Walter Sondheim Jr. Public Service Internship Scholarship Program - Funding, the official text

WES MOORE, Governor  Ch. 780

Chapter 780

                                                  (House Bill 809)

AN ACT concerning

Walter Sondheim Jr. Public Service Internship Scholarship Program – Funding

FOR the purpose of specifying the intern fellowships that exist in the Walter Sondheim Jr.
         Public Service Internship Scholarship Program; increasing the maximum
         scholarship award amount under the Program; requiring the Governor to include in
         the annual budget bill an appropriation for the Program that is at least a certain
         percentage of the appropriation provided in a prior fiscal year; and generally relating
         to the Walter Sondheim Jr. Public Service Internship Scholarship Program.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
         Article – Education
         Section 18–1702 and 18–1704
         Annotated Code of Maryland
         (2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)

                                                        Preamble

         WHEREAS, Governor Wes Moore has made commitment to public service a
preeminent issue of his administration by establishing the Maryland Department of
Service and Civic Innovation, launching the service year option for high school graduates,
and expanding on the promise of Maryland Corps; and

         WHEREAS, Governor Wes Moore has continued to build on his work by allocating
over $50 million in both the fiscal year 2025 and fiscal year 2026 budget bills to provide
public service in the State, including securing federal funding; and

         WHEREAS, This is vital work that the State must build on to ensure a new
generation grows up to serve our State and its people; now, therefore,

         SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

                                                Article – Education

18–1702.

        (a) (1) There is a scholarship program known as the Walter Sondheim Jr.
Public Service Internship Scholarship Program in the State.

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Ch. 780             2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND

                (2) THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC
SERVICE INTERN FELLOWSHIPS:

                    (I) THE GOVERNOR’S SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM;

                         (II) THE SONDHEIM MARYLAND NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM; AND

                    (III) THE SONDHEIM PUBLIC SERVICE LAW FELLOWS

PROGRAM.

         (b) The purpose of the Program is to assist college and graduate students to
explore public service career opportunities through internships.

(c) The Shriver Center shall administer the Program.

         (d) An institution of higher education in the State may nominate eligible students
to participate in the Program on or before:

          (1) January 1 of each year for summer and fall internships; and

          (2) October 1 of each year for spring internships.

         (e) Priority for participation in the Program shall be given to an eligible student
who:

          (1) Is a resident of the State;

          (2) Has demonstrated an interest in a career in public service; and

          (3) Assists in providing:

                    (i) Legal services:

                    1. To low–income residents in the State who cannot afford

legal services; or

                    2. In a public service position;

                    (ii) Social work services to low–income residents in the State;

                           (iii) Nursing services in nursing shortage areas in the State as
defined in § 18–802 of this title; or

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          WES MOORE, Governor                                  Ch. 780

                           (iv) Other services in the public or nonprofit sectors in which there is
a shortage of qualified practitioners to low–income or underserved residents or areas of the
State.

         (f) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, for eligible students who
have agreed to serve in a public service internship, the Shriver Center shall award
scholarships on or before:

          (i) January 15 of each year for spring internships;

          (ii) May 1 of each year for summer internships; and

          (iii) August 1 of each year for fall internships.

                  (2) Funds for the scholarships awarded under this subtitle shall be as
provided in the State budget.

         (g) Subject to the availability of funds, the scholarship award under the Program
shall be at least $2,000 and no more than $5,000 $6,000.

         (h) The Shriver Center shall serve as a clearinghouse for public and nonprofit
entities that wish to hire public service interns participating in the Program.

18–1704.

        (a) (1) Funds for the Program [may] SHALL be provided on an annual basis in
the State budget IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBSECTION.

                (2) BEGINNING IN FISCAL YEAR 2028, THE GOVERNOR SHALL
INCLUDE IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET BILL AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE PROGRAM
THAT IS AT LEAST 150% 125% OF THE APPROPRIATION PROVIDED IN FISCAL YEAR
2026.

                (3) THE APPROPRIATION SHALL INCLUDE FUNDING FOR THE
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE COUNTY THAT IS AT LEAST 150% 125% OF
THE FUNDING PROVIDED IN FISCAL YEAR 2026 FOR:

          (I) THE GOVERNOR’S SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM;

                         (II) THE SONDHEIM MARYLAND NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM; AND

          (III) THE SONDHEIM PUBLIC SERVICE LAW FELLOWS

PROGRAM.

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Ch. 780  2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND

         (b) The Governor may provide funding in the State budget to the Shriver Center
to administer the Program.

         SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
1, 2026.

Approved by the Governor, May 26, 2026.

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