<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="12-205" title_number="12" title_name="Maryland Small Business Retirement Savings Program and Trust" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Establishment; Powers and Duties of Board">
  <level label="a">
    <text>The Board shall establish procedures and disclosures to protect the interests of participants and employers.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Before opening the Program for enrollment, the Board shall design and disseminate to employers  and employees information  regarding the Program.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The  information provided shall include background information on the Program and appropriate disclosures for employees, including:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>the benefits and risks associated with making contributions to the Program;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>the mechanics of how to make contributions to the Program;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>how to opt out of the Program;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>the process for withdrawal of retirement savings;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>how to obtain additional information on the Program; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>information about alternative retirement savings options.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The disclosure form shall clearly state the following:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>employees seeking financial advice should contact financial advisors because employers are not in a position to provide financial advice;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>in accordance with § 12–501 of this title, employers are not liable for decisions made by employees;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>the Program is not an  employer–offered savings arrangement; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>in accordance with § 12–502 of this title, the Program fund may be privately insured and is not guaranteed by the State.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>The Board shall establish procedures for:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>a covered employee to opt out of participation in the Program;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>a participating employee to opt out of participation in the Program after the participating employee has commenced participation; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>an employee who has opted out of participation to participate or resume participation in the Program.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
