(a) On or before December 1 each year, the Office shall submit a report to the State Superintendent, the State Board, the Interagency Commission on School Construction, the Governor, and, in accordance with § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly. (b) The report shall include information on: (1) The Office's goals and priorities for the upcoming year; (2) The Office's activities during the preceding year; (3) The number of incidents, in the aggregate, and a general summary of the nature of the reported incidents, referred to the appropriate federal, State, or local law enforcement authority, local State's Attorney's office, Office of the Attorney General, Office of the State Prosecutor, or federal agency during the preceding year; (4) Specific findings and recommendations relating to: (i) Instances of fraud, waste, or abuse involving the use of public funds and property; (ii) Violations of the civil rights of students or employees; (iii) Policies and procedures related to child abuse and neglect and compliance with applicable federal and State laws; and (iv) Compliance with other applicable federal and State laws; and (5) Any regulatory or statutory changes necessary to ensure compliance with applicable federal and State laws. §9.11-101. IN EFFECT // EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2026 PER CHAPTER 480 OF 2022 // (a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) "Fund" means the Maryland Farm-to-School Meal Grant Fund. (c) "Local" means an agricultural product grown, harvested, produced, or processed from a certified local farm. (d) "Pilot program" means the Maryland Farm-to-School Meal Grant Pilot Program. §9.11-102. IN EFFECT // EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2026 PER CHAPTER 480 OF 2022 // (a) There is a Maryland Farm-to-School Meal Grant Pilot Program in the Department. (b) The purpose of the pilot program is to incentivize the production, procurement, and provision of local foods in school meals by awarding grants in accordance with this title. §9.11-103. IN EFFECT // EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2026 PER CHAPTER 480 OF 2022 // (a) There is a Maryland Farm-to-School Meal Grant Fund. (b) The Department, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture, shall administer the Fund. (c) (1) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7- 302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. (2) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund. (d) The Fund consists of: (1) Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; and (2) Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund. (e) (1) The Fund shall be used to award grants to eligible school districts to implement the Maryland Farm-to-School Meal Grant Pilot Program. (2) A local school district is eligible to receive a grant award from the Fund if the local school district operates reimbursable federal nutrition programs. (f) (1) The Department shall award grants from the Fund in accordance with this section to eligible local school districts in an amount equivalent to 20 cents for each meal that the school district expects to offer that will include a local food component. (2) The local school district may determine the meals, participating schools, and time frame for which the local school district may include a local food component. (3) A local school district may use grant money for the purchase, processing, procurement, staffing, or infrastructure investments needed to meet the number of meals with a local food component. (g) In awarding grants under this section, the Department shall prioritize local school districts that: (1) Demonstrate how meal reimbursements would support the development, cultivation, and longstanding commitment to the incorporation of local food components into school meals; and (2) Demonstrate arrangements that support minority or socially disadvantaged producers, processors, distributors, or businesses. (h) (1) On or before July 1, 2023, and July 1, 2024, in accordance with § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, the Department shall submit an interim report to the General Assembly that provides an evaluation of the pilot program. (2) On or before July 1, 2025, the Department shall submit a final report, in accordance with § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly on the pilot program, including a recommendation on whether or not the pilot program should be continued.
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