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<section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="4-305" title_number="4" title_name="Social Services" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Provisions">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Credential” means a recognized:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>educational diploma;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>certificate or degree;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>occupational license;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>apprenticeship certificate;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>industry–recognized certification; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>award for skills attainment and completion, issued by an approved training provider in the State or third–party credential provider.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>“Foster care recipient” has the meaning stated in § 15–106.1 of the Education Article.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <level label="i">
        <text>“Job readiness training” means training for the purpose of assisting and supporting jobseekers in overcoming individual barriers to employment and developing the skills necessary to maintain employment and to qualify for skills training opportunities.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>“Job readiness training” includes:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>occupational skills development;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>GED preparation;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>literacy advancement;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="4">
          <text>financial stability services, including financial coaching;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="5">
          <text>credit counseling; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="6">
          <text>assistance in meeting training–related transportation and child care needs.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>“Program” means the Fostering Employment Program established under this section.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>“Registered apprenticeship program” means a formal training program approved and registered by the Maryland Department of Labor, or by the United States Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>“Training provider” means an entity that:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>provides training and employment services to individuals described in § 11–504(b) of the Labor and Employment Article; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>is awarded a strategic industry partnership grant under § 11–703 of the Labor and Employment Article.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="8">
      <text>“Unaccompanied homeless youth” means a child or youth who:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>has had a consistent presence in the State for at least 1 year before enrollment in a job readiness training program or registered apprenticeship program that is documented by school, employment, or other records;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>is a homeless child or youth, as defined by the McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>was determined to be a homeless child or youth by:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>a Maryland local school system homeless liaison, as defined by the McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>a director or a designee of the director of a Maryland–based program funded under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>a director or a designee of the director of a Maryland–based program funded under Title IV, Subtitle B of the McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="9">
      <text>“Workforce development area” means a geographic area designated by the Governor in accordance with § 106 of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>There is a Fostering Employment Program.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The Department and the Maryland Department of Labor shall jointly supervise the Program.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>The purpose of the Program is to provide employment opportunities for foster care recipients and unaccompanied homeless youth through training that leads to industry–recognized credentials.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>The Department, in coordination with the Maryland Department of Labor, shall:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>develop and implement the Program; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>coordinate with:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>the local departments of social services; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>the local workforce development boards in the State workforce development areas.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>The Program shall provide foster care recipients and unaccompanied homeless youth with opportunities to obtain credentials through:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>a registered apprenticeship program; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>job readiness training.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <text>A foster care recipient or an unaccompanied homeless youth who is not exempt from paying tuition under § 15–106.1 of the Education Article is eligible to receive funding under the Program if the individual is:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>at least 16 years of age; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>enrolled in:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>a registered apprenticeship program; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>job readiness training through a training provider funded by the Maryland Department of Labor.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="h">
    <text>The Department and the Maryland Department of Labor jointly may adopt regulations to carry out this section.</text>
  </level>
</section>
