Section 11-1401 – Direct Care Workforce Innovation Program — Definitions
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) (1) “Direct care worker” means an individual whose occupation is classified under the 2018 Standard Occupational Classifications of the U.S. Department of Labor as: (i) a home health aide (31–1121); (ii) a personal aide (31–1122); (iii) a nursing assistant (31–1131); or (iv) a psychiatric aide (31–1133). (2) “Direct care worker” includes […]
Section 12-403 – Opting in and Out; Termination of Participation; Contribution Rates; Status of Contributions
(a) A covered employee of a participating employer may elect to opt out of the Program. (b) A covered employee of a participating employer who elects to opt out of the Program may re–enroll in the Program in accordance with procedures established by the Board. (c) After the Board opens the Program for enrollment, an employee of a […]
Section 11-1402 – Direct Care Workforce Innovation Program — Administration — Adoption of Regulations
(a) There is a Direct Care Workforce Innovation Program in the Division. (b) The Division shall administer the Program. (c) The Division may adopt regulations to implement this subtitle.
Section 12-501 – Employer Liability
(a) An employer may not be held liable for: (1) an employee’s decision to participate in or opt out of the Program; (2) the investment decisions of employees whose assets are deposited in the Program; (3) the administration, investment, or investment performance of the Trust or the Program; or (4) the Program design or the benefits paid to Program participants. […]
Section 11-1403 – Purpose of Program — Goal of Program
(a) The purpose of the Program is to provide matching grants to eligible entities to create and expand on successful recruitment and retention strategies that address the range of potential barriers to increasing the number of direct care workers. (b) The goal of the Program is to ensure the availability of trained direct care workers across the […]
Section 12-502 – State Liability
(a) The State may not be held liable for the payment of the retirement savings benefit earned by Program participants in accordance with this title. (b) The debts, contracts, and obligations of the Board, Trust, or the Program are not the debts, contracts, and obligations of the State and neither the faith and credit nor the taxing […]
Section 11-1404 – Request for Applications From Eligible Entities — Submission of Project Plan — Items Included in Project Plan
(a) Each year, the Division shall issue a request for applications from eligible entities for matching grants offered under the Program. (b) To receive a matching grant under the Program, an eligible entity shall submit to the Division with the entity’s application a project plan for each project to be developed and carried out, or for activities […]
Section 11-1405 – Evaluation of Submitted Applications — Matching Funds Secured — Limit on Grants — Consultants — Term of Grant — Use of Funds — Limit on Use of Portions of Grants
(a) In evaluating the applications submitted in accordance with § 11–1404 of this subtitle and selecting eligible entities to receive a matching grant under the Program, the Division shall: (1) seek equitable geographic and demographic diversity, including rural and urban areas; (2) ensure that selected eligible entities will serve areas where direct care, or a related occupation, is […]
Section 11-1406 – Appropriation Included in Annual Budget Bill — Audit of Appropriations and Expenses
(a) For each fiscal year, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of at least $250,000 for the Program. (b) Appropriations and expenditures made for the purpose of implementing the Program, including the use of any funds received by a person under any component of the Program, are subject to audit by the […]
Section 11-1407 – Annual Report of Activities
On or before December 1 each year, beginning in 2022, the Division shall report to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Health and Government Operations Committee, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on: (1) the number of individuals served by each project or activity assisted by a matching grant under the […]