§9–603.

    (a)    (1)    Beginning July 1, 2022, the Department and the Board, subject to the memorandum of understanding, jointly shall have the authority and responsibility for implementing the juvenile services educational programs in the State.

        (2)    The Superintendent shall provide and oversee educational services to all juveniles in a residential facility.

    (b)    The Superintendent shall implement for each residential facility an educational program as approved by the Board that:

        (1)    meets the special needs and circumstances of the juveniles in the residential facility; and

        (2)    is accredited by an approved accrediting agency.

    (c)    (1)    The Department, subject to the memorandum of understanding, shall employ any staff necessary to carry out the Juvenile Services Education Program as provided in the State budget.

        (2)    Educational staff in the Department shall be subject to the career ladder and salary provisions under Title 6, Subtitle 10 of the Education Article.

        (3)    Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, each teacher in the Juvenile Services Education Program who is employed by the Department is in the professional service in the State Personnel Management System.

    (d)    The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out the requirements of this section.

    (e)    The Board may authorize the Department to contract with a nonprofit private party or a county board of education to provide educational services for juveniles in a residential facility.

    (f)    For fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation in an amount sufficient to meet the requirements of this subtitle.