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<section article="gnr" article_name="Natural Resources" number="5-1013" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2026 PER CHAPTER 470 OF 2022" title_number="5" title_name="Forests and Parks" subtitle_number="10" subtitle_name="Public Park Land and Recreational Areas">
  <level label="a">
    <text>There is a Maryland Park Explorers Grant Pilot Program in the Department.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The purpose of the pilot program is to provide Anne Arundel County and Baltimore County with equal funds to establish local Park Explorers Pilot Programs.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>A local Park Explorers Pilot Program shall:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Target youth populations with minimal access to green space in an effort to bridge socioeconomic and resource gaps through free, accessible, and conveniently located programming;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Promote the positive impacts that spending time outdoors has on long–term developmental and social well–being;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Provide conservation–related messaging, including sustainable practices, to further participant understanding of the benefits of green space and its direct impact on the environment and watersheds; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Incorporate local history and cultural impacts in its messaging to highlight the diverse cultural contributions to current social events and developed histories.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>On or before October 1, 2023, and each October 1 thereafter, each participating county shall submit to the Department a report on the implementation of the local Park Explorer’s Pilot program, including:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>The number of participants;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The number of participants from populations with minimal access to green space; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>The results of participant surveys, including feedback on whether the participant had a positive or negative experience in the Park Explorer’s Pilot program.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A county shall report the information required under paragraph (1) of this subsection in the aggregate and disaggregated by:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Hispanic or Latino of any race;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>For individuals who are non–Hispanic or non–Latino only:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>American Indian or Alaska Native;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>Asian;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>Black or African American;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="4">
          <text>Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="5">
          <text>White; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="6">
          <text>Two or more races; and</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Individuals who have limited English proficiency.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>On or before December 1, 2024, and each December 1 thereafter, the Department, in collaboration with the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association, shall submit a report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly, on the effectiveness of the Maryland Park Explorers Grant Pilot Program.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The report shall include:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>A recommendation on whether the pilot program should:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>Continue; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>Be expanded statewide; and</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Information regarding whether any other county has expressed interest in participating in the pilot program.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>For fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $100,000 for the Maryland Park Explorers Grant Pilot Program.</text>
  </level>
</section>
