(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “Affiliated service” means a book-gifting service performed by a nonprofit organization that is tax exempt under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code or a unit of State, county, or municipal government that forms an affiliated partnership with an early reader organization.
(3) “Early reader organization” means a nonprofit organization:
(i) That is tax exempt under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
(ii) Whose mission is to distribute to children free, high- quality books designed to aid the development of reading skills.
(4) “Program” means the Young Readers Matching Grant Program.
(b) There is a Young Readers Matching Grant Program in the State Library Agency.
(c) The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to public libraries and affiliated services to:
(1) Support the establishment and operation of affiliated services; and
(2) Contribute an amount equal to the amount of funding provided for the operation of an affiliated service.
(d) The State Librarian shall administer the Program.
(e) (1) A public library or an affiliated service may submit an application for a program grant on the form that the State Librarian requires.
(2) An application for a program grant shall include a plan to ensure that the public library or the affiliated service is able to gift books to eligible children, including children in low-income zip codes within its area of service.
(3) A program grant shall be disbursed to a public library or an affiliated service that qualifies for the Program.
(f) The State Library Board shall:
(1) On or before December 1, 2024, and every other year thereafter, report to the General Assembly on the effectiveness of the Program in accordance with § 2-1257 of the State Government Article; and
(2) Collect statistics and other information necessary for this purpose.
(g) For each fiscal year, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $350,000 to the Program.