(a) The Department shall select at least one nonprofit training entity to:
(1) Implement a training or therapy protocol for the purposes of the Program that will teach each Program participant methodologies, strategies, and techniques for:
(i) Partnering with a service dog or support dog; or
(ii) Interacting with therapy horses;
(2) Select qualified Program participants from those eligible children referred to the nonprofit entity under the Program;
(3) Select an appropriate service dog, support dog, or therapy horse, as applicable, for each Program participant;
(4) Facilitate each Program participant’s training or therapy using the nonprofit training entity’s training or therapy protocol; and
(5) Unless the nonprofit training entity uses trained therapy horses, partner each successful Program participant with the service dog or support dog on the Program participant’s successful completion of the nonprofit training entity’s training protocol.
(b) To be eligible for selection under subsection (a) of this section, a nonprofit entity must:
(1) Be based in the State;
(2) Serve the needs of children with a history of trauma or post–traumatic stress disorder or with a developmental disability and special health care need under Title V of the Social Security Act; and
(3) Generate its own revenue and reinvest the proceeds of that revenue in the growth and development of its programs.
Structure Maryland Statutes
Title 13 - Miscellaneous Health Care Programs
Subtitle 41 - Maryland Children's Service Animal Program
Section 13-4102 - Purposes of the Maryland Children's Service Animal Program
Section 13-4103 - Use of Nonprofit Training Entity -- Eligibility
Section 13-4104 - Disqualification of Participant
Section 13-4105 - Program Fund -- Use of Fund Revenues -- Investments