Md. Code Regs. 24.01.07.02

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 24.01.07.02 - Corporate Diversity Requirements

A. The Department of Assessments and Taxation shall include a Corporate Diversity Addendum form with the Annual Report form published by that department.

B. If the person submitting the Annual Report is an entity subject to this chapter, that person shall complete, on behalf of the entity, the Corporate Diversity Addendum included with the Annual Report.

C. As more fully described in §D of this regulation, the Corporate Diversity Addendum shall include information on:

(1) Membership of underrepresented communities in the entity's board or executive leadership; and

(2) The entity's support for underrepresented communities in the entity's mission.

D. Required Information.

(1) In providing information about membership of underrepresented communities in an entity's board or executive leadership in the Corporate Diversity Addendum, the entity shall report whether it has individuals on its board or in executive leadership from any of the following underrepresented communities, although the content of the response does not affect eligibility for a State benefit pursuant to Regulation .03A of this chapter:

(a) Alaska Native;

(b) Asian-Pacific Islander;

(c) Black or African-American;

(d) Hispanic or Latino;

(e) Native American;

(f) Native Hawaiian;

(g) One or more of the racial or ethnic groups listed above; or

(h) None of the above.

(2) In providing information about its support for underrepresented communities in its mission, an entity shall report whether it engages in any of the following activities, also known as diversity indicators:

(a) Maintains written workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies;

(b) Offers DEI training to its workforce;

(c) Assigns a senior-level employee as responsible for oversight and direction of the entity's DEI efforts;

(d) Reports performance of workforce DEI programs on the entity's website;

(e) Includes DEI objectives in performance plans of its managers;

(f) Publishes information about DEI commitments and efforts on the entity's website;

(g) Provides career advancement training and opportunities for its employees, which include members of underrepresented communities;

(h) Collaborates with educational institutions, or is an educational institution, serving significant or predominant student populations or affinity groups from underrepresented communities;

(i) Has a supplier diversity policy that provides business opportunities to diverse suppliers, including businesses owned by members of underrepresented communities, such as State-certified minority business enterprises (MBEs);

(j) Publicizes procurement opportunities to encourage participation from businesses owned by members of underrepresented communities;

(k) Measures the percentage of contract dollars awarded to businesses owned by members of underrepresented communities, including MBEs; and

(l) Provides support and outreach to underrepresented communities or organizations that represent underrepresented communities.

Md. Code Regs. 24.01.07.02

Regulation .02 adopted effective 49:18 Md. R.820, eff. 9/5/2022