2023 Maryland Statutes › State Government › Title 20 - Human Relations › Subtitle 7 - Discrimination in Housing › Section 20-701 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    (1)    “Disability” means:
(i)    a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of an individual’s major life activities;
(ii)    a record of having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of an individual’s major life activities; or
(iii)    being regarded as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of an individual’s major life activities.
(2)    “Disability” does not include the current illegal use of or addiction to:
(i)    a controlled dangerous substance, as defined in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article; or
(ii)    a controlled substance, as defined in 21 U.S.C. § 802.
(c)    “Discriminatory housing practice” means an act that is prohibited under § 20–705, § 20–706, § 20–707, or § 20–708 of this subtitle.
(d)    “Dwelling” means:
(1)    any building, structure, or portion of a building or structure that is occupied, or designed or intended for occupancy, as a residence by one or more families; and
(2)    any vacant land that is offered for sale or lease for the construction or location on the land of any building, structure, or portion of a building or structure described in item (1) of this subsection.
(e)    (1)    “Familial status” means the status of one or more minors who are domiciled with:
(i)    a parent or other person having legal custody of the minor; or
(ii)    the designee of a parent or other person having legal custody of the minor with the written permission of the parent or other person.
(2)    “Familial status” includes the status of being:
(i)    a pregnant woman; or
(ii)    an individual who is in the process of securing legal custody of a minor.
(f)    “Family” includes a single individual.
(g)    “In the business of selling or renting dwellings” means:
(1)    within the preceding 12 months, participating as a principal in three or more transactions involving the sale or rental of any dwelling or any interest in a dwelling;
(2)    within the preceding 12 months, participating as an agent, other than in the sale of the individual’s own personal residence, in providing sales or rental facilities or services in two or more transactions involving the sale or rental of any dwelling or any interest in a dwelling; or
(3)    being the owner of any dwelling occupied, or designed or intended for occupancy, by five or more families.
(h)    “Marital status” means the state of being single, married, separated, divorced, or widowed.
(i)    “Rent” includes to lease, sublease, let, or otherwise grant for a consideration the right to occupy premises not owned by the occupant.
(j)    (1)    “Source of income” means any lawful source of money paid directly or indirectly to or on behalf of a renter or buyer of housing.
(2)    “Source of income” includes income from:
(i)    a lawful profession, occupation, or job;
(ii)    any government or private assistance, grant, loan, or rental assistance program, including low–income housing assistance certificates and vouchers issued under the United States Housing Act of 1937;
(iii)    a gift, an inheritance, a pension, an annuity, alimony, child support, or any other consideration or benefit; or
(iv)    the sale or pledge of property or an interest in property.