Section 7-1A-01 - Definitions(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.(b) "Cost of quality" means the per-pupil amount provided under § 5-229 of this article.(c) "Early childhood educator career ladder" means the career ladder for private provider prekindergarten educators established by the Department under § 7-1A-08 of this subtitle.(d) "Eligible prekindergarten provider" includes an: (1) Eligible public provider; and(2) Eligible private provider.(e)(1) "Eligible private provider" means a community-based early learning program that: (i) Is licensed in the State;(ii) Does not charge more tuition for full-day prekindergarten than the cost of quality; and(iii) Meets the requirements under § 7-1A-04 of this subtitle.(2) "Eligible private provider" includes the Ulysses Currie Head Start Program under § 5-231 of this article.(f) "Eligible public provider" means an early learning program that:(1) Is provided by a county board at a public school; and(2) Meets the requirements under § 7-1A-04 of this subtitle.(g) "Full-day prekindergarten" means an early learning program with a six and one-half hour school day.(h) "Prekindergarten program" means an early learning program at an eligible prekindergarten provider.(i) "Prekindergarten provider hub" means a coordinated partnership between eligible prekindergarten providers and other entities established by the Department under § 7-1A-09 of this subtitle.(j) "Prekindergarten slot" means the available space for a child to attend a prekindergarten program.(k) "Tier I child" means a child: (1) Who is 3 or 4 years old;(2)(i) Whose family income is less than or equal to 300% of the federal poverty level; or(ii) Who is a homeless youth; and(3) Whose family chooses to enroll the child in full-day prekindergarten.(l) "Tier II child" means a child: (2) Whose family income is more than 300% but not more than 600% of the federal poverty level; and(3) Whose family chooses to enroll the child in full-day prekindergarten.(m) "Tier III child" means a child: (2) Whose family income is more than 600% of the federal poverty level; and(3) Whose family chooses to enroll the child in full-day prekindergarten.Amended by 2024 Md. Laws, Ch. 717,Sec. 1, eff. 6/1/2024.Amended by 2024 Md. Laws, Ch. 165,Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2024.Amended by 2023 Md. Laws, Ch. 670, Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by 2023 Md. Laws, Ch. 119, Sec. 1, eff. 4/24/2023.Amended by 2022 Md. Laws, Ch. 135, Sec. 1, eff. 4/12/2022.Added by 2021 Md. Laws, Ch. 36, Sec. 3, eff. 3/12/2021.