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. *sb0419* SENATE BILL 419 O4, F5 4lr1473 CF HB 377 By: Senators King and Zucker, Zucker, Bailey, Benson, Corderman, Elfreth, Guzzone, Hettleman, Jackson, Jennings, McCray, Rosapepe, and Salling Introduced and read first time: January 18, 2024 Assigned to: Budget and Taxation Committee Report: Favorable with amendments Senate action: Adopted Read second time: February 25, 2024 CHAPTER ______ AN ACT concerning 1 Therapeutic Child Care Grant Program – Funding – Alterations 2 FOR the purpose of altering the fiscal years during which the Governor is required to 3 include in the annual budget bill a certain appropriation to the Therapeutic Child 4 Care Grant Program; and generally relating to funding for the Therapeutic Child 5 Care Grant Program. 6 BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 7 Article – Education 8 Section 8–420(a) through (c) 9 Annotated Code of Maryland 10 (2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 11 BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 12 Article – Education 13 Section 8–420(d) 14 Annotated Code of Maryland 15 (2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 16 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 17 That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 18 Article – Education 19 2 SENATE BILL 419 8–420. 1 (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 2 (2) “Developmental delays, physical disabilities, or delays in social, 3 emotional, or behavioral functioning” means: 4 (i) A significant developmental delay or atypical development, as 5 identified by a health professional, in: 6 1. Cognitive development; 7 2. Physical development; 8 3. Language and speech development; 9 4. Psychosocial development; or 10 5. Self–help skills; 11 (ii) Psychological trauma, as identified through an evaluation by a 12 mental health professional; or 13 (iii) A diagnosed physical, developmental, or mental health condition 14 that impacts daily living and limits participation in typical early childhood education or 15 child care settings. 16 (3) “Program” means the Therapeutic Child Care Grant Program. 17 (b) There is a Therapeutic Child Care Grant Program in the State. 18 (c) (1) The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to providers that 19 specialize in providing child care and early childhood education to children under the age 20 of 6 years who have developmental delays, physical disabilities, or delays in social, 21 emotional, or behavioral functioning. 22 (2) The Department shall administer the Program. 23 (3) On or before August 15 each year, the Department shall award grants 24 under this section. 25 (d) (1) [For each of fiscal years 2023 through 2025 2028] BEGINNING IN 26 FISCAL YEAR 2025 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER , the Governor shall include 27 in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $3,700,000 to the Program. 28 (2) In awarding grants under the Program, the Department shall 29 distribute: 30 SENATE BILL 419 3 (i) $1,283,000 to existing providers in the same amount as was 1 provided in fiscal year 2022; 2 (ii) $1,917,000 to existing providers in the same proportion as was 3 provided in fiscal year 2022 to provide additional services; and 4 (iii) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, $500,000 5 to new providers or existing providers to enroll additional children. 6 (3) If funds are remaining after the distribution required under paragraph 7 (2)(iii) of this subsection, then the remainder shall be distributed as provided under 8 paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection. 9 SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURT HER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 10 1, 2024. 11 Approved: ________________________________________________________________________________ Governor. ________________________________________________________________________________ President of the Senate. ________________________________________________________________________________ Speaker of the House of Delegates.