The Secretary may adopt regulations to implement this subtitle. §7-1501. ** CONTINGENCY - NOT IN EFFECT - CHAPTERS 6 AND 13 OF THE 2025 SPECIAL SESSION ** (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) "Department" means the Department of Disabilities. (c) "Eligible individual" means a resident of the State with a disability, as defined in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12102. (d) "Fund" means the Maryland Disability Service Animal Program Fund. (e) "Nonprofit training entity" means a corporation, a foundation, or any other legal entity that: (1) is tax-exempt under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) engages in the training of service animals for use by eligible individuals; and (3) has been selected by the Department to provide services under this subtitle. (f) "Program" means the Maryland Disability Service Animal Program established under this subtitle. (g) "Program participant" means an eligible individual who participates in the Program. (h) (1) "Service animal" means an animal that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. (2) "Service animal" does not include an animal that: (i) as a result of the animal's presence, is meant to deter crime; or (ii) provides only emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship to an individual. (i) "Successful Program participant" means a Program participant who successfully completes the training protocol specified by a nonprofit training entity. §7-1502. ** CONTINGENCY - NOT IN EFFECT - CHAPTERS 6 AND 13 OF THE 2025 SPECIAL SESSION ** There is a Maryland Disability Service Animal Program in the Department. §7-1503. ** CONTINGENCY - NOT IN EFFECT - CHAPTERS 6 AND 13 OF THE 2025 SPECIAL SESSION ** The purposes of the Program are to: (1) select one or more nonprofit training entities to participate in the Program; and (2) provide additional funding mechanisms to assist eligible individuals in the Program. §7-1504. ** CONTINGENCY - NOT IN EFFECT - CHAPTERS 6 AND 13 OF THE 2025 SPECIAL SESSION ** The Department shall: (1) administer the Program; (2) adopt regulations to implement the Program, including regulations establishing procedures for the Department to: (i) receive donations for the Fund; and (ii) use revenue from the Fund to pay selected nonprofit training entities for services that are provided through the Program; and (3) select at least one nonprofit training entity to: (i) develop and implement a training protocol that will teach each Program participant methodologies, strategies, and techniques for partnering with service animals; (ii) select qualified Program participants; (iii) select an appropriate service animal for each Program participant; (iv) facilitate each Program participant's training using the nonprofit training entity's training protocol; and (v) partner each successful Program participant with the service animal on the Program participant's successful completion of the nonprofit training entity's training protocol. §7-1505. ** CONTINGENCY - NOT IN EFFECT - CHAPTERS 6 AND 13 OF THE 2025 SPECIAL SESSION ** (a) To be eligible for selection as a nonprofit training entity under § 7-1204 of this subtitle, a nonprofit training entity shall: (1) serve the needs of eligible individuals in the State; and (2) generate its own revenue and reinvest the proceeds of that revenue in the growth and development of its programs. (b) A nonprofit training entity may disqualify a Program participant from participation in the Program if the nonprofit training entity determines that the Program participant's involvement in the Program: (1) presents a danger to the Program participant's mental or physical well-being; (2) presents a direct threat to others, as defined by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act; (3) presents a direct threat to the service animal's mental or physical well-being; or (4) does not meet the training requirements of the nonprofit. (c) A Program participant may discontinue involvement in the Program for any reason. §7-1506. ** CONTINGENCY - NOT IN EFFECT - CHAPTERS 6 AND 13 OF THE 2025 SPECIAL SESSION ** (a) There is a Maryland Disability Service Animal Program Fund. (b) The purpose of the Fund is to: (1) pay a nonprofit training entity; and (2) cover the costs of administering the Program. (c) The Secretary shall administer the Fund. (d) (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, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund. (e) (1) The Fund consists of: (i) revenue collected by the Department in the form of donations to the Program; (ii) money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; and (iii) any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund. (2) For each fiscal year, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $25,000 to the Fund. (3) Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget. (4) Money expended from the Fund is supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding that otherwise would be appropriated for the Program. (f) The Fund may be used only to pay: (1) a nonprofit training entity; and (2) administrative costs of the Program. (g) (1) The State Treasurer shall invest and reinvest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested. (2) Any investment earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the General Fund of the State. (h) For the purpose of implementing this section, the Department may accept gifts or grants for donation to the Fund.
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