In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Community program” means: a program that is established and sponsored by a local law enforcement agency to: provide recreational or athletic opportunities for members of the community; improve relations between citizens and law enforcement; or otherwise benefit or improve the community; or a violence intervention program established and supported by a local law enforcement agency or another agency of a local government. “Executive Director” means the Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy. “Fund” means the Community Program Fund. “Local law enforcement agency” means the police department of a county or municipal corporation in the State.

There is a Community Program Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to assist: local law enforcement agencies in establishing community programs; and agencies of a local government in establishing violence intervention programs. The Executive Director 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, in conjunction with the Executive Director. The Fund consists of: money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; investment earnings of the Fund; and money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund. For fiscal year 2018 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation to the Fund of $500,000. The Fund may be used only to make grants as provided under this subtitle. The Fund may not be used for administrative expenses. The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested. Any investment earnings of the Fund shall be paid into the Fund.

The Executive Director shall establish procedures for agencies to apply for money from the Fund. An agency that applies for money from the Fund shall provide the Executive Director with: a description of the activities and functions of the community program for which the money is requested; the eligibility requirements for participation in the community program; the number of participants in the community program; and any other information that the Executive Director considers necessary. The Executive Director shall make grants from the Fund to: local law enforcement agencies to support community programs; and agencies of a local government to support violence intervention programs. The amount of each grant shall be in proportion to the number of agencies that apply for money from the Fund. The agency shall submit to the Executive Director proof of expenditures of the grant for the community program. Money distributed under this subtitle shall be used to supplement and not supplant any other funding for a community program. The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy and the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission shall provide technical assistance to agencies in applying for: money from the Fund; or other federal, State, or private grants for community programs.