§ 7-132

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2) “Career” means an occupation that provides opportunities for upward mobility and professional progress.

(3) “Eligible county” means:

(i) Baltimore City;

(ii) Baltimore County; or

(iii) Prince George’s County.

(4) “Eligible local school system” means:

(i) The Baltimore City public school system;

(ii) The Baltimore County public school system; or

(iii) The Prince George’s County public school system.

(5) “Pilot Program” means the Pilot Program for Human Services Careers established under § 2–303 of the Human Services Article.

(6) “Scholarship” means the Pilot Program for Human Services Careers Scholarship established under § 18–3902 of this article.

(7) “Targeted positions” means the following positions in the Department of Human Services in an eligible county:

(i) Child Support Specialist Series;

(ii) Family Investment Specialist Series;

(iii) Family Support Worker Series;

(iv) Family SVS Caseworker Series; and

(v) Social Worker Series.

(b) (1) Under the Pilot Program, eligible local school systems and the Department of Human Services shall collaborate to assist students in establishing careers in targeted positions in the Department of Human Services.

(2) Each eligible local school system shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Human Services for the Pilot Program that shall include:

(i) Clear goals for the Pilot Program and actionable items to meet those goals, including identifying specific schools or numbers of students to participate in the Pilot Program; and

(ii) A commitment to publicize the Pilot Program, including the availability of:

1. Stipends for students hired to work in targeted positions in the Department of Human Services after graduation from a high school in an eligible local school system; and

2. The Scholarship.

(c) Each eligible local school system shall:

(1) Identify students who may be interested in working for the State after graduating from high school;

(2) Publicize the Pilot Program, including emphasizing the career opportunities and benefits;

(3) Work with the Department of Human Services to develop internship opportunities at the Department of Human Services and provide course credit to students participating in the internships;

(4) Schedule at least one career day each semester for representatives of the Department of Human Services to present to students in the school system information about career opportunities in targeted positions in the Department of Human Services and the necessary qualifications;

(5) Work with the Department of Human Services to identify the knowledge and skills necessary for targeted positions in the Department of Human Services and incorporate teaching the knowledge and skills into the curriculum of a required course; and

(6) Include the discussion of career opportunities at the Department of Human Services as part of the individualized career counseling services in the Career Counseling Program for Middle and High School Students established under § 7–127 of this subtitle.

(d) The Department of Human Services shall assist an eligible local school system with the requirements of subsection (c) of this section.

(e) If a student is hired to work in a targeted position in the Department of Human Services after graduation from a high school in an eligible local school system, the Department of Human Services shall award a one–time stipend of $500 to the employee.