In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Program” means the Southern Maryland Early College Teacher Pathway Program. “Program Workgroup” means the Southern Maryland Early College Teacher Pathway Program Workgroup. In accordance with subsection (c) of this section and in consultation with the Department and the Commission, the University shall develop recommendations for a Southern Maryland Early College Teacher Pathway Program and a teacher preparation pathway in Southern Maryland to: Create a structured, credit–bearing pathway for high school students to begin preparation to teach primary and secondary education; Expand access to and ensure the affordability of higher education for all high school students, including students who are: Historically underrepresented in higher education; and From rural areas of the State; Build a strong and diverse teacher pipeline to serve the State’s public primary and secondary schools; and Serve as a model to be replicated for regional implementation statewide. The University shall convene a Southern Maryland Early College Teacher Pathway Program Workgroup to develop the recommendations for the Program and the teacher preparation pathway in Southern Maryland. The Program Workgroup shall consist of the following members: One representative of the Office of the Governor, appointed by the Governor; One member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate; One member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House; The State Superintendent, or the State Superintendent’s designee; The Chair of the Accountability and Implementation Board, or the Chair’s designee; The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee; The Chancellor, or the Chancellor’s designee; The Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs of the University, or the Senior Vice Chancellor’s designee; The Executive Director of the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland, or the Executive Director’s designee; The President of the University of Maryland, College Park Campus, or the President’s designee; The President of Towson University, or the President’s designee; The President of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, or the President’s designee; The President of the College of Southern Maryland, or the President’s designee; The Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Community Colleges, or the Executive Director’s designee; The county superintendents, or the county superintendents’ designees, of the following counties: Calvert County; Charles County; and St. Mary’s County; One representative, who is a licensed school–based employee with experience implementing postsecondary readiness or early teacher preparation programs, from each of the following entities: The Calvert Education Association, designated by the President of the Association, or the President’s designee; The Education Association of Charles County, designated by the President of the Association, or the President’s designee; and The Education Association of St. Mary’s County, designated by the President of the Association, or the President’s designee; and Any other members designated by the University. On or before June 30, 2029, the University shall report to the Department, the Commission, the Governor, and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee on: The Program Workgroup’s recommendations for the Program and the teacher preparation pathway in Southern Maryland, including: The structure of the teacher preparation pathway; An implementation plan for the teacher preparation pathway; and Any legislative or regulatory changes necessary for successful implementation of the teacher preparation pathway; and The use of State funds to develop the Program Workgroup’s recommendations for the Program and the teacher preparation pathway in Southern Maryland. For each of fiscal years 2028 and 2029, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $125,000 to the University to support the development of the Program Workgroup’s recommendations for the Program and the teacher preparation pathway in Southern Maryland in accordance with this section.