(a) A workforce development program is established to implement the federal Act.
(b) (1) This program shall provide employment, training, supportive and related services to eligible job seekers, as defined in the federal Act, including individuals with barriers to employment, such as those who are low income or low–skilled, to allow individuals to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers needed to compete in the global economy.
(2) (i) Subject to subparagraph (iv) of this paragraph, the State Department of Transportation shall issue to training providers weekly transit passes, in the form of magnetic passes or loaded smart cards, for local bus, light rail, or metro subway service provided by the Maryland Transit Administration.
(ii) The training providers shall provide the weekly transit passes issued under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph to individuals receiving employment and training services under the program established in accordance with subsection (a) of this section.
(iii) A training provider shall reimburse the Department of Transportation for the cost of transit passes provided to the training provider under this paragraph.
(iv) To be eligible to receive transit passes under this paragraph, a training provider shall include in its contract with the local workforce development board or local workforce development agency a provision requiring reimbursement of the training provider for its costs under subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph.
(c) The County Commissioners of Carroll County may appropriate funds necessary to enter into contracts with private or public enterprises for the training or retraining of workers of those enterprises.