1. (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

2. (b) “Certify” means to:

   1. (1) complete the employer sections of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program form for a current or former employee; or
   2. (2) share data directly with the U.S. Department of Education about a current or former employee that corresponds to the information required on the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program form.
3. (c) “Employee” means an individual who is or was employed by a public service employer.
4. (d) “Full-time” has the meaning stated in 34 C.F.R. § 685.219.
5. (e) “Institution of higher education” has the meaning stated in § 10-101 of the Education Article.
6. (f) “Program” means the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program established under 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(m).

7. (g)

   1. (1) “Public service employer” means an employer in the State who is designated as a qualifying employer under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, including:

      1. (i) a State or local government employer, including:

         1. 1. an office or a department;
         2. 2. an independent agency;
         3. 3. a local school system;
         4. 4. a public institution of higher education;
         5. 5. a public library system; and
         6. 6. an authority or other body; and
      2. (ii) an employer designated as a tax-exempt organization under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
   2. (2) “Public service employer” does not include a federal or tribal nation government organization, agency, or governmental entity.

8. (h) “Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program form” means the form used by the U.S. Department of Education to:

   1. (1) certify an individual's current or former employment with a public service employer; and
   2. (2) determine an individual's eligibility for the purposes of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
9. (i) “Student Loan Ombudsman” has the meaning stated in § 2-104.1 of the Financial Institutions Article.

Added by Acts 2025, c. 324, § 1, eff. July 1, 2025.