MD
Maryland Senate Bill SB830

Maryland 2023 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB830 Compare Versions

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1- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 577
21
3-– 1 –
4-Chapter 577
5-(Senate Bill 830)
62
7-AN ACT concerning
3+EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
4+ [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5+ Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
6+ Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
7+amendment.
8+ *sb0830*
89
9-Environmental Health Specialists and On–Site Sewage Disposal Systems Well
10-and Septic Systems Permitting – Reform Studies
11-(Environmental Health Systems Support Act of 2023)
10+SENATE BILL 830
11+M3, J2 3lr2133
1212
13-FOR the purpose of requiring the Department of the Environment to develop and make
14-available certain standardized permit forms; requiring a local health department to
15-provide a certain applicant with certain information under certain circumstances;
16-requiring the Maryland Department of Health to promote consistent standards and
17-regulations governing environmental health specialists, host certain monthly
18-information meetings, and develop an online tracking system for on–site sewage
19-disposal system permits; requiring the Department of Budget and Management, on
20-or before a certain date, to increase the number of full–time employees in the
21-Department of the Environment by a certain number of permanent, class ified
22-positions; establishing the Environmental Health Specialist Student Loan
23-Forgiveness Program; requiring an applicant selected to participate in the Program
24-to sign a contract agreeing to a certain service obligation; authorizing the Office of
25-Student Financial Assistance to make certain annual disbursements directly to a
26-Program participant under certain circumstances; requiring the Department of the
27-Environment and the Maryland Department of Health, in conjunction with the
28-Board of Environmental Health Specialists, to conduct a certain study; requiring the
29-Department of the Environment, to contract in consultation with the Department of
30-Legislative Services and the University of Maryland Agriculture and Food Systems
31-Extension Program, to conduct a certain study; and generally relating to studying
32-environmental health specialists and well and septic systems permitting.
13+By: Senator Hester
14+Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2023
15+Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
16+Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
17+Senate action: Adopted
18+Read second time: March 6, 2023
3319
34-BY adding to
35- Article – Environment
36-Section 9–1114
37- Annotated Code of Maryland
38- (2014 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement)
20+CHAPTER ______
3921
40-BY adding to
41- Article – Health Occupations
42-Section 21–103 and 21–104
43- Annotated Code of Maryland
44- (2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement)
22+AN ACT concerning 1
4523
46-BY adding to
47- Article – Education
48-Section 18–3901 and 18–3902 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 39.
49-Environmental Health Specialist Student Loan Forgiveness Program” Ch. 577 2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND
24+Environmental Health Specialists and On–Site Sewage Disposal Systems Well 2
25+and Septic Systems Permitting – Reform Studies 3
26+(Environmental Health Systems Support Act of 2023) 4
5027
51-– 2 –
52- Annotated Code of Maryland
53- (2022 Replacement Volume)
28+FOR the purpose of requiring the Department of the Environment to develop and make 5
29+available certain standardized permit forms; requiring a local health department to 6
30+provide a certain applicant with certain information under certain circumstances; 7
31+requiring the Maryland Department of Health to promote consistent standards and 8
32+regulations governing environmental health specialists, host certain monthly 9
33+information meetings, and develop an online tracking system for on–site sewage 10
34+disposal system permits; requiring the Department of Budget and Management, on 11
35+or before a certain date, to increase the number of full–time employees in the 12
36+Department of the Environment by a certain number of permanent, classified 13
37+positions; establishing the Environmental Health Specialist Student Loan 14
38+Forgiveness Program; requiring an applicant selected to participate in the Program 15
39+to sign a contract agreeing to a certain service obligation; authorizing the Office of 16
40+Student Financial Assistance to make certain annual disbursements directly to a 17
41+Program participant under certain circumstances; requiring the Department of the 18
42+Environment and the Maryland Department of Health, in conjunction with the 19
43+Board of Environmental Health Specialists, to conduct a certain study; requiring the 20
44+Department of the Environment, to contract in consultation with the Department of 21
45+Legislative Services and the University of Maryland Agriculture and Food Systems 22
46+Extension Program, to conduct a certain study; and generally relating to studying 23
47+environmental health specialists and well and septic systems permitting. 24
48+ 2 SENATE BILL 830
5449
55- SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
56-That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
5750
58-Article – Environment
51+BY adding to 1
52+ Article – Environment 2
53+Section 9–1114 3
54+ Annotated Code of Maryland 4
55+ (2014 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 5
5956
60-9–1114.
57+BY adding to 6
58+ Article – Health Occupations 7
59+Section 21–103 and 21–104 8
60+ Annotated Code of Maryland 9
61+ (2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 10
6162
62- (A) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP AND MAKE AVAILAB LE
63-STANDARDIZED PERMIT FORMS FOR THE INSTAL LATION OF ON –SITE SEWAGE
64-DISPOSAL SYSTEMS .
63+BY adding to 11
64+ Article – Education 12
65+Section 18–3901 and 18–3902 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 39. 13
66+Environmental Health Specialist Student Loan Forgiveness Program” 14
67+ Annotated Code of Maryland 15
68+ (2022 Replacement Volume) 16
6569
66- (B) IF A LOCAL HEALTH DEP ARTMENT DENIES AN AP PLICATION FOR THE
67-INSTALLATION OF AN O N–SITE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM, THE LOCAL HEALTH
68-DEPARTMENT SHALL PRO VIDE THE APPLICANT W ITH INFORMATION ON H OW TO
69-APPEAL THE DECISION TO THE DEPARTMENT .
70+ SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 17
71+That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 18
7072
71-Article – Health Occupations
73+Article – Environment 19
7274
73-21–103.
75+9–1114. 20
7476
75- (A) THE DEPARTMENT , IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF THE
76-ENVIRONMENT , SHALL:
77+ (A) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP AND MAKE AVAILAB LE 21
78+STANDARDIZED PERMIT FORMS FOR THE INSTAL LATION OF ON –SITE SEWAGE 22
79+DISPOSAL SYSTEMS . 23
7780
78- (1) PROMOTE CONSISTENT ST ANDARDS AND REGULATI ONS UNDER
79-THIS TITLE;
81+ (B) IF A LOCAL HEALTH DEP ARTMENT DENIES AN AP PLICATION FOR THE 24
82+INSTALLATION OF AN O N–SITE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM, THE LOCAL HEALTH 25
83+DEPARTMENT SHALL PRO VIDE THE APPLICANT W ITH INFORMATION ON H OW TO 26
84+APPEAL THE DECISION TO THE DEPARTMENT . 27
8085
81- (2) HOST MONTHLY INFORMAT IONAL MEETINGS ON TH E
82-INTERPRETATION AND A PPLICATION OF THIS T ITLE AND CORRESPONDI NG
83-REGULATIONS FOR LOCA L GOVERNMENT EMPLOYE ES WHO ARE OR WORK W ITH
84-ENVIRONME NTAL HEALTH SPECIALI STS; AND
86+Article – Health Occupations 28
8587
86- (3) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION , PRODUCE A
87-TIMELINE AND FUNDING ESTIMATE FOR DEVELOP ING AN ONLINE TRACKI NG SYSTEM
88-FOR THE STATUS OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE INSTALLATION OF AND ASSOCIATED
89-PERMITS FOR AN ON –SITE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTE M.
88+21–103. 29
9089
91- (B) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP THE TRACKING SYS TEM
92-REQUIRED UNDER SUBSE CTION (A)(3) OF THIS SECTION IN C ONSULTATION WITH
93-THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY .
94- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 577
90+ (A) THE DEPARTMENT , IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF THE 30
91+ENVIRONMENT , SHALL: 31
9592
96-– 3 –
97- (2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONS ULT WITH PERMIT APPL ICANTS,
98-PERMIT HOLDERS , AND LOCAL HEALTH DEP ARTMENTS IN EVALUATI NG THE
99-TRACKING SYSTEM FOR ON–SITE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM PERMIT
100-APPLICATIONS.
93+ (1) PROMOTE CONSISTENT ST ANDARDS AND REGULATI ONS UNDER 32
94+THIS TITLE; 33
95+ SENATE BILL 830 3
10196
102-21–104.
10397
104- (A) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2024, THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND
105-MANAGEMENT SHALL INCR EASE THE NUMBER OF FULL–TIME EMPLOYEES IN TH E
106-DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT BY THREE PERMANENT , CLASSIFIED
107-POSITIONS.
98+ (2) HOST MONTHLY INFORMAT IONAL MEETINGS ON TH E 1
99+INTERPRETATION AND A PPLICATION OF THIS T ITLE AND CORRESPONDI NG 2
100+REGULATIONS FOR LOCA L GOVERNMENT EMPLOYE ES WHO ARE OR WORK W ITH 3
101+ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS ; AND 4
108102
109- (B) THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT SHALL BUDG ET THE
110-THREE POSITIONS REQU IRED UNDER SUBSECTIO N (A) OF THIS SECTION AS
111-FOLLOWS:
103+ (3) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION , PRODUCE A 5
104+TIMELINE AND FUNDING ESTIMATE FOR DEVELOP ING AN ONLINE TRACKI NG SYSTEM 6
105+FOR THE STATUS OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE INSTALLATION OF AND ASSOCIATED 7
106+PERMITS FOR AN ON –SITE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM . 8
112107
113- (1) TWO ADMINIS TRATORS; AND
108+ (B) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP THE TRACKING SYS TEM 9
109+REQUIRED UNDER SUBSE CTION (A)(3) OF THIS SECTION IN C ONSULTATION WITH 10
110+THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY . 11
114111
115- (2) ONE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL WITH EXPERIEN CE IN
116-ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AS SIGNED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND
117-DESIGNATED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO ADVISE ON MATTERS RELATED TO
118-PERMITTING, INCLUDING PERMITS FO R ON–SITE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS.
112+ (2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONS ULT WITH PERMIT APPL ICANTS, 12
113+PERMIT HOLDERS, AND LOCAL HEALTH DEP ARTMENTS IN EVALUATI NG THE 13
114+TRACKING SYSTEM FOR ON–SITE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM PERMIT 14
115+APPLICATIONS. 15
119116
120- (C) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025, AND EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER , THE
121-GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE ANNUAL BUDG ET BILL AN APPROPRIA TION OF
122-$350,000 TO FUND THE THREE PE RMANENT, CLASSIFIED POSIT IONS REQUIRED
123-UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION AND RELATED OPERATING CO STS.
117+21–104. 16
124118
125-Article – Education
119+ (A) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2024, THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND 17
120+MANAGEMENT SHALL INCR EASE THE NUMBER OF F ULL–TIME EMPLOYEES IN THE 18
121+DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT BY THREE PERMANENT , CLASSIFIED 19
122+POSITIONS. 20
126123
127-SUBTITLE 39. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST STUDENT LOAN
128-FORGIVENESS PROGRAM.
124+ (B) THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT SHALL BUDG ET THE 21
125+THREE POSITIONS REQU IRED UNDER SUBSECTIO N (A) OF THIS SECTION AS 22
126+FOLLOWS: 23
129127
130-18–3901.
128+ (1) TWO ADMINISTRATORS ; AND 24
131129
132- (A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
133-INDICATED.
130+ (2) ONE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL WITH EXPERIEN CE IN 25
131+ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AS SIGNED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND 26
132+DESIGNATED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO ADVISE ON MATTERS RELATED TO 27
133+PERMITTING, INCLUDING PERMITS FO R ON–SITE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS. 28
134134
135- (B) “EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANC ES” MEANS CONDITIONS THA T MAY
136-PRECLUDE A PARTICIPA NT FROM FULFILLING T HE SERVICE COMMITMEN T,
137-INCLUDING DEATH , TOTAL AND PERMANENT DISABILITY, OR TEMPORARY
138-DISABILITY LASTING M ORE THAN 2 YEARS.
139- Ch. 577 2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND
135+ (C) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025, AND EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER , THE 29
136+GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE ANNUAL BUDG ET BILL AN APPROPRIA TION OF 30
137+$350,000 TO FUND THE THREE PE RMANENT, CLASSIFIED POSITIONS REQUIRED 31
138+UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION AND RELATED OPERATING COSTS . 32
140139
141-– 4 –
142- (C) “ENVIRONMENTAL HE ALTH SPECIALIST ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO
143-PRACTICES AS AN ENVI RONMENTAL HEALTH SPE CIALIST.
140+Article – Education 33
141+ 4 SENATE BILL 830
144142
145- (D) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST
146-STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM.
147143
148- (E) “QUALIFIED EDUCATIONAL LOAN” MEANS A GOVERNMENT ,
149-COMMERCIAL , OR FOUNDATION LOAN FOR ACT UAL COSTS PAID FOR T UITION,
150-REASONABLE EDUCATION EXPENSES, AND REASONABLE LIVIN G EXPENSES
151-RELATED TO THE POSTS ECONDARY EDUCATION O F AN ENVIRONMENTAL H EALTH
152-SPECIALIST.
144+SUBTITLE 39. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST STUDENT LOAN 1
145+FORGIVENESS PROGRAM. 2
153146
154-18–3902.
147+18–3901. 3
155148
156- (A) (1) THERE IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST STUDENT
157-LOAN ASSISTANCE REPAYMENT PROGRAM.
149+ (A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 4
150+INDICATED. 5
158151
159- (2) THE OFFICE SHALL ADMINIST ER THE PROGRAM.
152+ (B) “EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANC ES” MEANS CONDITIONS THAT MAY 6
153+PRECLUDE A PARTICIPA NT FROM FULFILLING T HE SERVICE COMMITMEN T, 7
154+INCLUDING DEATH , TOTAL AND PERMANENT DISABILITY, OR TEMPORARY 8
155+DISABILITY LASTING M ORE THAN 2 YEARS. 9
160156
161- (B) THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE QUALIFIED
162-EDUCATIONAL LOAN FOR GIVENESS FOR ENVIRON MENTAL HEALTH SPECIA LISTS IN
163-THE STATE.
157+ (C) “ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO 10
158+PRACTICES AS AN ENVI RONMENTAL HEALTH SPE CIALIST. 11
164159
165- (C) TO BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM, AN INDIVIDUAL
166-SHALL:
160+ (D) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST 12
161+STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM. 13
167162
168- (1) BE AN ENVIRONMENTAL H EALTH SPECIALIST WOR KING FOR A
169-LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTM ENT IN THE STATE WITH AT LEAST 1 FULL YEAR OF
170-SERVICE; AND
163+ (E) “QUALIFIED EDUCATIONAL LOAN” MEANS A GOVERNMENT , 14
164+COMMERCIAL , OR FOUNDATION LOAN F OR ACTUAL COSTS PAID FOR TUITION, 15
165+REASONABLE ED UCATION EXPENSES , AND REASONABLE LIVIN G EXPENSES 16
166+RELATED TO THE POSTS ECONDARY EDUCATION O F AN ENVIRONMENTAL H EALTH 17
167+SPECIALIST. 18
171168
172- (2) SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE OFFICE, IN THE FORM AND
173-MANNER P RESCRIBED BY THE OFFICE.
169+18–3902. 19
174170
175- (D) AN APPLICANT SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN TH E PROGRAM SHALL
176-SIGN A CONTRACT AGRE EING TO COMPLETE A S ERVICE OBLIGATION TO WORK IN
177-THE STATE FOR 3 YEARS.
171+ (A) (1) THERE IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST STUDENT 20
172+LOAN ASSISTANCE REPAYMENT PROGRAM. 21
178173
179- (E) EACH FISCAL YEAR , THE OFFICE MAY SELECT ELI GIBLE APPLICANTS
180-FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM, WITHIN THE LIMITS OF AVAILABLE
181-FUNDING.
174+ (2) THE OFFICE SHALL ADMINIST ER THE PROGRAM. 22
182175
183- (F) (1) THE OFFICE SHALL MAKE ANN UAL DISBURSEMENTS DI RECTLY
184-TO A PARTICIPATING E NVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST OF $6,000 OR THE WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 577
176+ (B) THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE QUALIFIED 23
177+EDUCATIONAL LOAN FOR GIVENESS FOR ENVIRON MENTAL HEALTH SPECIA LISTS IN 24
178+THE STATE. 25
185179
186-– 5 –
187-BALANCE OF THE PARTI CIPANT’S QUALIFIED EDUCATIO NAL LOANS, WHICHEVER IS
188-LESS, FOR EACH YEAR THAT A PARTICIPANT MEETS TH E SERVICE OBLIGATION
189-REQUIRED UNDER SUBSE CTION (D) OF THIS SECTION, UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 3 YEARS.
180+ (C) TO BE ELIGIBLE TO PAR TICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM, AN INDIVIDUAL 26
181+SHALL: 27
190182
191- (2) DISBURSEMENTS UNDER T HE PROGRAM ARE SUBJECT T O
192-APPLICABLE LAWS ON L OCAL, STATE, AND FEDER AL TAXATION.
183+ (1) BE AN ENVIRONMENTAL H EALTH SPECIALIST WOR KING FOR A 28
184+LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTM ENT IN THE STATE WITH AT LEAST 1 FULL YEAR OF 29
185+SERVICE; AND 30
186+ SENATE BILL 830 5
193187
194- (G) (1) THE OFFICE MAY WAIVE AN E NVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
195-SPECIALIST’S SERVICE OBLIGATION UNDER THE PROGRAM IF EMERGENCY
196-CIRCUMSTANCES PREVEN T FULFILLMENT OF THE SERVICE OBLIGATION .
197188
198- (2) IF AN ENVIRONMENTAL H EALTH SPECIALIST PAR TICIPATING IN
199-THE PROGRAM FAILS TO COMP LETE A FULL YEAR OF THE SERVICE OBLIGATI ON,
200-THE OFFICE MAY PRORATE TH E LOAN FORGIVENESS P AYMENT FOR THAT SERV ICE
201-YEAR.
189+ (2) SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE OFFICE, IN THE FORM AND 1
190+MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE OFFICE. 2
202191
203- (H) AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEAL TH SPECIALIST PARTIC IPATING IN THE
204-PROGRAM SHALL :
192+ (D) AN APPLICANT SELECTED TO PARTICIP ATE IN THE PROGRAM SHALL 3
193+SIGN A CONTRACT AGRE EING TO COMPLETE A S ERVICE OBLIGATION TO WORK IN 4
194+THE STATE FOR 3 YEARS. 5
205195
206- (1) APPLY TO FEDERAL LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR WHIC H THE
207-ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST MAY QUALI FY; AND
196+ (E) EACH FISCAL YEAR , THE OFFICE MAY SELECT ELI GIBLE APPLICANTS 6
197+FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM, WITHIN THE LIMITS OF AVAILABLE 7
198+FUNDING. 8
208199
209- (2) NOTIFY THE OFFICE IF THE INDIVID UAL RECEIVES OTHER L OAN
210-REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE .
200+ (F) (1) THE OFFICE SHALL MAKE ANN UAL DISBURSEMENTS DI RECTLY 9
201+TO A PARTICIPATING E NVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST OF $6,000 OR THE 10
202+BALANCE OF THE PARTI CIPANT’S QUALIFIED EDUCATIO NAL LOANS, WHICHEVER IS 11
203+LESS, FOR EACH YEAR THAT A PARTICIPANT MEETS THE SER VICE OBLIGATION 12
204+REQUIRED UNDER SUBSE CTION (D) OF THIS SECTION, UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 3 YEARS. 13
211205
212- (I) (1) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER ,
213-THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET BI LL AN APPROPRIATION
214-OF $150,000 TO THE PROGRAM.
206+ (2) DISBURSEMENTS UNDER T HE PROGRAM ARE SUBJECT T O 14
207+APPLICABLE LAWS ON L OCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL TAXATION . 15
215208
216- (2) THE APPROPRIATION REQ UIRED UNDER PARAGRAP H (1) OF THIS
217-SUBSECTION SHALL BE DISTRIBUTED TO A SPE CIAL FUND, TO BE USED ONLY FOR :
209+ (G) (1) THE OFFICE MAY WAIVE AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 16
210+SPECIALIST’S SERVICE OBLIGATION UNDER THE PROGRAM IF EMERGENCY 17
211+CIRCUMSTANCES PREVEN T FULFILLMENT OF THE SERVICE OBLIGATION . 18
218212
219- (I) PROVIDING LOAN FORGIV ENESS UNDER THE PROGRAM;
220-AND
213+ (2) IF AN ENVIRONMENTAL H EALTH SPECIALIST PAR TICIPATING IN 19
214+THE PROGRAM FAILS TO COMP LETE A FULL YEAR OF THE SERVICE OBLIGATION , 20
215+THE OFFICE MAY PRORATE TH E LOAN FORGIVENESS P AYMENT FOR THAT SERV ICE 21
216+YEAR. 22
221217
222- (II) ADMINISTERING THE PROGRAM.
218+ (H) AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEAL TH SPECIALIST PARTIC IPATING IN THE 23
219+PROGRAM SHALL : 24
223220
224- SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That:
221+ (1) APPLY TO FEDERAL LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR WHIC H THE 25
222+ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST MAY QUALI FY; AND 26
225223
226- (a) The Department of the Environment and the Maryland Department of Health,
227-in conjunction with the Board of Environmental Health Specialists, shall conduct a study
228-on staffing needs for environmental health specialists in local health departments.
224+ (2) NOTIFY THE OFFICE IF THE INDIVID UAL RECEIVES OTHER L OAN 27
225+REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE . 28
229226
230- (b) The study shall include: Ch. 577 2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND
227+ (I) (1) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER , 29
228+THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE ANNUAL BUDG ET BILL AN APPROPRIA TION 30
229+OF $150,000 TO THE PROGRAM. 31
231230
232-– 6 –
231+ (2) THE APPROPRIATION REQ UIRED UNDER PARAGRAP H (1) OF THIS 32
232+SUBSECTION SHALL BE DISTRIBUTED TO A SPE CIAL FUND, TO BE USED ONLY FOR : 33 6 SENATE BILL 830
233233
234- (1) an analysis of the educational and licensing requirements for
235-environmental health specialists, including recommendations on any revisions to the
236-requirements to aid in recruitment and retention;
237234
238- (2) an analysis of the competitiveness of wages for current environmental
239-health specialists compared to other states’ specialists and specialists in the private sector;
240-and
241235
242- (3) an analysis of the feasibility of establishing an apprenticeship program
243-for environmental health specialists.
236+ (I) PROVIDING LOAN FORGIV ENESS UNDER THE PROGRAM; 1
237+AND 2
244238
245- (c) On or before December 1, 2023, the Department of the Environment and the
246-Maryland Department of Health shall submit a report of their findings and
247-recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2 –1257 of the State
248-Government Article, the General Assembly.
239+ (II) ADMINISTERING THE PROGRAM. 3
249240
250- SECTION 3. 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That:
241+ SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 4
251242
252- (a) (1) The Department of the Environment , in consultation with the
253-Department of Legislative Services and shall contract with the University of Maryland
254-Agriculture and Food Systems Extension Program, to shall study the implications of the
255-delegation of the Department’s authority related to well and septic systems permitting to
256-the Maryland Department of Health.
243+ (a) The Department of the Environment and the Maryland Department of Health, 5
244+in conjunction with the Board of Environmental Health Specialists, shall conduct a study 6
245+on staffing needs for environmental health specialists in local health departments. 7
257246
258- (2) The study shall address:
247+ (b) The study shall include: 8
259248
260- (i) the benefits of and issues with the existing system of the
261-Department delegating authority related to well and septic systems;
249+ (1) an analysis of the educational and licensing requirements for 9
250+environmental health specialists, including recommendations on any revisions to the 10
251+requirements to aid in recruitment and retention; 11
262252
263- (ii) lessons that can be drawn from other states’ administrative
264-structure and accountability measures; and
253+ (2) an analysis of the competitiveness of wages for current environmental 12
254+health specialists compared to other states’ specialists and specialists in the private sector; 13
255+and 14
265256
266- (iii) the optimal long–term staff organization structure to best
267-address issues of delays, communication, and customer service.
257+ (3) an analysis of the feasibility of establishing an apprenticeship program 15
258+for environmental health specialists. 16
268259
269- (3) In conducting the study, the University of Maryland Agriculture and
270-Food Systems Extension Program Department of the Environment shall consult with
271-representatives from impacted stakeholder groups.
260+ (c) On or before December 1, 2023, the Department of the Environment and the 17
261+Maryland Department of Health shall submit a report of their findings and 18
262+recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2 –1257 of the State 19
263+Government Article, the General Assembly. 20
272264
273- (b) (1) On or before December 1, 2023, the University of Maryland Agriculture
274-and Food Systems Extension Program Department of the Environment shall submit a an
275-interim report of its findings and any recommendations for legislative or administrative
276-changes to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article,
277-the General Assembly.
278- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 577
265+ SECTION 3. 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 21
279266
280-– 7 –
281- (2) On or before December 1, 2024, the Department of the Environment
282-shall submit a final report of its findings and any recommendations for legislative or
283-administrative changes to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State
284-Government Article, the General Assembly.
267+ (a) (1) The Department of the Environment , in consultation with the 22
268+Department of Legislative Services and shall contract with the University of Maryland 23
269+Agriculture and Food Systems Extension Program, to shall study the implications of the 24
270+delegation of the Department’s authority related to well and septic systems permitting to 25
271+the Maryland Department of Health. 26
285272
286- SECTION 4. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
287-July 1, 2023. Sections 2 and 3 of this Act It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year 2
288-years and, at the end of June 30, 2024, Sections 2 and 3 of 2025, this Act, with no further
289-action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no further force and
290-effect.
273+ (2) The study shall address: 27
291274
292-Approved by the Governor, May 8, 2023.
275+ (i) the benefits of and issues with the existing system of the 28
276+Department delegating authority related to well and septic systems; 29
277+
278+ (ii) lessons that can be drawn from other states’ administrative 30
279+structure and accountability measures; and 31
280+ SENATE BILL 830 7
281+
282+
283+ (iii) the optimal long–term staff organization structure to best 1
284+address issues of delays, communication, and customer service. 2
285+
286+ (3) In conducting the study, the University of Maryland Agriculture and 3
287+Food Systems Extension Program Department of the Environment shall consult with 4
288+representatives from impacted stakeholder groups. 5
289+
290+ (b) (1) On or before December 1, 2023, the University of Maryland Agriculture 6
291+and Food Systems Extension Program Department of the Environment shall submit a an 7
292+interim report of its findings and any recommendations for legislative or administrative 8
293+changes to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, 9
294+the General Assembly. 10
295+
296+ (2) On or before December 1, 2024, the Department of the Environment 11
297+shall submit a final report of its findings and any recommendations for legislative or 12
298+administrative changes to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State 13
299+Government Article, the General Assembly. 14
300+
301+ SECTION 4. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 15
302+July 1, 2023. Sections 2 and 3 of this Act It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year 2 16
303+years and, at the end of June 30, 2024, Sections 2 and 3 of 2025, this Act, with no further 17
304+action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no further force and 18
305+effect. 19
306+
307+
308+
309+
310+Approved:
311+________________________________________________________________________________
312+ Governor.
313+________________________________________________________________________________
314+ President of the Senate.
315+________________________________________________________________________________
316+ Speaker of the House of Delegates.