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.
Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments.
*sb0551*
SENATE BILL 551
F2, K3, C8 EMERGENCY BILL (3lr0132)
ENROLLED BILL
— Education, Energy, and the Environment/Appropriations —
Introduced by The President (By Request – Administration) and Senators
Augustine, Beidle, Benson, Carter, Elfreth, Ellis, Feldman, Gile, Jackson,
King, Hester, Hettleman, Kagan, Klausmeier, Muse, Rosapepe, Sydnor,
Waldstreicher, M. Washington, Watson, and Zucker
Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
_______ day of _______________ at ___________ _____________ o’clock, ________M.
______________________________________________
President.
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Education – Service Year Option Program – Establishment 2
Department of Service and Civic Innovation and Maryland Corps Program 3
Service Year Option Pathways – Established 4
(Serving Every Region Through Vocational Exploration Act of 2023) 5
FOR the purpose of establishing the Service Year Option Program; requiring the 6
Department of Service and Civic Innovation to administer and provide staff for the 7
Program; requiring a Program participant to work at least a certain number of hours 8
per week and partner with an on–site mentor while working in a service placement; 9
requiring a participating employer to pay a Program participant a certain wage; 10
authorizing the Department to disburse a stipend of up to a certain amount to a 11
Program participant who completes a service placement; requiring a Program 12 2 SENATE BILL 551
participant to perform certain duties and participate in certain training and 1
activities as part of a service placement; establishing the Service Year Option 2
Program Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund; requiring interest earnings of the Fund 3
to be credited to the Fund; requiring the Department to procure the services of a 4
third–party entity to conduct an independent study and assessment of the Program 5
and submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before a certain 6
date; requiring the Department, on or before a certain date, to publish an online 7
dashboard of key performance indicators shown in the report; Department of Service 8
and Civic Innovation; providing for the purpose, duties, administration, and staffing 9
of the Department; establishing the Secretary of Service and Civic Innovation and 10
the duties and responsibilities of the Secretary; altering the provisions of the 11
Maryland Corps Program, including requiring the Department to administer the 12
Program, renaming the Board of Directors of the Maryland Corps Program to be the 13
Maryland Corps Program Advisory Board, establishing the Maryland Service Year 14
Option Pathway and the Young Adult Service Year Option Pathway as two pathways 15
under the Program, renaming the Maryland Corps Program Fund to be the 16
Maryland Service Year Option Pathway Fund, and specifying the purposes, use, 17
administration, and contents of the Maryland Service Year Option Pathway Fund; 18
establishing the Young Adult Service Year Option Pathway Fund; providing for the 19
purposes, use, administration, and contents of the Young Adult Service Year Option 20
Pathway Fund; providing for the expiration of the terms of the initial members of 21
the Maryland Corps Program Advisory Board; and generally relating to the 22
establishment of the Department of Service and Civic Innovation and the Maryland 23
Corps Program Service Year Option Program Pathways. 24
BY adding to 25
Article – Education 26
Section 24–11A–01 through 24–11A–07 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 11A. 27
Service Year Option Program” 28
Annotated Code of Maryland 29
(2022 Replacement Volume) 30
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 31
Article – Education 32
Section 15–106.9 33
Annotated Code of Maryland 34
(2022 Replacement Volume) 35
(As enacted by Chapter 1 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2023) 36
BY repealing 37
Article – State Government 38
Section 9–2801 through 9–2808, the part “Part I. General Provisions”, and the 39
subtitle “Subtitle 28. Department of Service and Civic Innovation” 40
Annotated Code of Maryland 41
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 42
(As enacted by Chapter 1 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2023) 43
SENATE BILL 551 3
BY renumbering 1
Article – State Government 2
Section 9–2811 through 9–2820 and the part “Part II. Maryland Corps Program” and 3
9–2823 through 9–2828 and the part “Part III. Governor’s Office on Service 4
and Volunteerism” 5
to be Section 21–201 through 21–210 and the new subtitle “Subtitle 2. Maryland 6
Corps Program” and 21–301 through 21–306 and the new subtitle “Subtitle 3. 7
Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism”, respectively 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 10
(As enacted by Chapter 1 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2023) 11
BY repealing 12
Article – State Finance and Procurement 13
Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)92. 14
Annotated Code of Maryland 15
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 16
BY renumbering 17
Article – State Finance and Procurement 18
Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)93. through 171. 19
to be Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)92. through 170., respectively 20
Annotated Code of Maryland 21
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 22
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 23
Article – State Government 24
Section 8–201 25
Annotated Code of Maryland 26
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 27
(As enacted by Chapter 1 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2023) 28
BY adding to 29
Article – State Government 30
Section 21–101 through 21–107 to be under the new title “Title 21. Department of 31
Service and Civic Innovation” and the new subtitle “Subtitle 1. General 32
Provisions”; and 21–206 through 21–210 33
Annotated Code of Maryland 34
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 35
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 36
Article – State Government 37
Section 21–201 through 21–203, 21–205, and 21–207 through 21–210 38
Annotated Code of Maryland 39
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 40
(As enacted by Section 2 of this Act) 41
4 SENATE BILL 551
BY repealing 1
Article – State Government 2
Section 21–204 and 21–206 3
Annotated Code of Maryland 4
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 5
(As enacted by Section 2 of this Act) 6
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 7
Article – State Finance and Procurement 8
Section 6–226(a)(2)(i) 9
Annotated Code of Maryland 10
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 11
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 12
Article – State Finance and Procurement 13
Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)170. and 171. 6–226(a)(2)(ii)169. and 170. 14
Annotated Code of Maryland 15
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 16
(As enacted by Section 5 of this Act) 17
BY adding to 18
Article – State Finance and Procurement 19
Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)172. and 173. 6–226(a)(2)(ii)171. and 172. 20
Annotated Code of Maryland 21
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 22
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 23
That Section(s) 9–2801 through 9–2808, the part “Part I. General Provisions”, and the 24
subtitle “Subtitle 28. Department of Service and Civic Innovation” of Article – State 25
Government of the Annotated Code of Maryland be repealed. 26
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section(s) 9–2811 through 27
9–2820 and the part “Part II. Maryland Corps Program” of Article – State Government of 28
the Annotated Code of Maryland be renumbered to be Section(s) 21–201 through 21–210, 29
respectively, and the subtitle “Subtitle 2. Maryland Corps Program”. 30
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section(s) 9 –2823 through 31
9–2828 and the part “Part III. Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism” of Article – 32
State Government of the Annotated Code of Maryland be renumbered to be Section(s) 33
21–301 through 21–306, respectively, and the subtitle “Subtitle 3. Governor’s Office on 34
Service and Volunteerism”. 35
SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section(s) 6 –226(a)(2)(ii)92 of 36
Article – State Finance and Procurement of the Annotated Code of Maryland be repealed. 37
SENATE BILL 551 5
SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section(s) 6 –226(a)(2)(ii)93 1
through 171 of Article – State Finance and Procurement of the Annotated Code of Maryland 2
be renumbered to be Section(s) 6–226(a)(2)(ii)92 through 170, respectively. 3
SECTION 1. 4. 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED BY THE GENERAL 4
ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND , That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 5
Article – Education 6
15–106.9. 7
(a) In this section, “residency requirement” means the requirement of a public 8
senior higher education institution that a student has resided in the State for 12 9
consecutive months to be considered a resident and receive in–State tuition status. 10
(b) For in–State tuition purposes, a public senior higher education institution 11
shall waive the in–State residency requirement for an individual who has completed: 12
(1) All service hours for an AmeriCorps Program in the State; or 13
(2) A service program under the Maryland Corps Program under [Title 9, 14
Subtitle 28] TITLE 21, SUBTITLE 2 of the State Government Article. 15
(c) A student is responsible for the difference between in–State and out–of–state 16
tuition if the student does not retain residence in the State for the remainder of the school 17
year for which in–State tuition was received. 18
Article – State Government 19
8–201. 20
(a) The Executive Branch of the State government shall have not more than 21 21
principal departments, each of which shall embrace a broad, functional area of that Branch. 22
(b) The principal departments of the Executive Branch of the State government 23
are: 24
(1) Aging; 25
(2) Agriculture; 26
(3) Budget and Management; 27
(4) Commerce; 28
(5) Disabilities; 29
6 SENATE BILL 551
(6) Emergency Management; 1
(7) the Environment; 2
(8) General Services; 3
(9) Health; 4
(10) Housing and Community Development; 5
(11) Human Services; 6
(12) Information Technology; 7
(13) Juvenile Services; 8
(14) Labor; 9
(15) Natural Resources; 10
(16) Planning; 11
(17) Public Safety and Correctional Services; 12
(18) SERVICE AND CIVIC INNOVATION; 13
[(18)] (19) State Police; 14
[(19)] (20) Transportation; and 15
[(20)] (21) Veterans Affairs. 16
TITLE 21. DEPARTMENT OF SERVICE AND CIVIC INNOVATION. 17
SUBTITLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS. 18
21–101. 19
(A) IN THIS TITLE THE FOL LOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 20
INDICATED. 21
(B) “DEPARTMENT ” MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF SERVICE AND CIVIC 22
INNOVATION. 23
(C) “SECRETARY” MEANS THE SECRETARY OF SERVICE AND CIVIC 24
INNOVATION. 25 SENATE BILL 551 7
21–102. 1
(A) THERE IS A DEPARTMENT OF SERVICE AND CIVIC INNOVATION, 2
ESTABLISHED AS A PRINCIPAL DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT . 3
(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE DEPARTMENT IS TO PROM OTE SERVICE AND 4
VOLUNTEERISM IN THE STATE. 5
21–103. 6
(A) (1) THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT IS THE SECRETARY OF SERVICE 7
AND CIVIC INNOVATION, WHO SHALL BE APPOINT ED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH THE 8
ADVICE AND CONSENT O F THE SENATE. 9
(2) THE SECRETARY SHALL TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE R EQUIRED 10
UNDER ARTICLE I, § 9 OF THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION. 11
(B) THE SECRETARY IS A MEMBER OF THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE 12
COUNCIL. 13
(C) (1) THE SECRETARY SERVES AT T HE PLEASURE OF THE GOVERNOR 14
AND IS RESPONSIBLE D IRECTLY TO THE GOVERNOR. 15
(2) THE SECRETARY SHALL ADVIS E THE GOVERNOR ON ALL 16
MATTERS ASSIGNED TO THE DEPARTMENT AND IS RES PONSIBLE FOR CARRYIN G 17
OUT THE GOVERNOR’S POLICIES ON THESE MATTERS. 18
(D) (1) THE SECRETARY IS RESPONSI BLE FOR THE OPERATIO N OF THE 19
DEPARTMENT AND SHALL ESTABLISH GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES TO PR OMOTE 20
THE ORDERLY AND EFFI CIENT ADMINISTRATION OF THE DEPARTMENT . 21
(2) THE SECRETARY MAY ESTABLI SH, REORGANIZE , OR ABOLISH 22
AREAS OF RESPONSIBIL ITY IN THE DEPARTMENT AS NECESSA RY TO FULFILL THE 23
DUTIES ASSIGNED TO T HE SECRETARY. 24
(E) THE SECRETARY IS ENTITLED TO THE SALARY PROVID ED IN THE STATE 25
BUDGET. 26
21–104. 27
(A) THE SECRETARY MAY EMPLOY A STAFF IN ACCORDANC E WITH THE 28
STATE BUDGET . 29
8 SENATE BILL 551
(B) THE SECRETARY MAY APPOINT A DEPUTY SECRETARY AND OTHER 1
PROFESSIONAL STAFF A ND CONTRACT WITH CON SULTANTS AS AUTHORIZ ED 2
REPRESENTATIVES . 3
(C) THE SECRETARY SHALL APPOI NT AND REMOVE ALL ST AFF IN 4
ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE STATE PERSONNEL AND PENSIONS 5
ARTICLE. 6
21–105. 7
(A) THE SECRETARY IS RESPONSI BLE FOR THE BUDGET O F THE OFFICE OF 8
THE SECRETARY AND THE BUD GET FOR EACH UNIT IN THE DEPARTMENT . 9
(B) THE SECRETARY MAY ADOPT R ULES AND REGULATIONS IN CARRYING 10
OUT THE PROVISIONS O F LAW THAT ARE WITHI N THE JURISDICTION O F THE 11
DEPARTMENT . 12
(C) THE SECRETARY MAY CREATE ANY ADVISORY COUNCIL THAT THE 13
SECRETARY CONSIDERS N ECESSARY AND ASSIGN APPROPRIATE FUNCTION S TO IT. 14
(D) THE SECRETARY SHALL HAVE A SEAL. 15
(E) (1) THE SECRETARY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COORDINATION AND 16
DIRECTION OF ALL PLA NNING THAT THE OFFIC E OF THE SECRETARY INITIATES . 17
(2) THE SECRETARY SHALL KEEP FULLY APPRISED OF PL ANS, 18
PROPOSALS, AND PROJECTS OF EACH UNIT IN THE DEPARTMENT AND , EXCEPT AS 19
EXPRESSLY PROVIDED O THERWISE, MAY APPROVE , DISAPPROVE, OR MODIFY ANY 20
OF THEM. 21
(F) EACH UNIT IN THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REPO RT TO THE SECRETARY 22
AS PROVIDED IN THE R ULES, REGULATIONS , OR WRITTEN DIRECTIVE S THAT THE 23
SECRETARY ADOPTS . 24
(G) THE SECRETARY MAY APPLY F OR, RECEIVE, AND SPEND 25
GRANTS–IN–AID BY THE FEDERAL G OVERNMENT OR ANY OF ITS AGENCIES OR ANY 26
OTHER FEDERAL FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE TO TH E DEPARTMENT FOR USE IN 27
CARRYING OUT THE POW ERS AND DUTIES OF TH E SECRETARY OR THE 28
DEPARTMENT . 29
(H) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE P ROVIDED BY LAW AND §§ 21–205(G) AND 30
21–206(E) OF THIS TITLE, THE SECRETARY SHALL PAY A LL MONEY COLLECTED B Y 31
THE DEPARTMENT UNDER THIS TITLE INTO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE. 32
SENATE BILL 551 9
(I) THE SECRETARY SHALL CARRY OUT AND ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF 1
THIS TITLE, THE RULES AND REGULA TIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT , AND ANY OTHER 2
PROVISIONS OF LAW TH AT RELATE TO THE SECRETARY OR THE DEPARTMENT . 3
21–106. 4
(A) THE SECRETARY SHALL : 5
(1) PROMOTE SERVICE AND VOLUNTEERISM IN THE STATE BY 6
PARTNERING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT , LOCAL GOVERNMENTS , AND 7
NONGOVERNMENTAL ENTI TIES TO FULFILL THE PURPOSES OF THIS TIT LE; AND 8
(2) IDENTIFY, DEVELOP, AND IMPLEMENT INITIA TIVES TO INCREASE 9
SERVICE AND VOLUNTEE RISM IN THE STATE TO CREATE OPPOR TUNITIES AND 10
STRENGTHEN CO MMUNITIES. 11
(B) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 12
(1) PROMOTE THE USE OF V OLUNTEERS IN STATE AND LOCAL 13
GOVERNMENT , EMPLOYERS , AND NONPROFIT ORGANI ZATIONS; 14
(2) COORDINATE AND OVERS EE THE ACTIVITIES OF : 15
(I) THE MARYLAND CORPS PROGRAM UNDER SUBTITLE 2 OF 16
THIS TITLE; AND 17
(II) THE GOVERNOR’S COMMISSION ON SERVICE AND 18
VOLUNTEERISM ; 19
(3) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMEN T MODEL PROGRAMS FOR A STATEWIDE 20
CLEARINGHOUSE , SKILL BANKS, OR INFORMATION CENTE RS FOR VOLUNTEERS AN D 21
PROJECTS IN THE STATE; 22
(4) DEVELOP AND IMPLEM ENT VOLUNTEER RECOGN ITION EVENTS 23
FOR VOLUNTEERS IN STATE PROGRAMS AND PR OVIDE TECHNICAL ASSI STANCE AND 24
SUPPORT FOR RECOGNIT ION EVENTS IN NONPUB LIC PROGRAMS TO INCR EASE THE 25
VISIBILITY AND STATU S OF VOLUNTEERS AND THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT S; 26
(5) ADMINISTER: 27
(I) THE MARYLAND CORPS PROGRAM UNDER SUBTITLE 2 OF 28
THIS TITLE; 29
10 SENATE BILL 551
(II) THE EXECUTIVE FELLOWS PROGRAM UNDER § 21–306 OF 1
THIS TITLE; AND 2
(III) ANY OTHER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM RECOMMENDED OR 3
DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNOR OR OTHERWISE ESTABLISHED BY LAW ; 4
(6) LIAISE WITH NATIONAL , STATE, AND LOCAL VOLUNTEERI SM 5
GROUPS TO OBTAIN INF ORMATION ON FEDERAL , STATE, LOCAL, AND PRIVATE 6
RESOURCES THAT MAY E NHANCE VOLUNTEER PRO JECTS WITHIN THE STATE; 7
(7) CONDUCT STUDIES AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE 8
VOLUNTEE R RECRUITMENT AND TR AINING, VOLUNTEER RETENTION , AND 9
ACCOUNTABILITY OF VO LUNTEER PROGRAMS ; AND 10
(8) PROVIDE STAFF SUPPOR T FOR THE GOVERNOR’S VOLUNTEER 11
COUNCIL. 12
21–107. 13
(A) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS LEGAL ADVI SER TO THE DEPARTMENT . 14
(B) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL ASSIGN TO THE DEPARTMENT THE 15
NUMBER OF ASSISTANT ATTORNEYS GENERAL AU THORIZED BY LAW TO B E ASSIGNED 16
TO THE DEPARTMENT AND ANY AD DITIONAL ASSISTANT A TTORNEYS GENERAL 17
NECESSARY TO GIVE EF FECTIVE LEGAL ADVICE AND COUNSEL . 18
(C) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO SHALL DE SIGNATE AN ASSISTANT 19
ATTORNEY GENERAL AS COUNSEL TO THE DEPARTMENT . 20
Subtitle 2. Maryland Corps Program. 21
21–201. 22
(a) In this [part] SUBTITLE the following words have the meanings indicated. 23
(b) “ADVISORY Board” means the MARYLAND CORPS PROGRAM ADVISORY 24
Board [of Directors of the Program]. 25
(c) “Corps participant” means an individual who participates in the Program. 26
(D) “DEPARTMENT ” MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF SERVICE AND CIVIC 27
INNOVATION. 28
SENATE BILL 551 11
(E) “MSY PATHWAY” MEANS THE MARYLAND SERVICE YEAR OPTION 1
PATHWAY. 2
[(d)] (F) “MSY PATHWAY Fund” means the Maryland [Corps Program] 3
SERVICE YEAR OPTION PATHWAY Fund. 4
[(e)] (G) “Participating organization” means a BUSINESS, nonprofit 5
organization, or government agency that: 6
(1) has a focus on community or other service, service learning, 7
volunteerism, or other activities or experiences with a similar mission; 8
(2) hosts a program participant in a service role; and 9
(3) complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, and 10
Title 20, Subtitle 6 of this article. 11
[(f)] (H) “Program” means the Maryland Corps Program. 12
[(g)] (I) “Wraparound services” includes: 13
(1) child care; 14
(2) transportation; 15
(3) housing; 16
(4) [mental] BEHAVIORAL health; 17
(5) crisis intervention; 18
(6) substance abuse prevention or treatment; 19
(7) legal aid; 20
(8) financial literacy programming; 21
(9) job search and application support; and 22
(10) college application support. 23
(J) “YA PATHWAY” MEANS THE YOUNG ADULT SERVICE YEAR OPTION 24
PATHWAY. 25
(K) “YA PATHWAY FUND” MEANS THE YOUNG ADULT SERVICE YEAR 26
OPTION PATHWAY FUND. 27 12 SENATE BILL 551
21–202. 1
(a) (1) There is a Maryland Corps Program in the State administered and 2
managed by the [Board] DEPARTMENT . 3
(2) THE PROGRAM HAS TWO PATHW AYS: 4
(I) THE YOUNG ADULT SERVICE YEAR OPTION PATHWAY; AND 5
(II) THE MARYLAND SERVICE YEAR OPTION PATHWAY. 6
(b) [(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Program is 7
exempt from Division II of the State Finance and Procurement Article. 8
(2)] The Program is subject to Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and 9
Procurement Article. 10
(c) The purpose of the Program is to: 11
(1) provide meaningful service opportunities to CORPS participants that 12
will address the social needs of the community; 13
(2) equip corps participants with the skills that will enable them to 14
successfully make the transition from high school to an institution of higher education or 15
to the workforce; and 16
(3) provide [scholarships] PROGRAM COMPLETION AW ARDS to corps 17
participants who have completed the Program [to be used at institutions of higher 18
education toward vocational certificates, associate’s degrees, or bachelor’s degrees]. 19
(d) The Program is subject to review under § 2–1220 of this article. 20
21–203. 21
(a) [(1) A Board of Directors shall administer and manage the Program. 22
(2) The Board is a body politic and corporate and is an instrumentality of 23
the State. 24
(b)] (1) THERE IS A MARYLAND CORPS PROGRAM ADVISORY BOARD. 25
(2) The ADVISORY Board consists of the following members: 26
SENATE BILL 551 13
[(1)] (I) a Board Chair, [jointly] appointed by the [President of the 1
Senate and the Speaker of the House] GOVERNOR; 2
[(2)] (II) two members jointly appointed by the President of the Senate 3
and the Speaker of the House: 4
[(i)] 1. one of whom must represent a service organization in the 5
State; and 6
[(ii)] 2. one of whom shall be: 7
[1.] A. a current participant in a public service program; or 8
[2.] B. a former participant in a public service program 9
whose participation ended during the preceding 3 years; 10
[(3)] (III) one member appointed by the President of the Senate; 11
[(4)] (IV) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House; and 12
[(5)] (V) [two] FOUR members appointed by the Governor, one of whom 13
shall be a representative from the [Governor’s Office of Service and Volunteerism] 14
MARYLAND STATE SERVICE COMMISSION. 15
[(c)] (B) In making appointments to the ADVISORY Board, the President, 16
Speaker, and Governor shall consider: 17
(1) the professional or personal experience of the individual in community 18
or other service, nonprofit management, civic engagement, or volunteerism; [and] 19
(2) the cultural, geographic, racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of the 20
State; AND 21
(3) AN INDIVIDUAL’S EXPERIENCE AND KNO WLEDGE IN WORKFORCE 22
DEVELOPMENT , INCLUDING REGIONAL W ORKFORCE NEEDS , TRAINING, CAREER 23
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMM ING, AND WORKFORCE INVEST MENT BOARDS . 24
[(d)] (C) A member of the ADVISORY Board: 25
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the ADVISORY Board; 26
but 27
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 28
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 29
14 SENATE BILL 551
[(e)] (D) (1) The term of a member of the ADVISORY Board is 4 years. 1
(2) The terms of the members are staggered as required by the terms 2
provided for members on June 1, [2022] 2023. 3
(3) A MEMBER MAY BE REAPPO INTED BUT MAY NOT SE RVE MORE 4
THAN TWO CONSECUTIVE FULL TERMS. 5
[(3)] (4) At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a 6
successor is appointed and qualifies. 7
[(f)] (E) (1) A member appointed by the President may be removed by the 8
President for the reasons stated in paragraph (5) of this subsection. 9
(2) A member appointed by the Speaker may be removed by the Speaker 10
for the reasons stated in paragraph (5) of this subsection. 11
(3) A member appointed by the Governor may be removed by the Governor 12
for the reasons stated in paragraph (5) of this subsection. 13
(4) The ADVISORY Board Chair may be removed [jointly by the President 14
and the Speaker] BY THE GOVERNOR for the reasons stated in paragraph (5) of this 15
subsection. 16
(5) A member of the ADVISORY Board may be removed for: 17
(i) incompetence; 18
(ii) misconduct; 19
(iii) immorality; or 20
(iv) failure to perform the duties of the position. 21
[(g)] (F) ADVISORY Board members are subject to the requirements of Title 5 22
of the General Provisions Article. 23
[(h)] (G) (1) The ADVISORY Board shall meet at least [once every 2 months] 24
THREE TIMES EACH YEA R. 25
(2) ADVISORY Board meetings are subject to the requirements of Title 3 of 26
the General Provisions Article. 27
(H) THE ADVISORY BOARD HAS THE FOLLOWI NG DUTIES AND 28
RESPONSIBILITIES : 29 SENATE BILL 551 15
(1) BE A LIAISON WITH TH E DEPARTMENT IN : 1
(I) SEEKING COMMUNITY SE RVICE OPPORTUNITIES AND 2
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROGRAM EXPANSION ; 3
(II) RECRUITING CORPS PAR TICIPANTS; 4
(III) SEEKING GIFTS OR GRA NTS AND OTHER FINANC IAL 5
RESOURCES FOR THE BE NEFIT OF THE PROGRAM; AND 6
(IV) MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS WITH C URRENT AND 7
FORMER CORPS PARTICI PANTS; 8
(2) ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT ON BEST PR ACTICES FOR SERVICE AND 9
VOLUNTEERISM ; 10
(3) PROVIDE OVERSIGHT OF THE DESIGN , DEVELOPMENT , 11
IMPLEMENTATION , OPERATION, AND EXPANSION OF THE PROGRAM; 12
(4) PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAM–SPONSORED EVENTS ; AND 13
(5) ANY OTHER DUTIES AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT . 14
[21–204. 15
(a) (1) The Board shall appoint an Executive Director. 16
(2) The Executive Director serves at the pleasure of the Board. 17
(3) The Board shall determine the salary of the Executive Director. 18
(b) (1) The Executive Director is the chief administrative officer of the 19
Program. 20
(2) The Executive Director shall manage the administrative affairs and 21
technical activities of the Program in accordance with the policies and procedures that the 22
Board establishes. 23
(c) (1) The Board may employ a staff in accordance with its budget. 24
(2) Staff employed under this section are State employees who: 25
(i) are subject to the requirements of Title 5 of the General 26
Provisions Article; and 27 16 SENATE BILL 551
(ii) may participate in the State Retirement and Pension System 1
under Division II of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.] 2
[21–205.] 21–204. 3
(a) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER AND MANAGE TH E PROGRAM. 4
(B) The [Board] DEPARTMENT is responsible for expanding service opportunities 5
in the State THROUGH THE PROGRAM with the following goals: 6
(1) creating a strong annual cohort bond of unity for [Program] CORPS 7
participants from urban, rural, and suburban areas of the State; 8
(2) [subject to subsection (d) of this section,] ensuring all [Marylanders] 9
INDIVIDUALS have equitable access to participate in the Program regardless of gender, 10
race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, 11
geography, NATIVE LANGUAGE , or protected veteran status; 12
(3) helping [Program] CORPS participants develop the critical job skills 13
necessary for creating a more equitable society as they serve their communities across the 14
State, using the lens of environmental, social, racial, and economic justice; and 15
(4) ensuring each district of the State can communicate its unique 16
community needs and choose the appropriate solutions. 17
(C) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ACT AS AN INTERMEDIARY W ITH THE 18
AMERICORPS PROGRAM TO SECURE FED ERAL FUNDING AND ALL EVIATE THE 19
ADMINISTRATIVE BURDE N ON STATE ORGANIZATIONS S EEKING TO PARTICIPAT E IN 20
AMERICORPS PROGRAMMING . 21
(2) IN WORKING WITH THE AMERICORPS PROGRAM UNDER 22
PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE DEPARTME NT SHALL FOCUS ON 23
EXPANDING THE SERVIC E OPPORTUNITIES IN : 24
(I) STATE AND LOCAL PARKS ; 25
(II) PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY HEALTH SECTORS ; AND 26
(III) THE CLEAN AND RENEWA BLE ENERGY SECTOR . 27
[(b)] (D) The [Board] DEPARTMENT shall adopt regulations regarding: 28
(1) selection criteria for regional operating partners with a global view of 29
the needs of the communities in which the regional operating partner works, who will 30 SENATE BILL 551 17
identify and implement placement priorities FOR EACH PROGRAM PATHWAY in 1
consultation with local community partners to expand capacity and create new service 2
programs as needed; 3
(2) eligibility requirements for participating organizations, classified by 4
the [Board] DEPARTMENT based on the number of service [members] PLACEMENTS the 5
organization’s grant will support, as: 6
(i) community employers; or 7
(ii) large–scale employers; 8
(3) prioritizing the placement of [Program] CORPS participants with 9
[large–scale employers] ORGANIZATIONS based on the organization’s demonstrated [need 10
for Program] ABILITY TO TRANSITIO N participants [who will transition] to full–time 11
employment, POSTSECONDARY EDUCAT ION, OR REGISTERED APPREN TICESHIPS 12
following completion of the [Program] SERVICE PLACEMENT ; 13
(4) a centralized process to facilitate efficient screening and placement of 14
[Program] CORPS participants INTO THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE PLACEMENT OF A 15
PROGRAM PATHWAY as well as effective measurement and evaluation of the CORPS 16
participant’s service experience; 17
(5) REASONABLE WORKPLACE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR C ORPS 18
PARTICIPANTS WITH DI SABILITIES; 19
[(5)] (6) stipends for CORPS participants, including: 20
(i) monetary payment of at least $15 per hour OR THE STATE 21
MINIMUM WAGE , WHICHEVER IS GREATER ; 22
(II) health insurance [benefits,] BENEFITS and the potential for 23
wraparound services; and 24
[(ii)] (III) requirements for large–scale employers to provide 25
matching funds; 26
[(6)] (7) [an education] A PROGRAM COMPLETION award of $6,000 for 27
participants that complete at least 9 months of [service,] SERVICE THAT MAY BE 28
AWARDED AS FOLLOWS : 29
(I) [which shall be deposited] BY DEPOSIT into a tax–exempt 30
Maryland 529 account established under Title 18, Subtitle 19 of the Education Article and 31
may only be used for qualified higher education expenses, as defined in § 18–1901 of the 32
Education Article; OR 33 18 SENATE BILL 551
(II) PAYMENT OF A CASH ST IPEND; 1
[(7)] (8) workforce development training and wraparound services 2
provided to [Program] CORPS participants by participating organizations OR STATE 3
AGENCIES; 4
[(8)] (9) additional training and support services provided to [Program] 5
CORPS participants after the completion of the CORPS participant’s service; 6
[(9)] (10) ongoing evaluation of opportunities to expand service in the 7
State to address the State’s workforce development needs, including opportunities within 8
State agencies for the creation and expansion of service opportunities within the agencies; 9
and 10
[(10)] (11) ongoing evaluation of the Program to ensure access and 11
effectiveness, including: 12
(i) demographics of corps participants, including race, ethnicity, 13
age, SEX, GENDER, education, and geography; 14
(II) WHETHER PROGRAM PATHWAYS ARE FACILITATING ENTRY 15
INTO PUBLIC SECTOR W ORKFORCE POSITIONS ; 16
[(ii)] (III) post–Program trajectories of corps participants; and 17
[(iii)] (IV) an evaluation of the needs served in the community by the 18
Program. 19
[(c) The Board may: 20
(1) Sue and be sued; 21
(2) Adopt a seal; 22
(3) Acquire, hold, and dispose of property for its corporate purposes; 23
(4) Sell, lease, or otherwise convey, in any manner that the Board considers 24
appropriate, any property it owns to accomplish the purposes of this subtitle; 25
(5) Enter into contracts and leases and execute any instrument necessary 26
or convenient, on the terms and for any corporate purpose that the Board considers 27
advisable; 28
SENATE BILL 551 19
(6) Use any other money available under this subtitle or any grant or 1
money from the State or federal government or any of their units or instrumentalities to 2
accomplish the purposes of this subtitle; 3
(7) Borrow money for a corporate purpose and mortgage or otherwise 4
encumber its property as security for the loan; 5
(8) Accept gifts, contributions, or loans of money, supplies, goods, and 6
services, and accept appropriations, allotments, and loans of money from the State or 7
federal government, a federal corporation, a unit or instrumentality of the federal 8
government, or a political subdivision or instrumentality of the State; 9
(9) Exercise a power usually possessed by a private corporation in 10
performing similar functions unless to do so would conflict with State law; and 11
(10) Do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers expressly 12
granted by this subtitle.] 13
21–205. 14
(A) (1) THERE IS A YOUNG ADULT SERVICE YEAR OPTION PATHWAY IN 15
THE PROGRAM. 16
(2) THE PURPOSE OF THE YOUNG ADULT SERVICE YEAR OPTION 17
PATHWAY IS TO: 18
(I) PROVIDE SERVICE PLAC EMENTS TO ELIGIBLE Y OUNG 19
ADULTS AS AN ADDITIO NAL OPTION TO IMMEDI ATELY PURSUING POSTS ECONDARY 20
EDUCATION OR CAREER AND TECHNICAL TRAINI NG; 21
(II) EQUIP CORPS PARTICIP ANTS WITH PROFESSION AL 22
DEVELOPM ENT, MENTORING , JOB TRAINING , FINANCIAL LITERACY S KILLS, AND 23
OTHER SUPPORTS WHILE WORKING IN HIGH –IMPACT SERVICE PLACE MENTS; 24
(III) ASSIST IN ADDRESSING THE STATE’S GREATEST 25
CHALLENGES BY CHANNE LING THE NEXT GENERA TION OF MARYLAND CITIZENS 26
INTO IMPACTFU L PUBLIC SERVICE ; AND 27
(IV) STRENGTHEN A PIPELIN E OF TALENT INTO STATE AND 28
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO FILL PRESENT AND FUT URE STAFFING NEEDS . 29
(B) AN INDIVIDUAL MAY APP LY TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR A SERV ICE 30
PLACEMENT IN THE YA PATHWAY UNDER THIS SE CTION IF THE INDIVIDUAL IS: 31
(1) A MARYLAND RESIDENT ON SUBMISSION OF APPLIC ATION; AND 32 20 SENATE BILL 551
(2) WITHIN 3 YEARS OF GRADUATION FROM HIGH SCHOOL OR HAVING 1
OBTAINED A SIMILAR L EVEL OF EDUCATION CO MPLETION, INCLUDING AN 2
INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS O BTAINED A: 3
(I) MARYLAND HIGH S CHOOL DIPLOMA ; 4
(II) MARYLAND HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA BY EXAMINATI ON; OR 5
(III) MARYLAND HIGH SCHOOL CERTIFICATE OF PROGRAM 6
COMPLETION. 7
(C) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SET TARGETS FOR PARTICIP ATION IN 8
THE YA PATHWAY UNDER THIS SE CTION, INCLUDING: 9
(I) 200 CORPS PARTICIPANTS I N THE FIRST YEAR OF 10
IMPLEMENTATION ; AND 11
(II) 2,000 CORPS PARTICIPANTS I N THE FOURTH YEAR OF 12
IMPLEMENTATION . 13
[(d)] (2) The [Board] DEPARTMENT shall prioritize for participation in the 14
[Program] YA PATHWAY UNDER THIS SE CTION: 15
(I) individuals historically underrepresented in: 16
[(1)] 1. higher education enrollment or completion; or 17
[(2)] 2. employment [by]: 18
[(i)] A. BY large–scale and community employers; [or] 19
[(ii)] B. BY participating organizations; OR 20
C. IN PROFESSIONS AND O CCUPATIONS THAT REQU IRE 21
LICENSURE OR CERTIFI CATION; AND 22
(II) ORGANIZATIONS THAT P ROVIDE WRAPAROUND SE RVICES 23
TO CORPS PARTICIPANT S. 24
(D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP FOCUS AREAS FOR THE YA 25
PATHWAY UNDER THIS SE CTION FOR THE PURPOS E OF ADDRESSING PRIORI TY 26
STATE AND COMMUNITY I SSUES, INCLUDING: 27
SENATE BILL 551 21
(1) CLIMATE; 1
(2) EDUCATION; AND 2
(3) HEALTH. 3
(E) A CORPS PARTICIPANT WH O RECEIVES A SERVICE PLACEMENT IN THE 4
YA PATHWAY UNDER THIS SE CTION SHALL: 5
(1) PARTICIPATE IN ALL T RAINING REL ATED TO THE SERVICE 6
PLACEMENT ; 7
(2) WORK AT LEAST 30 HOURS PER WEEK ; 8
(3) BE PARTNERED WITH AN ON–SITE MENTOR; 9
(4) PERFORM THE DUTIES O F THE SERVICE PLACEM ENT TO THE 10
SATISFACTION OF THE PARTICIPATING ORGANI ZATION AND THE DEPARTMENT ; 11
(5) PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAM–WIDE EVENTS; 12
(6) BE PAID $15 PER HOUR OR THE STATE MINIMUM WAGE , 13
WHICHEVER IS GREATER , FOR MANDATORY WORK H OURS OR MANDATORY 14
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES ; AND 15
(7) ON COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM, BE NOTIFIED OF ALL 16
AVAILABLE POST –PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES , INCLUDING REGISTERED 17
APPRENTICESHIPS . 18
(F) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROM OTE AND PUBLICIZE TH E AVAILABILITY 19
OF OPPORTUNITIES IN THE YA PATHWAY TO: 20
(1) HIGH SCHOOLS AND ADU LT HIGH SCHOOLS IN T HE STATE; 21
(2) COMMUNITY AND NONPRO FIT ORGANIZATI ONS; 22
(3) FAITH–BASED INSTITUTIONS ; AND 23
(4) EMPLOYERS THAT ARE P OTENTIAL SERVICE PLA CEMENT 24
PROVIDERS. 25
(G) (1) THERE IS A YOUNG ADULT SERVICE YEAR OPTION PATHWAY 26
FUND. 27
22 SENATE BILL 551
(2) THE PURPOSE OF THE YA PATHWAY FUND IS TO: 1
(I) PROVIDE STIPENDS TO CORPS PARTICIPANTS WITH A 2
SERVICE PLACEMENT IN THE YA PATHWAY UNDER THIS SE CTION; 3
(II) PAY THE COSTS TO ADM INISTER AND PROMOTE THE YA 4
PATHWAY UNDER THE PROGRAM; AND 5
(III) ASSIST IN THE CREATI ON OF ADDITIONAL COR PS 6
PROGRAMS UNDER § 21–207 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 7
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER THE YA PATHWAY FUND. 8
(4) THE EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (9) OF THIS 9
SUBSECTION, THE YA PATHWAY FUND IS A CONTINUING , NONLAPSING FUND THAT 10
IS NOT SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 11
(5) (I) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE YA PATHWAY 12
FUND SEPARATELY AND S HALL INVEST THE MONE Y IN THE YA PATHWAY FUND IN 13
THE SAME MANNER AS O THER STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED. 14
(II) ANY INVESTMENT EARNIN GS OF THE YA PATHWAY FUND 15
SHALL BE CREDITED TO THE FUND. 16
(6) THE COMPTROLLER SHALL SEPARATELY ACCOUNT FOR EACH 17
SOURCE FOR THE YA PATHWAY FUND. 18
(7) THE DEPARTMENT : 19
(I) MAY ACCEPT ANY GIFT OR GRANT FROM ANY PE RSON FOR 20
THE YA PATHWAY FUND; 21
(II) SHALL USE ANY GIFT O R GRANT THAT IT R ECEIVES FOR THE 22
PURPOSES LISTED UNDE R PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION ; AND 23
(III) SHALL DEPOSIT WITH T HE STATE TREASURER ANY GIFT OR 24
GRANT THAT IT RECEIV ES FOR THE YA PATHWAY FUND. 25
(8) THE YA PATHWAY FUND CONSISTS OF : 26
(I) MONEY APPROPRIATED T O THE YA PATHWAY FUND UNDER 27
THE PROGRAM IN THE STATE BUDGET ; 28
SENATE BILL 551 23
(II) GIFTS OR GRANTS RECE IVED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR 1
THE YA PATHWAY FUND; 2
(III) INVESTMENT EARNINGS OF THE YA PATHWAY FUND; AND 3
(IV) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED 4
FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE YA PATHWAY FUND. 5
(9) (I) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 6
PARAGRAPH , ANY UNSPENT STATE APPROPRIATION O F THE YA PATHWAY FUND 7
SHALL REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE AT THE END OF T HE FISCAL 8
YEAR. 9
(II) FOR FISCAL YEARS 2024 THROUGH 2026, ANY ANY 10
UNSPENT PORTION OF THE YA PATHWAY FUND MAY NOT BE TRANS FERRED OR 11
REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE BUT SHALL REMAI N IN THE YA 12
PATHWAY FUND TO BE USED FOR T HE PURPOSES SPECIFIE D IN THIS SUBTITLE. 13
(10) BEGINNING WITH FISCAL YEAR 2024, AT THE END OF EACH F ISCAL 14
YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PREP ARE AN ANNUAL REPORT OF THE YA 15
PATHWAY FUND THAT INCLUDES : 16
(I) AN ACCOUNTING OF ALL FINANCIAL RECEIPTS A ND 17
EXPENDITURES TO AND FROM THE YA PATHWAY FUND; AND 18
(II) THE FOLLOW ING INFORMATION : 19
1. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CORPS PARTICIPANTS 20
DISAGGREGATED BY DEM OGRAPHIC CATEGORIES ; 21
2. THE TOTAL ANNUAL COS T OF THE YA PATHWAY 22
DISAGGREGATED BY THE SOURCE OF THE FUNDS ; 23
3. CORPS PARTICIPANT TR ANSITION AFTER PROGRAM 24
COMPLETION INTO HIGHER EDUCATIO N, POSTSECONDARY EDUCAT ION, FULL–TIME 25
EMPLOYMENT , REGISTERED APPRENTIC ESHIPS, AND ANY OTHER POST –PROGRAM 26
OPPORTUNITY ; 27
4. THE NUMBER OF CORPS PARTICIPANTS EMPLOYE D BY 28
STATE OR LOCAL GOVERN MENT AGENCIES AFTER COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM; 29
AND 30
24 SENATE BILL 551
5. TO THE EXTENT PRACTI CABLE, WHAT FORMER CORPS 1
PARTICIPANTS ARE DOI NG 1 YEAR, 2 YEARS, AND 5 YEARS AFTER COMPLETI NG THE 2
PROGRAM. 3
(11) THE YA PATHWAY FUND IS SUBJECT TO AU DIT BY THE OFFICE OF 4
LEGISLATIVE AUDITS IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1220 OF THIS ARTICLE. 5
21–206. 6
(A) (1) THERE IS A MARYLAND SERVICE YEAR OPTION PATHWAY IN THE 7
PROGRAM. 8
(2) THE PURPOSE OF THE MARYLAND SERVICE YEAR OPTION 9
PATHWAY IS TO: 10
(I) EQUIP CORPS PARTICIP ANTS WITH PROFESSION AL 11
DEVELOPMENT , MENTORING , JOB TRAINING, FINANCIAL LITERACY S KILLS, AND 12
OTHER SUPPORTS WHILE WORKING IN HIGH –IMPACT SERVICE PLACE MENTS; 13
(II) ASSIST IN ADDRESSING THE STATE’S GREATEST 14
CHALLENGES BY CHANNE LING THE TALENTS OF INDIVIDUALS INTO IMP ACTFUL 15
PUBLIC SERVICE ; AND 16
(III) STRENGTHEN A PIPELINE O F TALENT INTO STATE AND 17
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO FILL PRESENT AND FUT URE STAFFING NEEDS . 18
(B) (1) AN INDIVIDUAL MAY APP LY TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR A 19
PLACEMENT IN THE MSY PATHWAY UNDER THIS SE CTION IF THE INDIVID UAL IS 20
INTERESTED IN PERFOR MING PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE IN THE STATE. 21
(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PRIO RITIZE FOR PARTICIPA TION IN 22
THE MSY PATHWAY UNDER THIS SE CTION INDIVIDUALS WH O ARE: 23
(I) MARYLAND RESIDENTS ; AND 24
(II) HISTORICALLY UNDERRE PRESENTED IN: 25
1. HIGHER EDUCATION ENROLLMENT OR COMPLETION ; 26
OR 27
2. EMPLOYMENT BY : 28
A. LARGE–SCALE AND COMMUNITY EMPLOYERS ; OR 29
SENATE BILL 551 25
B. PARTICIPATING ORGANI ZATIONS. 1
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PRIO RITIZE FOR PARTICIPA TION IN 2
THE MSY PATHWAY UNDER THIS SE CTION ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE 3
WRAPAROUND SERVICES TO CORPS PARTICIPANT S. 4
(C) A CORPS PARTICIPANT WH O RECEIVES A SERVICE PLACEMENT IN THE 5
MSY PATHWAY UNDER THIS SE CTION SHALL: 6
(1) PARTICIPATE IN ALL T RAINING RELATED TO T HE SERVICE 7
PLACEMENT ; 8
(2) PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE SERVICE PLACE MENT TO THE 9
SATISFACTION OF THE PARTICIPATING ORGANI ZATION AND THE DEPARTMENT ; 10
(3) PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAM–WIDE EVENTS AS DETER MINED BY 11
THE DEPARTMENT ; 12
(4) BE PAID $15 PER HOUR OR THE STATE MINIMUM WAGE , 13
WHICHEVER IS GREATER , FOR WORK HOURS OR MANDATO RY PROGRAM ACTIVITIES ; 14
AND 15
(5) ON COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM, BE NOTIFIED OF ALL 16
AVAILABLE POST –PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES , INCLUDING REGISTERED 17
APPRENTICESHIPS . 18
(D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROM OTE AND PUBLICIZE TH E AVAILABILITY 19
OF THE MSY PATHWAY OPPORTUNITIES TO: 20
(1) HISTORICALLY BLACK C OLLEGES AND UNIVERSI TIES, AS DEFINED 21
IN § 3–207 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE; 22
(2) COMMUNITY COLLEGES ; 23
(3) TRADE SCHOOLS ; 24
(4) FAITH–BASED INSTITUTIONS ; 25
(5) YOUTH WHO ARE DISCONNECTED FROM SC HOOL OR WORK ; AND 26
(6) EMPLOYERS AND NONPRO FIT ORGANIZATIONS WI TH POTENTIAL 27
SERVICE PLACEMENTS F OR THE MSY PATHWAY UNDER THIS SE CTION. 28
[21–206. 29 26 SENATE BILL 551
(a) The Board shall act as an intermediary with the AmeriCorps Program to 1
secure federal funding and alleviate the administrative burden on State organizations 2
seeking to participate in AmeriCorps programming. 3
(b) In working with the AmeriCorps Program under subsection (a) of this section, 4
the Board shall focus on expanding the service opportunities in State and local parks and 5
in the public health sector.] 6
[21–207.] 7
[(a)] (E) (1) There is a Maryland [Corps Program] SERVICE YEAR OPTION 8
PATHWAY Fund. 9
[(b)] (2) The purpose of the MSY PATHWAY Fund is to: 10
[(1)] (I) provide stipends to corps participants WITH A SERVICE 11
PLACEMENT IN THE MSY PATHWAY UNDER THIS SE CTION; 12
[(2)] (II) provide PROGRAM COMPLETION [scholarships] AWARDS to 13
corps participants who have completed the Program [to be used at institutions of higher 14
education in the State toward vocational certificates, associate’s degrees, and bachelor’s 15
degrees]; 16
[(3)] (III) cover expenses incurred by the [Board] DEPARTMENT , 17
including expenses incurred to study the potential use of the Program as a workforce 18
development tool in the State; 19
[(4)] (IV) cover expenses incurred to study how alumni of the Program 20
could be better positioned to meet the current and future needs of employers in the State; 21
[and] 22
[(5)] (V) provide funding for the [Program] MSY PATHWAY UNDER 23
THIS SECTION to match gifts or grants received by the [Board] DEPARTMENT for the 24
MSY PATHWAY Fund; AND 25
(VI) ASSIST IN THE CREATI ON OF ADDITIONAL COR PS 26
PROGRAMS UNDER § 21–207 OF THIS SUBTITLE . 27
[(c)] (3) The [Board] DEPARTMENT shall administer the MSY PATHWAY 28
Fund. 29
[(d)] (4) The EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (10) OF THIS 30
SUBSECTION, THE MSY PATHWAY Fund is a continuing, nonlapsing fund that is not 31
subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. 32 SENATE BILL 551 27
[(e) (1)] (5) (I) The State Treasurer shall hold the MSY PATHWAY Fund 1
separately and shall invest the money in the MSY PATHWAY Fund in the same manner 2
as other State money may be invested. 3
[(2)] (II) Any investment earnings of the MSY PATHWAY Fund shall be 4
credited to the Fund. 5
[(f)] (6) The Comptroller shall SEPARATELY account FOR EACH SOURCE for 6
the MSY PATHWAY Fund. 7
[(g)] (7) The [Board] DEPARTMENT : 8
[(1)] (I) may accept any gift or grant from any person for the MSY 9
PATHWAY Fund; 10
[(2)] (II) shall use any gift or grant that it receives for the reasons stated 11
under [subsection (b) of this section] PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION ; and 12
[(3)] (III) shall deposit any gift or grant that it receives for the MSY 13
PATHWAY Fund with the State Treasurer. 14
[(h)] (8) The MSY PATHWAY Fund consists of: 15
[(1)] (I) money appropriated under [§ 9–2818 of this subtitle] 16
SUBSECTION (F) OF THIS SECTION ; 17
[(2)] (II) gifts or grants received by the [Board] DEPARTMENT for the 18
MSY PATHWAY Fund; 19
[(3)] (III) investment earnings of the MSY PATHWAY Fund; and 20
[(4)] (IV) any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit 21
of the MSY PATHWAY Fund. 22
[(i)] (9) The MSY PATHWAY Fund may be used only [for: 23
(1) providing stipends to corps participants; 24
(2) providing scholarships to corps participants who have completed the 25
Program to be used at institutions of higher education in the State toward vocational 26
certificates, associate’s degrees, and bachelor’s degrees; 27
(3) covering expenses incurred by the Board, including expenses incurred 28
to study the potential use of the Program as a workforce development tool in the State; 29 28 SENATE BILL 551
(4) covering expenses incurred to study how alumni of the Program could 1
be better positioned to meet the current and future needs of employers in the State; and 2
(5) Providing funding for the Program to match gifts or grants received by 3
the Board for the Fund] FOR THE PURPOSES DES CRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS 4
SUBSECTION . 5
[(j)] (10) (I) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 6
PARAGRAPH , ANY UNSPENT STATE APPROPRIATION O F THE MSY PATHWAY FUND 7
SHALL REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE AT THE END OF T HE FISCAL 8
YEAR. 9
(II) FOR FISCAL YEARS 2024 THROUGH 2026, Any ANY unspent 10
portion of the MSY PATHWAY Fund may not be transferred or revert to the General Fund 11
of the State but shall remain in the MSY PATHWAY Fund to be used for the purposes 12
specified in this subtitle. 13
[(k) (1)] (11) (I) Beginning with fiscal year [2018] 2024, at the end of [the] 14
EACH fiscal year, the [Board] DEPARTMENT shall prepare an annual report of the MSY 15
PATHWAY Fund that includes: 16
1. an accounting of all financial receipts and expenditures to 17
and from the MSY PATHWAY Fund; AND 18
2. THE FOLLOWING INFORM ATION: 19
A. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CORP S PARTICIPANTS 20
DISAGGREGATED BY DEM OGRAPHIC CATEGORIES ; 21
B. THE TOTAL ANNUAL COS T OF THE MSY PATHWAY 22
DISAGGREGATED BY THE SOURCE OF THE FUNDS ; 23
C. CORPS PARTICIPANT TR ANSITION AFTER PROGRAM 24
COMPLETION INTO HIGH ER EDUCATION , POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION , FULL–TIME 25
EMPLOYMENT , REGISTERED APPRENTIC ESHIPS, AND ANY OTHER POST –PROGRAM 26
OPPORTUNITY ; 27
D. THE NUMBER OF CORPS PARTICIPANTS EMPLOYE D BY 28
STATE OR LOCAL GOVERN MENT AGENCIES AFTER COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM; 29
AND 30
SENATE BILL 551 29
E. TO THE EXTEN T PRACTICABLE , WHAT FORMER CORPS 1
PARTICIPANTS ARE DOI NG 1 YEAR, 2 YEARS, AND 5 YEARS AFTER COMPLETI NG THE 2
PROGRAM. 3
[(2)] (II) The [Board] DEPARTMENT shall submit a copy of the report to 4
the General Assembly in accordance with § 2–1257 of this article. 5
[(l)] (12) The MSY PATHWAY Fund may be subject to an audit by the 6
Legislative Auditor. 7
[21–208.] 8
[(a)] (F) (1) The Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an 9
appropriation to the MSY PATHWAY Fund of: 10
[(1)] (I) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; 11
[(2)] (II) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; 12
[(3)] (III) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; and 13
[(4)] (IV) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter. 14
[(b)] (2) It is the intent of the General Assembly that[: 15
(1)] appropriations made under [subsection (a) of this section] 16
PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION are in addition to any federal funding received for 17
State service or volunteer programming[; and 18
(2) Any federal funding received by the State for service or volunteer 19
programming shall be deposited into the Fund for use by the Program]. 20
[(c)] (3) Appropriations made under [subsection (a) of this section] 21
PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION and other funding received by the [Board] 22
DEPARTMENT FOR THE MSY PATHWAY UNDER THIS SE CTION shall be used to: 23
[(1)] (I) provide stipends to corps participants WITH A SERVICE 24
PLACEMENT IN THE MSY PATHWAY UNDER THIS SE CTION; 25
[(2)] (II) provide [scholarships] PROGRAM COMPLETION AW ARDS to 26
corps participants who have completed the Program [to be used at institutions of higher 27
education in the State toward vocational certificates, associate’s degrees, and bachelor’s 28
degrees]; 29
30 SENATE BILL 551
[(3)] (III) cover expenses incurred by the [Board] DEPARTMEN T, 1
including expenses incurred in marketing and recruitment; and 2
[(4)] (IV) 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] EXPANDING the Chesapeake Conservation Corps 8
Program, as 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
[21–209.] 21–207. 27
(A) (1) The [Board] DEPARTMENT shall explore the possibility of: 28
[(1)] (I) accessing federal or other grant funding for the Program; and 29
SENATE BILL 551 31
[(2)] (II) awarding corps participants with: 1
1. academic credit for their service; OR 2
2. CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEA RNING EXPERIENCE TOWARD 3
TRADE OR VOCATIONAL CERTIFICATION . 4
(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONS ULT WITH THE MARYLAND 5
HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION, INSTITUTIONS OF POST SECONDARY 6
EDUCATION, THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, AND ANY OTHER ENTITY 7
THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINE S RELEVANT IN DETERM INING THE FEASIBILIT Y OF 8
IMPLEMENTING THE PRO VISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION . 9
(B) THE DEPARTMENT MAY USE MO NEY FROM THE YA PATHWAY FUND 10
UNDER § 21–205 OF THIS SUBTITLE AND THE MSY PATHWAY FUND UNDER § 21–206 11
OF THIS SUBTITLE TO: 12
(1) CREATE A MARYLAND CIVILIAN CLIMATE CORPS TO CONSERVE 13
AND RESTORE STATE AND LOCAL PARKS AND ENGAGE IN OTHER CLIMATE OR 14
ENVIRONMENTAL PROJEC TS; 15
(2) CREATE A MARYLAND HISTORIC TRADES CORPS TO PLACE 16
YOUNG ADULTS AND YOU NG VETERANS IN REGIO NALLY BASED WORK CREWS 17
TASKED WITH REHABILI TATION OF STATE HISTORIC RESOUR CES; AND 18
(3) EXPAND THE MARYLAND CONSERVATION CORPS TO ENGAGE IN 19
PROJECTS THAT MANAGE NATURAL RESOURCES AN D CONSERVE PARKS . 20
21–208. 21
(A) ON OR BEFORE JUNE 1, 2027, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONTRACT 22
WITH A PUBLIC OR PRI VATE ENTITY TO CONDU CT AN INDEPENDENT EV ALUATION OF 23
THE PROGRAM. 24
(B) THE INDEPENDENT EVALU ATION SHALL EVALUATE : 25
(1) THE BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITIES BEING SE RVED BY THE 26
PROGRAM; 27
(2) THE BENEFITS TO CORP S PARTICIPAN TS WHO COMPLETED THE 28
PROGRAM, INCLUDING EFFICACY I N TRANSITIONING CORP S PARTICIPANTS TO 29
POSTSECONDARY EDUCAT ION, THE WORKFORCE , OR REGISTERED 30
APPRENTICESHIPS ; 31
32 SENATE BILL 551
(3) THE EFFICACY OF THE PROGRAM’S PROFESSIONAL 1
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMM ING, TRAINING, AND MENTORING IN SUPPORT ING THE 2
STATE’S WORKFORCE DEVELOPM ENT NEEDS; 3
(4) THE PROGRAM DESIGN , IMPLEMENTATION , AND OVERALL 4
EFFICIENCY IN DELIVE RING INTENDED OUTCOM ES; AND 5
(5) ANY ADDITIONAL PROGRAM METRICS DEVEL OPED BY THE 6
DEPARTMENT . 7
(C) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2028, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUBM IT A 8
REPORT ON ITS FINDIN GS AND RECOMMENDATIO NS TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN 9
ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE , THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE 10
RESULTS OF THE INDEP ENDENT EVALUATION CO NDUCTED IN ACCORDANC E WITH 11
THIS SECTION. 12
(D) BEGINNING ON OCTOBER 1, 2028, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PUBL ISH 13
AN ONLINE DASHBOARD OF KEY PERFORMANCE I NDICATORS AS DETERMI NED IN 14
THE REPORT REQUIRED UNDER SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION. 15
[21–210.] 21–209. 16
On or before December 1 each year, the [Board] DEPARTMENT shall report to the 17
Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of this article, the General Assembly regarding: 18
(1) the number and amount of stipends awarded under the Program; 19
(2) the BUSINESSES, nonprofit ORGANIZATIONS , or government agencies 20
with which corps participants are placed; 21
(3) the institutions, if any, that award academic credit for a corps 22
participant’s service; 23
(4) the number and amount of [scholarships] PROGRAM COMPLETION 24
AWARDS awarded under the Program; and 25
(5) [at which] THE POSTSECONDARY ED UCATIONAL institutions AT 26
WHICH corps participants use their [scholarships] PROGRAM COMPLETION AW ARDS. 27
SUBTITLE 11A. SERVICE YEAR OPTION PROGRAM. 28
24–11A–01. 29
(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 30
INDICATED. 31 SENATE BILL 551 33
(B) “DEPARTMENT ” MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF SERVICE AND CIVIC 1
INNOVATION. 2
(C) “FUND” MEANS THE SERVICE YEAR OPTION PROGRAM FUND. 3
(D) “PARTICIPATING EMPLOYE R” MEANS A PUBLIC OR PR IVATE ENTITY 4
PARTICIPATING A S AN EMPLOYER UNDER THE PROGRAM. 5
(E) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE SERVICE YEAR OPTION PROGRAM. 6
(F) “PROGRAM PARTICIPANT ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO: 7
(1) HAS RECEIVED A HIGH S CHOOL DIPLOMA , GED, OR COMPARABLE 8
PROOF OF EQUIVALENT EDUCATIONAL LEVEL WI THIN 2 YEARS BEFORE APPLYING 9
FOR A SERVICE PLACEM ENT UNDER THE PROGRAM; OR 10
(2) QUALIFIES FOR A SERVI CE PLACEMENT UNDER A LTERNATIVE 11
CRITERIA ESTABLISHED BY THE SECRETARY. 12
(G) “SECRETARY” MEANS THE SECRETARY OF SERVICE AND CIVIC 13
INNOVATION. 14
(H) “SERVICE PLACEMENT ” MEANS THE JOB ASSIGN MENT DESIGNATED TO 15
AN INDIVIDUAL PARTIC IPATING IN THE PROGRAM UNDER THIS SU BTITLE. 16
24–11A–02. 17
(A) THERE IS A SERVICE YEAR OPTION PROGRAM IN THE STATE. 18
(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO: 19
(1) PROVIDE SERVICE PLACE MENTS TO RECENT HIGH SC HOOL 20
GRADUATES AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH SIM ILAR LEVELS OF EDUCA TION AS AN 21
ADDITIONAL OPTION TO PURSUING CAREER AND TECHNICAL TRAINING O R 22
POSTSECONDARY EDUCAT ION; 23
(2) EQUIP PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WITH PROFESSIONAL 24
DEVELOPMENT , MENTORING, JOB TRAINING, AND OTHER SUPPORT WH ILE WORKING 25
IN HIGH–IMPACT SERVICE PLACE MENTS; 26
(3) HELP ADDRESS THE STATE’S GREATEST CHALLENGE S BY 27
CHANNELING THE NEXT GENERATION INTO PUBL IC IMPACT WORK ; AND 28
34 SENATE BILL 551
(4) STRENGTHEN A PIPELINE OF TALENT INTO STATE AND LOCAL 1
GOVERNMENTS TO FILL PRESENT AND FUTURE S TAFFING NEEDS . 2
(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 3
(1) ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM; AND 4
(2) PROVIDE STAFF FOR THE PROGRAM AS PROVIDED I N THE STATE 5
BUDGET. 6
24–11A–03. 7
(A) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 8
(1) DESIGN THE PROGRAM; 9
(2) IDENTIFY AND WORK WIT H NONPROFIT ENTITIES WHO MAY 10
RECEIVE GRANTS TO SE RVE AS REGIONAL PROGRAM LEADERS ACROS S THE STATE; 11
(3) CREATE A STATEWIDE NE TWORK FOR ALL PROGRAM 12
PARTICIPANTS ACROSS THE STATE; 13
(4) PROMOTE AND COMMUNICA TE PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES TO 14
HIGH SCHOOLS , RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIO NS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATI ONS, AND 15
POTENTIAL PARTICIPAT ING EMPLOYERS ACROSS THE STATE; 16
(5) (I) DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A CENTRAL APPLICATIO N 17
PROCESS; AND 18
(II) ASSIST APPLICANTS WIT H THE APPLICATION PR OCESS; 19
(6) BUILD AND MAINTAIN AN ACCURATE AND UP –TO–DATE ONLINE 20
PORTAL TO MANAGE OPE NINGS FOR SERVICE PL ACEMENTS; 21
(7) IDENTIFY PARTICIPATIN G EMPLOYERS WHO CAN PROVIDE A WIDE 22
ARRAY OF BENEFITS , INCLUDING MENTORING AND CAREER AND COLLE GE 23
COACHING; 24
(8) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, SELECT PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS 25
THAT REFLECT THE GEN DER, RACIAL, ETHNIC, AND GEOGRAPHIC DIVER SITY OF THE 26
STATE; AND 27
(9) EVALUATE THE OVERALL OPERATIONS OF THE PROGRAM IN 28
COLLABORATION WITH A N INDEPENDENT ENTITY . 29 SENATE BILL 551 35
(B) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SET TARGETS FOR PROGRAM 1
PARTICIPATION , INCLUDING: 2
(1) 200 PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS IN THE FIRST YEAR OF 3
IMPLEMENTATION ; AND 4
(2) 2000 PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS IN THE FOURTH YEAR O F 5
IMPLEMENTATION . 6
(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP PROGRAM F OCUS AREAS TO 7
ADDRESS PRIORITY ISS UES, INCLUDING: 8
(1) CLIMATE; 9
(2) EDUCATION; AND 10
(3) HEALTH. 11
24–11A–04. 12
(A) (1) WHILE WORKING IN A SE RVICE PLACEMENT , A PROGRAM 13
PARTICIPANT SHALL : 14
(I) WORK AT LEAST 30 HOURS PER WEEK ; AND 15
(II) PARTNER WITH AN ON –SITE MENTOR WHO PROV IDES: 16
1. JOB TRAINING; 17
2. CAREER AND POSTSECOND ARY EDUCATION 18
COUNSELING ; 19
3. FINANCIAL LITERACY SK ILLS; AND 20
4. ANY OTHER SUPPORT NEE DED. 21
(2) A PARTICIPATING EMPLOY ER SHALL PAY A PROGRAM 22
PARTICIPANT $15 PER HOUR. 23
(B) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION S (C) AND (D) OF THIS SECTION , THE 24
DEPARTMENT MAY DISBUR SE A STIPEND OF UP T O $3,000 TO A PROGRAM 25
PARTICIPANT WHO COMP LETES A SERVICE PLAC EMENT. 26
36 SENATE BILL 551
(C) A PROGRAM PARTICIPANT S HALL: 1
(1) PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE SERVICE PLACEMEN T TO THE 2
SATISFACTION OF THE PARTICIPATING EMPLOY ER AND THE DEPARTMENT ; 3
(2) PARTICIPATE IN ALL TR AINING RELATED TO TH E SERVICE 4
PLACEMENT AND FUTURE CAREERS OR EDUCATION AL PATHWAYS ; AND 5
(3) PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAM–WIDE EVENTS TO : 6
(I) EXPAND THE PARTICIPAN T’S PROFESSIONAL NETWO RK; 7
(II) MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH IN THE PROGRAM; AND 8
(III) TAKE ADVANTAGE OF STATE RESOURCES . 9
(D) AS NEEDED, THE DEPARTMENT MAY DISBUR SE A PRORATED STIPEN D 10
AMOUNT ON A CASE –BY–CASE BASIS. 11
24–11A–05. 12
(A) THERE IS A SERVICE YEAR OPTION PROGRAM FUND. 13
(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO: 14
(1) PROVIDE STIPENDS TO PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS ; AND 15
(2) PAY THE COSTS TO ADMI NISTER THE PROGRAM. 16
(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER THE FUND. 17
(D) THE FUND IS A CONTINUING, NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT SUBJECT 18
TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 19
(E) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY 20
AND SHALL INVEST THE MONEY IN THE FUND IN THE SAME MANN ER AS OTHER 21
STATE MONEY MAY BE INVESTED. 22
(2) ANY INVESTMENT EARNIN GS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITE D 23
TO THE FUND. 24
(F) THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 25
(G) THE DEPARTMENT : 26
SENATE BILL 551 37
(1) MAY ACCEPT ANY GIFT O R GRANT FROM ANY PER SON FOR THE 1
FUND; 2
(2) SHALL USE ANY GIFT OR GRANT THAT IT RECEIV ES FOR THE 3
PURPOSES LISTED UNDE R SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION; AND 4
(3) SHALL DEPOSIT WITH TH E STATE TREASURER ANY GIFT OR 5
GRANT THAT IT RECEIV ES FOR THE FUND. 6
(H) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 7
(1) MONEY APPROPRIATED TO THE PROGRAM IN THE STATE 8
BUDGET; 9
(2) GIFTS OR GRANTS RECEI VED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE 10
FUND; 11
(3) INVESTMENT EARNINGS O F THE FUND; AND 12
(4) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED FOR 13
THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND. 14
(I) ANY UNSPENT PORTION O F THE FUND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR 15
REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE BUT SHALL REMAI N IN THE FUND 16
TO BE USED FOR THE P URPOSES SPECIFIED IN THIS SUBTITLE. 17
(J) THE FUND IS SUBJECT TO AU DIT BY THE OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE 18
AUDITS IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1220 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 19
24–11A–06. 20
(A) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROC URE THE SERVICES OF A 21
THIRD–PARTY ENTITY TO COND UCT AN INDEPENDENT S TUDY AND ASSESSMENT OF 22
THE PROGRAM. 23
(2) THE STUDY SHALL EMPLO Y: 24
(I) RANDOM ASSIGNMENT , IF FEASIBLE AND ETHI CAL; OR 25
(II) OTHER RESEARCH METHOD S THAT ALLOW FOR THE 26
STRONGEST POSSIBLE C AUSAL INFERENCES , IF RANDOM ASSIGNMENT IS NOT 27
FEASIBLE AND ETHICAL IN THIS INSTANCE. 28
38 SENATE BILL 551
(B) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2028, THE THIRD–PARTY ENTITY SHALL S UBMIT 1
A REPORT ON ITS FIND INGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN 2
ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL 3
ASSEMBLY. 4
(C) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2028, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PUBL ISH 5
AN ONLINE DASHBOARD OF KEY PERFORMANCE I NDICATORS SHOWN IN T HE REPORT 6
REQUIRED UNDER SUBSE CTION (B) OF THIS SECTION. 7
24–11A–07. 8
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOP T REGULATIONS NECESS ARY TO CARRY OUT 9
THIS SUBTITLE, INCLUDING REGULATION S ON: 10
(1) THE APPLICATION PROCE SS; 11
(2) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREME NTS; 12
(3) PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS ; AND 13
(4) THE DISBURSEMENT OF S TIPENDS. 14
Article – State Finance and Procurement 15
6–226. 16
(a) (2) (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and unless 17
inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other federal requirement or with the 18
terms of a gift or settlement agreement, net interest on all State money allocated by the 19
State Treasurer under this section to special funds or accounts, and otherwise entitled to 20
receive interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall accrue to the General 21
Fund of the State. 22
(ii) The provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph do not apply 23
to the following funds: 24
170. 169. the Cannabis Public Health Fund; [and] 25
171. 170. the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund ; 26
AND 27
172. 171. THE YOUNG ADULT SERVICE YEAR OPTION 28
PROGRAM PATHWAY FUND; AND 29
SENATE BILL 551 39
173. 172. THE MARYLAND SERVICE YEAR OPTION 1
PATHWAY FUND. 2
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 3
1, 2023. 4
SECTION 5. 7. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the terms of the initial 5
members of the Maryland Corps Program Advisory Board under § 21–203 of the State 6
Government Article, as enacted by Section 4 of this Act, shall expire as follows: 7
(1) the terms of the one member appointed by the President of the Senate, 8
the one member appointed by the Speaker of the House, and two members appointed by 9
the Governor shall expire on June 30, 2025; and 10
(2) the terms of the chair of the Advisory Board, the two members jointly 11
appointed by the President and the Speaker, and two members appointed by the Governor 12
shall expire on June 30, 2026. 13
SECTION 6. 8. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act is an emergency 14
measure, is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health or safety, has 15
been passed by a yea and nay vote supported by three–fifths of all the members elected to 16
each of the two Houses of the General Assembly, and shall take effect from the date it is 17
enacted. 18
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.