(a)      To attract and retain teachers in the State by increasing homeownership opportunities, the General Assembly finds that there is a need to authorize the Department to develop a program to dedicate up to $25,000,000 over 5 years to provide mortgage loans to teachers at interest rates below the prevailing interest rate for similar programs.

      (b)      (1)      A mortgage loan under this section shall be available to a teacher who is a first-time home buyer.

            (2)      The loan shall be conditioned on an agreement by the teacher to teach in the State for at least 3 years if work is available for the teacher.

            (3)      The loan shall be used to purchase property in a priority funding area as defined in §§ 5-7B-02 and 5-7B-03 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.

      (c)      The Administration shall develop the program in consultation with:

            (1)      the State Department of Education, to ensure that the program is consistent with the State's strategy to attract and retain teachers; and

            (2)      local boards of education, to ensure that the program is properly marketed.