§ 9-4119

(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.