Maryland Education Section 18-705

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

            (1)      "Authorized employment" means employment as a child care provider which is:

                  (i)      At least 15 hours each week; and

                  (ii)      Licensed under Title 5, Subtitle 5, Part VII of the Family Law Article.

            (2)      "Child care centers" has the same meaning as under § 5-570 of the Family Law Article.

            (3)      "Child care provider" means a person employed:

                  (i)      As a family day care provider; or

                  (ii)      At a child care center as a:

                        1.      Senior staff member; or

                        2.      Staff aid under the full-time, on-site supervision of a senior staff member or director of a child care center.

            (4)      "Eligible institution" means an accredited college or university that has a program of studies leading to a child development associate credential from the child development associate consortium or an associate or bachelor degree in child development or early childhood education.

            (5)      "Eligible program" means a program approved by the Office and offered by an eligible institution that provides studies leading to:

                  (i)      A child development associate credential from the child development associate consortium; or

                  (ii)      An undergraduate degree or an associate degree with a curriculum concentration qualifying the degree holder to apply for a child development associate credential from the child development associate consortium; or

                  (iii)      An associate or bachelor degree in child development or early childhood education.

            (6)      "Family day care provider" means an individual who provides family day care in a family day care home registered under Title 5, Subtitle 5, Part V of the Family Law Article.

            (7)      "Recipient" means a recipient of tuition assistance under this section.

            (8)      "Service obligation" means the obligation of a recipient to provide child care services as a senior staff member or director at a child care center, or as a family day care provider in the State.

            (9)      "Tuition assistance" means any funds provided for the cost of basic instructional charges, fees, room, board, or other related educational expenses.

      (b)      (1)      Economic Development Student Assistance Grants may be awarded as tuition assistance grants to train child care providers.

            (2)      The Commission shall adopt guidelines or regulations to determine academic criteria for the selection of tuition assistance recipients from eligible applicants.

      (c)      (1)      The Office of Student Financial Assistance shall award annually to eligible applicants tuition assistance grants for the education of persons training to be child care providers.

            (2)      A recipient of a tuition assistance award under this section shall:

                  (i)      Be selected by the Office of Student Financial Assistance from qualified applicants based on competitive standards;

                  (ii)      Be enrolled as a:

                        1.      Full-time student in an eligible program; or

                        2.      Part-time student in an eligible program if the student submits to the Office evidence of authorized employment as a child care provider; or

                  (iii)      Sign a letter of intent to enroll at an eligible institution as a:

                        1.      Full-time student in an eligible program; or

                        2.      Part-time student in an eligible program, if evidence of authorized employment as a child care provider is submitted with the letter of intent; and

                  (iv)      Satisfy any additional criteria the Office of Student Financial Assistance may establish.

            (3)      The annual amount of tuition assistance granted to a recipient under this section may not exceed $2,000.

            (4)      A recipient of tuition assistance may reapply for an award if the recipient:

                  (i)      Remains enrolled as a full-time student in an eligible program; or

                  (ii)      Remains enrolled as a part-time student and continues to hold authorized employment as a child care provider; and

                  (iii)      Satisfies any additional criteria the Office of Student Financial Assistance may establish.

      (d)      In accordance with § 18-701(e) of this subtitle, a recipient of a tuition assistance grant awarded under this section shall repay the Office of Student Financial Assistance if the recipient does not:

            (1)      Complete at least 90 classroom hours in an eligible program in early childhood curriculum and child development, which are specifically directed to the needs of children who are between the ages of 0 and 8 years;

            (2)      (i)      Work for 1 year with a group of children in a licensed early childhood program; or

                  (ii)      Successfully complete 1 year of part-time or full-time study in an accredited institution of higher education;

            (3)      Earn an associate or bachelor degree in child development or early childhood education or a valid child development associate credential from the child development associate consortium; and

            (4)      Perform the service obligation.

      (e)      (1)      Funds for the tuition assistance grants awarded under this section shall be as provided by the Governor in the annual budget of the Commission.

            (2)      Funds for the tuition assistance grants provided under this section may not:

                  (i)      Be used to supplant funds of any other program; or

                  (ii)      Exceed the amount necessary to make 100 awards each year.