Section 23-111 - Young Readers Matching Grant Program(a)(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.(2) "Affiliated service" means a book-gifting service performed by a nonprofit organization that is tax exempt under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or a unit of State, county, or municipal government that forms an affiliated partnership with an early reader organization.(3) "Early reader organization" means a nonprofit organization: (i) That is tax exempt under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and(ii) Whose mission is to distribute to children free, high-quality books designed to aid the development of reading skills.(4) "Program" means the Young Readers Matching Grant Program.(b) There is a Young Readers Matching Grant Program in the State Library Agency.(c) The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to public libraries and affiliated services to: (1) Support the establishment and operation of affiliated services; and(2) Contribute an amount equal to the amount of funding provided for the operation of an affiliated service.(d) The State Librarian shall administer the Program.(e)(1) A public library or an affiliated service may submit an application for a program grant on the form that the State Librarian requires.(2) An application for a program grant shall include a plan to ensure that the public library or the affiliated service is able to gift books to eligible children, including children in low-income zip codes within its area of service.(3) A program grant shall be disbursed to a public library or an affiliated service that qualifies for the Program.(f) The State Library Board shall:(1) On or before December 1, 2024, and every other year thereafter, report to the General Assembly on the effectiveness of the Program in accordance with § 2-1257 of the State Government Article; and(2) Collect statistics and other information necessary for this purpose.(g) For each fiscal year, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $350,000 to the Program.Renumbered from § 8-1402 and amended by 2023 Md. Laws, Ch. 650, Sec. 3, eff. 10/1/2023.Renumbered from § 8-1402 and amended by 2023 Md. Laws, Ch. 649, Sec. 3, eff. 10/1/2023.Added by 2022 Md. Laws, Ch. 447, Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2022.Added by 2022 Md. Laws, Ch. 446, Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2022.This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.