Section 9-305 - Minority business enterprises(a) This section applies to the following minority business enterprises: (1) a publicly owned business if 1 or more minority persons own at least 51% of the stock of the business; or(2) any other business if 1 or more minority persons own at least 50% of the business.(b) Subject to the limitations of any law that governs the activities of other units of the Executive Branch of the State government, the Special Secretary shall: (1) carry out each State or federal program that is created to promote the growth of or participation in minority business enterprises;(2) promote and coordinate training regarding the requirements of the Minority Business Enterprise Program;(3) promote, coordinate, and participate in the plans, programs, and operations of the State government that promote or otherwise affect the establishment, preservation, and strengthening of minority business enterprises;(4) promote activities and the use of the resources of the State government, local governments, and private entities for the growth of minority business enterprises;(5) coordinate the effort of private entities and public agencies to develop minority business enterprises;(6) establish a system to develop, collect, summarize, and give out information that would help a person to: (i) establish a minority business enterprise;(ii) operate a minority business enterprise successfully; or(iii) promote the establishment and successful operation of minority business enterprises;(7) establish a mentoring program: (i) in which larger and more established minority businesses can mentor start-up and small minority businesses; and(ii) that incentivizes mentor participation by providing benefits to mentors, including: 1. special recognition on the Office website, and in the Office newsletter and participation updates;2. a certificate of participation awarded by the Office;3. the opportunity to present highlights of mentor and protege relationships at an annual appreciation event sponsored by the Office; and4. increased networking and educational opportunities;(8) conduct a feasibility study for creating a technical assistance program in the Office that provides one-on-one assistance to minority businesses in submitting competitive and successful bids and proposals for procurement contracts;(9) provide training and educational opportunities for nonminority prime contractors regarding the duties and responsibilities of a prime contractor with respect to minority businesses; and(10) subject to the limitations of law and the availability of funds:(i) provide technical and managerial assistance to minority business enterprises;(ii) provide the managerial and organizational framework for private entities and units of the State government to plan and carry out joint undertakings that relate to minority business enterprises;(iii) pay, wholly or partly, the costs of a pilot or demonstration project that is intended to overcome the special problems of minority business enterprises; and(iv) establish an annual awards program to recognize localities that demonstrate the highest excellence in minority business enterprise support.Amended by 2021 Md. Laws, Ch. 258,Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2021.