In this subtitle, “Office” means the Office of Child Care within the Department.

There is a Child Care Accreditation Support Fund. The Fund may only be used by the Office to: Pay for the actual expense of an application fee for an approved accrediting organization on behalf of a provider; or Reimburse a child care provider for a program improvement cost. The Governor shall appropriate in the annual budget at least $1,000,000 for the Fund beginning in fiscal year 2021.

There is a Child Care Incentive Grant Program. The Office may award funding to a child care provider through the program for the purpose of improving the child care provider’s quality of care through the purchase of Office–approved: Materials; Equipment; or Supplies. For each of fiscal years 2022 through 2030, funding for the program shall increase by 10% over the prior fiscal year.

There is a Maryland Child Care Credential Program. An individual may apply to the Office for a staff credential, including a child development associate credential, or an administrator credential under this subsection. If a person pursues, obtains, or already holds an Office–approved credential, the Office may award to the individual: An achievement bonus; A training reimbursement; or A training voucher. The Governor shall appropriate $4,000,000 for the program for fiscal year 2021. For each of fiscal years 2022 through 2024, funding for the program shall increase by 10% over the prior fiscal year. For fiscal year 2026, the Governor shall appropriate for the program an amount that is at least equal to the amount appropriated in fiscal year 2024. For each of fiscal years 2028 through 2030, the Governor shall appropriate $5,687,000 for the program.

There is a Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund. The Office may award funding from the Fund to an individual who has: Obtained at least a level 2 in the Maryland Child Care Credential Program under § 9.5–904 of this subtitle; Documented at least 1 year of experience working with groups of children in an approved setting; Been accepted by an accredited college or university for enrollment in at least one course for credit toward a degree in early childhood education or a related field; and Committed to work in an approved child care setting for at least 20 hours per week for a period of time determined by the Office after completing the course of study under subsection (d)(2) of this section. To carry out the purpose of the Program, awards shall be prioritized to the following applicants: An applicant who has not completed any college courses for credit from an accredited college or university; and An applicant who attends or has been accepted by an accredited college or university that offers native language or bilingual coursework in early childhood education or a related field. An award under this section may only be: Applied toward the cost of: Tuition and fees; or Textbooks required by a course in which the awardee is enrolled; and Used by the awardee for the actual expense of college coursework incurred subsequent to an award toward the completion of: A college degree in early childhood education or a related field; or Developmental coursework required to meet prerequisites for a degree program in early childhood education or a related field. Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, in accordance with regulations adopted by the Department, an award recipient shall repay the Office the funds received under this section if the recipient does not perform the service obligation required under subsection (b)(4) of this section. The Office may waive or defer payment if the recipient provides to the Office satisfactory evidence of extenuating circumstances, including illness or disability, that prevent the recipient from fulfilling the service obligation required under subsection (b)(4) of this section.

The Office shall award a program that participates in the Maryland EXCELS Program a bonus: On initial publication of a quality rating level 1, 2, 3, or 4; On each publication of a higher quality rating level after the initial publication; On initial publication of a quality rating level 5; and Annually on renewal and republication of a quality rating level 5. The Governor shall appropriate in fiscal year 2023 $5,000,000. For each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028, funding for the program shall increase by 10% over the prior fiscal year.

Priority in providing awards under this subtitle shall be given to child care providers or programs that published a quality rating level of 2 in the Maryland EXCELS Program on or before June 30, 2022.

The Department shall designate a primary contact employee for early child care in the Office. The Department’s primary contact employee shall be appointed by the Director of the Office. The Department’s primary contact employee shall: Assist child care providers and individuals to understand the process for publishing in EXCELS and improving quality rating; and Actively assist child care providers and individuals to apply for accreditation and funds provided by this subtitle.