(a) This section applies to the following minority business enterprises:
(1) a publicly owned business if 1 or more minority persons own at least 51% of the stock of the business; or
(2) any other business if 1 or more minority persons own at least 50% of the business.
Duties
(b) Subject to the limitations of any law that governs the activities of other units of the Executive Branch of the State government, the Special Secretary shall:
(1) carry out each State or federal program that is created to promote the growth of or participation in minority business enterprises;
(2) promote and coordinate training regarding the requirements of the Minority Business Enterprise Program;
(3) promote, coordinate, and participate in the plans, programs, and operations of the State government that promote or otherwise affect the establishment, preservation, and strengthening of minority business enterprises;
(4) promote activities and the use of the resources of the State government, local governments, and private entities for the growth of minority business enterprises;
(5) coordinate the effort of private entities and public agencies to develop minority business enterprises;
(6) establish a system to develop, collect, summarize, and give out information that would help a person to:
(i) establish a minority business enterprise;
(ii) operate a minority business enterprise successfully; or
(iii) promote the establishment and successful operation of minority business enterprises;
(7) establish a mentoring program:
(i) in which larger and more established minority businesses can mentor start-up and small minority businesses; and
(ii) that incentivizes mentor participation by providing benefits to mentors, including:
1. special recognition on the Office website, and in the Office newsletter and participation updates;
2. a certificate of participation awarded by the Office;
3. the opportunity to present highlights of mentor and protege relationships at an annual appreciation event sponsored by the Office; and
4. increased networking and educational opportunities;
(8) conduct a feasibility study for creating a technical assistance program in the Office that provides one-on-one assistance to minority businesses in submitting competitive and successful bids and proposals for procurement contracts;
(9) provide training and educational opportunities for nonminority prime contractors regarding the duties and responsibilities of a prime contractor with respect to minority businesses; and
(10) subject to the limitations of law and the availability of funds:
(i) provide technical and managerial assistance to minority business enterprises;
(ii) provide the managerial and organizational framework for private entities and units of the State government to plan and carry out joint undertakings that relate to minority business enterprises;
(iii) pay, wholly or partly, the costs of a pilot or demonstration project that is intended to overcome the special problems of minority business enterprises; and
(iv) establish an annual awards program to recognize localities that demonstrate the highest excellence in minority business enterprise support.
Credits
Added by Acts 1984, c. 284, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1986, c. 719, § 1, eff. July 1, 1986; Acts 2004, c. 74, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2004; Acts 2012, c. 153, § 1, eff. July 1, 2012; Acts 2021, c. 258, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2021.
Formerly Art. 41, § 483.
MD Code, State Government, § 9-305, MD STATE GOVT § 9-305
Current through legislation effective through April 9, 2023, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
