(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 this section.
(6) (i) “Service obligation” means to work in a targeted position for a minimum period of time, as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, during the 8–year period immediately following the awarding of a scholarship under the Pilot Program for Human Services Careers Scholarship established under § 18–3902 of the Education Article.
(ii) The service obligation period shall be 15 months for each academic year that the scholarship is awarded, regardless of the credit hours or semesters completed by the recipient during the academic year.
(7) “Targeted positions” means the following positions in the Department 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) There is a Pilot Program for Human Services Careers.
(2) The purpose of the Pilot Program is to:
(i) encourage collaboration between the Department and eligible local school systems to assist students in establishing careers in targeted positions in the Department; and
(ii) assist current employees of the Department and employees in targeted positions in the Department to establish careers in targeted positions in the Department.
(3) The Department shall work with eligible local school systems to meet the requirements under § 7–132 of the Education Article regarding the Pilot Program.
(c) (1) In hiring for targeted positions, the Department shall prioritize applicants who:
(i) graduated from a high school in an eligible local school system; and
(ii) participated in the Pilot Program through the local school system or as an employee of the Department.
(2) If an applicant who meets the criteria described in paragraph (1) of this subsection is hired to fill a targeted position in the Department, the Department shall award a one–time stipend of $500 to the employee.
(d) (1) If the Department hires an applicant who graduated from a high school in an eligible local school system to fill a targeted position, the Department shall assign to the new employee a mentor who works in the Department.
(2) The Department shall:
(i) solicit applications from employees to serve as mentors to new employees hired in accordance with this section;
(ii) select qualified employees to serve as mentors based on criteria determined by the Department; and
(iii) negotiate mentor compensation with each exclusive representative.
(3) A mentor assigned to a new employee shall:
(i) serve as an expert resource on the Department for the employee; and
(ii) be compensated by the Department for serving as a mentor.
(4) The Department shall create a support system network for the employees who want to participate in the Pilot Program.
(e) (1) The Department shall provide to employees and other interested individuals outside the Department information regarding the career opportunities that are available in targeted positions in the Department.
(2) The information shall include:
(i) the qualifications necessary for each targeted position;
(ii) the salary range for each targeted position;
(iii) contact information for individuals who can help employees obtain the qualifications necessary for a targeted position; and
(iv) a description of and contact information for the Pilot Program for Human Services Careers Scholarship established under § 18–3902 of the Education Article.
(f) The Department, in collaboration with a scholarship recipient, shall develop a work schedule that enables the scholarship recipient to maintain a course load consistent with the intent of the Pilot Program.
(g) If an employee obtains a necessary credential or degree to work in a targeted position in the Department, the Department shall award a one–time stipend of $500 to the employee.
(h) Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter the minimum qualifications for any of the targeted positions included in this section.
(i) On or before December 1, 2024, and each December 1 thereafter, the Department shall collaborate with the eligible local school systems to submit a report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the Pilot Program, including:
(1) activities conducted by each eligible local school system to assist students in establishing careers in targeted positions in the Department;
(2) the number of individuals participating in the Pilot Program from each eligible local school system and in the Department; and
(3) the number of individuals awarded a Scholarship from the Pilot Program for Human Services Careers Scholarship established under § 18–3902 of the Education Article.
(j) On or before December 1, 2028, the Department shall submit a report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the effectiveness of the Pilot Program in accomplishing the goals of the Pilot Program in increasing employment in targeted positions in the Department.