§ 3-1801

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

(b) “Certify” means to:

(1) complete the employer sections of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program form for a current or former employee; or

(2) share data directly with the U.S. Department of Education about a current or former employee that corresponds to the information required on the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program form.

(c) “Employee” means an individual who is or was employed by a public service employer.

(d) “Full–time” has the meaning stated in 34 C.F.R. § 685.219.

(e) “Institution of higher education” has the meaning stated in § 10–101 of the Education Article.

(f) “Program” means the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program established under 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(m).

(g) (1) “Public service employer” means an employer in the State who is designated as a qualifying employer under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, including:

(i) a State or local government employer, including:

1. an office or a department;

2. an independent agency;

3. a local school system;

4. a public institution of higher education;

5. a public library system; and

6. an authority or other body; and

(ii) an employer designated as a tax–exempt organization under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(2) “Public service employer” does not include a federal or tribal nation government organization, agency, or governmental entity.

(h) “Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program form” means the form used by the U.S. Department of Education to:

(1) certify an individual’s current or former employment with a public service employer; and

(2) determine an individual’s eligibility for the purposes of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

(i) “Student Loan Ombudsman” has the meaning stated in § 2–104.1 of the Financial Institutions Article.