1. (a) There is an Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy within the Department.

2. (b) The purpose of the Office includes:

   1. (1) the development and implementation of strategies in the State Disabilities Plan, established under § 7-132 of this title, relating to the employment, training, and career-readiness of individuals with disabilities;
   2. (2) performing duties under § 7-114 of this title necessary to support statewide policies and standards relating to the employment, training, and career-readiness of individuals with disabilities;
   3. (3) collecting information and data from units of State government relating to the employment, training, and career-readiness of individuals with disabilities, in accordance with § 7-115 of this title; and
   4. (4) implementing the Maryland as a Model Employer Initiative, established under § 7-1205 of this subtitle.
3. (c) Beginning in fiscal year 2027, the Governor may include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $250,000 for the Office.

Added by Acts 2025, c. 1, § 1, eff. July 1, 2025.