Title 11. Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning — Subtitle 5. Maryland Workforce Development Act
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 11-501 (2026)
Title 11. Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning
Subtitle 5. Maryland Workforce Development Act
§ 11–501LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle may be referred to as the “Maryland Workforce Development Act”.
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 11-502 (2026)
Title 11. Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning
Subtitle 5. Maryland Workforce Development Act
§ 11–502LinkCopy Citation
(a)
It is State policy to coordinate all the resources available from federal, State and local governments, business, labor, and community based organizations to foster and promote a balanced, equitable, and cost–effective employment and training system. To effectuate this policy there shall be consultation between the Governor and the General Assembly in implementing the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and this subtitle.
(b)
It is the State’s goal to assist its citizens in obtaining gainful employment and in reducing dependence on public assistance and unemployment insurance programs by:
(1)
preparing unskilled youth and adults who are economically disadvantaged for entry into the work force;
(2)
retraining those who have lost jobs or who must upgrade or replace their work skills or both; and
(3)
providing training and related services, including supportive services for low–income individuals, to increase the employability of those who encounter barriers to employment.
(c)
It is also the State’s goal to develop a well trained productive work force which meets the needs of a changing economy by:
(1)
developing and ensuring maximum utilization of timely statewide labor market information;
(2)
linking employment and training services with economic development efforts;
(3)
providing enhanced employment and training capabilities specially designed to meet the needs of business and industry, including industries that utilize advanced technology applications; and
(4)
encouraging and initiating innovative employment and training strategies.
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 11-503 (2026)
Title 11. Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning
Subtitle 5. Maryland Workforce Development Act
§ 11–503LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this subtitle the definitions set forth in § 3 of the federal Act shall apply; definitions set forth below shall have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Dislocated worker” means an individual who:
(1)
(i)
has been terminated or laid off or has received a notice of termination or layoff from employment;
(ii)
(1)
is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment compensation; or
(2)
has been employed for a duration sufficient to demonstrate, to the appropriate entity at a one–stop center referred to in § 121(e) of the federal Act, attachment to the workforce, but is not eligible for unemployment compensation due to insufficient earnings or having performed services for an employer that were not covered under State unemployment compensation law; and
(iii)
is unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation;
(2)
has been terminated or laid off, or has received a notice of termination or layoff, from employment as a result of any permanent closure of, or any substantial layoff at, a plant, facility, or enterprise;
(3)
is employed at a facility at which the employer has made a general announcement that the facility will close within 180 days;
(4)
for purposes of eligibility to receive services other than training services described in § 134(c)(3) of the federal Act, career services described in § 134(c)(2)(A)(xii) of the federal Act, or supportive services, is employed at a facility at which the employer has made a general announcement that the facility will close;
(5)
was self–employed (including employment as a farmer, a rancher, or a fisherman) but is unemployed as a result of general economic conditions in the community in which the individual resides or because of natural disasters;
(6)
is the spouse of an active service member and who has experienced a loss of employment as a direct result of relocation to accommodate a permanent change in duty station of the member; or
(7)
is the spouse of an active service member and who has been providing unpaid services to a family member in the home and is unemployed or underemployed and experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading employment.
(c)
“Federal Act” means the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
(d)
“Governor’s plan” means the State plan as provided in § 102 of the federal Act.
(e)
“Individual with a disability” means any individual with a disability, as defined in § 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
(f)
“Local plan” means a plan submitted by a local workforce area under § 108 of the federal Act, subject to § 106(c)(3)(B) of the federal Act and any final plan or modification as provided in the federal Act.
(g)
“Low–income individual” means an individual who:
(1)
receives, has received in the past 6 months, or is a member of a family that is receiving or has received in the past 6 months, assistance through:
(i)
the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the federal Food and Nutrition Act;
(ii)
the program of block grants to states for temporary assistance for needy families program under Part A of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act;
(iii)
the supplemental security income program established under Title XVI of the federal Social Security Act; or
(iv)
State or local income–based public assistance;
(2)
is in a family with total family income that does not exceed or is an individual with a disability whose own income does not exceed the higher of:
(i)
the federal Office of Management and Budget poverty income guidelines; or
(ii)
the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70% lower living standard income level;
(3)
is a homeless individual, as defined in § 41403(6) of the federal Violence Against Women Act;
(4)
is a homeless child or youth, as defined in § 725(2) of the federal McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act;
(5)
receives or is eligible to receive a free or reduced price lunch under the federal Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act; or
(6)
is a foster child on behalf of whom State or local government payments are made.
(h)
“Participant” means an individual who has been determined eligible to participate in and who is receiving services (except follow–up services authorized under this title) under a program authorized under this title.
(i)
“Performance standards” means the basic measures of performance for training programs to be prescribed by the Secretary and such variations of the standards as the Governor may prescribe.
(j)
“Secretary” means the United States Secretary of Labor.
(k)
“State Workforce Development Board” means the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, as provided in § 101 of the federal Act.
(l)
“Supportive services” means services such as transportation, child care, dependent care, housing, and needs–related payments that are necessary to enable an individual to participate in activities authorized under the federal Act.
(m)
“Training provider” means an entity that provides training and employment services to individuals described in § 11–504(b) of this subtitle.
(n)
“Workforce development area” means a geographic area designated by the Governor in accordance with § 106 of the federal Act.
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 11-504 (2026)
Title 11. Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning
Subtitle 5. Maryland Workforce Development Act
§ 11–504LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A workforce development program is established to implement the federal Act.
(b)
(1)
This program shall provide employment, training, supportive and related services to eligible job seekers, as defined in the federal Act, including individuals with barriers to employment, such as those who are low income or low–skilled, to allow individuals to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers needed to compete in the global economy.
(2)
(i)
Subject to subparagraph (iv) of this paragraph, the State Department of Transportation shall issue to training providers weekly transit passes, in the form of magnetic passes or loaded smart cards, for local bus, light rail, or metro subway service provided by the Maryland Transit Administration.
(ii)
The training providers shall provide the weekly transit passes issued under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph to individuals receiving employment and training services under the program established in accordance with subsection (a) of this section.
(iii)
A training provider shall reimburse the Department of Transportation for the cost of transit passes provided to the training provider under this paragraph.
(iv)
To be eligible to receive transit passes under this paragraph, a training provider shall include in its contract with the local workforce development board or local workforce development agency a provision requiring reimbursement of the training provider for its costs under subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph.
(c)
The County Commissioners of Carroll County may appropriate funds necessary to enter into contracts with private or public enterprises for the training or retraining of workers of those enterprises.
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 11-505 (2026)
Title 11. Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning
Subtitle 5. Maryland Workforce Development Act
§ 11–505LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Governor’s Workforce Development Board is established and shall have the membership as provided in § 101 of the federal Act.
(b)
(1)
Subject to subsection (a) of this section, the members of the Governor’s Workforce Development Board shall be appointed by the Governor for staggered terms set by the Governor by executive order.
(2)
To the extent practicable, the composition of the Governor’s Workforce Development Board shall reflect the race, gender, and geographic diversity of the population of the State.
(c)
The Governor’s Workforce Development Board shall be funded consistent with §§ 101 and 128 of the federal Act and shall have personnel and appropriations as are provided in the State budget.
(d)
The Governor’s Workforce Development Board shall perform the duties and functions identified in § 101 of the federal Act and other functions designated by the Governor as necessary to improve the quality of the State’s workforce.
(e)
The Governor’s Workforce Development Board may adopt any rule or regulations necessary to carry out its powers and duties.
(f)
As soon after January 1 of each year as reasonably possible, the Governor’s Workforce Development Board shall submit an annual report to the Governor and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly.
(g)
(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection and subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, a member shall be considered to have resigned if the member did not attend at least two–thirds of the Board meetings held during any consecutive 12–month period while the member was serving on the Board.
(2)
The Governor may waive a member’s resignation and allow the member to continue serving if the member has been unable to attend meetings for reasons satisfactory to the Governor and the reasons are made public.
(3)
In accordance with § 8–501 of the State Government Article, the chair shall provide notice to the Governor and the Governor shall appoint a successor.
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 11-506 (2026)
Title 11. Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning
Subtitle 5. Maryland Workforce Development Act
§ 11–506LinkCopy Citation
In accordance with § 102 of the federal Act, the Governor shall submit to the Secretary a State plan that includes the workforce initiatives of State agencies and outlines a 4–year strategy for the statewide workforce development system of the State. The Governor’s plan shall include, but not be limited to, those items set forth in § 102 of the federal Act.
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 11-507 (2026)
Title 11. Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning
Subtitle 5. Maryland Workforce Development Act
§ 11–507LinkCopy Citation
(a)
After receiving recommendations from the Governor’s Workforce Development Board regarding youth and adult discretionary allocations, as provided for in §§ 128 and 133 of the federal Act, the Governor shall allocate federal funds in accordance with §§ 128 and 133 of the federal Act, the State plan, and State budget procedures.
(b)
After receiving recommendations from the Governor’s Workforce Development Board regarding the utilization of federal funds for reservations for State activities under §§ 128 and 133(a) of the federal Act, the Governor, except for funds reserved for State purposes, shall distribute the remainder to the workforce investment areas in accordance with §§ 128 and 133 of the federal Act, the State plan, and State budget procedures.
(c)
The Governor may provide State funds in the budget to qualify for funds under the federal Act, and for other purposes to promote the workforce development system to implement § 11-508 of this subtitle.
(d)
Funds provided under the federal Act shall only be used for activities which are in addition to those which would otherwise be available in the area in the absence of such funds.
(e)
Nothing in this section is intended to limit the ability of the State to use private resources and to contract with private or public entities to provide employment and training services or supportive services. �
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 11-508 (2026)
Title 11. Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning
Subtitle 5. Maryland Workforce Development Act
§ 11–508LinkCopy Citation
To the extent that State funds become available and subject to the procedures in § 11–505(d) of this subtitle, after receiving recommendations from the Governor’s Workforce Development Board regarding the utilization of State funds to supplement federal funds for employment and training services, supportive services, and for related services such as training allowances and stipends, the Governor may allocate an amount for such purposes in accordance with State budget procedures.