(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) “Certify” means to:
(1) complete the employer sections of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program form for a current or former employee; or
(2) share data directly with the U.S. Department of Education about a current or former employee that corresponds to the information required on the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program form.
(c) “Employee” means an individual who is or was employed by a public service employer.
(d) “Full–time” has the meaning stated in 34 C.F.R. § 685.219.
(e) “Institution of higher education” has the meaning stated in § 10–101 of the Education Article.
(f) “Program” means the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program established under 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(m).
(g) (1) “Public service employer” means an employer in the State who is designated as a qualifying employer under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, including:
(i) a State or local government employer, including:
1. an office or a department;
2. an independent agency;
3. a local school system;
4. a public institution of higher education;
5. a public library system; and
6. an authority or other body; and
(ii) an employer designated as a tax–exempt organization under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(2) “Public service employer” does not include a federal or tribal nation government organization, agency, or governmental entity.
(h) “Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program form” means the form used by the U.S. Department of Education to:
(1) certify an individual’s current or former employment with a public service employer; and
(2) determine an individual’s eligibility for the purposes of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
(i) “Student Loan Ombudsman” has the meaning stated in § 2–104.1 of the Financial Institutions Article.