In this section the following terms have the meanings indicated. “Economically disadvantaged background” means a family whose income is no more than 300% of the federal poverty guidelines. “Eligible young child” means a child: Who is from an economically disadvantaged background; Whose parent or legal guardian seeks to enroll the child in a publicly funded prekindergarten program established under this section; and Who is 3 or 4 years old on September 1 of the school year in which the parent or legal guardian seeks to enroll the child in a publicly funded prekindergarten program established under this section. “Fund” means the Prekindergarten Expansion Fund. “Montessori school” has the meaning stated in § 6–127 of this article. “Program” means the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant Program. “Qualified provider” means: If partnering with a county board under a memorandum of understanding, a State accredited or nationally accredited child care program or a nonpublic school approved by the Department to provide prekindergarten services; and A county board. There is a grant program known as the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant Program in the State. The purpose of the Program is to broaden the availability of high–quality prekindergarten and school readiness services throughout the State for children and their families in coordination with the expansion of publicly funded full–day prekindergarten under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future established under Subtitle 1A of this title. The Department shall administer the Program. The Program shall be a competitive grant program to provide funds to qualified providers. The Department shall take measures to achieve geographic diversity among participating qualified providers. Priority for participation in the Program shall be given to qualified providers: That are located in areas of the State that have an unmet need for prekindergarten or comprehensive early childhood education services; That include a plan for long–term sustainability, including community and business partnerships and matching funds to the extent possible; and That incorporate parental engagement and the benefits of educational activities beyond the classroom into the providers’ programs. Prekindergarten Expansion Grants may be used to expand prekindergarten services, including: Establishing or expanding full–day prekindergarten for eligible young children; and Expanding existing half–day prekindergarten programs into full–day prekindergarten programs for eligible young children. The Department may establish: Additional eligibility criteria for the selection of qualified providers; Application and award processes including the submission date for applications, renewal procedures, and application review processes for making awards under the Program; and Any other policies and procedures necessary to implement the Program. Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, before approving qualified providers for prekindergarten services to receive a grant under this section, a qualified provider shall certify to the Department that for each classroom funded under this section the provider will: Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more than 10 to 1 with a maximum of 20 children per classroom; Provide in each classroom at least one teacher and at least one teacher’s aide who meet the high staff qualifications of § 7–1A–04(a)(1)(i) of this title; Operate an educational program for: 5 days per week; 180 days per year, in accordance with the public school calendar established by the local school board; and For half–day programs, at least 2.5 hours per day; or For full–day programs, at least 6.5 hours per day; and To receive a grant under this section, meet the requirements of § 7–1A–04 of this title. Before approving qualified providers who are Montessori schools or Montessori programs for prekindergarten services to receive a grant under this section, a qualified provider shall certify to the Department that for each classroom funded under this section the provider will: Meet the requirements under paragraph (1)(iii) of this subsection; Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more than 10 to 1, with a maximum of 20 students per classroom if all of the students are under the age of 5 years; Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more than 14 to 1, with a maximum of 28 students per classroom if some of the students are at least 5 years old; and Require a classroom teacher to: Hold a bachelor’s degree in any field; and Hold a Montessori credential issued by: The Association Montessori Internationale; The American Montessori Society; or A program accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education. Beginning in fiscal year 2020 through fiscal year 2029, the Governor shall annually appropriate to the Fund an amount that is at least equal to the total amount of all funds received by the Program in the prior fiscal year. Beginning in fiscal year 2030, the funds appropriated to the Fund shall be consolidated into the publicly funded full–day prekindergarten program established in Subtitle 1A of this title. The Governor may provide funds to the Department to administer the Program. Grants awarded under this section may not be used: To supplant existing funding for prekindergarten services; For capital improvements; or To fund the same full–day prekindergarten slot that is funded under Subtitle 1A of this title. The Department shall: Leverage Child Care Scholarship Program funds when making grant awards to private providers that participate in the Child Care Scholarship Program; Encourage private providers that receive grants to pursue level 5 in the Department’s voluntary quality rating and improvement system known as “Maryland EXCELS”; Supervise and monitor the use of grant funds distributed under this section; and Evaluate whether grant recipients are meeting annual benchmarks established by the Department. There is a Prekindergarten Expansion Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to provide funds to the Program. The Department shall administer the Fund. The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund. The Fund consists of: Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; Investment earnings of the Fund; and Any other money from any other source, including donations, accepted for the benefit of the Fund. The Fund may be used only for grants made by the Department for the Program. The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested. Investment earnings of the Fund shall be paid into the Fund. Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget. In accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the Department shall report to the General Assembly by November 1 of each year on the implementation of the Program.