§ 9.5-113
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 9.5-113 (2026)
Title 9.5. Division of Early Childhood Development
Subtitle 1. Established
§ 9.5-113LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this section, “Program” means the Child Care Scholarship Program.
(b)
The Department shall administer the Program in accordance with federal law.
(c)
The Department shall:
(1)
Provide to Program applicants information on income–based government assistance programs and tax credits for which the applicants may be eligible; and
(2)
Incorporate the framework of the Youth Transitioning From Foster Placement to Successful Adulthood Program as established under § 9.5–113.2 of this subtitle.
(d)
(1)
The Department shall award a scholarship under the Program in an amount sufficient to ensure that an individual will not be required to pay a copay for child care if the individual provides proof, as determined by the Department, of:
(i)
(1)
Participation in one of the following programs:
(A)
Federal Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children;
(B)
Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program;
(C)
Federal Housing Act Housing Choice Voucher Program;
(D)
Supplemental Security Income benefits; or
(E)
Temporary cash assistance; and
(2)
Employment or enrollment in an education or career training program; or
(ii)
Participation in the Youth Transitioning From Foster Placement to Successful Adulthood Program established under § 9.5–113.2 of this subtitle.
(2)
The Department shall award a scholarship under the Program in an amount sufficient to ensure that an individual who has an annual household income at or below the federal poverty line is not required to pay a copay for child care.
(3)
The Department may award partial scholarships under the Program through a sliding fee scale for copayments that:
(i)
Applies to an individual who:
(1)
Has an annual household income above the federal poverty line; and
(2)
Is not described under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection;
(ii)
Is based on an individual’s annual household income above the federal poverty line;
(iii)
Requires an individual to provide an increased percentage of the individual’s annual household income as a copay as the individual’s income increases;
(iv)
Increases copay percentages gradually between household income categories, culminating in a maximum copay not exceeding 7% of an individual’s annual household income for an individual with the highest income category under the Program;
(v)
Includes a sufficient number of household income categories to minimize significant increases in copay amounts for an individual who moves from one household income category to another; and
(vi)
Requires a copay for each child in a family receiving a partial scholarship, but requires a lower copay amount for each subsequent child.
(4)
(i)
Subject to subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the Department may set a minimum copay amount for a partial scholarship award under the Program.
(ii)
A minimum copay amount may not be more than $10 each month.
(e)
An individual is eligible to continue to receive a scholarship under the Program:
(1)
For at least 90 days in a year if the individual is unemployed and seeking employment; and
(2)
If the individual meets any other eligibility criteria determined by the Department.
(f)
The Department may not require an individual to pursue or receive child support payments or apply for services from a child support agency to be eligible for a scholarship under the Program.
(g)
(1)
The Department shall notify the Comptroller within 10 days after the date on which the Department receives an invoice from a child care provider.
(2)
The Comptroller shall pay a child care provider within 5 days after the date on which the Comptroller receives a notice under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(h)
The Department shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this section.