702

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 10

(i) (3) The public employer and a public employee
organization shall not interfere with, intimidate, restrain,
coerce, or discriminate against public employees because of the
exercise of their rights under [subsection] PARAGRAPHS (1) and
(2) [hereof] OF THIS SUBSECTION.

18-1015.

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

(2)  "Displaced homemaker" means an individual who:

(i) Has worked for the family in the family
home;

(ii) Is not gainfully employed or is employed
and receives an annual income that falls below the poverty level
established by the United States government;

(iii) Has had, or would have, difficulty
finding employment that would enable the individual to become
self-sufficient; and

(iv) 1. Has depended on the income of a family
member and has lost that income as the result of separation,
divorce, or the death or disability of that family member;

2.  Has depended on government assistance
[as] AND is the parent of dependent children and is no longer
eligible for such assistance; or

3.   Is receiving government assistance and
is attempting to become self-sufficient.

(3)  "Program" means the Displaced Homemakers Program
administered by the Maryland Higher Education Loan Authority.

(e) A participating lending institution shall:

(1)  Pay the funds borrowed by a displaced homemaker
under the Program to cover the displaced homemaker's tuition and
fees at a postsecondary institution in the State directly to the
institution; and

(2)  Pay any funds borrowed by a displaced homemaker
under the Program that remain after funds are paid under
paragraph [(5)] (1) of this subsection to the displaced
homemaker.

18-1401.

(d) "Area of ["]critical shortage" means those fields
identified by the State Board of Education pursuant to the
provisions of [§ 18-405] § 18-1405 of this subtitle as having