1. (a)

   1. (1) The Secretary shall establish a Program to attempt to provide a volunteer mentor for each child in the State who has spent at least 30 days in a committed placement.
   2. (2) The Program shall be called “Maryland Rising”.

2. (b) The purpose of the Program is to provide individualized attention to a child:

   1. (1) to decrease the child's delinquent or violent behavior in the community; and
   2. (2) to increase the child's potential for becoming a productive, successful member of the community.

3. (c)

   1. (1) To carry out the purpose of the Program, the Department shall develop a statewide network of State agencies, community agencies, citizen action groups, social services providers, volunteer organizations, college student groups, and other groups who will recruit volunteer mentors for the Program.

   2. (2) A mentor shall have frequent contact with the child and may provide the following services to the child:

      1. (i) informal counseling;
      2. (ii) tutoring;
      3. (iii) assisting the child with life skills training;
      4. (iv) working with the child's family or guardian;
      5. (v) interacting with the child's school or employer, if necessary; and
      6. (vi) other individualized support services that help the child avoid negative behaviors and become a successful, productive member of the community.
4. (d) The Department may adopt regulations to implement this section.

Added by Acts 2007, c. 526, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2007.