2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Safety › Title 1 - Definitions; General Provisions › Subtitle 3 - 9-1-1 Emergency Telephone System › Section 1-308 - 9-1-1 Trust Fund

(a)    There is a 9–1–1 Trust Fund.
(b)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection and subject to § 1–309.1 of this subtitle, the purposes of the 9–1–1 Trust Fund are to:
(i)    reimburse counties for the cost of enhancing a 9–1–1 system;
(ii)    pay contractors in accordance with § 1–306(b)(12) of this subtitle; and
(iii)    fund the coordinator position and staff to handle the increased duties related to wireless enhanced 9–1–1 service under § 1–305 of this subtitle, as an administrative cost.
(2)    Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, in addition to the purposes described under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the purposes of the 9–1–1 Trust Fund include funding:
(i)    the operation and maintenance of 9–1–1 systems, enhanced 9–1–1 systems, and Next Generation 9–1–1 services, including:
1.    equipment and software utilized directly for providing 9–1–1 services by a public safety answering point;
2.    protocol systems and software utilized directly for providing 9–1–1 services by a public safety answering point;
3.    interpretation services provided for a public safety answering point;
4.    services provided for a public safety answering point to ensure improved access to individuals with disabilities and other individuals who use assistive technology; and
5.    voice, data, and call log recorders utilized to capture information from 9–1–1 systems, enhanced 9–1–1 systems, and Next Generation 9–1–1 services;
(ii)    the operation and maintenance of 9–1–1 systems, enhanced 9–1–1 systems, and Next Generation 9–1–1 services connectivity and infrastructure equipment, including:
1.    automatic number and location identification; and
2.    Primary Rate Interface and Session Initiation Protocol trunking for 10–digit emergency and nonemergency lines;
(iii)    geographical information systems hardware, software, data development, and data management costs incurred for the effective operation of 9–1–1 systems, enhanced 9–1–1 systems, and Next Generation 9–1–1 services, including:
1.    mapping equipment;
2.    interfaces to computer–aided dispatch; and
3.    geographical information systems base layer development and management;
(iv)    public safety answering point facilities costs, including access control, security systems, and standby power;
(v)    costs for public education materials;
(vi)    the training of county personnel working in or directly supporting a public safety answering point;
(vii)    the provision of tuition reimbursement for 9–1–1 specialists for educational programs related to the 9–1–1 specialist career field;
(viii)    costs to maintain the cybersecurity of 9–1–1 systems, enhanced 9–1–1 systems, and Next Generation 9–1–1 services; and
(ix)    costs of 9–1–1 specialist recruitment activities as described in § 1–306(b)(17) of this subtitle.
(3)    Funding allocated in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection may not be utilized for:
(i)    the payment of the salary of public safety answering point personnel or county personnel; or
(ii)    any purpose associated with the 9–8–8 suicide prevention hotline.
(c)    The 9–1–1 Trust Fund consists of:
(1)    money from the 9–1–1 fee collected and remitted to the Comptroller under § 1–310 of this subtitle;
(2)    money from the additional charge collected and remitted to the Comptroller under § 1–311 of this subtitle;
(3)    money from the prepaid wireless E 9–1–1 fee collected and remitted to the Comptroller under § 1–313 of this subtitle; and
(4)    investment earnings of the 9–1–1 Trust Fund.
(d)    Money in the 9–1–1 Trust Fund shall be held in the State Treasury.
(e)    The Secretary shall administer the 9–1–1 Trust Fund, subject to the guidelines for financial management and budgeting established by the Department of Budget and Management.
(f)    The Secretary shall direct the Comptroller to establish separate accounts in the 9–1–1 Trust Fund for the payment of administrative expenses and for each county.
(g)    (1)    Any investment earnings shall be credited to the 9–1–1 Trust Fund.
(2)    The Comptroller shall allocate the investment income among the accounts in the 9–1–1 Trust Fund, prorated on the basis of the total fees collected in each county.