In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Commission” means the Maryland Higher Education Commission. “Division” means the Division of Correction within the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. “Governing entity” means: The President of Bowie State University; The President of Coppin State University; The Board of Regents of Morgan State University; The President of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore; and The president, board of trustees, board of regents, or any other head of an institution of postsecondary education at which the Commission establishes a Pilot Program under § 24–1302 of this subtitle. “Institution of postsecondary education” has the meaning stated in § 10–101 of this article. “Pilot Program” means the Inmate Training and Job Pilot Program.

There is an Inmate Training and Job Pilot Program at: Bowie State University; Coppin State University; Morgan State University; and The University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The Commission may establish a Pilot Program at an institution of postsecondary education not listed under paragraph (1) of this subsection through a memorandum of understanding. The purpose of each Pilot Program is to provide educational and vocational training opportunities for an incarcerated individual in the 12 months preceding the incarcerated individual’s date of release. The Pilot Program shall be administered jointly by the Commission and the governing entity of each institution of postsecondary education, with the cooperation of the Division.

Each Pilot Program shall have an individualized plan designed to prepare the incarcerated individual for success on release. The individualized plan shall specify a professor or other staff member at the institution of postsecondary education who shall serve as the primary contact responsible for each incarcerated individual’s participation and education in the Pilot Program. The primary contact shall select at least three students to serve as Pilot Program mentors who are: At least 18 years old; Enrolled in the institution of postsecondary education; and If a Pilot Program is located at a 4–year institution of postsecondary education, enrolled in their junior or senior year. A student who participates in the Pilot Program shall receive course credit and a small stipend from the Pilot Program. To ensure that the incarcerated individual receives the support necessary to succeed, the primary contact shall meet with the incarcerated individual regularly during the incarcerated individual’s participation in the Pilot Program. The primary contact shall work with the Division to ensure that the timing of course participation and Pilot Program meetings works with an incarcerated individual’s schedule. Each governing entity shall ensure that an incarcerated individual participating in the Pilot Program is enrolled in a course or courses that: Are credit bearing and may contribute to course graduation requirements for an institution of postsecondary education; or Either in isolation or as part of a series of courses, lead to an industry–recognized certificate or license. Courses provided under this section shall be: Provided through a suitable format as indicated by the Pilot Program in consultation with the Commission, the Division, and the applicable institution of postsecondary education, whether virtual or nonvirtual; and Subject to regulations adopted by the Commissioner of Correction under § 3–611 of the Correctional Services Article. The Division shall: Ensure that courses and instruction are provided in a suitable manner as indicated by the Pilot Program in consultation with the Commission, the Division, and the applicable institution of postsecondary education, whether virtual or nonvirtual; Create a safe and reasonable process, whether virtually or in person, by which to confer a degree to an incarcerated individual who is still incarcerated and who completes the requirements for a degree as part of the Pilot Program; and On or before June 1, 2022, create a process and system in coordination with the Commission to develop a hybrid virtual and in–person learning environment in the Division’s statewide system.

Each incarcerated individual who participates in the Pilot Program shall agree to provide the assigned institution of postsecondary education and nonprofit organization with regular updates for 2 years following the incarcerated individual’s release. Updates provided under this subsection shall include information about the Pilot Program participant’s employment, enrollment in postsecondary education courses, and licensure or certification. The Commission shall establish a hotline for participants in the Pilot Program through which a former incarcerated individual may be connected to counseling and job services. Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, before a Pilot Program participant’s release, the Commission shall connect a participant with a nonprofit organization that serves individuals in the community where the participant plans to reside. The Commission shall connect a participant with a nonprofit organization only if the participant desires the aid of a nonprofit organization whose mission includes aid with: Job placement; Housing services; or Counseling services. The Commission shall facilitate Pilot Program participant contact with the appropriate nonprofit organization. The Commission shall encourage former Pilot Program participants to serve as contacts for future Pilot Program participants.

The Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation for the Pilot Program in the amount of: $300,000 in fiscal year 2023; $330,000 in fiscal year 2024; $363,000 in fiscal year 2025; and $363,000 in fiscal year 2026. Funding appropriated under this section shall be provided to: The Commission for: Costs associated with the administration of the Pilot Program, including a designated employee responsible for the administration of the Pilot Program; Grants made to institutions of postsecondary education that participate in the Pilot Program; and Stipends provided to student mentors who participate in the Pilot Program; and The Division for costs associated with the administration of the Pilot Program within the Division, including a designated employee responsible for the administration of the Pilot Program. On or before December 15, 2022, and each December 15 through 2026, a governing entity shall report to the Commission on the number of incarcerated individuals enrolled in the Pilot Program at the institution in the current academic year. Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, each year the Commission shall allocate funds to institutions of postsecondary education that participate in the Pilot Program on a pro rata basis, according to the most recent enrollment data required under subsection (c) of this section. Institutions of postsecondary education must collectively aim to enroll at least 40 incarcerated individuals, to be divided among the institutions, to qualify for an allocation of funds under this subsection.

On or before July 1, 2024, the Commission, in consultation with the Division, shall submit an interim report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the progress of the Pilot Program. On or before July 1, 2028, the Commission, in consultation with the Division, shall submit a final report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the progress of the Pilot Program. The reports required under this section shall include the following information on program participants: The courses in which a participant enrolled; Post–confinement employment of a participant; Post–confinement continuing education of a participant; and Post–confinement certification or licensure of a participant.