<section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-101" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Department” means the Department of Human Services.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Secretary” means the Secretary of Human Services.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-401" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Transitional Services"> <level label="a"> <text>In this part the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Applicant” means an entity that applies for a grant under this part.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Distribution organization” means a nonprofit entity that distributes food or equipment to emergency food organizations.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>“Emergency food organization” means a nonprofit entity that provides emergency food services.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Emergency food organization” includes an organization that operates:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a soup kitchen; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a food pantry.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Program” means the Statewide Nutrition-Assistance Equipment Program.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-402" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Transitional Services"> <text>There is a Statewide Nutrition-Assistance Equipment Program administered by the Department.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-403" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Transitional Services"> <text>The purpose of the Program is to provide funding to distribution organizations to enable the distribution organizations and emergency food organizations to obtain necessary equipment.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-404" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Transitional Services"> <text>In addition to any other responsibilities for administering the Program, the responsibilities of the Department include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>designing and implementing an ongoing outreach and publicity campaign to achieve the widest possible dissemination of information about the Program to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>potential applicants; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>nutrition advocacy groups in the State;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>receiving and reviewing applications for funding; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>allocating funds for approved applications in accordance with this part.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-405" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Transitional Services"> <level label="a"> <text>When reviewing and awarding grants under this part, the Department shall consider:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the equitable distribution of funds across all geographical regions of the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the adequacy of existing distribution organizations in the region served or intended to be served by the applicant;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the estimated population to be served by the applicant;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the applicant’s level of experience in operating a distribution organization; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the amount of funding and other resources available to the applicant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department may not release funds to a grantee under this part until the grantee establishes that the grantee has obtained matching resources or a commitment for matching resources that equals at least 50% of the grant amount.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The matching resources may be in the form of cash or an in-kind equivalent acceptable to the Department.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-406" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Transitional Services"> <text>The Department shall report annually to the Governor and, subject to § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly on the activities of the Program, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>financial reports;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>distribution of funds;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>community participation; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the overall effectiveness of the Program in fulfilling its stated purpose.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-409" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Transitional Services"> <level label="a"> <text>In this part the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Administering agency” means an entity that the Department approves in accordance with § 6-414 of this subtitle to administer the Program at the county level.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>“Emergency food provider” means a nonprofit organization or an organization operated by a local government that provides food at no charge to needy individuals.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Emergency food provider” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a soup kitchen; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a food pantry.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Program” means the Maryland Emergency Food Program.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-410" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Transitional Services"> <text>Subject to the State budget, there is a Maryland Emergency Food Program in the Department.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-411" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Transitional Services"> <level label="a"> <text>The purposes of the Program are to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>provide funding to assist emergency food providers in purchasing food for needy individuals;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>encourage needy individuals to become self-sufficient; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>distribute information on the State’s earned income tax credit established under § 10-704 of the Tax - General Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>When feasible and cost effective, food purchased under the Program shall be produced, grown, and harvested in the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-412" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Transitional Services"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department shall manage the Program.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each administering agency shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>provide emergency food providers with information about the Program, including Program guidelines and fund availability;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>accept and process requests for funding assistance from emergency food providers; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>allocate funding to emergency food providers based on the procedures approved in the administering agency’s grant application under § 6-413 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An emergency food provider that receives a Program grant shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>use the grant to purchase food for distribution to needy individuals;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>as a condition of distributing food, provide to needy individuals information, developed in collaboration with the Department, that encourages self-sufficiency consistent with the goals of the Family Investment Program established under Title 5, Subtitle 3 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>distribute information on the State’s earned income tax credit established under § 10-704 of the Tax - General Article; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>submit a report to the Department and the administering agency detailing how the grant was used and how many units of service were provided.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-413" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Transitional Services"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>No more than 5% of the Program’s budget may be used to cover administrative costs of the Program.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>All remaining funding shall be allocated for food purchase only.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Program funds may not be used for equipment or other capital expenditures.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Department shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>adopt a formula and qualifications for allocating Program funds to the counties based on county-wide statistics for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the number of families living in poverty;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the unemployment rate; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the number of families receiving food stamps;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>submit annually to the State Advisory Council on Hunger a report detailing:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the total appropriations for the Program for the current and prior fiscal years, including the amount allocated for administrative costs, the amount allocated to each administering agency, and the amount allocated to emergency food providers in each county; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>how many units of service were provided in each county; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>notify each county through the administering agency of the availability of Program funds under item (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Each administering agency shall apply to the Department for a Program grant.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The application shall include the procedures that the administering agency will use to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>notify emergency food providers of the availability of Program grants;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>approve emergency food providers as recipients of Program grants; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>allocate Program grants among approved emergency food providers.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Before an administering agency may receive a Program grant, the Department must approve the application.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-414" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Transitional Services"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department shall adopt regulations to govern the selection and approval of an administering agency for each county.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The regulations adopted under this section shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>criteria to ensure that the selected administering agency has adequate internal controls over cash receipts, materials, supplies, and inventories; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a definition of “units of service” that shall be used to track Program utilization.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-501" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Adult Services"> <level label="a"> <text>In this part the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>“Community services” means household and personal services provided for an elderly individual under the direction and supervision of an appropriate social services or health agency.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Community services” includes assistance with:</text> <level label="i"> <text>meal preparation and planning;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>home-delivered meal services;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>dressing;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>shopping;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>visits to health, recreational, and shopping facilities;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>transportation and personal escort services;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>light housekeeping; and</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>personal medical and nursing care related to the provision of community services.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Elderly individual” means an individual at least 65 years old and the individual’s spouse, regardless of the spouse’s age.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-502" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Adult Services"> <level label="a"> <text>It is the policy of the State that elderly individuals in the State should have access to a comprehensive range of community services to enable them to remain in their own homes or other independent living arrangements consistent with their desires, abilities, and safety.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>It is the intent of the General Assembly that the community services provided under this subtitle shall be available to all elderly individuals, but that those elderly individuals who are financially able to do so shall pay all or a portion of the costs of the community services.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-503" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Adult Services"> <text>With the advice, cooperation, and assistance of the Department of Aging and the Maryland Department of Health, the Department shall administer a system of community services to serve as an effective alternative to inappropriate institutional care for elderly individuals.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-504" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Adult Services"> <text>To carry out the system of community services required under this part, the Department or its designee shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>adopt regulations, including standards and means for reimbursement from elderly individuals financially able to pay for all or part of the services provided;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>monitor continuously the effectiveness of the system and perform evaluative research through the Department of Aging;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>contract, where feasible and desirable, with governmental units, private nonprofit organizations, and volunteer groups to provide community services and group nutritional dining services;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>provide funds to train individuals to perform community services and for administrative costs of the system; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>use, to the extent available, grants from federal, State, and other public or private sources to fund the system.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-505" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Adult Services"> <level label="a"> <text>To the extent possible, the Department shall train and utilize elderly individuals to perform community services.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Elderly individuals compensated for performing community services are not subject to the State Personnel Management System or any merit system of a political subdivision.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department has sole authority for determining all conditions of employment and rates of compensation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-508" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Adult Services"> <level label="a"> <text>In this part the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“CARE Program” means the Certified Adult Residential Environment Program.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>“Individual with a disability” means an adult who requires a supportive housing arrangement to reside in the community because of a physical, medical, or mental disability.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Individual with a disability” does not include an adult whose disability is so severe or complex as to require specialized professional intervention as part of the supportive housing arrangement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Supportive housing arrangement” means a housing arrangement that provides an individual with room, board, and assistance with the activities of daily living.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-509" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Adult Services"> <level label="a"> <text>The General Assembly finds and declares that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an increasing number of adults in the State are unable, because of disability, to reside in the community without a supportive housing arrangement;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>many of these adults are therefore homeless, unnecessarily institutionalized, or residing in substandard housing; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>current State-operated programs do not adequately address this problem.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>It is the policy of the State to encourage the development of affordable housing for adults who are unable to avail themselves of existing housing because of disability.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-510" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Adult Services"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a CARE Program in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The purpose of the CARE Program is to provide housing and related services for individuals with disabilities.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-511" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Adult Services"> <text>In accordance with the State budget, the CARE Program shall provide for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the development of CARE housing;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>case management to individuals with disabilities residing in CARE housing; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>supportive services for individuals with disabilities residing in CARE housing.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-512" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Adult Services"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department of Human Services, the Department of Education, the Maryland Department of Health, and the Department of Aging shall provide appropriate ancillary services to individuals with disabilities in the CARE Program subject to programmatic eligibility and priority criteria and budgetary resources.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Secretary of Human Services, the Secretary of Health, the Secretary of Aging, and the State Superintendent of Schools shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>coordinate departmental programs to ensure that the services needed by individuals with disabilities residing in CARE housing are provided in an integrated and cost–effective manner; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>prepare and enter into a written memorandum of agreement that specifies the services to be provided by each departmental program and the integration and timing of the delivery of the services.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department may adopt regulations to carry out the CARE Program.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-513" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Adult Services"> <level label="a"> <text>Eligibility for services under the CARE Program does not preclude eligibility for other services.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The CARE Program may not serve an individual with a disability who is not a resident of the State when the application for service is made.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-601" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Commission on Responsible Fatherhood"> <text>In this subtitle, “Commission” means the Commission on Responsible Fatherhood.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-602" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Commission on Responsible Fatherhood"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Commission on Responsible Fatherhood.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is independent; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is located in the Department for budgetary and administrative purposes only.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-603" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Commission on Responsible Fatherhood"> <text>The purposes of the Commission are to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>raise awareness of the problems created when a child is raised without the presence of a responsible father;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>identify obstacles that impede or prevent the involvement of responsible fathers in the lives of their children; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>identify strategies that encourage responsible fatherhood.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-604" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Commission on Responsible Fatherhood"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission consists of the following 18 members appointed by the Governor:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Secretary of Budget and Management;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Secretary of Health;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the Secretary of Human Services;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the Secretary of Labor;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the State Superintendent of Schools;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the Special Secretary of the Governor’s Office for Children or the Special Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>one judge assigned to the family division of a circuit court nominated by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>one member of the Senate of Maryland nominated by the President of the Senate;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>one member of the House of Delegates nominated by the Speaker of the House;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>three individuals with extensive programmatic or academic experience with noncustodial fathers and their children;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>three individuals with an interest or expertise in matters pertaining to noncustodial fathers and their children, including representatives of community, parent, or religious groups or organizations;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>two representatives of local government in areas with a significant number of noncustodial fathers; and</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>one noncustodial father.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of a member appointed under subsection (a)(10), (11), or (12) of this section is 3 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The term of the member appointed under subsection (a)(13) of this section is 2 years.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The terms of members appointed under subsection (a)(10), (11), (12), and (13) of this section shall be staggered as required by the terms in effect for those members on October 1, 2007.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A member who is appointed to a position with a fixed term after the term has begun shall serve only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A member appointed under subsection (a)(1) through (6) of this section may designate in writing an alternate to represent the member and exercise the member’s power to vote.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-605" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Commission on Responsible Fatherhood"> <text>From among the members of the Commission, the Governor shall designate a chair for a 2-year term.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-606" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Commission on Responsible Fatherhood"> <level label="a"> <text>A majority of the members then serving on the Commission is a quorum.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission shall determine the times and places of its meetings.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A member of the Commission:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may not receive compensation as a member of the Commission; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-607" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Commission on Responsible Fatherhood"> <text>The Commission shall determine any necessary operating procedures, including establishing subcommittees or work groups utilizing the expertise of persons who are not members of the Commission.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-608" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Commission on Responsible Fatherhood"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to the approval of the Governor, the Commission shall hire a staff director as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to the advice and consent of the chair of the Commission, the staff director shall hire additional staff as provided in the State budget to perform the duties that the Commission considers appropriate.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The staff is responsible to the Secretary solely for routine administrative purposes.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Members of the Commission may designate staff from their respective units to assist the Commission.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-609" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Commission on Responsible Fatherhood"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>conduct a thorough examination of the extent and implications of the absence of responsible fathers from families;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>strongly advocate to ensure the development of a coordinated and comprehensive approach to the social, educational, economic, health, and legal problems of responsible fatherhood;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>promote interdepartmental and public and private policy and program collaboration and coordination;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>collect data and perform analyses on efforts to increase responsible fatherhood;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>promote the development of statewide policies to address the issues preventing fathers from participating in raising their children;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>monitor statewide progress towards reducing the number of noncustodial fathers;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>promote and encourage wide community input, communication, and education regarding responsible fatherhood; and</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>advise local public and private agencies seeking to mobilize local efforts to promote responsible fatherhood.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>To carry out its duties under subsection (a)(1) of this section, the Commission shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>hold hearings at which persons, organizations, and agencies with an interest in responsible fatherhood may present their views;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>conduct meetings, discussions, and examinations as necessary to gather information on the laws and services relating to responsible fatherhood in this and other states;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>identify and examine the limitations and problems associated with existing laws, programs, and services relating to responsible fatherhood; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>examine the financing and delivery of services relating to responsible fatherhood.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>In cooperation with appropriate State and local units and in accordance with State and federal law, the Commission shall foster plans to enhance the coordination of federal– and State–funded programs and services regarding responsible fatherhood.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Commission shall develop a coordinated comprehensive statewide plan, including estimates of necessary public and private funding, for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>increasing the participation of fathers in raising their children; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>improving services to noncustodial fathers.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In accordance with the statewide plan, the Commission shall recommend to the Governor distribution of community incentive grants concerning responsible fatherhood from funds provided in the State budget for this purpose or from grants or private donations, giving priority to innovative projects that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>promote the establishment of a coordinated network of services for noncustodial fathers; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>demonstrate a high level of commitment to the project by making available nonstate funds, personnel, and facilities.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-610" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Commission on Responsible Fatherhood"> <text>The Commission may not operate any programs or provide any direct services.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-701" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Citizenship Promotion Program"> <text>In this subtitle, “Program” means the Citizenship Promotion Program.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-702" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Citizenship Promotion Program"> <text>There is a Citizenship Promotion Program in the Department.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-703" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Citizenship Promotion Program"> <text>The purposes of the Program are:</text> <level label="1"> <text>to encourage and assist eligible foreign-born residents to become naturalized citizens of the United States and active participants in the civic life of Maryland;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>to increase the number and proportion of eligible foreign-born residents who become citizens of the United States; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>to encourage foreign-born residents who become citizens to be involved in our democratic institutions.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-704" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Citizenship Promotion Program"> <text>In accordance with the State budget, the Program shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>encourage eligible residents to learn English;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>encourage eligible residents to become naturalized citizens of the United States;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>inform eligible residents about the rights and responsibilities of citizens, the process of naturalization, and the availability of citizenship services;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>make available or increase the availability of instruction in:</text> <level label="i"> <text>English as a second language;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>United States history; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>citizenship preparation;</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>make available or increase the availability of assistance in completing applications for naturalization;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>establish an effective connection to nonpartisan voter registration efforts;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>encourage the involvement of new citizens in democratic institutions; and</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>work with federal, State, and local units of government and organizations to respond to the need for citizenship services in the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-705" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Citizenship Promotion Program"> <text>Funding for the Program shall be as provided in the State budget, not exceeding $100,000 each year.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-706" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Citizenship Promotion Program"> <text>The Department shall adopt regulations and policies to carry out the Program.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-707" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Citizenship Promotion Program"> <text>All executive units of the State shall cooperate with the Department to implement the regulations and policies of the Program.</text> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-801" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Financial Capability Services"> <level label="a"> <text>For fiscal years 2021 through 2023, the Governor shall include in the annual State budget an appropriation of $200,000 for the CASH Campaign of Maryland to promote the financial capability of low–income individuals and families by providing outreach, education, and free tax preparation services.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>For fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $500,000 for the CASH Campaign.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>For fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $800,000 for the CASH Campaign.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>From the appropriation made under paragraph (1) of this subsection, $150,000 shall be used to provide grants to external entities for providing income tax assistance in accordance with § 6–802 of this subtitle through on–demand or mobile tax clinics that serve senior populations, rural communities, or under–resourced communities, including New American populations.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="6-802" title_number="6" title_name="Community Services" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Financial Capability Services"> <text>An appropriation made under § 6–801 of this subtitle may be used only to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>provide free volunteer income tax assistance that helps low–income individuals and families:</text> <level label="i"> <text>file tax returns;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>avoid predatory fees; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>claim the federal earned income tax credit or the State earned income tax credit under § 10–704 of the Tax – General Article;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>coordinate and expand access to free, fact–based financial education and coaching for low–income individuals and families;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>connect low–income individuals and families to affordable, high–quality financial services;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>recruit, train, and manage a corps of volunteers to provide financial education, coaching, and tax preparation services for low–income individuals and families; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>conduct outreach to low–income individuals and families.</text> </level> </section>