(a) (1) The Secretary shall establish a Program to attempt to provide a volunteer mentor for each child in the State who has spent at least 30 days in a committed placement. (2) The Program shall be called 'Maryland Rising'. (b) The purpose of the Program is to provide individualized attention to a child: (1) to decrease the child’s delinquent or violent behavior in the community; and (2) to increase the child’s potential for becoming a productive, successful member of the community. (c) (1) To carry out the purpose of the Program, the Department shall develop a statewide network of State agencies, community agencies, citizen action groups, social services providers, volunteer organizations, college student groups, and other groups who will recruit volunteer mentors for the Program. (2) A mentor shall have frequent contact with the child and may provide the following services to the child: (i) informal counseling; (ii) tutoring; (iii) assisting the child with life skills training; (iv) working with the child’s family or guardian; (v) interacting with the child’s school or employer, if necessary; and (vi) other individualized support services that help the child avoid negative (iv) working with the child’s family or guardian; (v) interacting with the child’s school or employer, if necessary; and (vi) other individualized support services that help the child avoid negative behaviors and become a successful, productive member of the community. (d) The Department may adopt regulations to implement this section.
Maryland Legal Code