§ 9–4119
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., State Gov't § 9-4119 (2026)
Title 9. Miscellaneous Executive Agencies
Subtitle 41. Department of Social and Economic Mobility
§ 9–4119LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This section applies to the following minority business enterprises:
(1)
a publicly owned business if 1 or more minority persons own at least 51% of the stock of the business; or
(2)
any other business if 1 or more minority persons own at least 50% of the business.
(b)
Subject to the limitations of any law that governs the activities of other units of the Executive Branch of the State government, the Special Secretary shall:
(1)
carry out each State or federal program that is created to promote the growth of or participation in minority business enterprises;
(2)
promote and coordinate training regarding the requirements of the Minority Business Enterprise Program;
(3)
promote, coordinate, and participate in the plans, programs, and operations of the State government that promote or otherwise affect the establishment, preservation, and strengthening of minority business enterprises;
(4)
promote activities and the use of the resources of the State government, local governments, and private entities for the growth of minority business enterprises;
(5)
coordinate the effort of private entities and public agencies to develop minority business enterprises;
(6)
establish a system to develop, collect, summarize, and give out information that would help a person to:
(i)
establish a minority business enterprise;
(ii)
operate a minority business enterprise successfully; or
(iii)
promote the establishment and successful operation of minority business enterprises;
(7)
establish a mentoring program:
(i)
in which larger and more established minority businesses can mentor start–up and small minority businesses; and
(ii)
that incentivizes mentor participation by providing benefits to mentors, including:
(1)
special recognition on the Office website, and in the Office newsletter and participation updates;
(2)
a certificate of participation awarded by the Office;
(3)
the opportunity to present highlights of mentor and protege relationships at an annual appreciation event sponsored by the Office; and
(4)
increased networking and educational opportunities;
(8)
conduct a feasibility study for creating a technical assistance program in the Office that provides one–on–one assistance to minority businesses in submitting competitive and successful bids and proposals for procurement contracts;
(9)
provide training and educational opportunities for nonminority prime contractors regarding the duties and responsibilities of a prime contractor with respect to minority businesses; and
(10)
subject to the limitations of law and the availability of funds:
(i)
provide technical and managerial assistance to minority business enterprises;
(ii)
provide the managerial and organizational framework for private entities and units of the State government to plan and carry out joint undertakings that relate to minority business enterprises;
(iii)
pay, wholly or partly, the costs of a pilot or demonstration project that is intended to overcome the special problems of minority business enterprises; and
(iv)
establish an annual awards program to recognize localities that demonstrate the highest excellence in minority business enterprise support.