1. (a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, an agency or organization shall be approved by 2-1-1 Maryland as a 2-1-1 Maryland call center in order to provide 2-1-1 services in the State.

2. (b) When approving a 2-1-1 service provider, 2-1-1 Maryland shall consider:

   1. (1) The ability of the proposed 2-1-1 service provider to meet the national 2-1-1 standards recommended by:

      1. (i) The Alliance of Information and Referral Systems and adopted by the National 2-1-1 Collaborative; or
      2. (ii) An equivalent entity;
   2. (2) The financial stability of the proposed 2-1-1 service provider;
   3. (3) Any community support for the proposed 2-1-1 service provider;
   4. (4) Any experience that the proposed 2-1-1 service provider has with other information and referral services;
   5. (5) The degree to which the county in which the proposed call center is to be located has dedicated substantial resources to the establishment of a single telephone source for non-emergency inquiries regarding county services; and
   6. (6) Any other criteria that 2-1-1 Maryland considers appropriate.
3. (c) If an agency of the State that provides health and human services establishes a public information telephone line or hotline, the agency shall consult with 2-1-1 Maryland about using the 2-1-1 system to provide public access to information.

Added by Acts 2010, c. 310, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2010; Acts 2010, c. 311, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2010. Amended by Acts 2020, c. 294, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2020; Acts 2020, c. 295, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2020; Acts 2022, c. 135, § 1, eff. April 12, 2022; Acts 2024, c. 840, § 1, eff. June 1, 2024.