Establishment of Program. The Prince George's County Re-Entry Employment Incentive Program ("REIP") shall: promote the employment of returning citizens of the County who have been incarcerated for or convicted of a criminal offense and face obstacles in reentering the workforce; promote the effective re-entry of citizens transitioning from incarceration or conviction back into society in a manner fostering positive rehabilitation that is beneficial to the County; and incentivize both private sector and government employers of such citizens subject to the Fund described below. Definitions. In this Division, the following words shall have the following meanings: Confinement means to be detained for any period of time in a facility or environment that is intended to restrict a person's movement and freedom, including but not limited to a federal, state, or local correctional facility; home detention; or electronic monitoring as a form of punishment following a criminal conviction. Non-violent offense means an offense that does not result in the Serious Bodily Harm to the victim(s). Qualifying Employee is a resident domiciled in Prince George's County (a "county resident") who: was confined for a total time of six (6) months or more for a criminal conviction during the five (5) years prior to becoming employed in a Qualified Position; was released from confinement within the 36 months prior to becoming employed in a Qualified Position; was a county resident prior to the most recent period of incarceration; is eligible for employment with a Qualifying Employer; and has been a county resident continuously since being released from the most recent period of confinement. Qualifying Employer is a government agency or private sector commercial or non-profit business entity that: conducts business within Prince George's County and complies with all federal, state, and local requirements; employs a Qualifying Employee in a Qualifying Position; and has signed and is in compliance with the Re-entry Employment Incentive Program Agreement in accordance with Section 10-334.01(b). Qualifying Position is an employment position located within Prince George's County for which the employer is required to pay the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Tax and in which a Qualifying Employee: works a minimum of 21 hours per week, is paid a minimum of $15.00 per hour, and is hired by a Qualifying Employer after the Qualifying Employer signs a Re-entry Employment Incentive Program Agreement in accordance with Section 10-334.01(b). Program means the creation and adoption of methods and procedures to implement the mandates of this Division. Program Agreement means Re-entry Employment Incentive Program Agreement (Agreement) approved by Employ Prince George's (unless another agency or entity is designated for such purpose by the County Executive), the Office of Law, and the Director of Finance. Prince George's County Re-entry Employment Incentive Program Fund. The employment of a qualified employee by a qualified employer in a qualified position subject to an approved Agreement.

Employ Prince George's (unless another agency or entity is designated for such purpose by the County Executive), in consultation with the Director of Finance, may establish additional rules and procedures for the Prince George's County Re-entry Employment Reimbursement Program which are consistent with this Section. A Qualifying Employer shall sign a Re-entry Employment Incentive Program Agreement (Agreement) approved by Employ Prince George's (unless another agency or entity is designated for such purpose by the County Executive), the Office of Law, and the Director of Finance, prior to reimbursement, for each Qualifying Employee as a condition of eligibility for reimbursement under this Section. Employ Prince George's (unless another agency or entity is designated for such purpose by the County Executive) shall consult with both the Office of Law and the Director of Finance to establish the form and content of the Agreement. Employ Prince George's shall administer oversight over the Qualifying Employer's compliance with the Agreement. Prior to the end of every 12-month period after the date of hiring a Qualifying Employee in a Qualifying Position, a Qualifying Employer shall re-submit the Agreement for approval as a condition of continued receipt of reimbursement. The Director of Finance, in consultation with Employ Prince George's (unless another agency or entity is designated for such purpose by the County Executive), shall reimburse a Qualifying Employer for each Qualifying Employee working in a Qualifying Position that has an approved Agreement, in addition to the following provisions: Each Qualifying Employee shall complete a minimum post-hire probationary period of ninety (90) days prior to the Qualifying Position becoming eligible for reimbursement. Once eligible, the Qualifying Position shall be reimbursed at a rate of five dollars ($5.00) per hour, up to 40 hours per week, and a maximum of 1,000 hours for each 12-month period of employment following the date of hire of a Qualified Employee up to a maximum of 24 months after the date of hire.

Employ Prince George's shall provide an annual report to the County Executive and County Council on the Program and the Fund as it applies to Section 10-334.01 on or before December 31st of each year for the previous fiscal year. Each report shall contain the following: The amount of money allocated to the Fund from the annual budget; The amount of money carried forward from the previous year, if applicable; The number of individuals hired through and under the Program during the fiscal year; The number of individuals that no longer participate in the Program from the previous year; The number of individuals that applied for employment through and under the Program; The itemization of the sector of employment sought by each individual seeking employment through and under the Program; and Any other reporting criteria that Employ Prince George's or the Director of Human Resources Management consider pertinent and beneficial to the County Executive and/or County Council.