Section 24-1203 - Approval of Maryland call center(a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, an agency or organization shall be approved by 2-1-1 Maryland as a 2-1-1 Maryland call center in order to provide 2-1-1 services in the State.(b) When approving a 2-1-1 service provider, 2-1-1 Maryland shall consider: (1) The ability of the proposed 2-1-1 service provider to meet the national 2-1-1 standards recommended by:(i) The Alliance of Information and Referral Systems and adopted by the National 2-1-1 Collaborative; or(ii) An equivalent entity;(2) The financial stability of the proposed 2-1-1 service provider;(3) Any community support for the proposed 2-1-1 service provider;(4) Any experience that the proposed 2-1-1 service provider has with other information and referral services;(5) The degree to which the county in which the proposed call center is to be located has dedicated substantial resources to the establishment of a single telephone source for non-emergency inquiries regarding county services; and(6) Any other criteria that 2-1-1 Maryland considers appropriate.(c) If an agency of the State that provides health and human services establishes a public information telephone line or hotline, the agency shall consult with 2-1-1 Maryland about using the 2-1-1 system to provide public access to information.Amended by 2024 Md. Laws, Ch. 840,Sec. 1, eff. 6/1/2024.Amended by 2022 Md. Laws, Ch. 135, Sec. 1, eff. 4/12/2022.Amended by 2020 Md. Laws, Ch. 295, Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2020.Amended by 2020 Md. Laws, Ch. 294, Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2020.