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Ch. 672 2000 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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Preamble
WHEREAS, There is now scientific evidence, based on studies on early brain
development, to support the need to promote literacy at the earliest age; and
WHEREAS, There is solid scientific evidence for the effectiveness of the Reach
Out and Read Program, developed in the Department of Pediatrics of the Boston City
Hospital; and
WHEREAS, The Program is based on pediatricians prescribing reading at each
well child visit and following up with a gift of the child's very own book; and
WHEREAS, The Program also involves reading by volunteers in the waiting
room; and
WHEREAS, The Program targets children who are not likely to own a book; and
WHEREAS, The Program trains pediatricians and other child health care
providers to promote literacy to all of their patients; and
WHEREAS, National book publishers participate in the Program and sell books
to clinics and pediatric offices at very low prices; and
WHEREAS, The Annie E. Casey Foundation funded the Program in 12 primary
care clinics in Baltimore City in 1997, but additional funding is needed to support the
Program in those clinics; and
WHEREAS, Maryland's pediatricians are seeking training and support for the
Program; and
WHEREAS, Maryland's library systems promote a program to give a library
card to very young children, and this program is easily incorporated in the Program;
and
WHEREAS, The Program could easily grow with corporate sponsorship,
allowing Maryland businesses to invest in early literacy with donations of books; now,
therefore,
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article - Education
5-213.
(A) THE STATE BOARD SHALL DISTRIBUTE GRANTS EACH YEAR TO
ORGANIZATIONS THAT:
(1) PROMOTE LITERACY AT AN EARLY AGE DURING WELL CHILD VISITS
IN A HEALTH CARE SETTING; AND
(2) SOLICIT THE CORPORATE COMMUNITY FOR FUNDING FOR
PROMOTING LITERACY AT AN EARLY AGE.
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- 3464 -
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