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

(2)    “Children of current or former recipients” has the meaning stated in § 5–304 of the Human Services Article.

(3)    “Department” means the Department of Human Services.

(4)    “Eligible contract” means a procurement contract designated by the Board as appropriate for the execution of a hiring agreement.

(5)    “FIP” means the Family Investment Program established under Title 5, Subtitle 3 of the Human Services Article.

(6)    “Former recipient” has the meaning stated in § 5–304 of the Human Services Article.

(7)    “Foster youth” has the meaning stated in § 5–304 of the Human Services Article.

(8)    “Hiring agreement” means an agreement entered into by the Department or a local department and an entity doing business with the State under which the Department or the local department and the entity agree to work cooperatively in endeavoring to identify and hire current and former FIP recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors to fill job openings of the entity.

(9)    “Local department” means a local department of social services in a county or in Baltimore City created or continued under § 3–201(a) of the Human Services Article.

(10)    “Obligor” has the meaning stated in § 10–101 of the Family Law Article.

(b)    On or before October 1, 1998, the Board, in consultation with the Department, shall designate the types of procurement contracts that are eligible contracts.

(c)    (1)    On or before December 1, 1998, the Department shall develop a model hiring agreement form that shall be completed by the Department or a local department and an entity in conjunction with the award of an eligible contract.

(2)    The model hiring agreement form shall include the following provisions:

(i)    the entity will:

1.    inform the Department or the local department, as appropriate, of all of the entity’s job openings;

2.    declare the Department or the local department, as appropriate, its “first source” in identifying and hiring candidates to fill those job openings;

3.    work cooperatively with the Department or the local department, as appropriate, to develop any necessary training programs that will enable current and former FIP recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors in qualifying for and securing the positions;

4.    give first preference and first consideration to the extent permitted by law and any existing labor agreements to candidates referred to the entity by the Department or the local department, as appropriate;

5.    agree to give candidates referred to the entity by the Department or the local department, as appropriate, priority in the filling of a job opening if the candidate meets the qualifications of the position;

6.    provide the Department or the local department, as appropriate, with information on the disposition of all referrals made by the Department or the local department, as appropriate, including an explanation of why any such candidate was not hired or considered qualified;

7.    provide the Department or the local department, as appropriate, with information regarding the progress and employment status of those candidates referred by the Department or the local department, as appropriate, that the entity hired; and

8.    designate a specific individual that the Department or the local department, as appropriate, may contact in regard to the provisions of the hiring agreement; and

(ii)    the Department or the local department, as appropriate, will assign an account representative to the entity who will:

1.    receive and process all of the entity’s job notifications;

2.    refer only screened and qualified candidates to the entity;

3.    assist in the development of any mutually agreed upon training programs, internship programs, or both that will better prepare current and former FIP recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors for employment with the entity;

4.    arrange follow–up and post–hire transitional/supportive services, such as child care and transportation, as necessary and appropriate; and

5.    review and evaluate the effectiveness of the hiring agreement with the entity and make modifications in the agreement as necessary and appropriate.

(d)    Each year, the Department and any local departments that have entered into hiring agreements shall submit a report to the Board and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on:

(1)    the number of hiring agreements executed;

(2)    the number of current and former FIP recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors hired by an entity with which a hiring agreement was executed; and

(3)    the effectiveness of each hiring agreement in obtaining employment for current and former FIP recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors.