(a) On or before June 1, 2027, the Department shall contract with a public or private entity to conduct an independent evaluation of the Program.

(b) The independent evaluation shall evaluate:

(1) the benefits to the communities being served by the Program;

(2) the benefits to corps participants who completed the Program, including efficacy in transitioning corps participants to postsecondary education, the workforce, or registered apprenticeships;

(3) the efficacy of the Program’s professional development programming, training, and mentoring in supporting the State‘s workforce development needs;

(4) the Program design, implementation, and overall efficiency in delivering intended outcomes; and

(5) Any additional Program metrics developed by the Department.

(c) On or before July 1, 2028, the Department shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2-1257 of this article, the General Assembly on the results of the independent evaluation conducted in accordance with this section.

(d) Beginning on October 1, 2028, the Department shall publish an online dashboard of key performance indicators as determined in the report required under subsection (c) of this section.