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<section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="13-3705" title_number="13" title_name="Miscellaneous Health Care Programs" subtitle_number="37" subtitle_name="Community Health Workers">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <level label="i">
        <text>Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a certified community health worker training program must be accredited by the Department before operating in the State.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>A certified community health worker training program in operation on October 1, 2018, may continue to operate until the deadline established by the Department under paragraph (3)(i)2 of this subsection.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>An apprenticeship program registered with the Maryland Department of Labor may be accredited by the Department as a certified community health worker training program.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The Department, working in collaboration with the Advisory Committee, shall adopt regulations establishing a procedure for accrediting community health worker training programs.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <level label="i">
        <text>The regulations adopted under this subsection shall include:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>A deadline before which certified community health worker training programs in operation on October 1, 2018, must apply for accreditation; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>A deadline before which the Department will make a decision regarding accreditation applications.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The Department shall consult with community health worker training programs in establishing the time frames required under this paragraph.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>The regulations adopted under this subsection shall include:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>A procedure for reviewing a certified community health worker training program’s application;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Curriculum requirements;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>A process through which an individual working as a community health worker on October 1, 2018, and who already possesses the knowledge taught in a community health worker training program accredited by the Department under this section, may be exempted from the training required under § 13–3706(b)(1) of this subtitle;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Requirements for periodic review of an accredited certified community health worker training program;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>A process by which the Department shall notify a certified community health worker training program in operation on October 1, 2018, of any changes needed to comply with the Department’s accreditation requirements;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>A reasonable deadline before which a certified community health worker training program in operation on October 1, 2018, is required to comply with the Department’s accreditation requirements; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>A process by which the Department may revoke a certified community health worker training program’s accreditation that allows for an adequate hearing and chance for appeal.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The Department, working in collaboration with the Advisory Committee, shall:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Adopt initial regulations for the certification of community health workers that establish:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>That any individual who completes a community health worker training program accredited by the Department under subsection (a) of this section is a qualified community health worker applicant; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>An initial fee for the certification of community health workers, not to exceed $75, which shall be adjusted as advised by the Advisory Committee;</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Keep a current record of all certified community health workers;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Collect and account for fees provided for under this subtitle;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Pay all necessary expenses associated with certifying community health workers in accordance with the State budget;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>Keep a complete record of proceedings relating to certified community health workers; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>Maintain a list of certified community health workers on its website to allow employers and consumers to verify the certification status of community health workers.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The Department may adopt regulations on the procedures for:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Denying a certification application;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Suspending and revoking certificates;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Renewing certificates; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Otherwise regulating the certification of community health workers.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>The Department may adopt any additional regulations recommended by the Advisory Committee for the certification of community health workers.</text>
  </level>
</section>
