In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Community organization” means a neighborhood association recognized by the political subdivision in which it is located. “Program” means the Maryland Entertainment District Security Grant Program.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Entertainment district” means a one–half square mile area in the State in which one of the following is present: a high density of establishments licensed to serve alcoholic beverages for on–site consumption; a high density of establishments that are hookah bars; or a high density of establishments that regularly host live entertainment for their patrons or members of the public. “Executive Director” means the Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. There is a Maryland Entertainment District Security Grant Program. The purpose of the Program is to assist community organizations, nonprofit entities, and local governments to fund security operations during times of high pedestrian traffic in entertainment districts from which a higher than average number of calls for police assistance in response to reported crime are placed. The Executive Director shall establish: an application process for community organizations and nonprofit entities located in entertainment districts, and local governments with entertainment districts located within the jurisdiction, to apply for grant funding from the Program; eligibility criteria for selecting recipients for grant funding from the Program; and minimum criteria for an entertainment district for the purpose of determining eligibility for grant funding from the Program, including: the density of establishments licensed to serve alcohol for on–site consumption, hookah bars, or establishments that regularly host live entertainment for their patrons or members of the public; the amount of pedestrian traffic; and the number of calls for police assistance in response to reported crimes.

In this section, “Fund” means the Maryland Entertainment District Security Grant Program Fund. There is a Maryland Entertainment District Security Grant Program Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to provide funding for grants awarded under the Program. The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy shall administer the Fund. The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund. The Fund consists of: money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; and any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund. Beginning in fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor may annually appropriate up to $1,000,000 to the Fund. The Fund may be used only: to fund grants to community organizations, nonprofit entities, and local governments through the Program; and for costs to administer the Fund. The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested. Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the General Fund of the State. Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget. Money expended from the Fund for the Program is supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding that otherwise would be appropriated for the Program.