<section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="10-101" title_number="10" title_name="Employee Training Program; Awards and Benefits" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Employee Training Program"> <text>Except as otherwise provided, this title applies to all employees in the State Personnel Management System.</text> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="10-102" title_number="10" title_name="Employee Training Program; Awards and Benefits" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Employee Training Program"> <text>There is an employee training program administered by the Department.</text> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="10-103" title_number="10" title_name="Employee Training Program; Awards and Benefits" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Employee Training Program"> <text>The purposes of the training program are to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>develop the capabilities of employees;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>train employees to perform their duties with maximum efficiency;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>attract individuals to State employment; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>train managers and supervisors to be knowledgeable and skilled in the fair application of laws, rules, and guidelines.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="10-104" title_number="10" title_name="Employee Training Program; Awards and Benefits" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Employee Training Program"> <text>Except as otherwise provided by law, staff supervision of all development and training is the responsibility of the Secretary, to be carried out in accordance with the policies and regulations adopted by the Secretary.</text> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="10-105" title_number="10" title_name="Employee Training Program; Awards and Benefits" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Employee Training Program"> <text>Public funds may be used to supplement and subsidize training and development only when the Secretary certifies that the expenditures are in accordance with State training policies and regulations.</text> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="10-201" title_number="10" title_name="Employee Training Program; Awards and Benefits" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incentive Awards in the Executive Branch"> <text>In this subtitle, “principal unit” means a principal unit in the Executive Branch of State government, including any unit with independent pay-setting authority.</text> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="10-202" title_number="10" title_name="Employee Training Program; Awards and Benefits" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incentive Awards in the Executive Branch"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, this subtitle applies to all employees of all units in the Executive Branch of State government, including a unit with independent pay-setting authority.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This subtitle does not apply to any employee who holds a position that is included in the Executive Pay Plan.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="10-203" title_number="10" title_name="Employee Training Program; Awards and Benefits" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incentive Awards in the Executive Branch"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “innovative idea” means an invention, innovative suggestion, or any other innovative idea.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>There is an Innovative Idea Awards Program for employees.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>An innovative idea award may be awarded for an innovative idea that, if implemented, would:</text> <level label="i"> <text>increase revenue to the State;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>save money for the State;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>improve the quality of services delivered to the public; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>otherwise significantly benefit the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except under exceptional circumstances, an award may not be made for an innovative idea that is under active study or continual review by a unit of State government.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The head of each principal unit shall establish a labor–management review committee, with half of the members being selected from the exclusive representatives, if any, to evaluate and recommend awards for innovative ideas by employees of that unit.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>To the extent possible, within 60 days after an innovative idea is submitted to the labor–management review committee, the head of the unit shall decide whether to give an innovative idea award.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The innovative idea may be received directly from an employee through an application, or forwarded by the employee’s supervisor.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>For an innovative idea, the head of a principal unit may give an employee of that unit a cash award of not more than:</text> <level label="1"> <text>$1,000 for an innovative idea with a reasonably ascertainable monetary savings or gain to the State; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>$300 for any other innovative idea.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>There is a Governor’s Award Panel.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Governor’s Award Panel consists of five members appointed by the Governor, at least three of whom shall be public members who serve without compensation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The head of a principal unit, in consultation with the labor–management review committee, shall submit to the Governor’s Award Panel each innovative idea for which an award is made under subsection (e) of this section, with a recommendation for any additional award by the Governor.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Governor’s Award Panel shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>review each innovative idea submitted to it;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>at least once a year, make a recommendation to the Governor about additional awards for the innovative ideas; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>recommend to the Governor either monetary or nonmonetary awards for the employees’ innovative ideas.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The Governor may make an additional cash award for an innovative idea.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The cash award may not exceed $20,000.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Governor may grant paid administrative leave, not exceeding 20 workdays.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>The State’s use of an innovative idea:</text> <level label="1"> <text>does not entitle the employee submitting the innovative idea to an award under this section; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>does not give rise to any claim by the employee or the heirs or assigns of the employee.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="10-204" title_number="10" title_name="Employee Training Program; Awards and Benefits" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incentive Awards in the Executive Branch"> <level label="a"> <text>There is an Incentive Performance Awards Program for employees.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>An incentive performance award for extraordinary service may be awarded for extraordinary performance in the public interest in connection with an employee's State employment.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For extraordinary service, the head of a principal unit may make the following awards to an employee or members of a group of employees in that unit:</text> <level label="i"> <text>cash of not more than $300;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a gift of not more than $300 in value;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>paid administrative leave of not more than 3 days; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>any combination of cash, gift, and leave of not more than $300 in value.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An employee may only receive one incentive performance award under this subsection in any 12-month period.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>An incentive performance award for outstanding service in connection with State employment over a sustained period or a special State project may be awarded for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>exceptional performance that exceeds the knowledge, skill, or ability required by the employee's position; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>exceptionally meritorious acts or services in the public interest.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For outstanding service, the head of a principal unit may make a cash award of not more than $3,000 to an employee of that unit.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An employee may only receive one incentive performance award under this subsection in any 24-month period.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Before making an award, the head of a principal unit shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>establish criteria for administering the Incentive Performance Awards Program, including standards of eligibility; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>ensure that the employees in the unit have copies of the criteria.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The head of the unit may amend the criteria at any time, but an amendment is not effective until the employees in the unit have been sent a copy of the amendment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The head of a principal unit may delegate to any subordinate supervising unit head the authority to make awards under this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="10-205" title_number="10" title_name="Employee Training Program; Awards and Benefits" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incentive Awards in the Executive Branch"> <text>An award made under this subtitle is in addition to the regular pay of the recipient.</text> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="10-206" title_number="10" title_name="Employee Training Program; Awards and Benefits" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incentive Awards in the Executive Branch"> <text>A determination under this subtitle about any award or proposed award is not subject to employee grievance procedures.</text> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="10-207" title_number="10" title_name="Employee Training Program; Awards and Benefits" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incentive Awards in the Executive Branch"> <text>A cash award and expenses related to other awards under this subtitle shall be paid:</text> <level label="1"> <text>from increased revenue or monetary savings attributable to the innovative idea or service;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>from the funds of any principal unit that employs the employee or that benefits from the innovative idea or service; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="10-208" title_number="10" title_name="Employee Training Program; Awards and Benefits" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incentive Awards in the Executive Branch"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary shall adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Regulations to implement the Innovative Idea Awards Program shall be made with the concurrence of the Governor's Award Panel.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, the head of each principal unit shall submit to the Secretary a report on all awards made under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The report shall be made on the form and in the manner that the Secretary requires.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="10-301" title_number="10" title_name="Employee Training Program; Awards and Benefits" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Length of Service Awards"> <text>This subtitle applies to nontemporary employees in the State Personnel Management System.</text> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="10-302" title_number="10" title_name="Employee Training Program; Awards and Benefits" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Length of Service Awards"> <text>To recognize length of State service, the Secretary shall give to each employee subject to this subtitle an appropriate emblem and certificate for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the first 10 years of service; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>each additional 5 years of service.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="10-401" title_number="10" title_name="Employee Training Program; Awards and Benefits" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Benefits"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section and § 10-404 of this subtitle, this subtitle applies to all employees of all units in the Executive Branch of State government.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as provided in § 10-404 of this subtitle, this subtitle does not apply to a unit with an independent personnel system.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="10-402" title_number="10" title_name="Employee Training Program; Awards and Benefits" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Benefits"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to a temporary employee.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>When a principal unit plans the closure of a facility where 50 or more employees regularly work, that unit shall give the employees of that facility notice of the planned closure of the facility.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the notice shall be given at least 6 months before closing a facility.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In any year in which the Governor fails to include sufficient funds in the annual budget to operate a facility, thereby precipitating the closure of the facility, the notice shall be given no later than 30 days following the submission of the annual budget bill to the General Assembly.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Whenever the General Assembly in any year fails to appropriate sufficient funds in the annual budget to operate a facility, thereby precipitating the closure of the facility, the notice shall be given no later than 30 days following the close of that session of the General Assembly.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If requested by an employee who is to be laid off, immediately following the notice, the department or other independent unit that plans the closure shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>begin to provide intensive job counseling and training referral for the affected employees;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>make efforts to relocate or transfer the affected employees to other departmental positions in the State; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>notify the Department of Budget and Management and the Maryland Department of Labor of any employees who are adversely affected.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Department of Budget and Management shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>develop a list of State classifications with their comparable classifications, if any; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>with the assistance of the Maryland Department of Labor, make efforts to relocate the affected State employees to vacant State positions.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Maryland Department of Labor shall develop a program to assist adversely affected State employees by providing retraining and other appropriate employment and training services.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Secretary shall adopt rules and regulations to implement this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="10-403" title_number="10" title_name="Employee Training Program; Awards and Benefits" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Benefits"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, an employee subject to this subtitle is entitled to reimbursement for the loss of any wearing apparel, jewelry, eyeglasses, or prosthetic device damaged or destroyed as a result of an intentional act by a client, patient, prisoner, or other individual who is in the care or custody of the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Reimbursement is allowed under this section only if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the loss occurs while the employee is engaged in the performance of job duties;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the item is on the person of the employee when it is damaged or destroyed; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the employee gives a written report of the estimated loss to the employee's immediate supervisor before the close of business on the employee's next workday.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>To the extent that the employee is not reimbursed under any other State law, the employee's unit shall reimburse the employee under this section for the amount of the loss, but not more than $100 for each item.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Each reimbursement under this section is subject to reasonable verification of the value of the item when the damage or destruction occurs.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="10-404" title_number="10" title_name="Employee Training Program; Awards and Benefits" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Benefits"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Child” means any natural, adopted, or posthumous child, or stepchild, or the decedent who is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>18 years of age or under; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>over 18 years of age and incapable of self–support because of a physical or mental disability.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Stepchild” means any child of the surviving spouse who was living with or dependent for support on the decedent at the time of death.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Unit of State government” means a unit of State government in the Executive, Legislative, or Judicial branches of State government.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section applies to all:</text> <level label="1"> <text>employees in the State Personnel Management System;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>employees in any other authorized personnel system established for a unit of State government; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>members of the Maryland National Guard serving on orders issued in accordance with Title 13 of the Public Safety Article or Title 32 of the United States Code.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a death benefit in the amount of $125,000 shall be paid to the surviving spouse, children, or dependent parents of any employee subject to this section who is killed in the performance of duties on or after July 1, 2000.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A death benefit may not be paid under this paragraph if an employee is killed as a result of the employee’s negligence.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A death benefit may not be paid under this paragraph if a member of the Maryland National Guard who is killed in the performance of duties is eligible to receive dependency and indemnity compensation under rules prescribed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>A death benefit in the amount of $50,000 shall be paid to the surviving spouse, children, or dependent parents of any State employee covered by the provisions of § 1–202 of the Public Safety Article who is killed in the performance of duties on or after July 1, 2000.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A death benefit may not be paid under this paragraph if an employee is killed as a result of the employee’s negligence.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>An individual who receives a death benefit under this paragraph may not also receive a death benefit under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A death benefit under this section shall be in addition to any:</text> <level label="i"> <text>workers’ compensation benefits;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>proceeds of any form of life insurance, regardless of who paid the premiums on the insurance;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>benefit provided to a State employee covered by the provisions of § 1–202 of the Public Safety Article; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>except as provided in paragraph (1)(iii) of this subsection, benefits paid to a member of the Maryland National Guard, the member’s estate, or the member’s beneficiaries or survivors by the United States.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>For fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, the death benefits provided under this subsection in the prior fiscal year shall be adjusted by any change in the calendar year preceding the fiscal year in the Consumer Price Index (All Urban Consumers – United States City Average – All Items), as published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Reasonable funeral expenses, not exceeding $25,000, shall be paid to the surviving spouse, child, or parent or the estate of any employee subject to this section who is killed or dies in the performance of duties.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, the funeral benefit provided in the prior fiscal year shall be adjusted by any change in the calendar year preceding the fiscal year in the Consumer Price Index (All Urban Consumers – United States City Average – All Items), as published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>On notification by the head of the unit that employed the decedent, the Secretary shall determine whether a death benefit will be paid under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Secretary determines that a death benefit is payable, payment shall be made:</text> <level label="i"> <text>to the surviving spouse;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if there is no surviving spouse, to the surviving children, in equal shares; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>if there is no surviving spouse or children, to the surviving parent or parents, if the parent was a dependent as defined in § 152 of the Internal Revenue Code.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A death benefit under this section shall be paid out of funds which the Governor may appropriate for that purpose in the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>A decision of the Secretary under this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is the final administrative decision; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is not subject to appeal under Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> </level> </section>