Section 11-206.5 - Emerging workforce need program(a) In this section, "emerging workforce need program" has the meaning stated in § 11-105(A) of this title.(b) This section applies on or after adoption by the Commission of the updated State Plan for Higher Education due January 1, 2025.(c) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, the Commission may approve a proposal submitted under § 11-206, § 11-206.1, or § 11-206.4 of this subtitle only for an academic program for an emerging workforce need program for: (1) Bowie State University;(2) Coppin State University;(3) Morgan State University;(4) The University of Maryland, College Park Campus as the State's flagship campus with programs and faculty nationally and internationally recognized for excellence in research and the advancement of knowledge; and(5) University of Maryland Eastern Shore.(d)(1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, if an institution of higher education does not submit a proposal under § 11-206, § 11-206.1, or § 11-206.4 of this subtitle for an academic program for an emerging workforce need program within 1 year after the quadrennial review of the State Plan for Higher Education, and each annual update to the workforce needs as an appendix to the Plan that identified the emerging workforce need program, any institution of postsecondary education in the State may submit the proposal for approval by the Commission under §§ 11-206, 11-206.1, and 11-206.4 of this subtitle.(2)(i)1. Within 90 days after the quadrennial review of the State Plan for Higher Education, and each annual update to the workforce needs as an appendix to the Plan, each institution listed in subsection (c) of this section shall communicate to the Commission a notice of intent to submit an academic program for an emerging workforce need program identified in the Plan in the upcoming year.2. The Commission shall: A. Share the notice to all segments of higher education;B. Facilitate collaboration between institutions of higher education;C. Provide feedback to an institution before an institution submits the new program to the Commission for approval; andD. Identify State resources to assist the institution in developing the program.(ii) If an institution of higher education listed in subsection (c) of this section collaborates with any other institution of higher education in the State, at the discretion of each institution, to implement an emerging workforce need program within 1 year after the quadrennial review of the State Plan for Higher Education, and each annual update to the workforce needs as an appendix to the Plan that identified the emerging workforce need program, the Commission may approve a proposal for an academic program for an emerging workforce need program for the institution of higher education collaborating with an institution listed in subsection (c) of this section.(iii) If no institution listed in subsection (c) of this section provides notice to the Commission of intent in accordance with this paragraph to submit an academic program for an emerging workforce need program identified in the quadrennial review of the State Plan for Higher Education, and each annual update to the workforce needs as an appendix to the Plan, in the upcoming year, any institution of higher education may immediately submit a proposal under § 11-206, § 11-206.1, or § 11-206.4 of this subtitle for an academic program for an emerging workforce need program.(e) The Commission shall adopt regulations for the implementation of this section.Added by 2024 Md. Laws, Ch. 963,Sec. 2, eff. 7/1/2024.