Md. Code, Public Utilities § 7-707 — MD Code / Article gpu / Title 7 / Subtitle 7 / Section 7-707
§7–707.
Status: in_force

(a) In this section, “green power” means energy sources or renewable energy credits that are marketed as clean, green, eco–friendly, environmentally friendly or responsible, carbon–free, renewable, 100% renewable, 100% wind, 100% hydro, 100% solar, 100% emission–free, or similar claims.

(b) This section does not apply to:

(1) the Department of General Services when the Department of General Services sells energy under § 7–704.4 of this subtitle;

(2) a community choice aggregator under § 7–510.3 of this title; or

(3) an electricity supplier when supplying electricity to commercial retail electric customers.

(c) An electricity supplier that supplies electricity to residential retail electric customers may not market electricity as green power unless:

(1) the percentage of the electricity being offered, or the equivalent number of renewable energy credits associated with the electricity being marketed as green power, that is eligible for inclusion in meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard equals or exceeds the greater of:

(i) 51%; or

(ii) 1% higher than the renewable energy portfolio standard for the year the electricity is provided to the customer;

(2) the Commission approves the price of the electricity being marketed as green power in accordance with subsection (d) of this section; and

(3) the electricity supplier submits an application to the Commission that:

(i) describes the electricity being marketed as green power, including the green power source and percentage of the electricity that is green power;

(ii) describes how the green power complies with State law and regulations; and

(iii) includes any other information the Commission considers necessary.

(d) (1) The price approved by the Commission under subsection (c)(2) of this section shall be determined through:

(i) a proceeding held in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection; or

(ii) a proceeding held in accordance with paragraph (3) of this subsection.

(2) (i) Each year the Commission shall hold a proceeding to set a price per megawatt–hour for electricity marketed as green power under this section that may not be exceeded by an electricity supplier except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection.

(ii) Subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, the price set by the Commission under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph may:

1. exceed the maximum price per megawatt–hour that is authorized under § 7–510(d)(2)(i) of this title; and

2. differ based on the amount and source of the electricity generation.

(iii) During a proceeding held under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the Commission:

1. shall consider:

A. the price of the energy purchased, including the total cost of the renewable energy credits;

B. the amount of electricity that is eligible for inclusion in meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard;

C. the state in which the electricity was generated; and

D. applicable market data; and

2. may consider whether the purchase of renewable energy credits was bundled with a power purchase agreement from the energy sources associated with the credit.

(3) (i) On request by an electricity supplier, the Commission shall hold a proceeding to set a price per megawatt–hour for electricity marketed as green power for that electricity supplier.

(ii) Subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, at a proceeding held under this paragraph the Commission may set a price per megawatt–hour that is higher than the price determined in the proceeding held under paragraph (2) of this subsection for an electricity supplier if:

1. the electricity supplier demonstrates to the Commission’s satisfaction, based on an independent third–party audit, that the actual cost to the electricity supplier for the generation or supply of electricity exceeds that of the price determined through the proceeding held in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection;

2. the increased price reflects only the cost of the electricity marketed as green power and is not associated with any of the electricity supplier’s other costs; and

3. the electricity supplier demonstrates to the Commission’s satisfaction that the electricity supplier has a significant long–term investment in renewable energy that meets the renewable energy portfolio standard under § 7–703 of this subtitle.

(iii) During a proceeding held under this paragraph, the Commission shall consider:

1. whether the purchase of renewable energy credits was bundled with a power purchase agreement from the energy sources associated with the credit;

2. the price of the energy purchased, including the total cost of the renewable energy credits or power purchase agreements;

3. the amount of electricity that is eligible for inclusion in meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard;

4. the state in which the electricity was generated; and

5. applicable market data.

(4) (i) A price approved by the Commission under this subsection may not exceed 150% of the maximum price per megawatt–hour that is authorized under § 7–510(d)(2)(i) of this title unless the Commission determines that the actual cost of the green power exceeds that amount.

(ii) Within 120 days after approving a price for green power that exceeds 150% of the maximum price per megawatt–hour that is authorized under § 7–510(d)(2)(i) of this title, and annually for as long as the price exceeds that amount, the Commission shall submit a report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, that:

1. demonstrates that the approved price represents only the actual price of the green power; and

2. includes the Commission’s order authorizing the price of the green power.

(iii) If the Commission has approved for 3 consecutive years a price for green power that exceeds 150% of the maximum price per megawatt–hour that is authorized under § 7–510(d)(2)(i) of this title, the Commission shall include in the annual report required under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph:

1. information on market conditions that necessitate the approved price of the green power that exceeds 150% of the maximum price per megawatt–hour that is authorized under § 7–510(d)(2)(i) of this title; and

2. a recommendation of whether to increase the limitation on the maximum price of green power above which the Commission is required to make a determination under this paragraph.

(5) The Commission:

(i) shall annually review a price approved under paragraph (3) of this subsection; and

(ii) may, on its own initiative, or on petition by the Office of People’s Counsel, require an electricity supplier offering green power under a price established under paragraph (3) of this subsection to demonstrate that the price continues to meet the requirements of paragraph (3) of this subsection.

(e) (1) On and after January 1, 2025, an electricity supplier shall purchase renewable energy credits for each year the electricity supplier offers green power for sale to residential retail electric customers.

(2) A renewable energy credit an electricity supplier purchases under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be retired in a PJM Environmental Information Services, Inc., generation attribute tracking system reserve subaccount accessible by the Commission.

(f) (1) This subsection does not apply to:

(i) the Department of General Services when the Department of General Services sells energy under § 7–704.4 of this subtitle; or

(ii) a community choice aggregator under § 7–510.3 of this title.

(2) An electricity supplier that claims in the electricity supplier’s marketing of electricity to residential retail electric customers that the customer will be purchasing green power shall include the following disclosure or a similar disclosure approved by the Commission:

“We deliver energy through the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). A REC represents the social good that accompanies 1 megawatt–hour of renewable electricity generation. RECs may be sold separately from renewable electricity itself. Renewable electricity and RECs may be sold to different entities. The purchase of a REC does not indicate that renewable electricity itself has been purchased by the entity that purchased the REC.”.

(g) In addition to the disclosure required under subsection (f) of this section, the Commission shall adopt regulations that require an electricity supplier, other than the Department of General Services when the Department of General Services sells energy under § 7–704.4 of this subtitle or a community choice aggregator under § 7–510.3 of this title, that offers green power for sale to residential retail customers to include in the electricity supplier’s marketing materials a disclosure, written in plain language, that explains:

(1) what the customer will actually be paying for when the customer purchases green power from the electricity supplier;

(2) how the electricity that the customer has purchased is generated;

(3) how the green power will benefit the environment;

(4) the percentage of electricity that would be provided by the electricity supplier that is eligible for inclusion in meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard; and

(5) the state in which the electricity was generated.

(h) The Commission, in its discretion, may determine whether an electricity supplier is marketing electricity in accordance with this section.
Md. Code, Education § 7-1508 — MD Code / Article ged / Title 7 / Subtitle 15 / Section 7-1508
§7–1508.
Status: in_force

(a) (1) Each local school system shall designate a school safety coordinator.

(2) A designated school safety coordinator shall:

(i) Be certified by the Center; and

(ii) Serve as a liaison between the local school system, the local law enforcement agency, and the Center.

(b) (1) (i) On or before September 1, 2018, the Center, in consultation with local school systems, shall:

1. Develop a specialized curriculum for use in training of school resource officers and school security employees; and

2. Submit the curriculum to the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission for approval.

(ii) The specialized curriculum developed under this subsection shall include training in:

1. De–escalation;

2. Disability awareness;

3. Maintaining a positive school climate;

4. Constructive interactions with students; and

5. Implicit bias and disability and diversity awareness with specific attention to racial and ethnic disparities.

(iii) 1. The specialized curriculum developed under this subsection may not go into effect until it is approved by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission.

2. If the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission does not initially approve the specialized curriculum, the Center shall amend the curriculum until it meets with the Commission’s approval.

(2) On or before March 1, 2019, the Center shall develop and submit to the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission for approval a model training program that meets the requirements of the curriculum approved under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(3) Each local law enforcement agency shall:

(i) Enroll individuals assigned to be school resource officers in the model training program developed by the Center under paragraph (2) of this subsection; or

(ii) 1. Submit to the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission for approval a training program that is consistent with the curriculum developed under paragraph (1) of this subsection; and

2. Enroll individuals assigned to be school resource officers in the training program developed under item 1 of this item.

(4) Beginning September 1, 2019, to be assigned as a school resource officer an individual shall:

(i) Complete:

1. The model training program developed by the Center under paragraph (2) of this subsection through instruction provided by the Center in collaboration with the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission; or

2. A local law enforcement agency’s training program developed under paragraph (3)(ii) of this subsection; and

(ii) Be certified by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission.

(5) Beginning September 1, 2019, to be employed as a school security employee at a public school, an individual shall complete:

(i) The model training program developed by the Center under paragraph (2) of this subsection through instruction provided by the Center in collaboration with the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission; or

(ii) A local law enforcement agency’s training program developed under paragraph (3)(ii) of this subsection.

(c) The Center shall collect data regarding the school resource officers in each local school system, including:

(1) The number of full–time and part–time school resource officers assigned to each elementary school, middle school, and high school; and

(2) Any other local school system employees or local law enforcement officers who are fulfilling the role of a school resource officer.

(d) (1) On or before December 15, 2018, the Center, in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies and local school systems, shall analyze the initial data collected under subsection (c) of this section and develop guidelines to assist local school systems in:

(i) Identifying the appropriate number and assignment of school resource officers, including supplemental coverage by local law enforcement agencies; and

(ii) Collaborating and communicating with local law enforcement agencies.

(2) On or before July 1, 2019, each local school system, in consultation with local law enforcement agencies, shall:

(i) Develop a plan to implement the guidelines developed by the Center; and

(ii) Submit the plan to the Center for review and comment.

(e) (1) Before the 2018–2019 school year begins, each local school system shall file a report with the Center identifying:

(i) The public high schools in the local school system’s jurisdiction that have a school resource officer assigned to the school; and

(ii) If a public high school in the local school system’s jurisdiction is not assigned a school resource officer, the adequate local law enforcement coverage that will be provided to the public high school.

(2) Beginning with the 2019–2020 school year, and each school year thereafter, before the school year begins, each local school system shall, in accordance with the plan developed under subsection (d)(2) of this section, file a report identifying:

(i) The public schools in the local school system’s jurisdiction that have a school resource officer assigned to the school; and

(ii) If a public school in the local school system’s jurisdiction is not assigned a school resource officer, the adequate local law enforcement coverage that will be provided to the public school.

(3) On or before October 1, 2018, and each October 1 thereafter, the Center shall submit a summary of the reports required under this subsection to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.

(f) Each local school system shall post on the school system’s website information on the role and authority of school resource officers assigned to public schools within the school system.

(g) (1) For fiscal year 2020 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $10,000,000 for the purpose of providing grants to local school systems and local law enforcement agencies to assist in meeting the requirements of subsection (e) of this section.

(2) Grants provided under this subsection shall be made to each local school system based on the number of schools in each school system in proportion to the total number of public schools in the State in the prior year.

(h) A local school system may use funds provided under subsection (g) of this section for school security employees.

(i) (1) The Center shall collect data on incidents of use of force between:

(i) Any school resource officer and a student while a school resource officer is carrying out the officer’s duties; and

(ii) Any school security employee and a student while the school security employee is carrying out the employee’s duties.

(2) On or before December 1, 2020, and each December 1 thereafter, the Center shall submit a report on the data collected under paragraph (1) of this subsection for each jurisdiction, in accordance with federal and State law, to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.
Md. Code, Land Use § 7-301 — MD Code / Article glu / Title 7 / Subtitle 3 / Section 7-301
§7–301.
Status: in_force

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) “Development rights and responsibilities agreement” or “agreement” means an agreement between a local governing body and a person having a legal or equitable interest in real property to establish conditions under which development may proceed for a specified time.

(c) “Local governing body” means the legislative body, the local executive, or other elected governmental body that has zoning powers under this division.

(d) “Public principal” means the governmental entity of a local jurisdiction that has been granted the authority to enter agreements under § 7–302(a) of this subtitle.
Md. Code, Public Utilities § 7-704.1 — MD Code / Article gpu / Title 7 / Subtitle 7 / Section 7-704.1
§7–704.
Status: in_force

§7–704.1.

(a) (1) The General Assembly finds and declares that:

(i) the State has a goal of reaching 8,500 megawatts of offshore wind energy capacity by 2031, including Round 1 offshore wind projects, Round 2 offshore wind projects, and any other procurement efforts;

(ii) the General Assembly anticipates the issuance of sufficient wind energy leases in the central Atlantic region to satisfy the goal stated in item (i) of this paragraph;

(iii) the development of offshore wind energy is important to the economic well–being of the State and the nation;

(iv) offshore wind can provide clean energy at the scale needed to help achieve the State’s economy–wide net–zero greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets established in Chapter 38 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2022;

(v) it is in the public interest of the State to facilitate the construction of at least 1,200 megawatts of Round 2 offshore wind projects in order to:

1. position the State to take advantage of the economic development benefits of the emerging offshore wind industry;

2. promote the development of renewable energy sources that increase the nation’s independence from foreign sources of fossil fuels;

3. reduce the adverse environmental and health impacts of traditional fossil fuel energy sources; and

4. provide a long–term hedge against volatile prices of fossil fuels; and

(vi) it is in the public interest of the State to maximize the opportunities for obtaining and using federal funds for offshore wind and related transmission projects through the inclusion of specified labor standards and goals, domestic content requirements, and other provisions to align State law with provisions of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 and the federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

(2) After the effective date of Commission regulations implementing this section and § 7–704.2 of this subtitle, and before June 30, 2017, a person may submit an application to the Commission for approval of a proposed Round 1 offshore wind project.

(3) (i) On receipt of the application for approval of a Round 1 offshore wind project, the Commission shall:

1. open an application period when other interested persons may submit applications for approval of Round 1 offshore wind projects; and

2. provide notice that the Commission is accepting applications for approval of Round 1 offshore wind projects.

(ii) The Commission shall set the closing date for the application period to be no sooner than 90 days after the notice provided under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.

(4) The Commission shall provide additional application periods beginning, respectively:

(i) January 1, 2020, for consideration of Round 2 offshore wind projects to begin creating ORECs not later than 2026;

(ii) January 1, 2021, for consideration of Round 2 offshore wind projects to begin creating ORECs not later than 2028; and

(iii) January 1, 2022, for consideration of Round 2 offshore wind projects to begin creating ORECs not later than 2030.

(5) In its discretion, the Commission may provide for additional application periods that meet the requirements of this section.

(b) Unless extended by mutual consent of the parties, the Commission shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny an application within 180 days after the close of the application period.

(c) An application shall include:

(1) a detailed description and financial analysis of the offshore wind project;

(2) the proposed method of financing the offshore wind project, including documentation demonstrating that the applicant has applied for all current eligible State and federal grants, rebates, tax credits, loan guarantees, or other programs available to offset the cost of the project or provide tax advantages;

(3) a cost–benefit analysis that shall include at a minimum:

(i) a detailed input–output analysis of the impact of the offshore wind project on income, employment, wages, and taxes in the State with particular emphasis on in–State manufacturing employment;

(ii) detailed information concerning assumed employment impacts in the State, including the expected duration of employment opportunities, the salary of each position, and other supporting evidence of employment impacts;

(iii) an analysis of the anticipated environmental benefits, health benefits, and environmental impacts of the offshore wind project to the citizens of the State;

(iv) an analysis of any impact on residential, commercial, and industrial ratepayers over the life of the offshore wind project;

(v) an analysis of any long–term effect on energy and capacity markets as a result of the proposed offshore wind project;

(vi) an analysis of any impact on businesses in the State; and

(vii) other benefits, such as increased in–State construction, operations, maintenance, and equipment purchase;

(4) a proposed OREC pricing schedule for the offshore wind project that shall specify a price for the generation attributes, including the energy, capacity, ancillary services, and environmental attributes;

(5) a decommissioning plan for the project, including provisions for decommissioning as required by the United States Department of the Interior;

(6) a commitment to:

(i) abide by the requirements set forth in subsection (f) of this section; and

(ii) deposit at least $6,000,000, in the manner required under subsection (h) of this section, into the Maryland Offshore Wind Business Development Fund established under § 9–20C–03 of the State Government Article;

(7) a description of the applicant’s plan for engaging small businesses, as defined in § 14–501 of the State Finance and Procurement Article;

(8) a commitment that the applicant will:

(i) use best efforts to apply for all eligible State and federal grants, rebates, tax credits, loan guarantees, or other similar benefits as those benefits become available; and

(ii) subject to subsection (k) of this section, pass along to ratepayers, without the need for any subsequent Commission approval, 80% of the value of any State or federal grants, rebates, tax credits, loan guarantees, or other similar benefits received by the project and not included in the application; and

(9) any other information the Commission requires.

(d) The following are subject to a community benefit agreement under subsection (f) of this section:

(1) an application for any new qualified offshore wind project; and

(2) a proposal selected by the Commission under § 7–704.3 of this subtitle for an offshore wind transmission project.

(e) (1) The Commission shall use the following criteria to evaluate and compare proposed offshore wind projects submitted during an application period:

(i) lowest cost impact on ratepayers of the price set under a proposed OREC pricing schedule;

(ii) potential reductions in transmission congestion prices within the State;

(iii) potential changes in capacity prices within the State;

(iv) potential reductions in locational marginal pricing;

(v) potential long–term changes in capacity prices within the State from the offshore wind project as it compares to conventional energy sources;

(vi) the extent to which the cost–benefit analysis submitted under subsection (c)(3) of this section demonstrates positive net economic, environmental, and health benefits to the State;

(vii) the extent to which an applicant’s plan for engaging small businesses meets the goals specified in Title 14, Subtitle 5 of the State Finance and Procurement Article;

(viii) the extent to which an applicant’s plan provides for the use of skilled labor, particularly with regard to the construction and manufacturing components of the project, through outreach, hiring, or referral systems that are affiliated with registered apprenticeship programs under Title 11, Subtitle 4 of the Labor and Employment Article;

(ix) the extent to which an applicant’s plan provides for the use of an agreement designed to ensure the use of skilled labor and to promote the prompt, efficient, and safe completion of the project, particularly with regard to the construction, manufacturing, and maintenance of the project;

(x) the extent to which an applicant’s plan provides for compensation to its employees and subcontractors consistent with wages outlined under §§ 17–201 through 17–228 of the State Finance and Procurement Article;

(xi) siting and project feasibility;

(xii) the extent to which the proposed offshore wind project would require transmission or distribution infrastructure improvements in the State;

(xiii) estimated ability to assist in meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard under § 7–703 of this subtitle; and

(xiv) any other criteria that the Commission determines to be appropriate.

(2) In evaluating and comparing an applicant’s proposed offshore wind project under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Commission shall contract for the services of independent consultants and experts.

(3) The Commission shall verify that representatives of the United States Department of Defense and the maritime industry have had the opportunity, through the federal leasing process, to express concerns regarding project siting.

(4) (i) In this paragraph, “minority” means an individual who is a member of any of the groups listed in § 14–301(k)(1)(i) of the State Finance and Procurement Article.

(ii) If an applicant is seeking investors in a proposed offshore wind project, it shall take the following steps before the Commission may approve the proposed project:

1. make serious, good–faith efforts to solicit and interview a reasonable number of minority investors;

2. as part of the application, submit a statement to the Commission that lists the names and addresses of all minority investors interviewed and whether or not any of those investors have purchased an equity share in the entity submitting an application;

3. as a condition to the Commission’s approval of the offshore wind project, sign a memorandum of understanding with the Commission that requires the applicant to again make serious, good–faith efforts to interview minority investors in any future attempts to raise venture capital or attract new investors to the offshore wind project; and

4. as a condition to the Commission’s approval of the offshore wind project, sign a memorandum of understanding with the Commission that requires the applicant to use best efforts and effective outreach to obtain, as a goal, contractors and subcontractors for the project that are minority business enterprises, to the extent practicable, as supported by a disparity study.

(iii) The Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, shall provide assistance to all potential applicants and potential minority investors to satisfy the requirements under subparagraph (ii)1 and 3 of this paragraph.

(5) As a condition of the Commission’s approval of the offshore wind project, the applicant shall sign a memorandum of understanding with the Commission and skilled labor organizations that requires the applicant to follow the portions of the applicant’s plan that relate to the criteria set forth in paragraph (1)(viii) and (ix) of this subsection.

(f) (1) (i) In this paragraph, “community benefit agreement” means an agreement applicable to the development of any qualified offshore wind project or offshore wind transmission facility that:

1. promotes increased opportunities for local businesses and small, minority, women–owned, and veteran–owned businesses in the clean energy industry;

2. ensures the timely, safe, and efficient completion of the project by:

A. facilitating a steady supply of highly skilled craft workers who shall be paid not less than the prevailing wage rate determined by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry under Title 17, Subtitle 2 of the State Finance and Procurement Article; and

B. guaranteeing that the construction work performed in connection with the project will be subject to an agreement that:

I. is with one or more labor organizations; and

II. establishes, in accordance with paragraph (3) of this subsection, the terms and conditions of employment at the construction site of the project or a portion of the project;

3. promotes safe completion of the project by ensuring that at least 80% of the craft workers on the project have completed an Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10–hour or 30–hour course;

4. promotes career training opportunities in the manufacturing, maintenance, and construction industries for local residents, veterans, women, and minorities;

5. provides for best efforts and effective outreach to obtain, as a goal, the use of a workforce including minorities, to the extent practicable;

6. reflects a 21st–century labor–management approach by developers and suppliers based on cooperation, harmony, and partnership that proactively seeks to ensure that workers can freely choose to both organize and collectively bargain;

7. provides plans to use domestic iron, steel, and manufactured goods to the greatest extent practicable by disclosing contracted suppliers;

8. uses locally and domestically manufactured construction materials and components; and

9. maximizes the use of skilled local labor, particularly with regard to the construction and manufacturing components of the project, using methods including outreach, hiring, or referral methods that are affiliated with registered apprenticeship programs under Title 11, Subtitle 4 of the Labor and Employment Article.

(ii) If the Commission receives reasonable proposals that demonstrate positive net economic, environmental, and health benefits to the State, based on the criteria specified in subsection (c)(3) of this section, and subject to subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, the Commission shall approve orders to facilitate the financing of qualified offshore wind projects, including at least 1,200 megawatts of Round 2 offshore wind projects.

(iii) The Commission may not approve an applicant’s proposed offshore wind project unless:

1. for a Round 1 offshore wind project application:

A. the projected net rate impact for an average residential customer, based on annual consumption of 12,000 kilowatt–hours, combined with the projected net rate impact of other Round 1 offshore wind projects, does not exceed $1.50 per month in 2012 dollars, over the duration of the proposed OREC pricing schedule;

B. the projected net rate impact for all nonresidential customers considered as a blended average, combined with the projected net rate impact of other Round 1 offshore wind projects, does not exceed 1.5% of nonresidential customers’ total annual electric bills, over the duration of the proposed OREC pricing schedule; and

C. the price specified in the proposed OREC pricing schedule does not exceed $190 per megawatt–hour in 2012 dollars; and

2. for a Round 2 offshore wind project application:

A. the projected incremental net rate impact for an average residential customer, based on annual consumption of 12 megawatt–hours, combined with the projected incremental net rate impact of other Round 2 offshore wind projects, does not exceed 88 cents per month in 2018 dollars, over the duration of the proposed OREC pricing schedule;

B. the projected incremental net rate impact for all nonresidential customers considered as a blended average, combined with the projected net rate impact of other Round 2 offshore wind projects, does not exceed 0.9% of nonresidential customers’ total annual electric bills during any year of the proposed OREC pricing schedule; and

C. the project is subject to a community benefit agreement.

(2) (i) When calculating the net benefits to the State under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection, the Commission shall contract for the services of independent consultants and experts.

(ii) When calculating the projected net average rate impacts for Round 1 offshore wind projects under paragraph (1)(iii)1A and B of this subsection and for Round 2 offshore wind projects under paragraph (1)(iii)2A and B of this subsection, the Commission shall apply the same net OREC cost per megawatt–hour to residential and nonresidential customers.

(3) An agreement required under paragraph (1)(i)2B of this subsection shall:

(i) guarantee against strikes, lockouts, and similar disruptions;

(ii) ensure that all work on the project fully conforms to all relevant State and federal laws, rules, and regulations;

(iii) create mutually binding procedures for resolving labor disputes arising during the term of the project;

(iv) set forth other mechanisms for labor–management cooperation on matters of mutual interest and concern, including productivity, quality of work, safety, and health; and

(v) bind all contractors and subcontractors to the terms of the agreement through the inclusion of appropriate provisions in all relevant solicitation and contract documents.

(g) (1) An order the Commission issues approving a proposed offshore wind project shall:

(i) specify the OREC pricing schedule, which may not authorize an OREC price greater than, for a Round 1 offshore wind project, $190 per megawatt–hour in 2012 dollars;

(ii) specify the duration of the OREC pricing schedule, not to exceed 20 years;

(iii) specify the number of ORECs the offshore wind project may sell each year;

(iv) provide that:

1. a payment may not be made for an OREC until electricity supply is generated by the offshore wind project; and

2. ratepayers, purchasers of ORECs, and the State shall be held harmless for any cost overruns associated with the offshore wind project; and

(v) require that any debt instrument issued in connection with a qualified offshore wind project include language specifying that the debt instrument does not establish a debt, obligation, or liability of the State.

(2) An order approving a proposed offshore wind project vests the owner of the qualified offshore wind project with the right to receive payments for ORECs according to the terms in the order.

(3) On or before March 1 each year, the Commission shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the Senate Committee on Education, Energy, and the Environment and the House Economic Matters Committee on:

(i) compliance by applicants with the minority business enterprise participation goals under subsection (e)(4) of this section; and

(ii) with respect to the community benefit agreement under subsection (f)(1) of this section:

1. the availability and use of opportunities for local businesses and small, minority, women–owned, and veteran–owned businesses;

2. the success of efforts to promote career training opportunities in the manufacturing, maintenance, and construction industries for local residents, veterans, women, and minorities; and

3. compliance with the minority workforce goal under subsection (f)(1)(i)5 of this section.

(h) For Round 2 offshore wind project applications, the Commission shall approve OREC orders representing a minimum of 400 megawatts of nameplate capacity proposed during each application period unless:

(1) not enough Round 2 offshore wind project applications are submitted to meet the net benefit test under subsection (c)(3) of this section; or

(2) the cumulative net ratepayer impact exceeds the maximums provided in subsection (f)(1)(ii)2 of this section.

(i) (1) Within 60 days after the Commission approves the application of a proposed offshore wind project, the qualified offshore wind project shall deposit $2,000,000 into the Maryland Offshore Wind Business Development Fund established under § 9–20C–03 of the State Government Article.

(2) Within 1 year after the initial deposit under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the qualified offshore wind project shall deposit an additional $2,000,000 into the Maryland Offshore Wind Business Development Fund.

(3) Within 2 years after the initial deposit under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the qualified offshore wind project shall deposit an additional $2,000,000 into the Maryland Offshore Wind Business Development Fund.

(j) (1) The findings and evidence relied on by the General Assembly for the continuation of the Minority Business Enterprise Program under Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article are incorporated in this subsection.

(2) To the extent practicable and authorized by the United States Constitution, approved applicants for a proposed offshore wind project shall comply with the State’s Minority Business Enterprise Program.

(3) (i) On or before 6 months after the issuance of an order approving an OREC application, the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and an approved applicant, shall establish a clear plan for setting reasonable and appropriate minority business enterprise participation goals and procedures for each phase of the qualified offshore wind project.

(ii) To the extent practicable, the goals and procedures specified in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph shall be based on the requirements of Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the regulations implementing that subtitle.

(iii) Every 6 months following the issuance of an order approving an OREC application, an approved applicant shall submit a report on its progress establishing and implementing minority business enterprise goals and procedures to the Commission.

(4) On and after July 1, 2026, the provisions of this subsection and any regulations adopted in accordance with this subsection shall be of no effect and may not be enforced.

(k) (1) A developer of a Round 1 offshore wind project or Round 2 offshore wind project approved under this section may apply to the Commission for a full or partial exemption from the requirements in subsection (c)(8)(ii) of this section for any federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 grants, rebates, tax credits, or loan guarantees received by the project if at least 15% of the total labor hours of construction, alteration, or repair work for the project, including any construction, alteration, or repair work performed by a contractor or subcontractor, is performed by qualified apprentices consistent with federal law.

(2) A developer seeking an exemption under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall certify that the exemption is required to fulfill the developer’s obligations under an approved OREC order.

(3) The Commission shall:

(i) establish an application process for a developer to apply for an exemption under paragraph (1) of this subsection;

(ii) approve, deny, or request additional information regarding an application submitted under this subsection within 60 days after receipt of the application;

(iii) in evaluating an application submitted under this subsection, take into consideration the potential benefits and impacts of approving the application, including:

1. the State’s goals for developing offshore wind energy;

2. workforce and supply chain impacts; and

3. the risk that price inflation may have on achieving the State’s offshore wind energy goals; and

(iv) keep any proprietary information submitted by an applicant confidential.

(4) If the Commission approves a partial exemption under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the nonexempt value of any federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 grants, rebates, tax credits, or loan guarantees received by the project shall be passed along to ratepayers.

(l) (1) In this subsection, “revised Round 2 offshore wind project” means a Round 2 offshore wind project that has filed an application with the Commission for revised project schedules, sizes, or pricing, including OREC pricing, under this subsection.

(2) This subsection applies to Round 1 offshore wind projects and Round 2 offshore wind projects that:

(i) are to be located in a wind energy area authorized by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management; and

(ii) possess ORECs, or are subject to a Commission order approving an OREC price schedule, as of June 1, 2024.

(3) (i) On June 1, 2024, the Commission shall open a revised Round 2 offshore wind project proceeding that is limited to evaluating revised project schedules, sizes, or pricing, including OREC pricing, for a previously approved Round 2 offshore wind project.

(ii) Any previously approved Round 2 offshore wind project may submit a revised plan for the project by filing an application with the Commission.

(iii) An application for a revised Round 2 offshore wind project shall be limited to addressing revised project schedules, sizes, or pricing, including OREC pricing.

(iv) 1. On receipt of an application for approval of a revised Round 2 offshore wind project, the Commission shall conduct an expedited review of the application.

2. Unless extended by mutual consent of the parties, the Commission shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny an application within 90 days after the application is filed and found by the Commission to be administratively complete.

(v) 1. Except as provided in subsubparagraphs 2 and 3 of this subparagraph, an application for a revised Round 2 offshore wind project shall be subject to all criteria set forth in this section for Round 2 offshore wind projects.

2. An application for a revised Round 2 offshore wind project is not subject to the requirements of subsections (c)(6)(ii) and (i) of this section.

3. If in a revised Round 2 offshore wind project proceeding the Commission reviews multiple reasonable proposals meeting the requirements of this section for Round 2 offshore wind projects, the Commission shall issue orders approving the revised Round 2 offshore wind projects necessary to facilitate as much energy capacity as is consistent with the Round 2 offshore wind project ratepayer protections under this section, including at least 800 megawatts of capacity from revised Round 2 offshore wind projects, if practicable, even if the revised Round 2 offshore wind project applications may result in lower total energy capacity awarded than was previously awarded to the revised Round 2 offshore wind project in its previously approved Round 2 offshore wind project application.

4. When evaluating an application for a revised Round 2 offshore wind project, the Commission shall, to the extent practicable, extend prior or existing proceedings for applicants that have a previously approved order for a Round 2 offshore wind project.

(vi) The Commission may not approve an application for a revised Round 2 offshore wind project unless the application includes commitments for in–State expenditures and investments in a local supply chain that the Commission determines are reasonably related to the size and requirements of the project.

(vii) The Administration shall have access to all confidential information produced by any party relating to a revised Round 2 offshore wind project proceeding, subject to an agreement to protect the confidentiality of the information.

(4) (i) In order to maximize the amount of renewable energy generated by a Round 1 offshore wind project, any Round 1 offshore wind project may seek approval from the Commission to amend its previously approved Round 1 offshore wind project order to:

1. increase the maximum amount of ORECs sold under the previous order, consistent with the Round 1 offshore wind project ratepayer protections under this section; and

2. modify its project schedule.

(ii) The Commission may approve a request for an increased amount of ORECs sold under a previously approved Round 1 offshore wind project order on a showing that:

1. the unit pricing of the additional ORECs does not exceed the pricing under the previously approved Round 1 offshore wind project order; and

2. the Round 1 offshore wind project is in compliance with the ratepayer protection provisions required for Round 1 offshore wind projects, taking into consideration changes in economic conditions since the original Round 1 offshore wind project awards.

(m) (1) The Commission, with the assistance of the Administration, the Department of General Services, and other interested State units shall develop a plan for achieving a total of 8,500 megawatts of offshore wind energy capacity by 2031.

(2) The plan:

(i) shall include a schedule of offshore wind energy procurements and proposed amounts of offshore wind energy for procurement through 2031; and

(ii) may include recommendations on multijurisdictional offshore wind energy procurements and any additional offshore wind energy procurement recommendations.

(3) On or before January 1, 2025, the Commission shall submit a report on the plan to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article.
Md. Code, Public Utilities § 7-1003 — MD Code / Article gpu / Title 7 / Subtitle 10 / Section 7-1003
§7–1003.
Status: in_force

(a) (1) On or before July 1, 2025, each investor–owned electric company shall file with the Commission one or more time–of–use tariffs for appropriate customer classes, to be made available to customers on an opt–in basis.

(2) Each time–of–use tariff shall establish a sufficient price discount for off–peak hours compared to peak hours, as determined by the market or an investor–owned electric company’s cost of service, to encourage customers to adjust electricity use to off–peak hours.

(b) (1) (i) An investor–owned electric company shall propose with each tariff or tariffs required under subsection (a) of this section a reasonable enrollment target to try to achieve by January 1, 2028.

(ii) The investor–owned electric company shall attempt to achieve the enrollment target through a combination of marketing, customer education, and other means to communicate the benefits and risks of time–of–use rates.

(2) (i) The Commission may require an investor–owned electric company to automatically enroll in a time–of–use tariff customers that receive an incentive from the investor–owned electric company as part of a beneficial electrification program.

(ii) The Commission shall require an investor–owned electric company to provide to customers that are automatically enrolled in a time–of–use tariff in accordance with subparagraph (i) of this paragraph notice and an opportunity to opt out of the time–of–use tariff.

(c) On or before July 1, 2026, each investor–owned electric company shall submit a report to the Commission evaluating:

(1) the potential to avoid or defer electric distribution system capital projects through the use of time–of–use rates, demand–response and demand–side programs, and renewable on–site generating systems; and

(2) the merits and feasibility of transitioning all customers to a time–of–use tariff on an opt–out basis.

(d) In accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on or before December 31, 2027, the Commission shall submit a report to the General Assembly on:

(1) the impacts of opt–in time–of–use tariffs on the electric distribution system;

(2) the timeline, feasibility, and merits of transitioning all customers to a time–of–use tariff on an opt–out basis; and

(3) whether a full transition to time–of–use rates is justified.

(e) An investor–owned electric company may recover all reasonable and prudent costs, including marketing costs, to achieve its proposed enrollment targets and execute its responsibilities in accordance with this section.

(f) For good cause shown, the Commission may delay for a reasonable period of time the deadline for an investor–owned electric company to comply with the provisions of this section.

(g) (1) A municipal electric utility or electric cooperative may file with the Commission one or more time–of–use tariffs in the same manner as an investor–owned electric company under this section.

(2) If a municipal electric utility or electric cooperative elects to file with the Commission a time–of–use tariff under this section, the provisions of this section that apply to an investor–owned electric company shall also apply to the municipal electric utility or electric cooperative.
Md. Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 7-301 — MD Code / Article gcj / Title 7 / Subtitle 3 / Section 7-301
§7–301.
Status: in_force

(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, the court costs in a traffic case, including parking and impounding cases, cases under § 21–202.1, § 21–809, § 21–810, § 21–1414, or § 24–111.3 of the Transportation Article in which costs are imposed, and cases under § 10–112 of the Criminal Law Article in which costs are imposed:

(i) Are $22.50; and

(ii) Shall also be applicable to those cases in which the defendant elects to waive the defendant’s right to trial and pay the fine or penalty deposit established by the Chief Judge of the District Court by administrative regulation.

(2) In an uncontested case under § 21–202.1, § 21–809, § 21–810, § 21–1414, or § 24–111.3 of the Transportation Article, an uncontested case under § 10–112 of the Criminal Law Article, or an uncontested parking or impounding case in which the fines are paid directly to a political subdivision or municipality, costs are $2.00, which costs shall be paid to and retained by the political subdivision or municipality.

(3) (i) In an uncontested case in which the fine is paid directly to an agency of State government authorized by law to regulate parking of motor vehicles, the court costs are $2.00.

(ii) The fine and the costs under this paragraph shall be paid to the agency, which shall receive and account for these funds as in all other cases involving sums due the State through a State agency.

(b) (1) The court costs in a criminal case in which costs are imposed are $22.50.

(2) The costs shall be in addition to any costs imposed in a criminal case under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act.

(c) (1) The filing fees and costs in a civil case are those prescribed by law subject to modification by law, rule, or administrative regulation.

(2) The Chief Judge of the District Court shall assess a surcharge that:

(i) May not be more than:

1. $43 per summary ejectment case; and

2. $28 per case for all other civil cases; and

(ii) Shall be deposited:

1. For a surcharge assessed under item (i)1 of this paragraph:

A. 45% into the Statewide Rental Assistance Voucher Program established under § 4–2902 of the Housing and Community Development Article;

B. 45% into the Maryland Legal Services Corporation Fund established under § 11–402 of the Human Services Article; and

C. 10% into the Rental Assistance for Community Schools Families Fund established under § 9.9–104.1 of the Education Article; and

2. For a surcharge assessed under item (i)2 of this paragraph, into the Maryland Legal Services Corporation Fund established under § 11–402 of the Human Services Article.

(3) (i) In addition to the surcharge assessed under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Chief Judge of the District Court shall assess a surcharge that may not be more than $10 per case for the following cases filed in Baltimore City:

1. Summary ejectment;

2. Tenant holding over;

3. Breach of lease; and

4. Warrant of restitution.

(ii) The revenue generated from the surcharge on filing fees collected by the District Court in Baltimore City under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph shall be:

1. Remitted quarterly to the Baltimore City Director of Finance; and

2. Used to fund the enhancement of sheriff benefits, the increase in sheriff personnel to enhance the service of domestic violence orders, and the work of the Neighborhood Services Unit within the Office of the Sheriff of Baltimore City.

(4) In addition to the surcharge assessed under paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, the Chief Judge of the District Court shall assess a surcharge that:

(i) May not be more than:

1. $3 per summary ejectment case; and

2. $8 per case for all other civil cases; and

(ii) Shall be deposited into the Circuit Court Real Property Records Improvement Fund established under § 13–602 of this article.

(5) (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a surcharge assessed under paragraph (2)(i)1 of this subsection shall be assessed against a landlord and may not be awarded or assigned as a fee or cost against a residential tenant by the court.

(ii) A court may allow a landlord to deduct a surcharge assessed under paragraph (2)(i)1 of this subsection from the tenant’s security deposit if:

1. A judgment for possession is granted in the landlord’s favor; and

2. The lease agreement provides that a surcharge may be assessed against the tenant in accordance with this paragraph.

(iii) A deduction under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph may not exceed the amount of a tenant’s security deposit.

(6) The Supreme Court of Maryland may provide by rule for waiver of prepayment of filing fees and other costs in cases of indigency.

(d) (1) If a person pays court costs or a fine with a check in any motor vehicle, criminal, or civil case in the District Court, and the check is returned to the court by the financial institution on which it is drawn because of insufficient funds in the account, or because the account has been closed or never existed, the court may impose a service charge of $30 against the party issuing the check.

(2) The service charge under this subsection shall be in addition to any other penalty prescribed by law.

(e) The Comptroller shall annually pay from the court costs collected by the District Court under subsections (a) and (b)(1) of this section:

(1) $500,000 into the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund established under § 11–819 of the Criminal Procedure Article;

(2) $125,000 into the Victim and Witness Protection and Relocation Fund established under § 11–905 of the Criminal Procedure Article; and

(3) $2,000,000 into the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission Fund established under § 3–206.1 of the Public Safety Article.

(f) (1) This subsection does not apply to a traffic case under § 21–202.1, § 21–809, § 21–810, or § 21–1414 of the Transportation Article or to a parking or impounding case.

(2) In a traffic case under subsection (a)(1) of this section the court shall add a $7.50 surcharge to any fine imposed by the court.

(3) (i) The Comptroller annually shall credit the surcharges collected under this subsection as provided in this paragraph.

(ii) An amount annually as set forth in the State budget shall be distributed for the Charles W. Riley Firefighter and Ambulance and Rescue Squad Member Scholarship as established in § 18–603.1 of the Education Article.

(iii) An amount annually as set forth in the State budget shall be distributed to the Maryland State Firefighters Association for the Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund.

(iv) After the distribution under subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph, $200,000 shall be distributed to the Maryland State Firemen’s Association.

(v) After the distribution under subparagraphs (ii), (iii), and (iv) of this paragraph and until a total of $20,000,000 has been distributed to the Volunteer Company Assistance Fund since the establishment of the surcharge under this subsection, the remainder shall be credited to the Volunteer Company Assistance Fund to be used in accordance with the provisions of Title 8, Subtitle 2 of the Public Safety Article.

(vi) After a total of $20,000,000 has been distributed to the Volunteer Company Assistance Fund, 100% of the remainder shall be credited to the Maryland Emergency Medical System Operations Fund established under § 13–955 of the Transportation Article.

(vii) On or before September 1 of each year until $20,000,000 has been distributed to the Volunteer Company Assistance Fund, the State Court Administrator shall submit a report to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and the House Appropriations Committee, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the amount of revenue distributed to the Volunteer Company Assistance Fund under this paragraph.
Md. Code, Real Property § 7-201 — MD Code / Article grp / Title 7 / Subtitle 2 / Section 7-201
§7–201.
Status: in_force

If any property is granted, and the purchase money, or any part of it, remains unpaid at the time of the grant, the vendor may not have a lien or charge on the property for any other sum of money than the sum that appears to be due on the face of the deed. The time set for payment shall be specified and recited in the deed. No provision in this section may be construed to affect any mortgage or deed of trust given by a purchaser to secure the payment of all or any part of the purchase money, or in any way affect or postpone the lien of any landlord on goods or chattels for the satisfaction or security of rent due or accruing.
Md. Code, Public Utilities § 7-512 — MD Code / Article gpu / Title 7 / Subtitle 5 / Section 7-512
§7–512.
Status: in_force

(a) This section and § 7-513 of this subtitle apply to an entity that was regulated as an electric company on June 30, 1999, whether or not the entity or any of its businesses, services, or assets continues to be regulated under this article after that date.

(b) An electric company may recover costs under this section to the extent that the Commission finds costs to be just and reasonable.

(c) (1) An electric company shall be provided a fair opportunity to recover fully all costs that have been or will be incurred by the electric company under public purpose programs established by law or ordered by the Commission.

(2) (i) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, the costs subject to this subsection shall be funded by a surcharge or other cost recovery mechanism collected on a statewide basis that:

1. fully recovers from customers the costs of the plans and programs; and

2. subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, with respect to any of these costs not included in rates on January 1, 2000, is not subject to any otherwise applicable cap.

(ii) The recovery by an electric company of costs for a universal service program is subject to any applicable cap regardless of when the costs are included in rates.

(3) During the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, an electric company may not, under paragraph (2) of this subsection, recover costs of a consumer education program established by law, regulation, or order.
Md. Code, Health - General § 7-503 — MD Code / Article ghg / Title 7 / Subtitle 5 / Section 7-503
§7–503.
Status: in_force

(a) Within 21 days after the admission of an individual to a State residential center, a hearing officer of the Department shall hold a hearing on the admission in accordance with the rules and regulations that the Secretary adopts.

(b) Written notice of the admission of an individual and of the date, time, and place of the individual’s hearing on admission shall be given:

(1) On admission, to the individual; and

(2) As soon as possible, but not later than 5 days after the admission, to legal counsel for the individual and to the proponent of admission.

(c) The notice also shall state:

(1) The name of each proponent of the admission;

(2) The right of the individual who has been admitted:

(i) To consult with and be represented by a lawyer; and

(ii) To call witnesses and offer evidence at the hearing on admission;

(3) The availability of the services of the legal aid bureaus, lawyer referral services, and other agencies that exist for the referral of individuals who need legal counsel;

(4) The rights of individuals with developmental disability under Subtitle 10 and § 7–1102 of this title; and

(5) The rights of individuals to release under §§ 7–506, 7–507, and 7–508 of this subtitle.

(d) The Department shall prepare and provide each State residential center with standard forms that set forth, in clear and simple words, the notice provisions of this section.

(e) (1) At the hearing, in order to certify the admission of the individual, it must be affirmatively shown by clear and convincing evidence that the conclusions leading to the decision to admit the individual are supported by the following findings:

(i) The individual has an intellectual disability;

(ii) The individual needs residential services for the individual’s adequate habilitation; and

(iii) There is no less restrictive setting in which the needed services can be provided that is available to the individual or will be available to the individual within a reasonable time after the hearing.

(2) If the hearing officer shall find from the admissible evidence that the conclusions leading to the admission are not proved, the hearing officer shall so certify and the individual shall be released from the State residential center.

(3) If the hearing officer shall find from clear and convincing evidence that all of the admission requirements have been proved, the hearing officer shall so certify and the individual’s admission shall be considered approved.

(4) If the hearing officer certifies the admission of an individual to a State residential center, the hearing officer shall, at the conclusion of the hearing, write on the certification form any additional services of habilitation that are not included in the evaluation report, but that the hearing officer finds from the evidence are needed by the individual.

(5) If the hearing officer certifies the admission of an individual to a State residential center, the hearing officer shall, at the conclusion of the hearing, advise that individual and the legal counsel of the individual’s right to seek judicial release from the State residential center under § 7–507 of this subtitle. The hearing officer shall also advise that individual and the legal counsel of:

(i) The individual’s rights under the appeal provisions of §§ 10–222 and 10–223 of the State Government Article; and

(ii) The individual’s right to file a petition for habeas corpus under § 7–506 of this subtitle.
Md. Code, Health - General § 7-306.1 — MD Code / Article ghg / Title 7 / Subtitle 3 / Section 7-306.1
§7–306.
Status: in_force

§7–306.1. IN EFFECT

** IN EFFECT UNTIL CONTINGENCY MET PER CHAPTER 648 OF 2014**

(a) The Administration shall develop and implement a funding system for the distribution of State funds to private providers that are under contract with the Administration to provide community–based services to individuals with disability in accordance with the State plan.

(b) Funds received for services that are fee–for–service or that have rates set by regulation shall be subject to recovery by the Administration only for the following purposes:

(1) Client attendance;

(2) Client fees; or

(3) Sanctions allowed through regulations.

(c) (1) Under the funding system developed under subsection (a) of this section, the Administration shall notify each private provider at least 30 days before the beginning of the fiscal year of the billing rate or amount of funds to be paid to the provider for the provision of community–based services to an individual with developmental disability or a group of individuals with developmental disability for the coming fiscal year.

(2) For rates that are set in regulation, the Administration shall include the cost centers used to determine the funding amount of each rate.

(3) (i) A private provider may request an administrative resolution of a billing rate set under paragraph (1) of this subsection except for rates set in regulation.

(ii) Within 60 days after receipt of the provider’s request, the Administration shall make a decision on the request for an administrative resolution.

(iii) If an administrative resolution cannot be reached between the provider and the Administration, the provider may request an evidentiary hearing or an oral hearing in accordance with regulations of the Department.

(d) Subject to the provisions of subsections (e), (f), and (g) of this section, the Administration shall provide payment to private providers for the services provided from the funds designated in subsection (c) of this section in accordance with the following payment schedule:

(1) On or before the third business day of the fiscal quarter beginning July 1, 33% of the total annual amount to be paid to the provider;

(2) On or before the third business day of the fiscal quarter beginning October 1, 25% of the total annual amount to be paid to the provider;

(3) On or before the third business day of the fiscal quarter beginning January 1, 25% of the total annual amount to be paid to the provider; and

(4) On or before the third business day of the fiscal quarter beginning April 1, 17% of the total annual amount to be paid to the provider.

(e) The Administration may deviate from the payment schedule provided under subsection (d) of this section for any provider:

(1) That is reimbursed through the fee payment system and fails to submit properly completed program attendance reports within 15 days of the beginning of each month;

(2) That provides services under the medical assistance program and fails to submit the designated forms used by the medical assistance program to claim federal fund participation within 30 days after the end of each month; or

(3) That fails to submit a cost report for rate–based payment systems or wage surveys as required under subsection (k) of this section.

(f) A deviation from the payment schedule as provided under subsection (e) of this section may occur only if the Administration has:

(1) Advised the provider that:

(i) An attendance report which has been submitted on time is in need of correction;

(ii) A designated medical assistance form which has been submitted on time is in need of correction;

(iii) A cost report for rate–based payment systems has not been submitted within 6 months from the close of the fiscal year or, if submitted, is in need of correction; or

(iv) A wage survey requested under subsection (l) of this section has not been submitted by the later of 60 days from the date of receipt of the request or within 60 days after the last day of the pay period for which the data was requested or, if submitted, is in need of correction;

(2) Allowed the provider at least 5 working days to submit, resubmit or correct the report or form; and

(3) Not in any way contributed to the delay of or error on a report or form.

(g) The amount of a reduction of payments to a provider pursuant to subsections (e) and (f) of this section may not:

(1) Exceed the amount of lost federal revenue attributable to the delay or error; or

(2) In the case of cost reports for rate–based payment systems or wage surveys, exceed $500 per day per report for each day the report is not submitted past the given due date or corrected.

(h) The Administration:

(1) Shall place sufficient funds in a specially designated account with the Office of the Comptroller to meet its financial obligations under subsection (d) of this section;

(2) Shall disburse funds from the account in accordance with the payment schedule provided in subsection (d) of this section;

(3) May not use the funds in the account for any other purpose except for the purpose of reimbursing private providers for the provision of community–based services to individuals with developmental disability;

(4) Within 1 year after receipt of a private provider’s year–end report and cost report for rate–based payment systems, shall reconcile the report and shall provide the provider with a written approval of the report or a written explanation of any items in dispute; and

(5) Shall conduct an audit of each private provider every 4 years.

(i) The Administration shall accept as final the private provider’s year–end report and cost report for rate–based payment systems if:

(1) The Administration fails to provide written approval or a written explanation of any items in dispute within 1 year after receiving the report; or

(2) The Administration fails to reconcile the year–end report and cost report for rate–based payment systems within 1 year after receiving the report.

(j) If the Administration fails to conduct an audit of a private provider as required in subsection (h)(5) of this section, the Administration may not audit the private provider for any fiscal year that began more than 48 months before the Administration’s notification of audit, unless the Administration suspects fraud or misappropriation of funds.

(k) Private providers shall provide the year–end report to the Administration no later than 6 months after the end of the State fiscal year.

(l) Private providers shall submit to the Administration:

(1) Cost reports for rate–based payment systems no later than 6 months after the end of the State fiscal year; and

(2) Wage surveys by the later of:

(i) 60 days after the last day of the pay period for which the data is requested; or

(ii) 60 days after receipt of a request from the Administration for wage survey information.
Md. Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 7-102 — MD Code / Article gcj / Title 7 / Subtitle 1 / Section 7-102
§7–102.
Status: in_force

(a) The State Court Administrator shall determine the amount of fees to be charged by the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Maryland and the Clerk of the Appellate Court of Maryland, with the approval of the Board of Public Works.

(b) The State Court Administrator, as part of the Administrator’s determination of the amount of fees to be charged by the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Maryland and the Clerk of the Appellate Court of Maryland, shall assess a surcharge that shall be:

(1) $11 per case; and

(2) Deposited into the Circuit Court Real Property Records Improvement Fund established under § 13–602 of this article.
Md. Code, Public Utilities § 7-704 — MD Code / Article gpu / Title 7 / Subtitle 7 / Section 7-704
§7–704.
Status: reserved

(a) (1) Energy from a Tier 1 renewable source:

(i) is eligible for inclusion in meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard regardless of when the generating system or facility was placed in service; and

(ii) may be applied to the percentage requirements of the standard for either Tier 1 renewable sources or Tier 2 renewable sources.

(2) (i) Energy from a Tier 1 renewable source under § 7–701(s)(1), (5), or (9) of this subtitle is eligible for inclusion in meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard only if the source is connected with the electric distribution grid serving Maryland.

(ii) Energy from a Tier 1 renewable source under § 7–701(s)(11) of this subtitle is eligible for inclusion in meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard only if the source:

1. is connected with the electric distribution grid serving Maryland; or

2. processes wastewater from Maryland residents.

(iii) If the owner of a solar generating system in this State chooses to sell solar renewable energy credits from that system, the owner must first offer the credits for sale to an electricity supplier or electric company that shall apply them toward compliance with the renewable energy portfolio standard under § 7–703 of this subtitle.

(3) Energy from a Tier 1 renewable source under § 7–701(s)(8) of this subtitle is eligible for inclusion in meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard if it is generated at a dam that existed as of January 1, 2004, even if a system or facility that is capable of generating electricity did not exist on that date.

(4) Energy from a Tier 2 renewable source under § 7–701(t) of this subtitle is eligible for inclusion in meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard if it is generated at a system or facility that existed and was operational as of January 1, 2004, even if the facility or system was not capable of generating electricity on that date.

(b) On or after January 1, 2004, an electricity supplier may:

(1) receive renewable energy credits; and

(2) accumulate renewable energy credits under this subtitle.

(c) (1) This subsection applies only to a generating facility that is placed in service on or after January 1, 2004.

(2) (i) On or before December 31, 2005, an electricity supplier shall receive 120% credit toward meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard for energy derived from wind.

(ii) After December 31, 2005, and on or before December 31, 2008, an electricity supplier shall receive 110% credit toward meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard for energy derived from wind.

(3) On or before December 31, 2008, an electricity supplier shall receive 110% credit toward meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard for energy derived from methane under § 7–701(r)(4) of this subtitle.

(d) An electricity supplier shall receive credit toward meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard for electricity derived from the biomass fraction of biomass co–fired with other fuels.

(e) (1) In this subsection, “customer” means:

(i) an industrial electric customer that is not on standard offer service; or

(ii) a renewable on–site generator.

(2) This subsection does not apply to offshore wind renewable energy credits.

(3) (i) A customer may independently acquire renewable energy credits to satisfy the standards applicable to the customer’s load, including credits created by a renewable on–site generator.

(ii) Credits that a customer transfers to its electricity supplier to meet the standard and that the electricity supplier relies on in submitting its compliance report may not be resold or retransferred by the customer or by the electricity supplier.

(4) A renewable on–site generator may retain or transfer at its sole option any credits created by the renewable on–site generator, including credits for the portion of its on–site generation from a Tier 1 renewable source or a Tier 2 renewable source that displaces the purchase of electricity by the renewable on–site generator from the grid.

(5) A customer that satisfies the standard applicable to the customer’s load under this subsection may not be required to contribute to a compliance fee recovered under § 7–706 of this subtitle.

(6) The Commission shall adopt regulations governing the application and transfer of credits under this subsection consistent with federal law.

(f) (1) In order to create a renewable energy credit, a Tier 1 renewable source or Tier 2 renewable source must substantially comply with all applicable environmental and administrative requirements, including air quality, water quality, solid waste, and right–to–know provisions, permit conditions, and administrative orders.

(2) (i) This paragraph applies to Tier 1 renewable sources that incinerate solid waste.

(ii) At least 80% of the solid waste incinerated at a Tier 1 renewable source facility shall be collected from:

1. for areas in Maryland, jurisdictions that achieve the recycling rates required under § 9–505 of the Environment Article; and

2. for other states, jurisdictions for which the electricity supplier demonstrates recycling substantially comparable to that required under § 9–505 of the Environment Article, in accordance with regulations of the Commission.

(iii) An electricity supplier may report credits received under this paragraph based on compliance by the facility with the percentage requirement of subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph during the year immediately preceding the year in which the electricity supplier receives the credit to apply to the standard.

(g) (1) Energy from a solar water heating system is eligible for inclusion in meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard.

(2) A person that owns and operates a solar water heating system shall receive a renewable energy credit equal to the amount of energy, converted from BTUs to kilowatt–hours, that is generated by the system that is used by the person for water heating.

(3) The total amount of energy generated and consumed for a nonresidential or commercial solar water heating system shall be measured by an on–site meter that meets the required performance standards of the International Organization of Legal Metrology.

(4) The total amount of energy generated and consumed by a residential solar water heating system shall be:

(i) measured by a meter that meets the required standards of the International Organization of Legal Metrology; or

(ii) 1. measured by the Solar Ratings and Certification Corporation’s OG–300 thermal performance rating for the system or an equivalent certification that the Commission approves in consultation with the Administration; and

2. certified to the OG–300 standard of the Solar Ratings and Certification Corporation or an equivalent certification body that the Commission approves in consultation with the Administration.

(5) A residential solar water heating system shall be installed in accordance with applicable State and local plumbing codes.

(6) A residential solar water heating system may not produce more than five solar renewable energy credits in any 1 year.

(h) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (6) of this subsection, energy from a geothermal heating and cooling system, including energy from a legacy geothermal system and energy from a post–2022 geothermal system, is eligible for inclusion in meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard.

(2) A person shall receive a renewable energy credit equal to the amount of energy, converted from BTUs to kilowatt–hours, that is generated by a geothermal heating and cooling system for space heating and cooling or water heating if the person:

(i) owns and operates the system;

(ii) leases and operates the system; or

(iii) contracts with a third party who owns and operates the portion of the system that consists of:

1. a closed loop or a series of closed loop systems in which fluid is permanently confined within a pipe or tubing and does not come in contact with the outside environment; or

2. an open loop system in which ground or surface water is circulated in an environmentally safe manner directly into the facility and returned to the same aquifer or surface water source.

(3) To determine the energy savings of a geothermal heating and cooling system for a residence, the Commission shall:

(i) identify available energy consumption calculators developed by the geothermal heating and cooling industry;

(ii) collect the following data provided in the renewable energy credit application that:

1. describes the name of the applicant and the address at which the geothermal heating and cooling system is installed; and

2. provides the annual BTU energy savings attributable to home heating, cooling, and water heating; and

(iii) in determining the annual amount of renewable energy credits awarded for the geothermal heating and cooling system, convert the annual BTUs into annual megawatt–hours.

(4) To determine the energy savings of a nonresidential geothermal heating and cooling system, the Commission shall:

(i) use the geothermal heating and cooling engineering technical system designs provided with the renewable energy credit application; and

(ii) in determining the annual amount of renewable energy credits awarded for the geothermal heating and cooling system, convert the annual BTUs into annual megawatt–hours.

(5) A geothermal heating and cooling system shall be installed in accordance with applicable State well construction and local building code standards.

(6) (i) A post–2022 geothermal system with a 360,000 BTU capacity is eligible for inclusion in meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard only if the company installing the system provides for its employees:

1. family–sustaining wages;

2. employer–provided health care with affordable deductibles and co–pays;

3. career advancement training, as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph;

4. fair scheduling;

5. employer–paid workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance;

6. a retirement plan;

7. paid time off; and

8. the right to bargain collectively for wages and benefits.

(ii) As part of the career advancement training the installation company provides, the company shall ensure that a minimum of 10% of the employees working on the installation are enrolled in an apprenticeship program approved by and registered with the State or the federal government.

(iii) Compliance with this paragraph shall be regulated and enforced by the Maryland Department of Labor.

(i) (1) Energy from a thermal biomass system is eligible for inclusion in meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard.

(2) (i) A person that owns and operates a thermal biomass system that uses anaerobic digestion is eligible to receive a renewable energy credit.

(ii) A person that owns and operates a thermal biomass system that uses a thermochemical process is eligible to receive a renewable energy credit if the person demonstrates to the Maryland Department of the Environment that the operation of the thermal biomass system:

1. is not significantly contributing to local or regional air quality impairments; and

2. will substantially decrease emissions of oxides of nitrogen beyond that achieved by a direct burn combustion unit through the use of precombustion techniques, combustion techniques, or postcombustion techniques.

(3) A person that is eligible to receive a renewable energy credit under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall receive a renewable energy credit equal to the amount of energy, converted from BTUs to kilowatt–hours, that is generated by the thermal biomass system and used on site.

(4) The total amount of energy generated and consumed for a residential, nonresidential, or commercial thermal biomass system shall be measured by an on–site meter that meets the required performance standards established by the Commission.

(5) The Commission shall adopt regulations for the metering, verification, and reporting of the output of thermal biomass systems.

(j) (1) Energy from a wastewater heating or cooling system is eligible for inclusion in meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard.

(2) A person shall receive a renewable energy credit equal to the amount of energy, converted from BTUs to kilowatt–hours, that is generated by a wastewater heating or cooling system for space heating or cooling, industrial heating or cooling, or another useful thermal purpose, if the person:

(i) owns and operates the system;

(ii) leases and operates the system; or

(iii) contracts with a third party who owns and operates the system.

(3) To determine the energy savings of a wastewater heating or cooling system, the Commission shall:

(i) use the wastewater heating or cooling engineering technical system designs provided with the renewable energy credit application; and

(ii) in determining the annual amount of renewable energy credits awarded for the wastewater heating or cooling system, convert the annual BTUs into annual megawatt–hours.

(4) The Commission shall adopt regulations for the metering, verification, and reporting of the output of wastewater heating or cooling systems.
Md. Code, Tax - Property § 7-219 — MD Code / Article gtp / Title 7 / Subtitle 2 / Section 7-219
§7–219.
Status: in_force

The following agricultural products and commodities are not subject to valuation or to property tax:

(1) crops or the produce of any land in the possession of the producer or the agent of the producer;

(2) fish in the possession of persons catching, salting, or packing the fish or in the possession of agents until sold;

(3) poultry, including hatchery eggs;

(4) tobacco stored in the State tobacco warehouse; and

(5) regardless of whether they are in their original package, green coffee beans:

(i) imported from a foreign country;

(ii) that are owned by and in possession of the importer; and

(iii) in which no physical or chemical change has been made by any manufacturing process.
Md. Code, Human Services § 7-1205 — MD Code / Article ghu / Title 7 / Subtitle 12 / Section 7-1205
§7–1205.
Status: in_force

(a) Beginning July 1, 2026, the Office shall be responsible for implementation and oversight of the Maryland as a Model Employer Initiative.

(b) The purpose of the Initiative shall include:

(1) promoting the recruitment, hiring, retention, and career advancement of people with disabilities across State government;

(2) conducting and coordinating outreach to job seekers with disabilities and State government to encourage participation in the Initiative;

(3) developing and delivering trainings to State agencies and units addressing best practices, resources, and relevant federal and State laws pertaining to the employment of people with disabilities;

(4) assisting State government agencies and units to attract qualified job seekers with disabilities to available positions;

(5) promoting access to and acquisition of assistive technology for new State employees with disabilities;

(6) evaluating State employment practices and policies and making recommendations regarding ways to reduce barriers for job seekers and employees with disabilities;

(7) collecting from each unit of State government, as part of the plans required under § 7–116 of this title, performance goals related to hiring and retention efforts for employees with disabilities and any data deemed necessary by the Secretary to demonstrate performance outcomes; and

(8) reporting on the Initiative’s outcomes in compliance with subsection (c) of this section.

(c) On or before December 1, 2026, and each December 1 thereafter, the Office shall report to the Governor and the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on:

(1) progress and outcomes of the Initiative; and

(2) recommendations developed by the Initiative for continued improvement of State government employment practices for people with disabilities.
Md. Code, General Provisions § 7-308 — MD Code / Article ggp / Title 7 / Subtitle 3 / Section 7-308
§7–308.
Status: in_force

The Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly (Euphydryas phaeton) is the State insect.
Md. Code, Education § 7-903 — MD Code / Article ged / Title 7 / Subtitle 9 / Section 7-903
§7–903.
Status: in_force

It is the purpose of this subtitle:

(1) To offer incentives and opportunities for creative public and private partnerships within the marketplace to develop state–of–the–art educational technology products and services that promote the use of advanced technologies in the classroom;

(2) To avoid duplication and the development of incompatible systems by strengthening and building upon existing telecommunications infrastructure dedicated to educational purposes;

(3) To provide Maryland public school students with equal opportunities to develop a strong academic foundation;

(4) To facilitate expanded educational choices not otherwise available to Maryland public school students through online courses and services; and

(5) To expand professional development opportunities available to educational staff in Maryland public schools through online courses and services.
Md. Code, Land Use § 7-507 — MD Code / Article glu / Title 7 / Subtitle 5 / Section 7-507
§7–507.
Status: in_force

The increased density limits under §§ 7–502 through 7–504 of this subtitle are in addition to increased density that is allowed or required by a local jurisdiction.
Md. Code, Environment § 7-252 — MD Code / Article gen / Title 7 / Subtitle 2 / Section 7-252
§7–252.
Status: in_force

(a) Each controlled hazardous substance hauler:

(1) Shall maintain a bond or other security that the Department considers sufficient to indemnify this State for abatement of any pollution that may result from the improper transportation of a controlled hazardous substance;

(2) Shall pay an annual vehicle certificate fee set by the Department but not more than $50;

(3) When transporting any controlled hazardous substance, shall carry the manifest and the vehicle certificate in the cab of the controlled hazardous substance vehicle;

(4) May not transport a controlled hazardous substance unless the controlled hazardous substance is labeled properly and in secure containers in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Department that apply to that particular controlled hazardous substance;

(5) On the request of any police officer, shall stop the controlled hazardous substance vehicle and display to the police officer all required documentation and allow inspection and sampling of the controlled hazardous substance to determine if there is a violation of:

(i) The provisions of the vehicle certificate; or

(ii) Any federal or state law;

(6) Except under the supervision of the Department during an emergency, may not remove the controlled hazardous substance from the controlled hazardous substance vehicle, or treat, store for any period of time, or mix any controlled hazardous substance except in a controlled hazardous substance facility; and

(7) Shall report periodically, on a form required by the Department, the following information about shipments of controlled hazardous substances:

(i) The source of the controlled hazardous substance;

(ii) The nature of the controlled hazardous substance; and

(iii) The disposal destination.

(b) Each controlled hazardous substance vehicle driver, when transporting any controlled hazardous substance, shall comply with subsection (a)(3), (4), (5), and (6) of this section and all applicable State rules and regulations.
Md. Code, Housing and Community Development § 7-105 — MD Code / Article ghs / Title 7 / Subtitle 1 / Section 7-105
§7–105.
Status: in_force

A property qualifies as an assisted project if:

(1) it is a building or buildings under common ownership containing 10 or more dwelling units intended to be leased to assisted households for occupancy as their primary residences; and

(2) (i) a loan financing the property is insured or assisted under § 221(d)(3), § 202, or § 236(a) or (b) of the National Housing Act, 12 U.S.C. § 1701q, § 1715l(d)(3), or § 1715z-1, or § 515 of the Housing Act of 1949, 42 U.S.C. § 1485; or

(ii) the project, the owner of the project, or a lender to the project receives project-based § 8 rental assistance.
Md. Code, General Provisions § 7-326 — MD Code / Article ggp / Title 7 / Subtitle 3 / Section 7-326
§7–326.
Status: in_force

Chromite is the State mineral.
Md. Code, Education § 7-503 — MD Code / Article ged / Title 7 / Subtitle 5 / Section 7-503
§7–503.
Status: in_force

(a) (1) There is a statewide Youth Suicide Prevention School Program administered by the Department in cooperation with:

(i) Participating local education agencies;

(ii) Local community agencies involved in suicide prevention;

(iii) Local community mental health programs; and

(iv) Youth service bureaus.

(2) On or before October 1, 1986, the Department may establish a demonstration Youth Suicide Prevention School Program in cooperation with local education agencies in the following political subdivisions:

(i) Anne Arundel County;

(ii) Baltimore City;

(iii) Baltimore County;

(iv) Harford County;

(v) Howard County; and

(vi) Montgomery County.

(b) Any political subdivision in the State may apply for assistance or grant funds under this subtitle to establish a local Youth Suicide Prevention School Program.
Md. Code, Health Occupations § 7-204 — MD Code / Article gho / Title 7 / Subtitle 2 / Section 7-204
§7–204.
Status: in_force

(a) A majority of the full authorized membership of the Board is a quorum to do business.

(b) (1) The Board shall meet at least once a year, at the times and places that it sets in its bylaws and rules and regulations.

(2) The Board shall hold special meetings that:

(i) It considers necessary; or

(ii) The Secretary directs.

(c) Each appointed member of the Board is entitled to:

(1) Compensation in accordance with the budget of the Board for each meeting that the member attends; and

(2) Reimbursement for expenses at a rate determined by the Board.

(d) (1) The Board may appoint a Board secretary, who may be a member of the Board.

(2) The Board may employ inspectors and other staff in accordance with the budget of the Board.
Md. Code, Education § 7-1303 — MD Code / Article ged / Title 7 / Subtitle 13 / Section 7-1303
§7–1303.
Status: in_force

The State of Maryland and other states, hereinafter “member states”, hereby enter into an Interstate Compact, as set forth below, for the purpose of facilitating the timely enrollment and transfer of children of military families in elementary and secondary schools due to the frequent movement and deployment of their parents. This Interstate Compact shall be known and may be cited as the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE

It is the purpose of this Compact to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents by:

A. Facilitating the timely enrollment of children of military families and ensuring that they are not placed at a disadvantage due to difficulty in the transfer of education records from the previous school district or variations in entrance or age requirements;

B. Facilitating the student placement process through which children of military families are not disadvantaged by variations in attendance requirements, scheduling, sequencing, grading, course content, or assessment;

C. Facilitating the qualification and eligibility for enrollment, educational programs, and participation in extracurricular academic, athletic, and social activities;

D. Facilitating the on–time graduation of children of military families;

E. Providing for the promulgation and enforcement of administrative rules implementing the provisions of this Compact;

F. Providing for the uniform collection and sharing of information between and among member states, schools, and military families under this Compact;

G. Promoting coordination between this Compact and other compacts affecting military children; and

H. Promoting flexibility and cooperation between the educational system, parents, and the student in order to achieve educational success for the student.

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

As used in this Compact, unless the context clearly requires a different construction:

A. “Active duty” means full–time duty status in the active uniformed service of the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. Sections 1209 and 1211;

B. “Children of military families” means school–aged children, enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade, in the household of an active duty member;

C. “Compact commissioner” means the voting representative of each compacting state appointed pursuant to Article VIII of this Compact;

D. “Deployment” means the period 1 month prior to the service members’ departure from their home station on military orders through 6 months after return to their home station;

E. “Educational records” means those official records, files, and data directly related to a student and maintained by the school or local education agency, including but not limited to records encompassing all the material kept in the student’s cumulative folder such as general identifying data, records of attendance and of academic work completed, records of achievement and results of evaluative tests, health data, disciplinary status, test protocols, and individualized education programs;

F. “Extracurricular activities” means a voluntary activity sponsored by the school or local education agency or an organization sanctioned by the local education agency. Extracurricular activities include, but are not limited to, preparation for and involvement in public performances, contests, athletic competitions, demonstrations, displays, and club activities;

G. “Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children” means the commission that is created under Article IX of this Compact, which is generally referred to as the Interstate Commission;

H. “Local education agency” means a public authority legally constituted by the state as an administrative agency to provide control of and direction for kindergarten through 12th–grade public educational institutions;

I. “Member state” means a state that has enacted this Compact;

J. “Military installation” means a base, camp, post, 1 station, yard, center, home port facility for any ship, or other activity under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense, including any leased facility that is located within any of the several states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marianas Islands, and any other U.S. territory. Such term does not include any facility used primarily for civil works, rivers, harbor projects, or flood control projects;

K. “Nonmember state” means a state that has not enacted this Compact;

L. “Receiving state” means the state to which a child of a military family is sent, brought, or caused to be sent or brought;

M. “Rule” means a written statement by the Interstate Commission promulgated pursuant to Article XII of this Compact that is of general applicability, implements, interprets, or prescribes a policy or provision of the Compact, or an organizational, procedural, or practice requirement of the Interstate Commission, and has the force and effect of statutory law in a member state, and includes the amendment, repeal, or suspension of an existing rule;

N. “Sending state” means the state from which a child of a military family is sent, brought, or caused to be sent or brought;

O. “State” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marianas Islands, and any other U.S. territory;

P. “Student” means the child of a military family for whom the local education agency receives public funding and who is formally enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade;

Q. “Transition” means:

1. The formal and physical process of transferring from school to school; or

2. The period of time in which a student moves from one school in the sending state to another school in the receiving state;

R. “Uniformed services” means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard as well as the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and public health services; and

S. “Veteran” means a person who served in the uniformed services and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

ARTICLE III

APPLICABILITY

A. Except as otherwise provided in Section B, this Compact shall apply to the children of:

1. Active duty members of the uniformed services as defined in this Compact, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. Sections 1209 and 1211;

2. Members or veterans of the uniformed services who are severely injured and medically discharged or retired for a period of 1 year after medical discharge or retirement; and

3. Members of the uniformed services who die on active duty or as a result of injuries sustained on active duty for a period of 1 year after death.

B. The provisions of this Interstate Compact shall only apply to local education agencies as defined in this Compact.

C. The provisions of this Compact shall not apply to the children of:

1. Inactive members of the National Guard and military reserves;

2. Members of the uniformed services now retired, except as provided in Section A;

3. Veterans of the uniformed services, except as provided in Section A; and

4. Other U.S. Department of Defense personnel and other federal agency civilian and contract employees not defined as active duty members of the uniformed services.

ARTICLE IV

EDUCATIONAL RECORDS AND ENROLLMENT

A. Unofficial or “hand–carried” educational records – In the event that official educational records cannot be released to the parents for the purpose of transfer, the custodian of the records in the sending state shall prepare and furnish to the parent a complete set of unofficial educational records containing uniform information as determined by the Interstate Commission. Upon receipt of the unofficial educational records by a school in the receiving state, the school shall enroll and appropriately place the student based on the information provided in the unofficial educational records pending validation by the official educational records as quickly as possible.

B. Official educational records/transcripts – Simultaneous with the enrollment and conditional placement of the student, the school in the receiving state shall request the student’s official educational record from the school in the sending state. Upon receipt of this request, the school in the sending state will process and furnish the official educational records to the school in the receiving state within 10 days or within such time as is reasonably determined under the rules promulgated by the Interstate Commission.

C. Immunizations – Compacting states shall give 30 days from the date of enrollment or within such time as is reasonably determined under the rules promulgated by the Interstate Commission, for students to obtain any immunization(s) required by the receiving state. For a series of immunizations, initial vaccinations must be obtained within 30 days or within such time as is reasonably determined under the rules promulgated by the Interstate Commission.

D. Kindergarten and first–grade entrance age – Students shall be allowed to continue their enrollment at grade level in the receiving state commensurate with their grade level (including kindergarten) from a local education agency in the sending state at the time of transition, regardless of age. A student who has satisfactorily completed the prerequisite grade level in the local education agency in the sending state shall be eligible for enrollment in the next highest grade level in the receiving state, regardless of age. A student transferring after the start of the school year in the receiving state shall enter the school in the receiving state on the student’s validated level from an accredited school in the sending state.

ARTICLE V

PLACEMENT AND ATTENDANCE

A. Course placement – When the student transfers before or during the school year, the receiving state school shall initially honor placement of the student in educational courses based on the student’s enrollment in the sending state school and/or educational assessments conducted at the school in the sending state if the courses are offered. Course placement includes but is not limited to honors, international baccalaureate, advanced placement, vocational, technical and career pathways courses. Continuing the student’s academic program from the previous school and promoting placement in academically and career challenging courses should be paramount when considering placement. This does not preclude the school in the receiving state from performing subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement and continued enrollment of the student in the courses.

B. Educational program placement – The receiving state school shall initially honor placement of the student in educational programs based on current educational assessments conducted at the school in the sending state or participation/placement in like programs in the sending state. Such programs include, but are not limited to:

1. Gifted and talented programs; and

2. English as a second language (ESL).

This does not preclude the school in the receiving state from performing subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement of the student.

C. Special education services –

1. In compliance with the federal requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C.A. Section 1400 et seq., the receiving state shall initially provide comparable services to a student with disabilities based on the student’s current Individualized Education Program (IEP).

2. In compliance with the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C.A. Section 794, and with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C.A. Sections 12131–12165, the receiving state shall make reasonable accommodations and modifications to address the needs of incoming students with disabilities, subject to an existing 504 or Title II Plan, to provide the student with equal access to education. This does not preclude the school in the receiving state from performing subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement of the student.

D. Placement flexibility – Local education agency administrative officials shall have flexibility in waiving course/program prerequisites or other preconditions for placement in courses/programs offered under the jurisdiction of the local education agency.

E. Absence as related to deployment activities – A student whose parent or legal guardian is an active duty member of the uniformed services, as defined by the Compact, and has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting, shall be granted additional excused absences at the discretion of the local education agency superintendent to visit with his or her parent or legal guardian relative to such leave or deployment of the parent or guardian.

ARTICLE VI

ELIGIBILITY

A. Eligibility for enrollment –

1. Special power of attorney relative to the guardianship of a child of a military family and executed under applicable law shall be sufficient for the purposes of enrollment and all other actions requiring parental participation and consent.

2. A local education agency shall be prohibited from charging local tuition to a transitioning military child placed in the care of a noncustodial parent or other person standing in loco parentis who lives in a jurisdiction other than that of the custodial parent.

3. A transitioning military child placed in the care of a noncustodial parent or other person standing in loco parentis who lives in a jurisdiction other than that of the custodial parent may continue to attend the school in which the child was enrolled while residing with the custodial parent.

B. Eligibility for extracurricular participation – State and local education agencies shall facilitate the opportunity for transitioning military children’s inclusion in extracurricular activities, regardless of application deadlines, to the extent they are otherwise qualified.

ARTICLE VII

GRADUATION

In order to facilitate the on–time graduation of children of military families, states and local education agencies shall incorporate the following procedures:

A. Waiver requirements – Local education agency administrative officials shall waive specific courses required for graduation if similar course work has been satisfactorily completed in another local education agency or shall provide reasonable justification for denial. Should a waiver not be granted to a student who would qualify to graduate from the sending school, the local education agency shall provide an alternative means of acquiring required course work so that graduation may occur on time;

B. Exit exams –

1. States shall accept:

i. Exit or end–of–course exams required for graduation from the sending state;

ii. National norm–referenced achievement tests; or

iii. Alternative testing, in lieu of testing requirements for graduation in the receiving state; and

2. In the event the above alternatives cannot be accommodated by the receiving state for a student transferring in his or her senior year, then the provisions of Article VII, Section C shall apply; and

C. Transfers during senior year – Should a military student transferring at the beginning or during his or her senior year be ineligible to graduate from the receiving local education agency after all alternatives have been considered, the sending and receiving local education agencies shall ensure the receipt of a diploma from the sending local education agency if the student meets the graduation requirements of the sending local education agency. In the event that one of the states in question is not a member of this Compact, the member state shall use best efforts to facilitate the on–time graduation of the student in accordance with Sections A and B of this Article.

ARTICLE VIII

STATE COORDINATION

A. Each member state shall, through the creation of a state council or use of an existing body or board, provide for the coordination among its agencies of government, local education agencies, and military installations concerning the state’s participation in and compliance with this Compact and Interstate Commission activities. While each member state may determine the membership of its own state council, its membership must include at least the State Superintendent of Schools, a superintendent of a school district with a high concentration of military children, a representative from a military installation, one representative each from the legislative and executive branches of government, and representatives of other offices and stakeholder groups the state council deems appropriate. A member state that does not have a school district deemed to contain a high concentration of military children may appoint a superintendent from another school district to represent local education agencies on the state council.

B. 1. The state council of each member state shall appoint or designate a military family education liaison to assist military families and the state in facilitating the implementation of this Compact.

2. In Maryland, the military family education liaison shall be located in the Maryland State Department of Education.

C. The Compact commissioner responsible for the administration and management of the state’s participation in the Compact shall be appointed by the Governor in consultation with the State Superintendent of Schools.

D. The Compact commissioner and the military family education liaison designated herein shall be ex officio members of the state council, unless either is already a full voting member of the state council.

ARTICLE IX

INTERSTATE COMMISSION ON EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR MILITARY CHILDREN

A. The member states hereby create the “Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children”. The activities of the Interstate Commission are the formation of public policy and are a discretionary state function.

B. The Interstate Commission shall:

1. Be a body corporate and joint agency of the member states and shall have all the responsibilities, powers, and duties set forth herein, and such additional powers as may be conferred upon it by a subsequent concurrent action of the respective legislatures of the member states in accordance with the terms of this Compact; and

2. Consist of one Interstate Commission voting representative from each member state who shall be that state’s Compact commissioner.

C. 1. Each member state represented at a meeting of the Interstate Commission is entitled to one vote.

2. A majority of the total member states shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business unless a larger quorum is required by the bylaws of the Interstate Commission.

3. A representative shall not delegate a vote to another member state. In the event the Compact commissioner is unable to attend a meeting of the Interstate Commission, the Governor or state council may delegate voting authority to another person from their state for a specified meeting.

4. The bylaws may provide for meetings of the Interstate Commission to be conducted by telecommunication or electronic communication.

D. The Interstate Commission shall:

1. Consist of ex officio, nonvoting representatives who are members of interested organizations. Such ex officio members, as defined in the bylaws, may include but not be limited to, members of the representative organizations of military family advocates, local education agency officials, parent and teacher groups, the U.S. Department of Defense, the Education Commission of the States, the Interstate Agreement on the Qualification of Educational Personnel, and other interstate compacts affecting the education of children of military members;

2. Meet at least once each calendar year. The chairperson may call additional meetings and, upon the request of a simple majority of the member states, shall call additional meetings;

3. Establish an executive committee, whose members shall include the officers of the Interstate Commission and such other members of the Interstate Commission as determined by the bylaws. Members of the executive committee shall serve a 1–year term. Members of the executive committee shall be entitled to one vote each. The executive committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the Interstate Commission, with the exception of rulemaking, during periods when the Interstate Commission is not in session. The executive committee shall oversee the day–to–day activities of the administration of the Compact including enforcement and compliance with the provisions of the Compact, its bylaws and rules, and other such duties as deemed necessary. The U.S. Department of Defense shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the executive committee;

4. Establish bylaws and rules that provide for conditions and procedures under which the Interstate Commission shall make its information and official records available to the public for inspection or copying. The Interstate Commission may exempt from disclosure information or official records to the extent they would adversely affect personal privacy rights or proprietary interests;

5. Give public notice of all meetings and all meetings shall be open to the public, except as set forth in the rules or as otherwise provided in the Compact. The Interstate Commission and its committees may close a meeting, or portion thereof, where it determines by two–thirds vote that an open meeting would be likely to:

i. Relate solely to the Interstate Commission’s internal personnel practices and procedures;

ii. Disclose matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal and state statute;

iii. Disclose trade secrets or commercial or financial information which is privileged or confidential;

iv. Involve accusing a person of a crime or formally censuring a person;

v. Disclose information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;

vi. Disclose investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes; or

vii. Specifically relate to the Interstate Commission’s participation in a civil action or other legal proceeding;

6. Cause its legal counsel or designee to certify that a meeting may be closed and shall reference each relevant exemptible provision for any meeting, or portion of a meeting, that is closed pursuant to this provision. The Interstate Commission shall keep minutes that shall fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons therefor, including a description of the views expressed and the record of a roll call vote. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the Interstate Commission;

7. Collect standardized data when possible concerning the educational transition of the children of military families under this Compact as directed through its rules that shall specify the data to be collected, the means of collection, and data exchange and reporting requirements. Such methods of data collection, exchange, and reporting shall, in so far as is reasonably possible, conform to current technology and coordinate its information functions with the appropriate custodian of records as identified in the bylaws and rules; and

8. Create a process that permits military officials, education officials, and parents to inform the Interstate Commission if and when there are alleged violations of the Compact or its rules or when issues subject to the jurisdiction of the Compact or its rules are not addressed by the state or local education agency. This section shall not be construed to create a private right of action against the Interstate Commission or any member state.

ARTICLE X

POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION

The Interstate Commission shall have the following powers:

A. To provide for dispute resolution among member states;

B. To promulgate rules and take all necessary actions to effect the goals, purposes, and obligations as enumerated in this Compact. The rules shall have the force and effect of statutory law and shall be binding in the Compact states to the extent and in the manner provided in this Compact;

C. To issue, upon request of a member state, advisory opinions concerning the meaning or interpretation of the Interstate Compact, its bylaws, rules, and actions;

D. To enforce compliance with the Compact provisions, the rules promulgated by the Interstate Commission, and the bylaws, using all necessary and proper means, including but not limited to the use of judicial process;

E. To establish and maintain offices that shall be located within one or more of the member states;

F. To purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;

G. To borrow, accept, hire, or contract for services of personnel;

H. To establish and appoint committees, including but not limited to an executive committee as required by Article IX, Section D, that shall have the power to act on behalf of the Interstate Commission in carrying out its powers and duties hereunder;

I. To elect or appoint such officers, attorneys, employees, agents, or consultants, and to fix their compensation, define their duties, determine their qualifications, and to establish the Interstate Commission’s personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, rates of compensation, and qualifications of personnel;

J. To accept any and all donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services, and to receive, utilize, and dispose of them;

K. To lease, purchase, accept contributions or donations of, or otherwise to own, hold, improve, or use any property, real, personal, or mixed;

L. To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property, real, personal, or mixed;

M. To establish a budget and make expenditures;

N. To adopt a seal and bylaws governing the management and operation of the Interstate Commission;

O. To report annually to the legislatures, governors, judiciary, and state councils of the member states concerning the activities of the Interstate Commission during the preceding year. Such reports shall also include any recommendations that may have been adopted by the Interstate Commission;

P. To coordinate education, training, and public awareness regarding the Compact, its implementation, and operation for officials and parents involved in such activity;

Q. To establish uniform standards for the reporting, collecting, and exchanging of data;

R. To maintain corporate books and records in accordance with the bylaws;

S. To perform such functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Compact; and

T. To provide for the uniform collection and sharing of information between and among member states, schools, and military families under this Compact.

ARTICLE XI

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION

A. The Interstate Commission shall, by a majority of the members present and voting, within 12 months after the first Interstate Commission meeting, adopt bylaws to govern its conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Compact, including but not limited to:

1. Establishing the fiscal year of the Interstate Commission;

2. Establishing an executive committee and such other committees as may be necessary;

3. Providing for the establishment of committees and for governing any general or specific delegation of authority or function of the Interstate Commission;

4. Providing reasonable procedures for calling and conducting meetings of the Interstate Commission and ensuring reasonable notice of each such meeting;

5. Establishing the titles and responsibilities of the officers and staff of the Interstate Commission;

6. Providing a mechanism for concluding the operations of the Interstate Commission and the return of surplus funds that may exist upon the termination of the Compact after the payment and reserving of all of its debts and obligations; and

7. Providing “start–up” rules for initial administration of the Compact.

B. The Interstate Commission shall, by a majority of the members, elect annually from among its members a chairperson, a vice–chairperson, and a treasurer, each of whom shall have such authority and duties as may be specified in the bylaws. The chairperson or, in the chairperson’s absence or disability, the vice–chairperson, shall preside at all meetings of the Interstate Commission. The officers so elected shall serve without compensation or remuneration from the Interstate Commission, provided that, subject to the availability of budgeted funds, the officers shall be reimbursed for ordinary and necessary costs and expenses incurred by them in the performance of their responsibilities as officers of the Interstate Commission.

C. Executive Committee, Officers, and Personnel –

1. The executive committee shall have such authority and duties as may be set forth in the bylaws, including but not limited to:

i. Managing the affairs of the Interstate Commission in a manner consistent with the bylaws and purposes of the Interstate Commission;

ii. Overseeing an organizational structure within, and appropriate procedures for the Interstate Commission to provide for the creation of rules, operating procedures, and administrative and technical support functions; and

iii. Planning, implementing, and coordinating communications and activities with other state, federal, and local government organizations in order to advance the goals of the Interstate Commission.

2. The executive committee may, subject to the approval of the Interstate Commission, appoint or retain an executive director for such period, upon such terms and conditions and for such compensation, as the Interstate Commission may deem appropriate. The executive director shall serve as secretary to the Interstate Commission, but shall not be a member of the Interstate Commission. The executive director shall hire and supervise such other persons as may be authorized by the Interstate Commission.

D. The Interstate Commission’s executive director and its employees shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for a claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused or arising out of or relating to an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that such person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred, within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that such person shall not be protected from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such person.

1. The liability of the Interstate Commission’s executive director and employees or Interstate Commission representatives, acting within the scope of such person’s employment or duties for acts, errors, or omissions occurring within such person’s state may not exceed the limits of liability set forth under the constitution and laws of that state for state officials, employees, and agents. The Interstate Commission is considered to be an instrumentality of the states for the purposes of any such action. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to protect such person from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such person.

2. The Interstate Commission shall defend the executive director and its employees and, subject to the approval of the Attorney General or other appropriate legal counsel of the member state represented by an Interstate Commission representative, shall defend such Interstate Commission representative in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the defendant had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such person.

3. To the extent not covered by the state involved, member state, or the Interstate Commission, the representatives or employees of the Interstate Commission shall be held harmless in the amount of a settlement or judgment, including attorney’s fees and costs, obtained against such persons arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such persons had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such persons.

ARTICLE XII

RULEMAKING FUNCTIONS OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION

A. Rulemaking Authority. The Interstate Commission shall promulgate reasonable rules in order to effectively and efficiently achieve the purposes of this Compact. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Interstate Commission exercises its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the scope of the purposes of this Act, or the powers granted hereunder, then such an action by the Interstate Commission shall be invalid and have no force and effect.

B. Rulemaking Procedure. Rules shall be made pursuant to a rulemaking process that substantially conforms to the “Model State Administrative Procedure Act” of 1981, Uniform Laws Annotated, Vol. 15, p.1 (2000), as amended, as may be appropriate to the operations of the Interstate Commission.

C. Judicial Review. Not later than 30 days after a rule is promulgated, any person may file a petition for judicial review of the rule, provided that the filing of such a petition shall not stay or otherwise prevent the rule from becoming effective unless the court finds that the petitioner has a substantial likelihood of success. The court shall give deference to the actions of the Interstate Commission consistent with applicable law and shall not find the rule to be unlawful if the rule represents a reasonable exercise of the Interstate Commission’s authority.

D. Rejection of Rules. If a majority of the legislatures of the compacting states rejects a rule by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the Compact, then such rule shall have no further force and effect in any compacting state.

ARTICLE XIII

OVERSIGHT, ENFORCEMENT, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

A. Oversight.

1. The executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce this Compact and shall take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the Compact’s purposes and intent. The provisions of this Compact and the rules promulgated hereunder shall have standing as statutory law.

2. All courts shall take judicial notice of the Compact and the rules in any judicial or administrative proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of this Compact that may affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of the Interstate Commission.

3. The Interstate Commission shall be entitled to receive all service of process in any such proceeding and shall have standing to intervene in the proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide service of process to the Interstate Commission shall render a judgment or order void as to the Interstate Commission, this Compact, or its promulgated rules.

B. Default, Technical Assistance, Suspension and Termination. If the Interstate Commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this Compact or its bylaws or promulgated rules, the Interstate Commission shall:

1. Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states of the nature of the default, the means of curing the default, and any action taken by the Interstate Commission. The Interstate Commission shall specify the conditions by which the defaulting state must cure its default; and

2. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.

C. If the defaulting state fails to cure the default, the defaulting state shall be terminated from the Compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the member states and all rights, privileges, and benefits conferred by this Compact shall be terminated from the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of the default.

D. Suspension or termination of membership in the Compact shall be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be given by the Interstate Commission to the Governor, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state’s legislature, and each of the member states.

E. The state that has been suspended or terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of suspension or termination including obligations, the performance of which extends beyond the effective date of suspension or termination.

F. The Interstate Commission shall not bear any costs relating to any state that has been found to be in default or that has been suspended or terminated from the Compact, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing between the Interstate Commission and the defaulting state.

G. The defaulting state may appeal the action of the Interstate Commission by petitioning the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the Interstate Commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorney’s fees.

H. Dispute Resolution.

1. The Interstate Commission shall attempt, upon the request of a member state, to resolve disputes that are subject to the Compact and that may arise among member states and between member and nonmember states.

2. The Interstate Commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.

I. Enforcement.

1. The Interstate Commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of this Compact.

2. The Interstate Commission may, by majority vote of the members, initiate legal action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or, at the discretion of the Interstate Commission, in the federal district where the Interstate Commission has its principal offices, to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Compact and its promulgated rules and bylaws, against a member state in default. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorney’s fees.

3. The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the Interstate Commission. The Interstate Commission may avail itself of any other remedies available under state law or the regulation of a profession.

ARTICLE XIV

FINANCING OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION

A. The Interstate Commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.

B. The Interstate Commission may levy and collect an annual assessment from each member state to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the Interstate Commission and its staff that must be in a total amount sufficient to cover the Interstate Commission’s annual budget as approved each year. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the Interstate Commission, which shall promulgate a rule binding upon all member states.

C. The Interstate Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same, nor shall the Interstate Commission pledge the credit of any of the member states, except by and with the authority of the member state.

D. The Interstate Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Interstate Commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the Interstate Commission shall be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant and the report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the Interstate Commission.

ARTICLE XV

MEMBER STATES, EFFECTIVE DATE AND AMENDMENT

A. Any state is eligible to become a member state.

B. The Compact shall become effective and binding upon legislative enactment of the Compact into law by no less than ten of the states. The effective date shall be no earlier than December 1, 2007. Thereafter it shall become effective and binding as to any other member state upon enactment of the Compact into law by that state. The governors of nonmember states or their designees shall be invited to participate in the activities of the Interstate Commission on a nonvoting basis prior to adoption of the Compact by all states.

C. The Interstate Commission may propose amendments to the Compact for enactment by the member states. No amendment shall become effective and binding upon the Interstate Commission and the member states unless and until it is enacted into law by unanimous consent of the member states.

ARTICLE XVI

WITHDRAWAL AND DISSOLUTION

A. Withdrawal.

1. Once effective, the Compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each and every member state, provided that a member state may withdraw from the Compact by specifically repealing the statute which enacted the Compact into law.

2. Withdrawal from this Compact shall be by the enactment of a statute repealing the same, but shall not take effect until 1 year after the effective date of such statute and until written notice of the withdrawal has been given by the withdrawing state to the Governor of each other member jurisdiction.

3. The withdrawing state shall immediately notify the chairperson of the Interstate Commission in writing upon the introduction of legislation repealing this Compact in the withdrawing state. The Interstate Commission shall notify the other member states of the withdrawing state’s intent to withdraw within 60 days of its receipt thereof.

4. The withdrawing state is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of withdrawal, including obligations the performance of which extend beyond the effective date of withdrawal.

5. Reinstatement following withdrawal of a member state shall occur upon the withdrawing state reenacting the Compact or upon such later date as determined by the Interstate Commission.

B. Dissolution of Compact.

1. This Compact shall dissolve effective upon the date of the withdrawal or default of the member state which reduces the membership in the Compact to one member state.

2. Upon the dissolution of this Compact, the Compact becomes null and void and shall be of no further force and effect, and the business and affairs of the Interstate Commission shall be concluded and surplus funds shall be distributed in accordance with the bylaws.

ARTICLE XVII

SEVERABILITY AND CONSTRUCTION

A. The provisions of this Compact shall be severable and, if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision is deemed unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the Compact shall be enforceable.

B. The provisions of this Compact shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes.

C. Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to prohibit the applicability of other Interstate Compacts to which the states are members.

ARTICLE XVIII

BINDING EFFECT OF COMPACT AND OTHER LAWS

A. Other Laws.

1. Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any other law of a member state that is not inconsistent with this Compact.

2. All member states’ laws conflicting with this Compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict.

B. Binding Effect of the Compact.

1. All lawful actions of the Interstate Commission, including all rules and bylaws promulgated by the Interstate Commission, are binding upon the member states.

2. All agreements between the Interstate Commission and the member states are binding in accordance with their terms.

3. In the event any provision of this Compact exceeds the constitutional limits imposed on the legislature of any member state, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of the conflict with the constitutional provision in question in that member state.
Md. Code, Health - General § 7-603 — MD Code / Article ghg / Title 7 / Subtitle 6 / Section 7-603
§7–603.
Status: in_force

(a) This section applies only to public group homes, nonprofit private group homes, and alternative living units.

(b) (1) To avoid discrimination in housing and to afford a natural, residential setting, a group home or an alternative living unit for individuals with developmental disability:

(i) Is deemed conclusively a single-family dwelling;

(ii) Is permitted to locate in all residential zones; and

(iii) May not be subject to any special exception, conditional use permit, or procedure that differs from that required for a single-family dwelling.

(2) The provision of separately identified living quarters for staff may not affect the conclusive designation as a single-family dwelling under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection.

(3) A general zoning ordinance, rule, or regulation of any political subdivision that conflicts with the provisions of this section or any rule or any regulation that carries out the purpose of this section is superseded by this section to the extent of any conflict.
Md. Code, Health Occupations § 7-4A-06 — MD Code / Article gho / Title 7 / Subtitle 4A / Section 7-4A-06
§7–4A–06.
Status: in_force

(a) Subject to the provisions of this subtitle, a person may recover compensation from the Fund for an actual pre–need trust fund loss that occurred on or after January 1, 2010, and is based on an act or omission as described in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) A claim for the loss shall:

(1) Be based on an act or omission that occurs in the provision of funeral pre–need services by:

(i) A licensed mortician;

(ii) A licensed funeral director;

(iii) A licensed apprentice mortician;

(iv) A licensed apprentice funeral director; or

(v) An unlicensed employee of a licensed funeral establishment;

(2) Involve a transaction that relates to pre–need funeral planning that occurred in the State; and

(3) Be based on an act or omission:

(i) In which pre–need money is obtained from a person by theft, embezzlement, false pretenses, or forgery; or

(ii) That constitutes fraud or misrepresentation.

(c) The amount recovered for any claim against the Fund:

(1) May not exceed the actual monetary loss suffered; and

(2) May not include noneconomic, consequential, or punitive damages.

(d) A funeral establishment shall include in each sales contract that is provided by the funeral establishment a written notice to the buyer that the buyer may file a claim with the Fund.
Md. Code, Health Occupations § 7-4A-11 — MD Code / Article gho / Title 7 / Subtitle 4A / Section 7-4A-11
§7–4A–11.
Status: in_force

(a) The Board shall order full or partial payment of a claim by the Fund if, on the hearing, the claimant proves that the claimant has a valid claim under this subtitle.

(b) The Board may order full or partial payment by the Fund only for the actual monetary loss suffered by the claimant as a result of the claim proven by the claimant.

(c) A payment may not be made by the Fund under an order of the Board until:

(1) The expiration of the time provided under Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article for seeking judicial review of the Board’s order; or

(2) The expiration of any judicial stay of the order of the Board.

(d) The Board shall order payment of each claim due in the order in which the claim was awarded.

(e) If, at the time a payment is due, the money in the Fund is insufficient to satisfy fully the order for payment, the Board:

(1) Immediately shall pay to the claimant the amount that is available in the Fund; and

(2) When sufficient funds are available in the Fund, shall pay the claimant the balance due on the order.
Md. Code, Environment § 7-263 — MD Code / Article gen / Title 7 / Subtitle 2 / Section 7-263
§7–263.
Status: in_force

(a) The Department may bring an action for an injunction against any person who violates any provision of this subtitle or any rule, regulation, order, hauler certificate, vehicle certificate, or facility permit issued by the Department under this subtitle.

(b) In any action for an injunction under this section, any finding of the Department after a hearing is prima facie evidence of each fact the Department determines.

(c) On a showing that any person is violating or is about to violate this subtitle or any rule, regulation, order, hauler certificate, vehicle certificate, or facility permit issued by the Department, the court shall grant an injunction without requiring a showing of a lack of an adequate remedy at law.

(d) If an emergency exists from imminent danger to the public health, to the public welfare, or to the environment, the Department may sue for an immediate injunction to stop the activity that is causing the danger.
Md. Code, Education § 7-9B-02 — MD Code / Article ged / Title 7 / Subtitle 9B / Section 7-9B-02
§7–9B–02.
Status: in_force

(a) (1) Beginning in the 2027–2028 school year, the National Center for School Mental Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, in consultation with the Department, shall develop and publish a youth–centric technology and social media resource guide that meets the requirements under § 7–9B–03 of this subtitle.

(2) The guide shall cover commonly used youth–centric technology for:

(i) Personal use by children; and

(ii) Delivering education to children.

(3) The Center shall complete the guide before the 2027–2028 school year.

(4) The Center shall periodically update the guide.

(b) The purpose of the guide is to provide:

(1) Age–appropriate information and best practices for youth–centric technology that:

(i) Encourages students and parents and guardians to understand how youth–centric technology and social media can be used and misused by developers and users; and

(ii) Promotes informed decision making when using youth–centric technology; and

(2) Information and guidance on the safe use of youth–centric technology, including the Internet and social media by students in prekindergarten through grade 12.

(c) (1) On or before September 1, 2026, the Center shall complete a needs assessment to assist in the development of the guide.

(2) The needs assessment shall include a review of:

(i) Existing State and federal resources for contribution to the development of the guide;

(ii) Existing efforts to educate families on the impact of youth–centric technology and social media on the mental health of youth in the State; and

(iii) Gaps in the existing resources and education efforts.
Md. Code, Health Occupations § 7-702 — MD Code / Article gho / Title 7 / Subtitle 7 / Section 7-702
§7–702.
Status: in_force

Subject to the evaluation and reestablishment provisions of the Program Evaluation Act, this title and all rules and regulations adopted under this title shall terminate and be of no effect after July 1, 2028.
Md. Code, Public Utilities § 7-1208 — MD Code / Article gpu / Title 7 / Subtitle 12 / Section 7-1208
§7–1208.
Status: in_force

(a) (1) Within 45 days after the closing date for the solicitation period set in accordance with § 7–1206 of this subtitle or sooner as determined by the Commission, the Power Plant Research Program shall recommend to the Commission proposals to be authorized to utilize the expedited certificate of public convenience and necessity process under § 7–207.4 of this title.

(2) The Power Plant Research Program shall base its recommendations on the information in the proposals received and the specifications listed in §§ 7–1207 and 7–1209 of this subtitle.

(b) Subject to subsection (c) of this section and after considering the recommendations of the Power Plant Research Program made under subsection (a) of this section, unless the Commission grants a request for an extension for good cause, not later than 60 days after the close of the solicitation period the Commission shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny a proposal submitted in response to a solicitation issued under § 7–1206 of this subtitle.

(c) In addition to the criteria specified in § 7–1207 of this subtitle, the Commission shall determine which proposals to approve based on the factors and requirements specified in § 7–1209 of this subtitle.

(d) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the combined total capacity of dispatchable energy generation projects and large capacity energy resource projects approved under this section shall be greater than the combined summer peak capacity profile of coal and oil energy generating stations in the State as outlined under Table 9 of the Commission’s Ten–Year Plan (2024–2033) of Electric Companies in Maryland.

(2) The combined total capacity of natural gas dispatchable energy generation projects and large capacity energy resource projects approved under this section may not exceed the combined summer peak capacity profile of coal and oil energy generating stations in the State as outlined under Table 9 of the Commission’s Ten–Year Plan (2024–2033) of Electric Companies in Maryland.

(e) Every 5 years after the date that a natural gas dispatchable energy generation project or large capacity energy resource project becomes operational under a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued under § 7–207.4 of this title, the owner or operator of the natural gas dispatchable energy generation or large capacity energy resource shall submit to the Commission a report regarding the feasibility of converting the natural gas dispatchable energy generation or large capacity energy resource to the use of only hydrogen or zero–emissions biofuel.

(f) An approval or conditional approval of a project under this section does not guarantee that the project will be issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity under § 7–207 or § 7–207.4 of this title.
Md. Code, Corporations and Associations § 7-103 — MD Code / Article gca / Title 7 / Subtitle 1 / Section 7-103
§7–103.
Status: in_force

In addition to any other activities which may not constitute doing intrastate business in this State, for the purposes of this article, the following activities of a foreign corporation do not constitute doing intrastate business in this State:

(1) Maintaining, defending, or settling an action, suit, claim, dispute, or administrative or arbitration proceeding;

(2) Holding meetings of its directors or stockholders or carrying on other activities which concern its internal affairs;

(3) Maintaining bank accounts;

(4) Maintaining offices or agencies for the transfer, exchange, and registration of its securities;

(5) Appointing and maintaining trustees or depositaries with respect to its securities;

(6) Transacting business exclusively in interstate or foreign commerce; and

(7) Conducting an isolated transaction not in the course of a number of similar transactions.
Md. Code, Public Utilities § 7-510.3 — MD Code / Article gpu / Title 7 / Subtitle 5 / Section 7-510.3
§7–510.
Status: in_force

§7–510.3.

(a) In this section, “small commercial electric customer” means a commercial electric customer that has a peak electric load of not more than 25 kilowatts and includes master–metered multiple occupancy residences that have a peak electric load of not more than 25 kilowatts.

(b) This section applies only in Montgomery County.

(c) (1) There is a Community Choice Aggregation Pilot Program.

(2) Beginning December 31, 2023, a county may form a community choice aggregator under this section.

(d) (1) At least 60 days before initiating the process to form a community choice aggregator, a county shall:

(i) develop an aggregation plan;

(ii) give written notice of the aggregation plan to each residential and small commercial electric customer in the county;

(iii) publish a fair summary of the aggregation plan in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county;

(iv) if the county maintains a website, publish the full text of the aggregation plan on the website; and

(v) give, for the Commission’s approval, written notice of its intention to initiate a process to form a community choice aggregator.

(2) The aggregation plan shall:

(i) detail the processes related to participating in the aggregation activities of a community choice aggregator;

(ii) contain information on the operations, funding, and organizational structure of the community choice aggregator;

(iii) provide details on:

1. the rate setting and costs to participants, including an analysis of historical and forecasted trends in electricity prices and a purchasing plan designed to save ratepayers money;

2. methods that the community choice aggregator must use for entering into and terminating agreements with other entities;

3. the rights and responsibilities of participating electric customers; and

4. the termination of the aggregation program, if any; and

(iv) provide for universal electricity access, reliability, and equitable treatment of all residential and small commercial electric customers in the county.

(e) (1) At least 60 days after developing an aggregation plan and giving the notice required under subsection (d) of this section, a county may initiate the process of forming a community choice aggregator by filing with the Commission:

(i) a notice of intent to form a community choice aggregator;

(ii) a copy of the aggregation plan developed in accordance with subsection (d) of this section;

(iii) a draft local law forming a community choice aggregator; and

(iv) proposed terms of service, rates, and categories of charges, fees, or any other costs to customers unrelated to the actual cost of the electricity supply.

(2) The notice of intent shall include the name of the county in the community choice aggregator.

(3) A county is a community choice aggregator after:

(i) submitting the notice of intent and aggregation plan required under this subsection;

(ii) the Commission has approved its aggregation plan and proposed terms filed in accordance with paragraph (1)(iv) of this subsection; and

(iii) enacting a local law that provides that the county shall act as a community choice aggregator.

(f) (1) In accordance with a schedule established by the Commission under subsection (l) of this section, if a county enacts a local law to act as a community choice aggregator, the county shall provide or cause its selected electricity supplier, if any, to provide written notice of the formation of the community choice aggregator to all residential and small commercial electric customers in the county.

(2) The notice required under this subsection shall include:

(i) the identity and Commission–issued license numbers of any selected electricity supplier;

(ii) terms and conditions of service;

(iii) new rates, charges, and fees for service under the community choice aggregator;

(iv) a comparison of the new rates and the rates under the current standard offer service;

(v) information on how to access the standard offer service available from an electric company; and

(vi) the total renewable component of the electricity to be supplied through a community choice aggregator, including the specific sources of any renewable energy compared to the requirements under current law, if any.

(3) In the notice required under this subsection, the county shall provide to the residential and small commercial electric customers in the county the opportunity to refuse to participate in the aggregation activities of the community choice aggregator:

(i) by return submission of the notice to the community choice aggregator or the electric company indicating the customer’s decision to refuse to participate in the aggregation activities of the community choice aggregator; or

(ii) by contracting for service with a retail electricity supplier or by choosing standard offer service from an electric company.

(4) A county that enacts a local law to act as a community choice aggregator under this section may not exclude from the ability to participate in the aggregation activities of the community choice aggregator:

(i) any residential or small commercial electric customer in the county; or

(ii) for the provision of electric service for facilities located within the jurisdiction of the community choice aggregator, any governmental entity.

(g) A residential or small commercial electric customer is deemed to have given permission to the county to act on the customer’s behalf as a community choice aggregator:

(1) when the county receives from the customer:

(i) a reply from the notice required under subsection (f) of this section by which the customer explicitly grants permission for the customer to receive service with the community choice aggregator; or

(ii) an application to receive service with the community choice aggregator;

(2) in the case of a customer receiving standard offer service, within 30 days after the notice required by subsection (f) of this section is given if:

(i) the county has not received a returned notice by that date; or

(ii) after the creation of the community choice aggregator and receipt of the notice, the customer has not contracted with a retail electricity supplier or contacted an electric company to select standard offer services; or

(3) on applying for new electric service within the territory served by the community choice aggregator, unless the customer has:

(i) contracted with a retail electricity supplier for service; or

(ii) contacted an electric company to select standard offer service.

(h) Except for a contract that automatically renews, at the end of a contract term with an electricity supplier a residential or small commercial electric customer in the jurisdiction of a community choice aggregator shall be automatically enrolled as a participant in the aggregation activities of the community choice aggregator unless the customer:

(1) gives written notice to the county declining to participate in the aggregation activities of the community choice aggregator; or

(2) contracts for service with a retail electricity supplier or contacts an electric company to select standard offer service.

(i) This section may not be construed to prevent a residential or small commercial electric customer in the county from choosing at any time:

(1) to enter into a contract with an electricity supplier other than the community choice aggregator; or

(2) the standard offer service offered by an electric company.

(j) (1) A community choice aggregator may not assess any new fee, tax, or other charge in the aggregation charges or rates that is not related to the cost of:

(i) providing electricity supply and electricity supply service, including service from a generating station owned by the community choice aggregator;

(ii) promoting the use of renewable energy; and

(iii) providing and promoting energy efficiency programs promoted under paragraph (2) or (3) of this subsection.

(2) A community choice aggregator, in consultation with all investor–owned electric companies whose service territories include all or part of the county and the Department of Housing and Community Development, may promote energy efficiency programs that are:

(i) offered by the investor–owned electric companies; or

(ii) filed by the investor–owned electric companies with the Commission for its approval in accordance with Subtitle 2, Part II of this title.

(3) In addition to the authority granted under paragraph (2) of this subsection, a community choice aggregator may provide and promote energy efficiency programs that are supplemental to any programs that are promoted under paragraph (2) of this subsection.

(k) (1) Except for the purposes of meeting the requirements of the renewable energy portfolio standard under Subtitle 7 of this title, a community choice aggregator may not be considered to be an electricity supplier under § 7–507(a) of this subtitle.

(2) (i) A community choice aggregator may own an electric generating facility or an electric storage facility in accordance with this article if the facility is designed to provide energy primarily for use by the participants of the community choice aggregator.

(ii) When a community choice aggregator builds or acquires an electric generating facility or electric storage facility, the community choice aggregator shall submit to the Commission a plan for the use or disposition of the facility if the community choice aggregator is dissolved.

(3) (i) A community choice aggregator may contract for service from an electric generating facility in accordance with this article if the amount of contracted electricity supply from the facility is not greater than the amount estimated to be necessary to meet the electrical demand of the participants of the community choice aggregator.

(ii) When a community choice aggregator contracts for service from an electric generating facility for a period exceeding 2 years, the community choice aggregator shall submit to the Commission a plan for the transfer of the contract to another electricity supplier if:

1. the community choice aggregator is dissolved; or

2. the pilot program ends without an extension or the creation of a permanent community choice aggregator.

(4) Any contract relating to the provision of electric service by a community choice aggregator, including any contract for the supply of electricity or the procurement or financing of electric generation services shall allow for or anticipate the potential adoption of an alternative resource adequacy mechanism that could apply in the State.

(l) (1) Based on a determination of the mitigation of volumetric risk, the Commission may establish by order or regulation a schedule that may not exceed a period of 2 years, by which a community choice aggregator may transfer load from standard offer service to retail or wholesale contracts under an aggregation plan.

(2) The Commission shall consider the impacts to the price and stability of the procurement of standard offer service when considering a schedule under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(m) (1) A county that is forming a community choice aggregator is deemed to have obtained electric customer authorization to retrieve preenrollment usage data for residential and small commercial electric customers in the county.

(2) In accordance with procedures established by the Commission, an electric company shall provide to a community choice aggregator any relevant data for customers in the jurisdiction of the community choice aggregator, including:

(i) preenrollment usage data; and

(ii) any other appropriate billing and electrical load data.

(3) An electric company shall provide to a county that is forming a community choice aggregator data under this subsection as follows:

(i) only aggregate data when the county initiates the process of forming a community choice aggregator; and

(ii) any customer–specific data after the aggregation plan is approved by the Commission.

(n) The Commission shall review applicable fees, request formats, and the format of data provided to facilitate the intent of this section.

(o) The Commission shall establish procedures for an electric customer that is receiving electricity supply through a community choice aggregator to receive any bill assistance credit or arrearage assistance to which the customer may be entitled under § 7–512.1 of this subtitle or any other federal or State bill and arrearage assistance administered by the Office of Home Energy Programs.

(p) The Commission may allocate the portion of delinquent accounts receivable that is attributable to electricity supply between the electric customers participating in the aggregation activities of a community choice aggregator and the electric customers throughout the electric company’s service territory if the Commission determines that:

(1) the amount of delinquent accounts receivable attributable to electric customers receiving standard offer service is projected to increase to an extent that will materially adversely impact the cost of providing standard offer service; and

(2) the projected increase in the amount of delinquent accounts receivable attributable to electric customers receiving standard offer service is directly or indirectly caused by the migration of a substantial number of electric customers from standard offer service to participation in the aggregation activities of a community choice aggregator.

(q) Bills sent to electric customers that participate in the aggregation activities of a community choice aggregator shall identify the community choice aggregator as the electricity supplier.

(r) (1) In this subsection, “Workgroup” means the Community Choice Energy Workgroup established in accordance with this subsection.

(2) On or before September 1, 2021, the Commission shall establish a Community Choice Energy Workgroup.

(3) The Workgroup shall consist of at least the following members:

(i) one representative of the Montgomery County government;

(ii) one representative of the Office of People’s Counsel;

(iii) one representative of each investor–owned electric company whose service territory includes all or part of a county that participates in the pilot program;

(iv) one representative of any competitive electricity supplier;

(v) one representative of residential and small commercial electric customers;

(vi) one representative of low–income communities;

(vii) one representative of minority residential communities;

(viii) one representative with expertise in implementing community choice aggregation programs; and

(ix) any other individuals identified by the Commission.

(4) The Commission shall provide staff for the Workgroup.

(5) Nothing in this subsection may be construed to limit the authority of the Commission to take any action, including the adoption of regulations, without a recommendation from the Workgroup.

(6) (i) During any year that a community choice aggregator operates in the State, the Workgroup shall submit an annual report on the status of the community choice aggregator to the Commission.

(ii) The Workgroup shall include in the annual report information regarding:

1. rates, charges, and fees for service under each community choice aggregator;

2. renewable energy;

3. customer satisfaction;

4. enrollment; and

5. any other information or metric determined by the Workgroup or requested by the Commission.

(s) (1) The Commission shall by regulation establish standards and procedures to protect the consumer rights of residential customers within the territory of a community choice aggregator that receive electricity supply through the community choice aggregator.

(2) The regulations shall prohibit discrimination against a customer on the basis of the location of the customer.

(3) The Commission shall seek the advice and recommendation of the Community Choice Energy Workgroup established under subsection (r) of this section when carrying out the provisions of this section and adopting regulations.

(t) (1) The pilot program shall:

(i) begin on the earlier of:

1. the date that a county gives notice to the Commission of its intention to initiate a process to form a community choice aggregator, in accordance with subsection (d)(1)(v) of this section; or

2. April 1, 2024; and

(ii) end 7 years after the beginning date, but not sooner than April 1, 2031.

(2) On or before April 1 of the sixth year after the beginning of the pilot program, the Commission shall, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, report to the General Assembly on the status and effectiveness of the pilot program.

(u) (1) At the conclusion of the pilot program described in this section, the Commission shall study:

(i) the overall costs and benefits of the pilot program;

(ii) whether there were any incremental costs borne by standard offer service customers resulting from the migration of customers between the community choice aggregator and standard offer service; and

(iii) what mechanisms could be implemented to hold standard offer service customers harmless from any incremental costs borne by standard offer service customers identified under item (ii) of this paragraph.

(2) The Commission shall seek the advice and recommendation of the Community Choice Energy Workgroup in the study required under this subsection.

(3) On or before December 31, 2031, the Commission shall report the findings of the study to the Governor and the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article.

(v) On or before December 31, 2023, the Commission shall adopt regulations to implement this section, including regulations for:

(1) consumer protection;

(2) procedures to consider and review the analysis of historical and forecasted trends in electricity prices and a purchasing plan designed to save ratepayers money, submitted by county;

(3) a tariff structure for community choice aggregation noncommodity fees and charges;

(4) a protocol for data exchange between community choice aggregators, retail suppliers, and electric companies, including prohibitions on the community choice aggregator from sharing, disclosing, or otherwise making accessible to a third party a customer’s personal information;

(5) procedures by which a community choice aggregator may transfer load from standard offer service to retail or wholesale contracts under an aggregation plan;

(6) the method by which the cost of delinquent accounts of a community choice aggregator may be recovered from customers;

(7) procedures for enrolling a customer for service with a community choice aggregator on expiration of the customer’s retail supply contract;

(8) procedures to protect a customer’s privacy and confidential data collected or held by a community choice aggregator;

(9) procedures to mitigate any risk to standard offer service customers caused by the potential for customers to migrate from a community choice aggregator to standard offer service;

(10) procedures by which a community choice aggregator may be dissolved, including procedures for the transfer of customers to standard offer service and the resale of contracted electricity supply;

(11) the approval of a tariff structure for community choice aggregrator interactions with electric companies, including:

(i) billing and payment collection;

(ii) dispute resolution;

(iii) financial settlement;

(iv) losses;

(v) metering services;

(vi) PJM Interconnection requirements;

(vii) scheduling; and

(viii) utility charges; and

(12) procedures to require that:

(i) a community choice aggregator that transfers all customers back to standard offer service is considered to be dissolved; and

(ii) if a community choice aggregator is considered to be dissolved, it may not be reformed except through the process of forming a new community choice aggregator in accordance with this section.

(w) The Montgomery County government shall:

(1) be solely responsible for the costs associated with any stranded costs for:

(i) contracts entered into by the community choice aggregator for electric supply; or

(ii) generation owned by a community choice aggregator; and

(2) pay for any costs the Montgomery County government is responsible for under item (1) of this subsection.
Md. Code, Health - General § 7-711 — MD Code / Article ghg / Title 7 / Subtitle 7 / Section 7-711
§7–711.
Status: in_force

(a) The Secretary shall adopt regulations for the licensing of persons who provide community supported living arrangements services to eligible individuals that include standards for:

(1) Licensing providers that include grievance procedures for recipients of community supported living arrangements services; and

(2) The inspection of licensees at least once each year.

(b) The regulations shall ensure that community supported living arrangements services to an eligible individual are provided in accordance with an individual support plan as required by regulation.
Md. Code, Education § 7-11A-01 — MD Code / Article ged / Title 7 / Subtitle 11A / Section 7-11A-01
§7–11A–01.
Status: in_force

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) “Behavior intervention plan” has the meaning stated in § 7–1101 of this title.

(c) “Elopement” means the act of a student leaving the school campus without the permission of a school staff member who has responsibility for the student.

(d) “IEP” means an individualized education program as defined under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

(e) “Nonpublic school” has the meaning stated in § 7–1101 of this title.

(f) “School” means:

(1) A public elementary, middle, or high school;

(2) The Maryland School for the Blind;

(3) The Maryland School for the Deaf; and

(4) A nonpublic school.

(g) “School campus” means the buildings and grounds of a school, including a playground.

(h) (1) “Wandering” means the act of a student leaving a classroom or area on the school campus, but not leaving the school campus, without the permission of a school staff member who has responsibility for the student.

(2) “Wandering” does not include a student leaving a classroom or area on the school campus under a flash pass or another standing arrangement that has been approved by a school administrator.
Md. Code, Health - General § 7-611 — MD Code / Article ghg / Title 7 / Subtitle 6 / Section 7-611
§7–611.
Status: in_force

(a) When an application for certificate of approval is filed, the Department shall have an investigation made of:

(1) The applicant;

(2) The private group home for which approval is sought;

(3) The facts stated in the application;

(4) The number of other group homes or alternative living units in the neighborhood;

(5) The public utilities and services available; and

(6) The access to transportation, shopping and recreational facilities, and health-related services.

(b) When an application for certificate of approval is filed, the Secretary shall hold a public hearing on the application.

(c) (1) The Secretary shall publish a notice of the hearing within 60 days of receipt of the completed application.

(2) The notice shall state:

(i) The name of the applicant;

(ii) The type of approval that is sought;

(iii) The location of the proposed private group home; and

(iv) The time and place that the Secretary sets for the hearing, which shall be at least 7 but not more than 15 days after the last publication of the notice.

(d) The notice shall be published at least twice in 1 week:

(1) In 2 newspapers published in the county where the private group home is to be located;

(2) If only 1 newspaper is published in that county, in that newspaper; or

(3) If a newspaper is not published in that county, any newspaper with substantial circulation in that county.
Md. Code, Tax - General § 7-308 — MD Code / Article gtg / Title 7 / Subtitle 3 / Section 7-308
§7–308.
Status: in_force

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

(2) “Fiduciary” means a personal representative or trustee.

(3) “Person” includes any government, political subdivision, or governmental unit.

(4) “Person interested in the estate” means any person who is entitled to receive or has received, from a decedent while alive or by reason of the death of a decedent, any property or interest in property included in the taxable estate of the decedent.

(5) “Tax” means the federal estate tax and the Maryland estate tax and interest and penalties imposed in addition to the taxes.

(b) (1) The tax shall be apportioned among all persons interested in the estate. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the apportionment shall be made in the proportion that the value of the interest of each person interested in the estate bears to the total value of the interests of all persons interested in the estate. The values used in determining the tax shall be used for that purpose.

(2) (i) If any part of the estate consists of property the value of which is deemed includible in the estate under § 7-309(b)(6) of this subtitle, the amount of Maryland estate tax apportioned to the person or persons receiving that property shall be the amount by which the total tax under this subtitle that has been paid exceeds the total tax under this subtitle that would have been payable if the value of that property had not been deemed includible in the estate.

(ii) Any tax apportioned under this paragraph shall be apportioned among all persons receiving that property in the proportion that the value of the property received by each person bears to the total value of all such property.

(c) (1) The court shall determine the apportionment of the tax. If there are no administration proceedings, the court of the county where the decedent was domiciled at death shall determine the apportionment of the tax on the application of the person required to pay the tax.

(2) If the court finds that it is inequitable to apportion interest and penalties as provided in this section because of special circumstances, the court may direct apportionment in the manner that it finds equitable.

(3) The expenses reasonably incurred by any fiduciary and by any other person interested in the estate in connection with the determination of the amount and apportionment of the tax shall be apportioned as provided in subsection (b) of this section and charged and collected as a part of the tax apportioned. If the court finds that it is inequitable to apportion the expenses as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the court may direct an equitable apportionment.

(4) If the court finds that the assessment of penalties and interest assessed in relation to the tax is due to delay caused by the negligence of the fiduciary, the court may charge the fiduciary with the amount of the assessed penalties and interest.

(5) In any suit or judicial proceeding to recover from any person interested in the estate the amount of the tax apportioned to the person in accordance with this section, the determination of the court is prima facie correct.

(d) (1) The fiduciary or other person required to pay the tax may withhold, from any property of the decedent that is in the possession of the person and is distributable to any person interested in the estate, the amount of tax attributable to that person’s interest. If the property in the possession of the fiduciary or other person required to pay the tax and distributable to any person interested in the estate is insufficient to satisfy the proportionate amount of the tax determined to be due from the person, the fiduciary or other person required to pay the tax may recover the deficiency from the person interested in the estate. If the property is not in the possession of the fiduciary or other person required to pay the tax, the person may recover from any person interested in the estate the amount of the tax apportioned to that person in accordance with this section.

(2) If property held by the fiduciary or other person required to pay the tax is distributed before the final apportionment of the tax, the person may require the distributee to provide a bond or other security for the apportionment liability in the form and amount required by the fiduciary or other person, with the approval of the court.

(3) If the fiduciary or other person required to pay the tax transfers any property included in the estate to another person, other than a bona fide purchaser for value, the transferee is jointly and severally liable with the transferor for the amount of tax apportioned to the transferor under this section, less the value, at the time of the transfer, of any consideration given by the transferee for the property.

(e) (1) In making an apportionment, allowances shall be made for any exemptions granted and for any deductions and credits allowed by the law imposing the tax.

(2) Any exemption or reduction allowed by reason of the relationship of any person to the decedent or by reason of the purposes of the gift inures to the benefit of the person bearing that relationship or receiving the gift. If an interest is subject to a prior present interest that is not allowable as a deduction, the tax apportionable against the present interest shall be paid from principal.

(3) Any credit for property previously taxed, any credit for state death taxes, and any credit for gift taxes or death taxes of a foreign country inure to the proportionate benefit of all persons liable to apportionment.

(4) To the extent that property passing to or in trust for a surviving spouse or any charitable, public or similar gift or bequest is not an allowable deduction for purposes of the tax solely by reason of an inheritance tax or other death taxes imposed on and deductible from the property, the property is not included in the computation for which this section provides and, to that extent, an apportionment may not be made against the property. This paragraph does not apply if the result deprives the estate of a deduction otherwise allowable under § 2053 (d) of the Internal Revenue Code, relating to deduction for state death taxes on transfers for public, charitable or religious uses.

(f) An interest in income, an estate for years, an estate for life, or any other temporary interest in any property or money is not subject to apportionment between the temporary interest and the remainder. The tax on the temporary interest and the tax, if any, on the remainder is chargeable against the corpus of the property or money subject to the temporary interest and remainder.

(g) The fiduciary or other person required to pay the tax need not institute any suit or proceeding to recover from any person interested in the estate the amount of the tax apportioned to that person until the expiration of the 6 months next following the payment of any tax. If the fiduciary or other person required to pay the tax cannot collect from any person interested in the estate the amount of tax apportioned to the person, the amount not recoverable shall be equitably apportioned among the other persons interested in the estate who are subject to apportionment.

(h) Subject to this subsection, a fiduciary acting in another state or a person required to pay the tax who is resident in another state may institute an action in a court of this State and may recover a proportionate amount of the federal estate tax or an estate tax payable to another state or of a death duty due by an estate to another state from a person interested in the estate who either is resident in this State or owns property in this State subject to attachment or execution. For the purpose of the action, the determination of apportionment by the court having jurisdiction of the administration of the estate in the other state is prima facie correct. This subsection applies only if the state in which the determination of apportionment was made affords a substantially similar remedy.

(i) The provisions of this section that are uniform with statutes enacted in other states shall be construed to make uniform the laws of those states that enact the uniform provisions.

(j) This section may be cited as the “Maryland Uniform Estate Tax Apportionment Act”.

(k) Except as otherwise provided in the will or other controlling instrument, this section applies to the apportionment of, and contribution to, the federal and Maryland estate taxes.
Md. Code, Environment § 7-407 — MD Code / Article gen / Title 7 / Subtitle 4 / Section 7-407
§7–407.
Status: in_force

Regardless of whether a site and facility are approved by a subdivision or are certified under this subtitle:

(1) All other requirements for permits by State health or any other State regulatory agency remain applicable; and

(2) All other State environmental, health, and safety restrictions shall apply, as provided in § 7-405(c) of this subtitle.
Md. Code, Insurance § 7-307 — MD Code / Article gin / Title 7 / Subtitle 3 / Section 7-307
§7–307.
Status: in_force

At the expense of the acquiring person, the Commissioner may retain attorneys, actuaries, accountants, and other experts not otherwise a part of the Commissioner’s staff as are reasonably necessary to help the Commissioner in reviewing the proposed transaction subject to this subtitle.
Md. Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 7-203 — MD Code / Article gcj / Title 7 / Subtitle 2 / Section 7-203
§7–203.
Status: in_force

(a) In this section, the term “not guilty” does not include a finding of probation before judgment under § 6-220 of the Criminal Procedure Article.

(b) (1) The clerk of the circuit court may not charge a county or Baltimore City with fees or costs of a criminal proceeding, regardless of whether the fee or cost was imposed or allowed by statute or common law.

(2) The clerk of a circuit court may not charge a defendant with the costs of a criminal proceeding in which the defendant is found not guilty.
Md. Code, Environment § 7-408 — MD Code / Article gen / Title 7 / Subtitle 4 / Section 7-408
§7–408.
Status: in_force

(a) A certificate automatically shall be null and void if:

(1) Construction or other preparation of the site for its intended use of the facility for which the certificate was issued has not commenced within 2 years following issuance of the certificate; or

(2) The facility has not commenced operation within 4 years following issuance of the certificate.

(b) The Board may extend the time limits imposed under subsection (a) of this section if the certificate holder:

(1) Applies to the Board for an extension; and

(2) Shows good cause for allowing the extension.
Md. Code, Public Utilities § 7-903 — MD Code / Article gpu / Title 7 / Subtitle 9 / Section 7-903
§7–903.
Status: in_force

(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the Commission shall, by order or regulation and subject to reasonable cost limitations balanced with the public interest:

(1) expand the EV Pilot Program to allow participating electric companies to install EV charging stations in new and existing multifamily dwellings in underserved communities; and

(2) terminate the EV Pilot Program expansion required under item (1) of this section on December 31, 2025.

(b) The termination of the EV Pilot Program expansion required under subsection (a) of this section may not be construed to:

(1) terminate an electric company’s authority to operate EV charging stations under a program approved by the Commission on or before March 1, 2023;

(2) limit an electric company’s efforts to operate and maintain EV charging stations installed under the EV Pilot Program; or

(3) impact the cost recovery by an investor–owned electric company for the lifetime of an EV charging station installed under the EV Pilot Program.
Md. Code, Human Services § 7-1506 — MD Code / Article ghu / Title 7 / Subtitle 15 / Section 7-1506
§7–1506.
Status: in_force

§7–1506. ** CONTINGENCY – NOT IN EFFECT – CHAPTERS 6 AND 13 OF THE 2025 SPECIAL SESSION **

(a) There is a Maryland Disability Service Animal Program Fund.

(b) The purpose of the Fund is to:

(1) pay a nonprofit training entity; and

(2) cover the costs of administering the Program.

(c) The Secretary shall administer the Fund.

(d) (1) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.

(2) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.

(e) (1) The Fund consists of:

(i) revenue collected by the Department in the form of donations to the Program;

(ii) money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; and

(iii) any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.

(2) For each fiscal year, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $25,000 to the Fund.

(3) Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.

(4) Money expended from the Fund is supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding that otherwise would be appropriated for the Program.

(f) The Fund may be used only to pay:

(1) a nonprofit training entity; and

(2) administrative costs of the Program.

(g) (1) The State Treasurer shall invest and reinvest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.

(2) Any investment earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the General Fund of the State.

(h) For the purpose of implementing this section, the Department may accept gifts or grants for donation to the Fund.
Md. Code, Health - General § 7-708 — MD Code / Article ghg / Title 7 / Subtitle 7 / Section 7-708
§7–708.
Status: in_force

(a) There is an Individual Support Services Program.

(b) The Administration shall enter into grant agreements for the provision of individual support services in all counties of the State.

(c) Eligible persons selected for services by the Administration shall be informed of individual support services and encouraged to use them, as appropriate, prior to being offered full day or residential services.
Md. Code, Human Services § 7-611 — MD Code / Article ghu / Title 7 / Subtitle 6 / Section 7-611
§7–611.
Status: in_force

(a) Except as provided in this subtitle, the Board and lender jointly shall determine the amount and terms of the guarantee of the loan or the subsidy of loan interest.

(b) The total aggregate amount of a loan guarantee may be up to 100% of the loan.

(c) The total aggregate amount of the loan guarantees to be provided from the Fund in any given year shall be set annually by the Board in accordance with the requirements of the banks underwriting the loans at any given time.
Md. Code, Education § 7-14A-04 — MD Code / Article ged / Title 7 / Subtitle 14A / Section 7-14A-04
§7–14A–04.
Status: in_force

(a) (1) The school personnel at each school shall develop a school behavioral health plan to assist students who are struggling when the school is operating under a virtual education plan that includes:

(i) Proper assignments for all behavioral and mental health staff;

(ii) Methods for all students to access behavioral and mental health supports, including through telehealth if necessary;

(iii) Procedures for referral of students who are struggling to access proper behavioral and mental health supports; and

(iv) Increased attention and care for students struggling with the emotional, behavioral, or psychological stressors of virtual education.

(2) In establishing a behavioral health plan under this subsection, a school may use a multitiered system of supports model.

(b) (1) (i) While a school is operating under a virtual education plan, the principal shall require a staff member to conduct regular wellness check–ins with students at least once per week.

(ii) The principal may assign a community school coordinator, staff member, or team of staff to conduct the wellness check–ins required under this subsection.

(2) (i) If a regular wellness check–in reveals that a student is struggling with the educational, emotional, behavioral, or psychological stressors of virtual education, the principal shall require a staff member, in accordance with subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, to:

1. Check in with the student multiple times per week; and

2. Develop an individual behavioral health plan consistent with the school behavioral health plan established under subsection (a) of this section.

(ii) The principal shall arrange for a school psychologist, pupil personnel worker, school social worker, school counselor, or behavioral health specialist to perform the tasks required under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.
Md. Code, Insurance § 7-405 — MD Code / Article gin / Title 7 / Subtitle 4 / Section 7-405
§7–405.
Status: in_force

(a) (1) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Commissioner may enter an order under this section with respect to an acquisition subject to this subtitle if:

(i) there is substantial evidence that the effect of the acquisition may be substantially to lessen competition in any line of insurance in the State or tend to create a monopoly; or

(ii) the insurer fails to file adequate information in compliance with § 7–403 of this subtitle.

(2) The order may:

(i) require an acquiring or acquired insurer, its affiliates, or the person resulting from a merger to cease and desist from doing business in the State with respect to the line of insurance involved in the violation; or

(ii) deny the application of an acquiring or acquired insurer for a certificate of authority.

(b) The Commissioner may not enter an order under this section with respect to an acquisition subject to this subtitle if:

(1) the acquisition will yield substantial economies of scale or economies in resource utilization that cannot be achieved feasibly in any other way, and public benefits from those economies outweigh the public benefits from not lessening competition; or

(2) the acquisition will increase substantially the availability of insurance, and public benefits from that increase outweigh the public benefits from not lessening competition.

(c) (1) In determining whether a proposed acquisition subject to this subtitle would violate subsection (a)(1)(i) of this section, the Commissioner shall consider an acquisition that involves two or more insurers, including insurers under common ownership, management, or control, that compete in the same product and geographical market to be prima facie evidence of violation of subsection (a)(1)(i) of this section if the acquiring and acquired insurers, their affiliates, or the person resulting from a merger:

(i) have a share of the market that exceeds the total of the two columns in the table under item (ii) of this paragraph, if more than two insurers are parties to the acquisition; or

(ii) have the following shares of the market:

Insurer A Insurer B

5% 4% or more

10% 3% or more

15% 2% or more

(2) By treating the insurer with the largest share of the market as insurer “A”, the Commissioner may interpolate percentages not shown in the table under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection proportionately to the percentages that are shown.

(3) In the absence of sufficient information to the contrary:

(i) the relevant product market is the direct written insurance premium for a line of business as the line appears in the annual statement required to be filed by insurers doing business in the State; and

(ii) the relevant geographical market is the State.

(4) In determining the relevant product and geographical markets, the Commissioner shall consider, among other things:

(i) any definitions or guidelines adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners; and

(ii) any information submitted by parties to the acquisition.

(d) (1) Before the Commissioner enters an order under this section, the Commissioner shall:

(i) give the parties notice of a hearing on the proposed order before the end of the waiting period under § 7–404 of this subtitle and at least 15 days before the hearing is scheduled; and

(ii) hold the hearing.

(2) (i) The Commissioner shall enter an order after the conclusion of the hearing and no later than 60 days after the end of the waiting period.

(ii) The order shall be accompanied by a written decision of the Commissioner, findings of fact, and conclusions of law.

(e) (1) An order under this section may not become final earlier than 30 days after it is issued.

(2) Before an order becomes final, an insurer that is subject to the order may submit to the Commissioner a plan to remedy the anticompetitive impact of the acquisition within a reasonable time.

(3) Based on the plan or other information, the Commissioner may set conditions to be met while the anticompetitive impact is being remedied, and the order vacated or modified.

(f) An order under this section does not apply if the acquisition is not consummated.

(g) A person that violates a cease and desist order issued by the Commissioner under this section, after notice and hearing and on order of the Commissioner, is subject to a penalty not exceeding $10,000 for each day of violation or suspension or revocation of the person’s certificate of authority or both.
Md. Code, Human Services § 7-131 — MD Code / Article ghu / Title 7 / Subtitle 1 / Section 7-131
§7–131.
Status: in_force

The Board shall:

(1) provide ongoing examination of the structure and organization of the State’s system of services and support to individuals with disabilities to ensure equal access to support services and resources by individuals with disabilities;

(2) facilitate the development of performance objectives that will result in a comprehensive, effective, efficient, and integrated service delivery system for individuals with disabilities;

(3) develop an interagency funding approach to maximize efficiencies and streamline access to services and support for individuals with disabilities;

(4) formulate policies on legislative issues and, under the direction of the Governor, communicate the policies to the General Assembly; and

(5) develop the State Disabilities Plan.
Md. Code, Real Property § 7-105.7 — MD Code / Article grp / Title 7 / Subtitle 1 / Section 7-105.7
§7–105.
Status: in_force

§7–105.7.

No title to property acquired at sale of property subject to a mortgage or deed of trust is invalid by reason of the fact that the property was purchased by the secured party, his assignee, or representative, or for his account.