE FIRST YEAR OF 11
IMPLEMENTATION ; AND 12
(2) 2000 PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS IN THE FOUR TH YEAR OF 13
IMPLEMENTATION . 14
(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP PROGRAM FOCUS AREAS T O 15
ADDRESS PRIORITY ISS UES, INCLUDING: 16
(1) CLIMATE; 17
(2) EDUCATION; AND 18
(3) HEALTH; AND 19
(4) POSITIONS IN STATE AND LOCAL GOVER NMENT FACING 20
PERSISTENT RECRUITMENT AND RETE NTION CHALLENGES . 21
24–11A–04. 22
(A) (1) WHILE WORKING IN A SE RVICE PLACEMENT , A PROGRAM 23
PARTICIPANT SHALL : 24
(I) WORK AT LEAST 30 HOURS PER WEEK , UNLESS OTHERWISE 25
APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT ; AND 26
(II) PARTNER WITH AN ON –SITE MENTOR WHO PROVIDES : 27
1. JOB TRAINING; 28
HOUSE BILL 546 7
2. CAREER AND POSTSECOND ARY EDUCATION 1
COUNSELING ; 2
3. FINANCIAL LITERACY SK ILLS; AND 3
4. ANY OTHER SUPPORT NEE DED. 4
(2) A PARTICIPATING EMPLOY ER SHALL PAY: 5
(I) PAY A PROGRAM PARTICIPANT $15 PER HOUR; AND 6
(II) PROVIDE HEALTH INSURA NCE BENEFITS TO A PROGRAM 7
PARTICIPANT. 8
(3) A PARTICIPATING EMPLOY ER MAY PROVIDE WRAPA ROUND 9
SERVICES TO A PROGRAM PARTICIPANT . 10
(B) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION S (C) AND (D) OF THIS SECTION , THE 11
DEPARTMENT MAY DISBUR SE A STIPEND OF UP TO $3,000 TO A PROGRAM 12
PARTICIPANT WHO COMP LETES A SERVICE PLAC EMENT: 13
(1) A STIPEND OF UP TO $6,000; AND 14
(2) AN EDUCATION AWARD OF $6,000, WHICH SHALL BE DEPOS ITED 15
INTO A TAX–EXEMPT MARYLAND 529 ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED UNDER TITLE 18, 16
SUBTITLE 19 OF THIS ARTICLE AND MAY BE USED ONLY FOR QUALIFIED HIGHER 17
EDUCATION EXPENSES , AS DEFINED IN § 18–1901 OF THIS ARTICLE. 18
(C) A PROGRAM PARTICIPANT S HALL: 19
(1) PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE SERVICE PLACEMEN T TO THE 20
SATISFACTION OF THE PARTICIPATING EMPLOY ER AND THE DEPARTMENT ; 21
(2) PARTICIPATE IN ALL TR AINING RELATED TO TH E SERVICE 22
PLACEMENT AND FUTURE CAREERS OR EDUCATION AL PATHWAYS ; AND 23
(3) PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAM–WIDE EVENTS TO : 24
(I) EXPAND THE PARTICIPAN T’S PROFESSIONAL NETW ORK; 25
(II) MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH IN THE PROGRAM; AND 26
(III) TAKE ADVANTAGE OF STATE RESOURCES . 27
8 HOUSE BILL 546
(D) AS NEEDED, THE DEPARTMENT MAY DISBUR SE A PRORATED STIPEN D 1
AMOUNT ON A CASE –BY–CASE BASIS. 2
24–11A–05. 3
(A) THERE IS A SERVICE YEAR OPTION MARYLAND CORPS PROGRAM 4
FUND. 5
(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO: 6
(1) PROVIDE STIPENDS TO PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS ; AND 7
(2) PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE 8
COMPLETED THE PROGRAM TO BE USED AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGH ER EDUCATION 9
IN THE STATE TOWARD VOCATIONAL CE RTIFICATES, ASSOCIATE’S DEGREES, AND 10
BACHELOR’S DEGREES; AND 11
(2) (3) PAY THE COSTS TO ADMI NISTER THE PROGRAM. 12
(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER THE FUND. 13
(D) THE FUND IS A CONTINUING , NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT SUBJECT 14
TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 15
(E) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY 16
AND SHALL INVEST THE MONEY IN THE FUND IN THE SAME MANN ER AS OTHER 17
STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED. 18
(2) ANY INVESTMENT EARNIN GS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITED 19
TO THE FUND. 20
(F) THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 21
(G) THE DEPARTMENT : 22
(1) MAY ACCEPT ANY GIFT O R GRANT FROM ANY PER SON FOR THE 23
FUND; 24
(2) SHALL USE ANY GIFT OR GRANT THAT IT RECEIV ES FOR THE 25
PURPOSES LISTED UNDE R SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION; AND 26
(3) SHALL DEPOSIT WITH TH E STATE TREASURER ANY GIFT OR 27
GRANT THAT IT RECEIV ES FOR THE FUND. 28
HOUSE BILL 546 9
(H) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 1
(1) MONEY APPROPRI ATED TO THE PROGRAM IN THE STATE 2
BUDGET; 3
(2) GIFTS OR GRANTS RECEI VED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE 4
FUND; 5
(3) FEDERAL FUNDS ; 6
(3) (4) INVESTMENT EARNINGS O F THE FUND; AND 7
(4) (5) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED 8
FOR THE BENEFIT OF T HE FUND. 9
(I) ANY UNSPENT PORTION O F THE FUND MAY NOT BE TRANS FERRED OR 10
REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE BUT SHALL REMAI N IN THE FUND 11
TO BE USED FOR THE P URPOSES SPECIFIED IN THIS SUBTITLE. 12
(J) THE FUND IS SUBJECT TO AU DIT BY THE OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE 13
AUDITS IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1220 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 14
24–11A–06. 15
(A) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROC URE THE SERVICES OF A 16
THIRD–PARTY ENTITY TO COND UCT AN INDEPENDENT S TUDY AND ASSESSMENT OF 17
THE PROGRAM. 18
(2) THE STUDY SHALL EMPLO Y: 19
(I) RANDOM ASSIGNMENT , IF FEASIBLE AND ETHI CAL; OR 20
(II) OTHER RESEARCH METHOD S THAT ALLOW FOR THE 21
STRONGEST POSSIBLE C AUSAL INFERENCES , IF RANDOM ASSIGNMENT IS NOT 22
FEASIBLE AND ETHICAL IN THIS INSTANCE. 23
(B) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2028, THE THIRD–PARTY ENTITY SHALL S UBMIT 24
A REPORT ON ITS FIND INGS AND RECOMMENDAT IONS TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN 25
ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL 26
ASSEMBLY. 27
(C) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2028, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PUBLIS H 28
AN ONLINE DASHBOARD OF KEY PERFORMANCE I NDICATORS SHOWN IN T HE REPORT 29
REQUIRED UNDER SUBSE CTION (B) OF THIS SECTION. 30 10 HOUSE BILL 546
24–11A–07. 1
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOP T REGULATIONS NECESS ARY TO CARRY OUT 2
THIS SUBTITLE, INCLUDING REGULATION S ON: 3
(1) THE APPLICATION PROCE SS; 4
(2) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREME NTS; 5
(3) PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS ; AND 6
(4) THE DISBURSEMENT OF S TIPENDS. 7
Article – State Finance and Procurement 8
6–226. 9
(a) (2) (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and unless 10
inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other federal requirement or with the 11
terms of a gift or settlement agreement, net interest on all State money allocated by the 12
State Treasurer under this section to special funds or accounts, and otherwise entitled to 13
receive interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall accrue to the General 14
Fund of the State. 15
(ii) The provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph do not apply 16
to the following funds: 17
170. the Cannabis Public Health Fund; [and] 18
171. the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund; AND 19
172. THE SERVICE YEAR OPTION MARYLAND CORPS 20
PROGRAM FUND. 21
Article – State Government 22
[Part II. Maryland Corps Program.] 23
[9–2811. 24
(a) In this part the following words have the meanings indicated. 25
(b) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Program. 26
(c) “Corps participant” means an individual who participates in the Program. 27 HOUSE BILL 546 11
(d) “Fund” means the Maryland Corps Program Fund. 1
(e) “Participating organization” means a nonprofit organization or government 2
agency that: 3
(1) has a focus on community or other service, service learning, 4
volunteerism, or other activities or experiences with a similar mission; 5
(2) hosts a program participant in a service role; and 6
(3) complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, and 7
Title 20, Subtitle 6 of this article. 8
(f) “Program” means the Maryland Corps Program. 9
(g) “Wraparound services” includes: 10
(1) child care; 11
(2) transportation; 12
(3) housing; 13
(4) mental health; 14
(5) crisis intervention; 15
(6) substance abuse prevention or treatment; 16
(7) legal aid; 17
(8) financial literacy programming; 18
(9) job search and application support; and 19
(10) college application support.] 20
[9–2812. 21
(a) There is a Maryland Corps Program in the State administered and managed 22
by the Board. 23
(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Program is 24
exempt from Division II of the State Finance and Procurement Article. 25
12 HOUSE BILL 546
(2) The Program is subject to Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and 1
Procurement Article. 2
(c) The purpose of the Program is to: 3
(1) provide meaningful service opportunities to participants that will 4
address the social needs of the community; 5
(2) equip corps participants with the skills that will enable them to 6
successfully make the transition from high school to an institution of higher education or 7
to the workforce; and 8
(3) provide scholarships to corps participants who have completed the 9
Program to be used at institutions of higher education toward vocational certificates, 10
associate’s degrees, or bachelor’s degrees. 11
(d) The Program is subject to review under § 2–1220 of this article.] 12
[9–2813. 13
(a) (1) A Board of Directors shall administer and manage the Program. 14
(2) The Board is a body politic and corporate and is an instrumentality of 15
the State. 16
(b) The Board consists of the following members: 17
(1) a Board Chair, jointly appointed by the President of the Senate and the 18
Speaker of the House; 19
(2) two members jointly appointed by the President of the Senate and the 20
Speaker of the House: 21
(i) one of whom must represent a service organization in the State; 22
and 23
(ii) one of whom shall be: 24
1. a current participant in a public service program; or 25
2. a former participant in a public service program whose 26
participation ended during the preceding 3 years; 27
(3) one member appointed by the President of the Senate; 28
(4) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House; and 29
HOUSE BILL 546 13
(5) two members appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be a 1
representative from the Governor’s Office of Service and Volunteerism. 2
(c) In making appointments to the Board, the President, Speaker, and Governor 3
shall consider: 4
(1) the professional or personal experience of the individual in community 5
or other service, nonprofit management, civic engagement, or volunteerism; and 6
(2) the cultural, geographic, racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of the 7
State. 8
(d) A member of the Board: 9
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Board; but 10
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 11
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 12
(e) (1) The term of a member of the Board is 4 years. 13
(2) The terms of the members are staggered as required by the terms 14
provided for members on June 1, 2022. 15
(3) At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is 16
appointed and qualifies. 17
(f) (1) A member appointed by the President may be removed by the President 18
for the reasons stated in paragraph (5) of this subsection. 19
(2) A member appointed by the Speaker may be removed by the Speaker 20
for the reasons stated in paragraph (5) of this subsection. 21
(3) A member appointed by the Governor may be removed by the Governor 22
for the reasons stated in paragraph (5) of this subsection. 23
(4) The Board Chair may be removed jointly by the President and the 24
Speaker for the reasons stated in paragraph (5) of this subsection. 25
(5) A member of the Board may be removed for: 26
(i) incompetence; 27
(ii) misconduct; 28
(iii) immorality; or 29
14 HOUSE BILL 546
(iv) failure to perform the duties of the position. 1
(g) Board members are subject to the requirements of Title 5 of the General 2
Provisions Article. 3
(h) (1) The Board shall meet at least once every 2 months. 4
(2) Board meetings are subject to the requirements of Title 3 of the General 5
Provisions Article.] 6
[9–2814. 7
(a) (1) The Board shall appoint an Executive Director. 8
(2) The Executive Director serves at the pleasure of the Board. 9
(3) The Board shall determine the salary of the Executive Director. 10
(b) (1) The Executive Director is the chief administrative officer of the 11
Program. 12
(2) The Executive Director shall manage the administrative affairs and 13
technical activities of the Program in accordance with the policies and procedures that the 14
Board establishes. 15
(c) (1) The Board may employ a staff in accordance with its budget. 16
(2) Staff employed under this section are State employees who: 17
(i) are subject to the requirements of Title 5 of the General 18
Provisions Article; and 19
(ii) may participate in the State Retirement and Pension System 20
under Division II of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.] 21
[9–2815. 22
(a) The Board is responsible for expanding service opportunities in the State with 23
the following goals: 24
(1) creating a strong annual cohort bond of unity for Program participants 25
from urban, rural, and suburban areas of the State; 26
(2) subject to subsection (d) of this section, ensuring all Marylanders have 27
equitable access to participate in the Program regardless of gender, race, religion, national 28
origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, geography, or protected 29
veteran status; 30 HOUSE BILL 546 15
(3) helping Program participants develop the critical job skills necessary 1
for creating a more equitable society as they serve their communities across the State, using 2
the lens of environmental, social, racial, and economic justice; and 3
(4) ensuring each district of the State can communicate its unique 4
community needs and choose the appropriate solutions. 5
(b) The Board shall adopt regulations regarding: 6
(1) selection criteria for regional operating partners with a global view of 7
the needs of the communities in which the regional operating partner works, who will 8
identify and implement placement priorities in consultation with local community partners 9
to expand capacity and create new service programs as needed; 10
(2) eligibility requirements for participating organizations, classified by 11
the Board based on the number of service members the organization’s grant will support, 12
as: 13
(i) community employers; or 14
(ii) large–scale employers; 15
(3) prioritizing the placement of Program participants with large–scale 16
employers based on the organization’s demonstrated need for Program participants who 17
will transition to full–time employment following completion of the Program; 18
(4) a centralized process to facilitate efficient screening and placement of 19
Program participants as well as effective measurement and evaluation of the participant’s 20
service experience; 21
(5) stipends for participants, including: 22
(i) monetary payment of at least $15 per hour, health insurance 23
benefits, and the potential for wraparound services; and 24
(ii) requirements for large–scale employers to provide matching 25
funds; 26
(6) an education award of $6,000 for participants that complete at least 9 27
months of service, which shall be deposited into a tax–exempt Maryland 529 account 28
established under Title 18, Subtitle 19 of the Education Article and may only be used for 29
qualified higher education expenses, as defined in § 18–1901 of the Education Article; 30
(7) workforce development training and wraparound services provided to 31
Program participants by participating organizations; 32
16 HOUSE BILL 546
(8) additional training and support services provided to Program 1
participants after the completion of the participant’s service; 2
(9) ongoing evaluation of opportunities to expand service in the State to 3
address the State’s workforce development needs, including opportunities within State 4
agencies for the creation and expansion of service opportunities within the agencies; and 5
(10) ongoing evaluation of the Program to ensure access and effectiveness, 6
including: 7
(i) demographics of corps participants, including race, ethnicity, 8
age, education, and geography; 9
(ii) post–Program trajectories of corps participants; and 10
(iii) an evaluation of the needs served in the community by the 11
Program. 12
(c) The Board may: 13
(1) sue and be sued; 14
(2) adopt a seal; 15
(3) acquire, hold, and dispose of property for its corporate purposes; 16
(4) sell, lease, or otherwise convey, in any manner that the Board considers 17
appropriate, any property it owns to accomplish the purposes of this subtitle; 18
(5) enter into contracts and leases and execute any instrument necessary 19
or convenient, on the terms and for any corporate purpose that the Board considers 20
advisable; 21
(6) use any other money available under this subtitle or any grant or money 22
from the State or federal government or any of their units or instrumentalities to 23
accomplish the purposes of this subtitle; 24
(7) borrow money for a corporate purpose and mortgage or otherwise 25
encumber its property as security for the loan; 26
(8) accept gifts, contributions, or loans of money, supplies, goods, and 27
services, and accept appropriations, allotments, and loans of money from the State or 28
federal government, a federal corporation, a unit or instrumentality of the federal 29
government, or a political subdivision or instrumentality of the State; 30
(9) exercise a power usually possessed by a private corporation in 31
performing similar functions unless to do so would conflict with State law; and 32 HOUSE BILL 546 17
(10) do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers expressly 1
granted by this subtitle. 2
(d) The Board shall prioritize for participation in the Program individuals 3
historically underrepresented in: 4
(1) higher education enrollment or completion; or 5
(2) employment by: 6
(i) large–scale and community employers; or 7
(ii) participating organizations.] 8
[9–2816. 9
(a) The Board shall act as an intermediary with the AmeriCorps Program to 10
secure federal funding and alleviate the administrative burden on State organizations 11
seeking to participate in AmeriCorps programming. 12
(b) In working with the AmeriCorps Program under subsection (a) of this section, 13
the Board shall focus on expanding the service opportunities in State and local parks and 14
in the public health sector.] 15
[9–2817. 16
(a) There is a Maryland Corps Program Fund. 17
(b) The purpose of the Fund is to: 18
(1) provide stipends to corps participants; 19
(2) provide scholarships to corps participants who have completed the 20
Program to be used at institutions of higher education in the State toward vocational 21
certificates, associate’s degrees, and bachelor’s degrees; 22
(3) cover expenses incurred by the Board, including expenses incurred to 23
study the potential use of the Program as a workforce development tool in the State; 24
(4) cover expenses incurred to study how alumni of the Program could be 25
better positioned to meet the current and future needs of employers in the State; and 26
(5) provide funding for the Program to match gifts or grants received by 27
the Board for the Fund. 28
(c) The Board shall administer the Fund. 29 18 HOUSE BILL 546
(d) The Fund is a continuing, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the 1
State Finance and Procurement Article. 2
(e) (1) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately and shall invest the 3
money in the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested. 4
(2) Any investment earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund. 5
(f) The Comptroller shall account for the Fund. 6
(g) The Board: 7
(1) may accept any gift or grant from any person for the Fund; 8
(2) shall use any gift or grant that it receives for the reasons stated under 9
subsection (b) of this section; and 10
(3) shall deposit any gift or grant that it receives for the Fund with the 11
State Treasurer. 12
(h) The Fund consists of: 13
(1) money appropriated under § 9–2818 of this subtitle; 14
(2) gifts or grants received by the Board for the Fund; 15
(3) investment earnings of the Fund; and 16
(4) any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the 17
Fund. 18
(i) The Fund may be used only for: 19
(1) providing stipends to corps participants; 20
(2) providing scholarships to corps participants who have completed the 21
Program to be used at institutions of higher education in the State toward vocational 22
certificates, associate’s degrees, and bachelor’s degrees; 23
(3) covering expenses incurred by the Board, including expenses incurred 24
to study the potential use of the Program as a workforce development tool in the State; 25
(4) covering expenses incurred to study how alumni of the Program could 26
be better positioned to meet the current and future needs of employers in the State; and 27
HOUSE BILL 546 19
(5) providing funding for the Program to match gifts or grants received by 1
the Board for the Fund. 2
(j) Any unspent portion of the Fund may not be transferred or revert to the 3
General Fund of the State but shall remain in the Fund to be used for the purposes specified 4
in this subtitle. 5
(k) (1) Beginning with fiscal year 2018, at the end of the fiscal year, the Board 6
shall prepare an annual report of the Fund that includes an accounting of all financial 7
receipts and expenditures to and from the Fund. 8
(2) The Board shall submit a copy of the report to the General Assembly in 9
accordance with § 2–1257 of this article. 10
(l) The Fund may be subject to an audit by the Legislative Auditor.] 11
[9–2818. 12
(a) The Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation to the 13
Fund of: 14
(1) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; 15
(2) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; 16
(3) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; and 17
(4) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter. 18
(b) It is the intent of the General Assembly that: 19
(1) appropriations made under subsection (a) of this section are in addition 20
to any federal funding received for State service or volunteer programming; and 21
(2) any federal funding received by the State for service or volunteer 22
programming shall be deposited into the Fund for use by the Program. 23
(c) Appropriations made under subsection (a) of this section and other funding 24
received by the Board shall be used to: 25
(1) provide stipends to corps participants; 26
(2) provide scholarships to corps participants who have completed the 27
Program to be used at institutions of higher education in the State toward vocational 28
certificates, associate’s degrees, and bachelor’s degrees; 29
20 HOUSE BILL 546
(3) cover expenses incurred by the Board, including expenses incurred in 1
marketing and recruitment; and 2
(4) cover programmatic expenses to expand service opportunities 3
throughout the State, including: 4
(i) in partnership with regional operating partners, creating and 5
maintaining an online platform through which individuals and corps participants can 6
search and apply for service opportunities throughout the State; 7
(ii) expanding the Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program, as 8
provided under §§ 8–1913 through 8–1924 of the Natural Resources Article; 9
(iii) creating a Maryland Civilian Climate Corps to conserve and 10
restore State and local parks and engage in other climate or environmental projects; 11
(iv) creating a Maryland Historic Trades Corps to place young adults 12
and young veterans in regionally based work crews tasked with rehabilitation of State 13
historic resources; 14
(v) expanding the Maryland Conservation Corps to engage in 15
projects that manage natural resources and conserve parks; and 16
(vi) providing staff for the Program. 17
(d) Marketing and recruitment conducted by the Program under subsection (c)(3) 18
of this section shall prioritize: 19
(1) historically black colleges and universities, as defined in § 3–207 of the 20
State Finance and Procurement Article; 21
(2) community colleges; 22
(3) high schools with low rates of matriculation to 2– and 4–year 23
institutions of higher education; 24
(4) trade schools; and 25
(5) youth who are disconnected from school or work.] 26
[9–2819. 27
The Board shall explore the possibility of: 28
(1) accessing federal or other grant funding for the Program; and 29
(2) awarding corps participants with academic credit for their service.] 30 HOUSE BILL 546 21
[9–2820. 1
On or before December 1 each year, the Board shall report to the Governor and, in 2
accordance with § 2–1257 of this article, the General Assembly regarding: 3
(1) the number and amount of stipends awarded under the Program; 4
(2) the nonprofit or government agencies with which corps participants are 5
placed; 6
(3) the institutions, if any, that award academic credit for a corps 7
participant’s service; 8
(4) the number and amount of scholarships awarded under the Program; 9
and 10
(5) at which institutions corps participants use their scholarships.] 11
Chapter 484 of the Acts of 2022 12
Supplemental Budget No. 5 13
14. Y01A02.01 Dedicated Purpose Account 14
In addition to the appropriation shown on page 135 of the printed bill (first reading 15
file bill), to provide funding to support legislative operating budget priorities. Following 16
Legislative Policy Committee review, the Department of Budget and Management shall 17
process a budget amendment effective July 1, 2022 transferring most of the funds listed 18
below to the appropriate budgeted programs. 19
(16) D15A05.05 Expand [Maryland Corps] SERVICE YEAR OPTION 20
Program IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SERVICE AND CIVIC 21
INNOVATION …………………………………………………………………… ...……...…5,000,000 22
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 23
June 1, 2023. 24