(a) There is an Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy within the Department.
(b) The purpose of the Office includes:
(1) the development and implementation of strategies in the State Disabilities Plan, established under § 7–132 of this title, relating to the employment, training, and career–readiness of individuals with disabilities;
(2) performing duties under § 7–114 of this title necessary to support statewide policies and standards relating to the employment, training, and career–readiness of individuals with disabilities;
(3) collecting information and data from units of State government relating to the employment, training, and career–readiness of individuals with disabilities, in accordance with § 7–115 of this title; and
(4) implementing the Maryland as a Model Employer Initiative, established under § 7–1205 of this subtitle.
(c) Beginning in fiscal year 2027, the Governor may include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $250,000 for the Office.