Section 13 and 14

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

Article 88A - Department of Human Resources

53A.

(a) The Secretary, in cooperation with, OR AT THE REQUEST OF, the directors
of local departments of social services, shall establish a job skills enhancement pilot
program in at least three counties, one of which shall be located in Western Maryland,
Southern Maryland, or the Eastern Shore, to provide newly employed current and
former FIP recipients with training in order for them to:

(1) Enhance their existing job related skills;

(2) Gain additional or alternative job skills; or

(3) Learn interpersonal, communication, and other related skills.

(b) The job skills enhancement program shall target unskilled and semiskilled
former and current FIP recipients who are newly employed in entry level positions
that have limited potential for advancement beyond entry level.

(e) (1) Participation in the job skills enhancement program shall be
voluntary.

(2) Individual participating in the job skills enhancement program shall
sign a training agreement with the local department.

(d) To be eligible to participate in the job skills enhancement program, an
individual shall:

(1) Have been a FIP recipient within the previous 18 months of the date
the individual proposes to begin participation in the job skills enhancement program;

(2) Have been employed in entry level employment for at least 6 months
from the date the individual proposes to begin participation in the job skills
enhancement program;

(3) Provide employer validation or other documentation of employment

status;

(4) Possess limited job skills; and

(5) Have limited opportunity for advancement in current employment.

(e) The local department shall contract for training services that are to be
provided under the job skills enhancement program, as provided in § 47(a) of this
subtitle.