1. (a)

   1. (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
   2. (2) “Affiliated service” means a book-gifting service performed by a nonprofit organization that is tax exempt under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or a unit of State, county, or municipal government that forms an affiliated partnership with an early reader organization.

   3. (3) “Early reader organization” means a nonprofit organization:

      1. (i) That is tax exempt under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
      2. (ii) Whose mission is to distribute to children free, high-quality books designed to aid the development of reading skills.
   4. (4) “Program” means the Young Readers Matching Grant Program.
2. (b) There is a Young Readers Matching Grant Program in the State Library Agency.

3. (c) The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to public libraries and affiliated services to:

   1. (1) Support the establishment and operation of affiliated services; and
   2. (2) Contribute an amount equal to the amount of funding provided for the operation of an affiliated service.
4. (d) The State Librarian shall administer the Program.

5. (e)

   1. (1) A public library or an affiliated service may submit an application for a program grant on the form that the State Librarian requires.
   2. (2) An application for a program grant shall include a plan to ensure that the public library or the affiliated service is able to gift books to eligible children, including children in low-income zip codes within its area of service.
   3. (3) A program grant shall be disbursed to a public library or an affiliated service that qualifies for the Program.

6. (f) The State Library Board shall:

   1. (1) On or before December 1, 2024, and every other year thereafter, report to the General Assembly on the effectiveness of the Program in accordance with § 2-1257 of the State Government Article; and
   2. (2) Collect statistics and other information necessary for this purpose.
7. (g) For each fiscal year, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $350,000 to the Program.

Added as Human Services § 8-1403 by Acts 2022, c. 446, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022; Acts 2022, c. 447, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022. Renumbered as Education § 23-111 and amended by Acts 2023, c. 649, §§ 2, 3, eff. Oct. 1, 2023; Acts 2023, c. 650, §§ 2, 3, eff. Oct. 1, 2023.