(a) The Maryland Service Corps is established for the purpose of encouraging and developing a program of full- and part-time public service that involves citizens of all ages throughout the State of Maryland in meeting the essential needs, as the Office shall identify, within the human service delivery systems in Maryland.

(b) A project shall not be undertaken under the auspices of the Maryland Service Corps if such project shall replace regular workers or duplicate or replace an existing service in the same locality.

(c) A member of the Corps may not participate in any partisan political activity while engaged in the performance of duties as a stipend volunteer, and the provisions of this subtitle shall be effective only to the extent that they do not conflict with any federal or State laws or regulations relating to participation in partisan political activities.

(d) The number of stipend volunteers in the Corps shall be determined by the Director based on the needs of the community and the limits of budgetary appropriations.

(e) A stipend volunteer in the Corps shall make a commitment of up to 1 year of service. Stipend volunteers shall receive no salary, but shall receive a stipend, as determined by the Director, based on the needs of the stipend volunteer and the limits of budgetary appropriations.