Maryland Education Section 18-303.1

      (a)      In this section, "Program" means the College Readiness Outreach Program.

      (b)      The Commission and the Department, in collaboration with county boards of education, county superintendents, and institutions of higher education, shall jointly administer the College Readiness Outreach Program.

      (c)      The Program shall provide guidance to students who qualify for a Guaranteed Access Grant in 9th or 10th grade to assist the students in successfully:

            (1)      Completing a college preparatory curriculum;

            (2)      Graduating from high school; and

            (3)      Matriculating at an institution of higher education as defined in §§ 18-305 and 18-308 of this subtitle.

      (d)      (1)      The Commission and the Department shall designate statewide and regional coordinators for the Program.

            (2)      The statewide and regional coordinators shall:

                  (i)      Work with county boards of education and county superintendents to provide guidance and one-on-one mentoring to participating students in high school; and

                  (ii)      Publicize the Program through community outreach and marketing materials.

      (e)      The Commission and the Department may enter into agreements with existing organizations that provide counseling and mentoring services to fulfill the requirements of this section.

      (f)      The Commission and the Department may supplement professional mentors with:

            (1)      Postsecondary students receiving work-study assistance at Maryland institutions of higher education; and

            (2)      Secondary students in 11th and 12th grades who are successfully completing high school graduation requirements.

      (g)      (1)      Funds for the Program shall be as provided in the State budget.

            (2)      To the extent that funds are provided, the State shall provide 50 percent of the costs associated with the local administration and one-on-one mentoring components of the Program, except that in a county that meets the requirements of a "qualified distressed county" under Article 83A, § 5-1501(a)(8) of the Code the State shall provide 75 percent of the costs.

      (h)      The Commission and the Department may adopt regulations necessary to implement this section.