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<section article="gec" article_name="Economic Development" number="5-2203" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2029 PER CHAPTER 485 OF 2022" title_number="5" title_name="Economic Development and Financial Assistance Programs" subtitle_number="22" subtitle_name="Maryland New Start Microloan Program">
  <level label="a">
    <text>To carry out the purpose of the Program, the Department may issue loans in accordance with this section to qualified covered individuals.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>On a referral by an organization conducting an entrepreneurial development program under the New Start Grant Program established under § 11–606 of the Labor and Employment Article and subject to availability of funds in the Fund, a covered individual participating in that entrepreneurial development program may apply for a loan to establish a business.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The referral shall include a recommendation by the organization conducting the entrepreneurial development program for the amount of the loan to be issued by the Department.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The Department shall take a referral and recommendation provided by an organization conducting an entrepreneurial development program under this subsection into consideration when determining to issue a loan under this section but is not bound by the referral or recommendation.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>A loan issued under this section may not exceed $50,000.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Department shall specify the terms of the loan.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The loan may not require the provision of any collateral.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
