1. A. Form.

   1. (1) The State Board shall:

      1. (a) Prescribe a form for a local board to request approval to provide language assistance services in addition to those required by Regulation .05 of this chapter; and
      2. (b) Provide the form to local boards not later than 1 year preceding a Statewide primary election.

   2. (2) The form shall include questions about:

      1. (a) The population to be served;
      2. (b) The proposed services;
      3. (c) Reasons for the local board’s request; and
      4. (d) Whether approving the request would impose additional costs or duties on the State Board.

   3. (3) A local board seeking to provide language assistance services that exceed requirements shall:

      1. (a) Submit the State Board prescribed form for each additional service or language which it proposes to provide; and
      2. (b) Request State Board approval at least 6 months preceding a Statewide primary election during which the local board proposes to provide additional language assistance services.

2. B. Approval of Additional Language Assistance.

   1. (1) Upon receipt of a form requesting approval to provide additional language assistance, the State Administrator shall review and make a recommendation to the State Board to accept or reject the request.

   2. (2) The State Board shall:

      1. (a) Vote on a local board’s proposal within 30 days of receipt of a form requesting approval to provide additional language assistance; and
      2. (b) Within 2 days of its vote on a request to provide additional language assistance, notify the local board of the outcome of the vote.

Authority: Election Law Article, §§2-102(b)(4), 2-202(b), and 15.5-104, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: March 2, 2026 (53:4 Md. R. 186)