Maryland Positive Youth Development Commission and Fund – Establishment

SB 977 establishes the Maryland Positive Youth Development Commission within the State Department of Education and creates a permanent fund to support community-based youth programs. The bill directs the Commission to award grants to eligible organizations (including after-school programs, mentoring initiatives, and summer learning opportunities) that provide evidence-based programming for youth aged birth through 25 outside regular school hours. The fund, financed by legal settlement proceeds and other revenue, will provide sustainable funding for these programs, which aim to reduce social media dependency and build social-emotional skills. This directly affects community organizations delivering youth development services and the young people they serve across Maryland.