Section 19-310.4 - Private Hospital Grant Program(a)(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.(2) "Committee" means the review committee established in accordance with subsection (E) of this section.(3) "Program" means the Private Hospital Grant Program.(b) Except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, this section may not be construed to prohibit an organization from receiving funds from a government source other than the Private Hospital Grant Program.(c) There is a Private Hospital Grant ProgramPrivate Hospital Grant Program.(d) The purpose of the Program is to make recommendations to the Governor for funding in the annual State budget for capital projects at private hospitals in the State.(e)(1) The Maryland Hospital Association shall establish a review committee to:(i) Develop the process for hospitals in the State to submit requests for funding in the annual budget;(ii) Establish eligibility criteria for a hospital to submit a request for funding under the Program;(iii) Establish criteria for projects eligible to receive funding under the Program;(iv) Establish deadlines for the submission of requests for funding and the determination of projects recommended for funding;(v) Develop project scoring and selection criteria guidelines;(vi) Review eligible requests for funding; and(vii) Make final recommendations for projects to be funded in the annual State budget.(2) To the extent practicable, the membership of the committee established under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall reflect the geographic diversity of hospitals in the State.(3) The committee shall consult with the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Legislative Services in: (i) Establishing the project funding request process under paragraph (1) of this subsection; and(ii) Making recommendations for funding requests.(f) In consultation with the Department of Budget and Management, the committee may establish conditions under which a request for funding may be rejected for consideration.(g) The Maryland Hospital Association shall submit the recommendations of the committee to the Governor and the Secretary of Budget and Management.(h) For fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor may include in the capital or operating budget bill an appropriation of $20,000,000 for the Private Hospital Grant Program.Added by 2024 Md. Laws, Ch. 790,Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2024.