1. (a) The Secretary may:

   1. (1) Establish qualifications for a person requesting agricultural mediation services from the Department;
   2. (2) Establish qualifications for an individual applying to serve as a mediator in the State agricultural mediation program;
   3. (3) Contract with any qualified individual to provide mediation services for qualified mediation applicants; and
   4. (4) Receive grants for purposes of defraying the costs of the State agricultural mediation program.

2. (b) The Secretary may adopt regulations to:

   1. (1) Meet the requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture for establishing a federally certified State agricultural mediation program; and
   2. (2) Implement the provisions of this subtitle.

Added by Acts 2002, c. 200, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2002.