§ 4-928. Migratory Worker Housing Program

   (a) Definitions. --

   (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

   (2) (i) "Migratory labor camp" means one or more structures, buildings, tents, barracks, trailers, vehicles, mobile homes, converted buildings, or unconventional enclosures of living space that are established, operated, or used as living quarters for four or more migratory workers engaged in agricultural activities, including related food processing.

      (ii) "Migratory labor camp" includes appurtenant land.

   (3) "Migratory Housing Program" means the Migratory Worker Housing Program.

   (4) "Migratory worker" means an individual from within or outside the State who:

      (i) is not a year-round employee but moves seasonally from one place to another for work; and

      (ii) during a period of work, occupies living quarters that are not the individual's permanent home.

(b) Established. -- There is a Migratory Worker Housing Program.

(c) Duties of Department. -- The Department shall:

   (1) operate the Migratory Housing Program;

   (2) make migratory worker housing loans from the Special Loan Programs Fund under this subtitle to a qualified owner of a migratory labor camp to make migratory worker housing safer and more healthful; and

   (3) to the extent determined by the Secretary, administer the Migratory Housing Program in conjunction with any appropriate federal program.

(d) Loan requirement. -- To the extent applicable, migratory worker housing loans shall satisfy the requirements of § 4-916(b) of this subtitle.

(e) Qualifications of loan recipients. -- To qualify for a migratory housing loan, the owner of a migratory labor camp shall:

   (1) live or have a principal place of business in the State;

   (2) have been denied a loan by a private lending institution or have received a commitment from a private lending institution for less than the amount of money required to finance the necessary health and safety improvements; and

   (3) submit to the Department a plan for the necessary health and safety improvements that has been approved by the Department of the Environment.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 83B, § 2-302(g)-(i), 2-304(a)-(e); 2005, ch. 26, § 2.