In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Correctional officer” has the meaning stated in § 8–201 of the Correctional Services Article. “Eligible institution” means: A public senior higher education institution in the State; or A community college in the State. “Police officer” has the meaning stated in § 3–201 of the Public Safety Article. “Probation agent” means an individual serving as a parole and probation agent, supervisor, or regional administrator for the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. “Service obligation” means to work as a police officer, probation agent, or correctional officer in the State not less than 5 years during the 8–year period after graduation.

There is a Maryland Police Officers, Probation Agents, and Correctional Officers Scholarship Program. The purpose of the program is to provide tuition assistance for students who are: Attending an eligible institution and enrolled in a degree or certificate program that would further the student’s intent to become a police officer, probation agent, or correctional officer after graduation; or Employed as a police officer, probation agent, or correctional officer, attending an eligible institution, and enrolled in a degree or certificate program that would further the police officer’s, probation officer’s, or correctional officer’s career. The Office shall publicize the availability of the Maryland Police Officers, Probation Agents, and Correctional Officers Scholarship.

Each year, the Office shall select eligible students and offer a scholarship to each student selected to be used at an eligible institution of the student’s choice. A recipient of the Maryland Police Officers, Probation Agents, and Correctional Officers Scholarship shall: Be a Maryland resident or have graduated from a Maryland high school; Be accepted for admission or currently enrolled at an eligible institution as a full–time or part–time undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a course of study, program, or certificate that would further the recipient’s career; Sign a letter of intent to perform the service obligation on completion of the recipient’s required studies; and Satisfy any additional criteria the Commission may establish. A current police officer, probation agent, or correctional officer shall be eligible for a Maryland Police Officers, Probation Agents, and Correctional Officers Scholarship if they meet the eligibility criteria under subsection (b) of this section.

The recipient of a Maryland Police Officers, Probation Agents, and Correctional Officers Scholarship shall repay the Commission the funds received as set forth in § 18–112 of this title if the recipient does not: Satisfy the degree or certificate requirements of the eligible course of study or program or fulfill other requirements as provided in this subtitle; or Perform the service obligation to work as a police officer, probation agent, or correctional officer for at least 5 years during the 8–year period after graduation.

The annual scholarship award shall be 50% of the equivalent annual tuition and mandatory fees of a resident undergraduate student at the eligible institution.

For fiscal year 2025, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of at least $500,000 to the Commission to award scholarships under this subtitle. For fiscal year 2026, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of at least $2,000,000 to the Commission to award scholarships under this subtitle. For fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of at least $500,000 to the Commission to award scholarships under this subtitle.

The Office shall: Publicize the availability of Maryland Police Officers, Probation Agents, and Correctional Officers Scholarships; and To the extent practicable, award scholarships under this subtitle in a manner that reflects ethnic, gender, racial, and geographic diversity.