(a)      By December 31, 1998, the Secretary of Human Resources shall develop and implement a comprehensive plan for the recruitment, training, and retention of caseworkers and casework supervisors who meet the requirements of this section.

      (b)      On or after January 1, 1999, the Secretary:

            (1)      Shall hire as caseworkers only human services professionals, such as the following:

                  (i)      Social workers licensed in accordance with Title 19 of the Health Occupations Article;

                  (ii)      Psychologists licensed in accordance with Title 18 of the Health Occupations Article;

                  (iii)      Professional counselors certified in accordance with Title 17 of the Health Occupations Article;

                  (iv)      Nurses licensed in accordance with Title 8 of the Health Occupations Article;

                  (v)      School psychologists certified in accordance with regulations adopted under Title 6, Subtitle 7 of the Education Article; and

                  (vi)      Human service workers who must have a degree in an appropriate behavioral science, who have completed the mandatory preservice training and competency test, and who are supervised by licensed social workers; and

            (2)      May retain existing permanent employees without the qualifications specified in item (1) of this subsection, provided that the Secretary finds that the employees are satisfactorily performing their duties.

      (c)      The Secretary:

            (1)      By December 31, 1998, shall develop and implement a preservice training curriculum and competency test for newly employed caseworkers;

            (2)      Shall require that on or after January 1, 1999, all new casework staff:

                  (i)      Be hired provisionally;

                  (ii)      Complete a 40-hour preservice training program; and

                  (iii)      Pass a competency test before being granted permanent employment status;

            (3)      Shall develop and implement a mandatory in-service training program and competency testing program for caseworkers employed on or before December 31, 1998, through which caseworkers:

                  (i)      Complete the required training program; and

                  (ii)      Pass a competency test before December 31, 1999, in order to continue their employment; and

            (4)      By January 1, 1999, shall develop and implement a set of mandatory standards for continuing education for all caseworkers and casework supervisory staff, mandating that employees who fail to obtain the required continuing education credits shall be subject to disciplinary action including demotion, suspension, and dismissal.

      (d)      (1)      The Secretary may not hire professional caseworkers or casework supervisors on a contractual basis after June 30, 1999, and may not employ professional caseworkers or casework supervisors on a contractual basis after June 30, 2000, except as may be required to meet an unanticipated need resulting from:

                  (i)      A significant and unexpected increase in reports of child abuse and neglect; or

                  (ii)      A significant and unexpected increase in the foster care or kinship caseload, or both.

            (2)      No professional caseworker or casework supervisor contractual position may exist longer than 1 year.

      (e)      Whenever the Secretary contracts with an outside entity for the provision of casework services, the Secretary shall require the contractor to meet all employment qualifications, training curriculum, preservice and in-service training requirements, and competency testing required under this section.