Maryland Labor and Employment Section 8-303

      (a)      (1)      "Public employment office" means an employment office that does not charge a fee to provide services and is:

                  (i)      operated by the State; or

                  (ii)      maintained as part of a State or federal system of employment offices.

            (2)      "Public employment office" includes a branch public employment office.

      (b)      The General Assembly accepts the provisions of the Wagner-Peyser Act for establishment of a national employment system and for cooperation in promotion of the system in conformity with § 4 of the Act.

      (c)      There is an Office of Employment Services in the Division of Employment and Training that is the unit of the State designated to carry out § 4 of the Wagner-Peyser Act.

      (d)      (1)      The head of the Office of Employment Services is the Director who shall be appointed by the Secretary in accordance with:

                  (i)      the provisions of the State Personnel and Pensions Article; and

                  (ii)      regulations adopted by the United States Secretary of Labor.

            (2)      The Director shall devote full-time to the duties of office.

            (3)      The Director is entitled to the salary provided in the State budget.

            (4)      The Director shall:

                  (i)      cooperate with any official or unit of the federal government that has any responsibility under the Wagner-Peyser Act; and

                  (ii)      take any action necessary to secure for the State the benefits under the Wagner-Peyser Act for promotion and maintenance of a system of public employment offices.

      (e)      The Secretary shall employ a staff for the Office of Employment Services in accordance with § 8-304 of this subtitle and regulations adopted by the United States Secretary of Labor.

      (f)      As necessary for administration of this title, the Office of Employment Services shall establish and maintain public employment offices that do not charge a fee to individuals who seek employment.

      (g)      To establish and maintain public employment offices, the Secretary:

            (1)      may enter into an agreement with the Railroad Retirement Board or any other federal unit that is responsible for administration of an unemployment insurance law, a political subdivision of the State, or any private not-for-profit organization; and

            (2)      as part of the agreement, may accept money, services, or office space as a contribution to the Unemployment Insurance Administration Fund.

      (h)      Money in the Unemployment Insurance Administration Fund that the State receives under the Wagner-Peyser Act is available to the Office of Employment Services for use under this section in accordance with that Act.