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.
*sb0359*
SENATE BILL 359
O4, F5 5lr0864
SB 419/24 – B&T CF HB 185
By: Senator King
Introduced and read first time: January 16, 2025
Assigned to: Budget and Taxation
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
Senate action: Adopted
Read second time: January 31, 2025
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 2024 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 2024 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
8–420. 20 2 SENATE BILL 359
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 1
(2) “Developmental delays, physical disabilities, or delays in social, 2
emotional, or behavioral functioning” means: 3
(i) A significant developmental delay or atypical development, as 4
identified by a health professional, in: 5
1. Cognitive development; 6
2. Physical development; 7
3. Language and speech development; 8
4. Psychosocial development; or 9
5. Self–help skills; 10
(ii) Psychological trauma, as identified through an evaluation by a 11
mental health professional; or 12
(iii) A diagnosed physical, developmental, or mental health condition 13
that impacts daily living and limits participation in typical early childhood education or 14
child care settings. 15
(3) “Program” means the Therapeutic Child Care Grant Program. 16
(b) There is a Therapeutic Child Care Grant Program in the State. 17
(c) (1) The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to providers that 18
specialize in providing child care and early childhood education to children under the age 19
of 6 years who have developmental delays, physical disabilities, or delays in social, 20
emotional, or behavioral functioning. 21
(2) The Department shall administer the Program. 22
(3) On or before August 15 each year, the Department shall award grants 23
under this section. 24
(d) (1) For each of fiscal years 2023 through 2025, AND FOR FISCAL YEAR 25
EACH OF FISCAL YEARS 2027 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER THROUGH 2029, 26
the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $3,700,000 to the 27
Program. 28
(2) In awarding grants under the Program, the Department shall 29
distribute: 30 SENATE BILL 359 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 FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 10
1, 2025. 11
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.