<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<subtitle article="ged" title_number="18" subtitle_number="19" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1901" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <level label="a">
      <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>“ABLE account holder” means an individual who has established an account described under § 529A(e) of the Internal Revenue Code and is the designated beneficiary of the account.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="c">
      <text>“Account holder” means an individual who:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Makes or undertakes the obligation to make advance payments of qualified higher education expenses as provided under a prepaid contract; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Except as provided in § 18–1909(b) of this subtitle, is a resident of Maryland or of the District of Columbia at the time that the account holder enters into a prepaid contract.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="d">
      <text>“Broker–Dealer Plan” means the Maryland Broker–Dealer College Investment Plan established under Subtitle 19B of this title.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="e">
      <text>“Current prepaid contract obligations” means the scheduled payments due for the next fiscal year under existing prepaid contracts.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="f">
      <text>“Eligible institution of higher education” means an institution of higher education that:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Offers an associate, bachelor, or graduate degree program; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Is eligible to participate in federal financial aid programs.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="g">
      <text>“Market value of program assets” means the amount of cash and cash equivalents held by the Trust plus the fair market value of other assets of the Trust.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="h">
      <text>“Maryland ABLE Program” means the Maryland Achieving a Better Life Experience Program established under Subtitle 19C of this title.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="i">
      <text>“Plan” means the Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer College Investment Plan established under Subtitle 19A of this title.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="j">
      <text>“Prepaid contract” means a contract between the State Treasurer and an account holder under the provisions of this subtitle for the advance payment of qualified higher education expenses by the account holder for a qualified beneficiary to attend an eligible institution of higher education, if the qualified beneficiary is admitted to the institution.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="k">
      <text>“Program” means Maryland 529.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="l">
      <text>“Qualified beneficiary” means an individual who:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Is eligible to apply advance payments of qualified higher education expenses to undergraduate or graduate qualified higher education expenses at an eligible institution of higher education under the provisions of this subtitle; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Except as provided in § 18–1909(b) of this subtitle, is a resident of the State or of the District of Columbia at the time that the account holder enters into a prepaid contract.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="m">
      <text>“Qualified higher education expenses” has the meaning stated in § 529 of the Internal Revenue Code.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="n">
      <text>“Qualified state tuition program” has the meaning stated in § 529 of the Internal Revenue Code.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="o">
      <text>“Trust” means the Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer Prepaid College Trust established under this subtitle.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="p">
      <level label="1">
        <text>“Tuition” means the actual tuition and mandatory fees assessed to all students by an eligible institution of higher education as a condition of enrollment at the institution.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>“Tuition” does not include any fee that is assessed by the institution for a particular course taken, year of enrollment, academic status, course of study, residency status, or any other distinguishing factor used by the institution to determine a specific fee.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1902" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <text>It is the intent of the General Assembly to enhance the accessibility and affordability of higher education for all citizens of the State and for all citizens of the District of Columbia by establishing a method to provide for the prepayment of tuition at eligible institutions of higher education.</text>
  </section>
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1902.1" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <level label="a">
      <text>There is a Program entitled Maryland 529.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>The purpose of the Program is to provide for the administration by the State Treasurer of the Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer Prepaid College Trust, the Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer College Investment Plan, the Maryland Broker–Dealer College Investment Plan, and the Maryland ABLE Program.</text>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1903" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <level label="a">
      <text>There is a Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer Prepaid College Trust.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>The purpose of the Trust is to provide:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>A means for payment of the cost of tuition in advance of enrollment at an eligible institution of higher education; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>An assurance to a beneficiary who enrolls at an eligible institution of higher education that the State Treasurer shall make every effort to invest the advance payments so that the prepaid contract will cover the average in–State tuition costs at public institutions of higher education in the State at the time that the benefits are exercised.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="c">
      <text>The State Treasurer shall administer the Trust in compliance with Internal Revenue Service standards for qualified state tuition programs.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="d">
      <text>The funds of the Trust consist of:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Payments received from prepaid contracts made under the provisions of this subtitle;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Bequests, endowments, or funds from any other available private source;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="3">
        <text>Interest and income earned from the investments of the Trust; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="4">
        <text>Federal, State, or local funds, or funds from any other available public source.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="e">
      <text>Money remaining in the Trust at the end of the fiscal year shall remain in the Trust and may not revert to the General Fund of the State.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="f">
      <text>Money of the Trust may not be considered money of the State and may not be deposited into the Treasury.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="g">
      <text>Money of the Trust may not be considered money of the Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer College Investment Plan and may not be commingled with the Plan.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="h">
      <text>Money of the Trust may not be considered money of or be commingled with the Maryland Broker–Dealer College Investment Plan.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="i">
      <text>Money of the Trust may not be considered money of or be commingled with the Maryland ABLE Program.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="j">
      <level label="1">
        <text>The debts, contracts, and obligations of the Trust are not the contracts, debts, or obligations of the State and neither the faith and credit nor taxing power of the State is pledged directly or indirectly or contingently, morally or otherwise, to the payment of the debts, contracts, and obligations.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>The State Treasurer cannot directly or indirectly or contingently obligate, morally or otherwise, the State to levy or pledge any form of taxation whatsoever for the debts and obligations of the Trust or to make any appropriation for the payment of the debts and obligations of the Trust.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="k">
      <text>Neither the State nor any eligible institution of higher education shall be liable for any losses or shortage of funds in the event that the Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer Prepaid College Trust is insufficient to meet the tuition requirements of an institution attended by the qualified beneficiary.</text>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1904" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <text>The State Treasurer shall administer:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer Prepaid College Trust established under this subtitle;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer College Investment Plan established under Subtitle 19A of this title;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The Maryland Broker–Dealer College Investment Plan established under Subtitle 19B of this title; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>The Maryland ABLE Program established under Subtitle 19C of this title.</text>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1905" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <level label="a">
      <level label="1">
        <text>The State Treasurer:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>Shall appoint a deputy treasurer to administer the Program; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>May employ additional Program staff in accordance with the budget.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <level label="i">
          <text>Except for employees described in subparagraph (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph, the employees shall be skilled service employees subject to the provisions of the State Personnel and Pensions Article that govern skilled service employees.</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>An employee is in the professional service and subject to the provisions of the State Personnel and Pensions Article that govern professional service employees if the position:</text>
          <level label="1">
            <text>Requires knowledge of an advanced type in a field of science or learning customarily acquired by a course of specialized intellectual instruction and study; and</text>
          </level>
          <level label="2">
            <text>Normally requires a professional license, an advanced degree, or both.</text>
          </level>
        </level>
        <level label="iii">
          <text>An employee is in the management service and subject to the provisions of the State Personnel and Pensions Article that govern management service employees if the position:</text>
          <level label="1">
            <text>Primarily involves direct responsibility for the oversight and management of personnel and financial resources;</text>
          </level>
          <level label="2">
            <text>Requires the exercise of discretion and independent judgment; and</text>
          </level>
          <level label="3">
            <text>Is not in the executive service.</text>
          </level>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="3">
        <text>The State Treasurer may retain the services of consultants, administrators, and other personnel, as necessary, to administer the Trust, the Plan, the Broker–Dealer Plan, or the Maryland ABLE Program.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="4">
        <text>The budget for the Program and staff retained by the State Treasurer to administer the Program are subject to review by the General Assembly for information purposes only.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>The State Treasurer may adopt any regulations that the State Treasurer considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this subtitle or Subtitle 19A, Subtitle 19B, or Subtitle 19C of this title.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="c">
      <text>In administering the Program, the State Treasurer may:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Execute contracts and other necessary instruments;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Hold, buy, and sell instruments, obligations, securities, and other investments consistent with its comprehensive investment plan;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="3">
        <text>Enter into agreements with eligible institutions of higher education and other public or private entities for the promotion, administration, or marketing of the Program, the Trust, the Plan, the Broker–Dealer Plan, or the Maryland ABLE Program;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="4">
        <text>Invest funds not required for immediate disbursement;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="5">
        <text>Solicit and accept gifts, grants, loans, or other aid from any source or participate in any government program for purposes consistent with this subtitle and Subtitles 19A, 19B, and 19C of this title;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="6">
        <text>Subject to the review of the General Assembly, impose, collect, and distribute across Maryland 529 programs reasonable administrative fees for any transactions under the Trust, the Plan, the Broker–Dealer Plan, or the Maryland ABLE Program or involving prepaid contracts or transactions affecting the Program, the Trust, the Plan, the Broker–Dealer Plan, or the Maryland ABLE Program;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="7">
        <text>Procure insurance against any loss of assets of the Program, the Trust, the Plan, the Broker–Dealer Plan, or the Maryland ABLE Program;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="8">
        <text>Endorse insurance coverage written exclusively for the purpose of protecting:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>A prepaid contract under the Trust and the account holder and the qualified beneficiary of the contract;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>An investment account under the Plan, or the Broker–Dealer Plan, and the account holder and qualified designated beneficiary of the investment account; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="iii">
          <text>An ABLE account under the Maryland ABLE Program and the ABLE account holder;</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="9">
        <text>Designate terms under which money may be withdrawn from the Program, the Trust, the Plan, the Broker–Dealer Plan, or the Maryland ABLE Program;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="10">
        <text>Establish additional procedural and substantive requirements for participation in and the administration or marketing of the Program, the Trust, the Plan, the Broker–Dealer Plan, or the Maryland ABLE Program;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="11">
        <text>Appear before boards, commissions, or other governmental agencies; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="12">
        <text>Take any other action that the State Treasurer considers appropriate to implement and administer the Program, the Trust, the Plan, the Broker–Dealer Plan, or the Maryland ABLE Program.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="d">
      <text>The State Treasurer may:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Delegate, wholly or partly, the exercise of fiduciary duties related to the Trust; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Contract for support services necessary to carry out the State Treasurer’s fiduciary duties related to the Trust.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1905.1" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <level label="a">
      <level label="1">
        <text>The State Treasurer shall implement a marketing plan to increase participation in Maryland 529.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <level label="i">
          <text>The marketing plan shall identify methods to increase general participation in Maryland 529.</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>The State Treasurer shall coordinate with the Board of Trustees of the Maryland State Employees Supplemental Retirement Plans and local school systems, respectively, to identify methods to increase participation in Maryland 529 among:</text>
          <level label="1">
            <text>State employees that participate in other State tax savings programs; and</text>
          </level>
          <level label="2">
            <text>Families of students in local school systems with lower rates of participation in Maryland 529 than the State population.</text>
          </level>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>On or before December 1, 2025, and every 3 years thereafter, the State Treasurer shall submit the marketing plan required under subsection (a) of this section to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, the Senate Committee on Education, Energy, and the Environment, the House Committee on Ways and Means, and the House Appropriations Committee.</text>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1906" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <level label="a">
      <text>The State Treasurer shall adopt a comprehensive investment plan for the administration of the Trust.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>The plan shall specify the investment policies used by the State Treasurer in the administration of the Trust.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="c">
      <text>Assets of the Trust shall be invested in accordance with the comprehensive investment plan.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="d">
      <text>The comprehensive investment plan must indicate the percentage of assets that shall be held in each class of investment, the amount of funds held in any cash pool, the amount of funds held in fixed assets investments, the amount of funds held in equity investments, and the percentage and dollar value of assets placed with outside managers.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="e">
      <level label="1">
        <text>Notwithstanding any law restricting the deposit or investment of State money, the State Treasurer may place assets of the Trust in savings accounts or may use the assets to purchase fixed or variable life insurance or annuity contracts, securities, evidence of indebtedness, or other investment products pursuant to the comprehensive investment plan.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Any insurance, annuity contracts, savings, or other investment products procured by the State Treasurer shall be underwritten and offered in compliance with applicable federal and State laws.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="f">
      <text>The State Treasurer shall make every effort to invest the assets of the Trust in a manner that earns, at a minimum, sufficient earnings to generate the difference between the prepaid amount under prepaid contracts and the average in–State tuition costs at public institutions of higher education in the State at the time that the benefits are exercised.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="g">
      <text>The comprehensive investment plan shall provide for the Trust to be administered in an actuarially sound manner to assure that the State Treasurer may defray obligations of the Trust.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="h">
      <text>The State Treasurer shall review the comprehensive investment plan at least annually to assure that the Trust remains actuarially sound.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="i">
      <text>The State Treasurer may contract with an investment advisory or management company for the investment and management of the Trust as long as the Trust is administered in accordance with the comprehensive investment plan.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="j">
      <text>The State Treasurer:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Shall preserve, invest, and expend the assets of the Trust solely for the purposes of this subtitle; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>May not loan, transfer, or use the assets for any other purpose of the State.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="k">
      <text>The Trust is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="l">
      <text>Unless the State Treasurer provides otherwise by regulation, the State Treasurer shall use the proceeds in the Trust in the following order:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>To pay eligible institutions of higher education in accordance with the State Treasurer’s obligations under prepaid contracts;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>To refund money on the termination of prepaid contracts;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="3">
        <text>To pay the operating expenses of the State Treasurer in administering the Program; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="4">
        <text>To make payments to resolve claims brought against the Trust in accordance with § 18–1917 of this subtitle.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="m">
      <level label="1">
        <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, if the State Treasurer determines after an annual review that the market value of Trust assets exceeds the amount necessary to satisfy all scheduled payments currently due or scheduled to become due under all prepaid contracts by 30% or more, the State Treasurer may provide for a rebate from the excess to account holders of existing prepaid contracts in an amount to be determined by the State Treasurer.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>The State Treasurer may not rebate any amount to account holders if, within the 5 years immediately preceding the proposed rebate:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>The State Treasurer has requested an appropriation under § 18–1906.1 of this subtitle; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>The Trust has failed to repay to the State any appropriation under § 18–1906.1 of this subtitle.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1906.1" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <level label="a">
      <text>If the current prepaid contract obligations of the Trust exceed the market value of Trust assets, at the request of the State Treasurer, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill submitted to the General Assembly an appropriation in the amount determined under subsection (b) of this section.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>The appropriation to be included in the budget bill under subsection (a) of this section shall equal the difference between the current prepaid contract obligations and the market value of Trust assets.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="c">
      <text>For purposes of this section, the current prepaid contract obligations and the market value of Trust assets:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Shall be determined as of June 30 of the calendar year that ended before the beginning of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is requested; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Shall be verified by the report of the independent outside auditor required under § 18–1916 of this subtitle.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="d">
      <level label="1">
        <text>The amount appropriated under this section shall be deposited into the Trust.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>All amounts paid into the Trust under this section shall constitute and be accounted for as advances to the Trust.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="3">
        <text>Subject to the rights of the Trust’s contract holders, amounts appropriated under this section shall be repaid to the State without interest in equal amounts in each of the next 2 fiscal years succeeding the one for which the appropriation was made.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="4">
        <text>If the appropriation in the State budget as enacted by the General Assembly is less than the amount specified under subsection (b) of this section, the State Treasurer may adjust the terms of subsequent or current prepaid contracts to ensure continued actuarial soundness of the Trust.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1907" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <level label="a">
      <text>In this section, “fiduciary” means:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>The State Treasurer;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>An employee of the Program or the Trust who exercises any discretionary authority or control over:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>The management or administration of the Trust; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>The management or disposition of the assets of the Trust; or</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="3">
        <text>An individual to whom the State Treasurer has delegated fiduciary duties in accordance with § 18–1905 of this subtitle.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>A fiduciary shall discharge the fiduciary’s duties with respect to the Trust:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Solely in the interest of the participants;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>For the exclusive purposes of providing benefits to the participants and providing reasonable expenses of administering the Trust;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="3">
        <text>With the care, skill, prudence, and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing, that a prudent person acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would use in the conduct of an enterprise of a like character with like aims;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="4">
        <text>By diversifying the investments of the Trust so as to minimize the risk of large losses, unless under the circumstances it is clearly prudent not to do so;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="5">
        <text>In accordance with the laws governing the Trust; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="6">
        <text>In accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Trust to the extent that the documents and instruments are consistent with this subtitle.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="c">
      <text>In exercising authority, control, or discretion with respect to the Trust, a fiduciary may not:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Use the assets of the Trust for the fiduciary’s own interest or account;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Act in a transaction involving the Trust on behalf of a person, or represent a person, if the interests of the person are adverse to the interests of the Trust or the interests of participants;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="3">
        <text>Receive any consideration for the fiduciary’s own account from a person dealing with the Trust in connection with a transaction involving the assets of the Trust; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="4">
        <text>Become an endorser or surety or, in any manner, an obligor, for money lent to or borrowed from the State Treasurer.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1908" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <level label="a">
      <text>Each fiduciary shall be covered by a surety bond or an insurance policy of the type and in the amount of coverage determined by the State Treasurer under § 5–108 of the State Government Article, as a fiduciary of the Trust.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>Unless a fiduciary is bonded, the fiduciary may not exercise custody or control of any assets of the Trust.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="c">
      <text>A fiduciary may not allow another fiduciary to act in violation of this section.</text>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1909" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <level label="a">
      <level label="1">
        <text>On or after June 1, 2023, the State Treasurer may not establish any new prepaid contracts or extend or upgrade any existing prepaid contracts under the Trust.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>On or after June 1, 2023, an account holder may not enter into any new prepaid contracts or extend or upgrade any existing prepaid contracts under the Trust.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <level label="1">
        <text>For the purpose of entering into a prepaid contract, either the account holder or the qualified beneficiary must be a resident of Maryland or of the District of Columbia at the time that the account holder enters into the prepaid contract.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>For the purposes of determining residency for the purchase of a prepaid contract:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>For residency in Maryland, “resident” has the meaning stated in § 10–101 of the Tax – General Article; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>For residency in the District of Columbia, “resident” has the meaning stated in § 47–1801.04 of the District of Columbia Code Annotated.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="c">
      <text>The cost of a prepaid contract shall be based on:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>The average current in–State tuition costs at the time the prepaid contract is purchased at public institutions of higher education in the State;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>The number of years expected to elapse between the purchase of a prepaid contract and the use of the benefits of the prepaid contract; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="3">
        <text>The projected tuition costs at the time that the benefits will be exercised.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="d">
      <text>Each prepaid contract made under the provisions of this subtitle shall include the following provisions:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>The amount of each payment and the number of payments required from an account holder;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>The terms and conditions under which account holders shall remit payments, including the dates of the payments;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="3">
        <text>Provisions for late payment charges and defaults;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="4">
        <text>Penalties for early withdrawal from the Trust;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="5">
        <text>The amount and terms of any administrative fees that must be paid by the account holder or the beneficiary;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="6">
        <text>The name and date of birth of the qualified beneficiary on whose behalf the contract is made;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="7">
        <text>Terms and conditions for a substitution for the qualified beneficiary originally named;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="8">
        <text>Terms and conditions for the termination of the prepaid contract;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="9">
        <text>The time period during which the qualified beneficiary may claim benefits from the Trust;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="10">
        <text>The maximum number of undergraduate semester hours that are prepaid under the prepaid contract, based on in–State tuition at a public institution of higher education in the State;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="11">
        <text>All other rights and obligations of the account holder and the Trust; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="12">
        <text>Any other terms and conditions that the State Treasurer considers necessary or appropriate.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="e">
      <text>Subject to subsection (a) of this section, the State Treasurer shall allow the conversion of a prepaid contract from one tuition plan or payment option to a different tuition plan or payment option.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="f">
      <text>The State Treasurer shall allow excess prepaid contract benefits due to receipt of a scholarship, tuition remission, or early graduation from college to be used toward the payment of other qualified higher education expenses, as specified by the State Treasurer, at an eligible institution of higher education.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="g">
      <level label="1">
        <text>On or after June 1, 2023, the State Treasurer may only allow the transfer of funds from any other qualified state tuition program to the Trust, in accordance with federal law, for the purpose of contributing funds towards an existing contractual obligation.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>The State Treasurer shall allow the transfer of funds from the Trust to any other qualified state tuition program, in accordance with federal law.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="h">
      <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State Treasurer shall allow the transfer of funds from the Trust to any qualified ABLE program established in accordance with § 529A of the Internal Revenue Code.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="i">
      <text>The State Treasurer shall set procedures to ensure that contributions to the Trust plus contributions or payments to other qualified state tuition programs do not exceed a total maximum amount determined by § 529 of the Internal Revenue Code for contributions to multiple qualified state tuition programs.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="j">
      <text>The Maryland prepaid contract plan shall be referred to as the Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer prepaid contract plan.</text>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1910" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <level label="a">
      <level label="1">
        <text>The State Treasurer shall issue refunds as specified in this section.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Unless authorized by the State Treasurer or under subsection (b) of this section, a refund may not exceed the amount paid into the Trust by the account holder.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>A refund equal to the same benefits as provided by the prepaid contract, minus any amount paid out of the funds of the Trust on behalf of the qualified beneficiary and for reasonable administrative charges, shall be made if the beneficiary:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Is awarded a scholarship or tuition remission that covers benefits provided under the prepaid contract; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Dies or suffers from a disability which prevents the beneficiary from attending an institution of higher education within the time allowed by this subtitle.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="c">
      <level label="1">
        <text>A reduced refund of the contributions made to the Trust, as determined by the State Treasurer, shall be made if:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>The beneficiary does not attend an institution of higher education;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>Benefits are not exercised under the contract within a time specified in the contract; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="iii">
          <text>The prepaid contract is canceled by the account holder.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>The time that a qualified beneficiary spends in active duty as a member of the uniformed services shall be added to the time period allowed to exercise the benefits under a prepaid contract before a termination under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1911" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <text>The Program, Trust, and prepaid contracts issued under this subtitle are not subject to the provisions of the Insurance Article.</text>
  </section>
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1912" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <text>The assets and income of the Trust are exempt from State and local taxation.</text>
  </section>
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1913" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <level label="a">
      <text>In this section, “person” does not include the State.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>A person may not attach, execute, garnish, or otherwise seize any current or future benefit under a prepaid contract or any asset of the Trust.</text>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1914" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <level label="a">
      <text>Nothing in this subtitle or in any prepaid contract may be construed as a promise or guarantee by the State Treasurer of admission to, continued enrollment at, or graduation from an institution of higher education.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>The actual tuition rate charged to a qualified beneficiary shall be determined at the time of enrollment in accordance with the residency policy adopted by the governing board of the institution of higher education at which the qualified beneficiary enrolls.</text>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1915" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <text>The State and its agencies or any local government in the State may agree, by contract or otherwise, to remit payments on behalf of an employee toward a prepaid contract through payroll deductions.</text>
  </section>
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1916" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <level label="a">
      <level label="1">
        <text>The Legislative Auditor shall audit the Trust as provided under Title 2, Subtitle 12 of the State Government Article.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>The State Treasurer shall cause an audit of the Trust to be made by an outside independent auditor annually.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="3">
        <text>The State Treasurer shall pay for the audit required under paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <level label="1">
        <text>Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, the State Treasurer shall submit to the Governor and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly a report including:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>The audit of the outside independent auditor;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>A financial accounting of the Trust, including:</text>
          <level label="1">
            <text>The annual review of the comprehensive investment plan which shall include:</text>
          </level>
          <level label="A">
            <text>The status of the investment program, including investment income matched to projected enrollment costs under the existing prepaid contracts;</text>
          </level>
          <level label="B">
            <text>The assets held in each class of investment, the amount of funds held in any cash pool, the amount of funds held in fixed assets investments, and the amount of funds held in equity investments;</text>
          </level>
          <level label="C">
            <text>The percentage and dollar value of assets placed with outside managers;</text>
          </level>
          <level label="D">
            <text>The income produced by each class of investment; and</text>
          </level>
          <level label="E">
            <text>The income produced by each investment manager; and</text>
          </level>
          <level label="2">
            <text>A detailed account of the operating and administrative budget for the Trust, which shall include a complete list of revenue sources and expenditures detailing the line item expenditures for:</text>
          </level>
          <level label="A">
            <text>Salaries, wages, and fringe benefits;</text>
          </level>
          <level label="B">
            <text>Technical and special fees;</text>
          </level>
          <level label="C">
            <text>Communication;</text>
          </level>
          <level label="D">
            <text>Travel;</text>
          </level>
          <level label="E">
            <text>Contractual services;</text>
          </level>
          <level label="F">
            <text>Supplies and materials;</text>
          </level>
          <level label="G">
            <text>Equipment;</text>
          </level>
          <level label="H">
            <text>Fixed charges; and</text>
          </level>
          <level label="I">
            <text>Other expenses;</text>
          </level>
        </level>
        <level label="iii">
          <text>The number of prepaid contracts entered into during the previous fiscal year;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="iv">
          <text>Efforts by the State Treasurer in marketing the prepaid contracts under the Trust; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="v">
          <text>Any recommendations of the State Treasurer concerning the operation of the Trust.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>The State Treasurer shall make available to each account holder a copy of a summary of the report and the option to purchase the full report at a nominal charge.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="c">
      <text>The audit required by subsection (a)(2) of this section and the report required by subsection (b) of this section may be combined with any other audit or report for the same fiscal year required to be submitted by the State Treasurer to the Governor and the General Assembly.</text>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="18-1917" title_number="18" title_name="Student Financial Assistance" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland 529 Program">
    <level label="a">
      <level label="1">
        <text>Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection and notwithstanding any other provision of law, an account holder or a qualified beneficiary may file a claim arising from the administration of the Trust with the State Treasurer, as fiduciary of the Trust.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>A claim may be filed only by an account holder or a qualified beneficiary for an account that was open and existing on or after November 1, 2021, by:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>An account holder; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>A qualified beneficiary for a distribution that was made to the qualified beneficiary or to an eligible educational institution on the beneficiary’s behalf.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="3">
        <text>Any claim brought under this section shall be subject to the exclusions and limitations set forth in this subtitle.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>A claim filed in accordance with subsection (a) of this section shall be filed:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>For a claim relating to the updated terms included in the disclosure statement for the Trust that went into effect November 1, 2021:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>Not sooner than the date of the notice to account holders required by subsection (j)(2)(i) of this section; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>Not later than December 31, 2023; or</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>For all other claims, 1 year after the date the claim arises.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="c">
      <text>A claim under this section shall:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Contain a concise statement of facts that sets forth the nature of the claim;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>State the name, address, telephone number, and e–mail address, if any, of the claimant;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="3">
        <text>State the Prepaid Trust account number to which the claim relates;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="4">
        <text>Contain any other information required to be set forth in a claim by any procedures or regulations adopted by the State Treasurer in accordance with subsection (j) of this section;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="5">
        <text>State the name, address, telephone number, and e–mail address of the legal representative or counsel for the claimant, if any; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="6">
        <text>Be signed by the claimant, or the legal representative or counsel for the claimant.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="d">
      <level label="1">
        <text>Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, the State Treasurer shall:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>Investigate the claim;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>Approve or deny the claim in whole or in part; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="iii">
          <text>Notify the claimant, or the legal representative or counsel for the claimant, if any, in writing of the final determination.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>In the exercise of the State Treasurer’s fiduciary duties, the State Treasurer may:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>Delegate, wholly or partly, this responsibility, provided that any delegate shall be a fiduciary with respect to making a final determination of a claim; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>Contract for any support services that are needed to carry out this responsibility.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="3">
        <text>For claims relating to the updated terms included in the disclosure statement for the Trust that went into effect November 1, 2021, to the extent practicable, the State Treasurer shall prioritize the processing of claims of account holders who:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>Have sought distributions for qualified higher education expenses before June 1, 2023; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>Will be seeking distributions for qualified higher education expenses for the fall of calendar year 2023.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="e">
      <text>Each final determination made by the State Treasurer in accordance with this section shall be made:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Independently and in the State Treasurer’s role as fiduciary to the Trust; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Solely considering the interests of all of the account holders and qualified beneficiaries under the Trust.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="f">
      <text>Acceptance of a settlement by a claimant:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>With respect to a claim brought in accordance with subsection (b)(1) of this section, shall be conditioned on an agreement of the account holder to transfer all funds in the account to any other qualified state tuition program; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Is, as to that claimant and any qualified beneficiary of the account to which the claim relates:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>Final; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>A complete release of each claim arising from the administration of the Trust against:</text>
          <level label="1">
            <text>The State;</text>
          </level>
          <level label="2">
            <text>Each of its units;</text>
          </level>
          <level label="3">
            <text>All State personnel; and</text>
          </level>
          <level label="4">
            <text>The Trust.</text>
          </level>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="g">
      <text>The State Treasurer, as fiduciary of the Trust:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Makes the final determination with respect to claims submitted in accordance with this section; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Is exempt from the provisions of Title 10, Subtitles 2 and 3 of the State Government Article.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="h">
      <text>Any claim by an account holder or a qualified beneficiary arising from the administration of the Trust shall be made solely against the assets of the Trust.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="i">
      <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this section provides the exclusive remedy for a claim against the assets of the Trust.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="j">
      <level label="1">
        <text>The State Treasurer shall:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>For claims brought in accordance with subsection (b)(1) of this section, establish procedures to implement the claim process established in this section for those claims; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>For all other claims, adopt regulations for the claim process established in this section.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>The State Treasurer shall provide notice to account holders within 10 business days of:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>The establishment of the procedures described in this subsection; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>The adoption of regulations in accordance with this subsection.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
  </section>
</subtitle>