Md. Code, State Government, Title 7

Md. Code, State Government, Title 7
in effect

Md. Code, State Government § 7-101

(a) There is a Secretary of State, as provided in Article II, § 22 of the Maryland Constitution. (b) The Secretary of State is in the Executive Department.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-102

(a) The Governor may appoint a Deputy Secretary of State. (b) If the Secretary of State is absent from the seat of the State government or ill, the Deputy Secretary may carry out any duty that is imposed by law on the Secretary.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-103

In addition to the powers granted and duties imposed elsewhere, the Secretary of State has the powers and duties set forth in this subtitle.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-104

(a) This section does not apply to an agreement for the care, treatment, or supervision of 1 individual. (b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a unit that enters into an international or interstate compact or other international or interstate agreement of general application, including an amendment to a compact or agreement, on behalf of the State, shall file a copy of the compact or agreement with the Division of State Documents in the Office of the Secretary of State. (c) A unit need not file a copy of a compact or agreement under this section if the compact or agreement is part of the Annotated Code of Maryland. (d) The Division of State Documents in the Office of the Secretary of State shall: (1) keep an agreement or compact delivered under this section: (i) until any limit that is set for the agreement or compact to become effective expires; and (ii) if the agreement or compact becomes effective, until it is abrogated; and (2) publish the agreement or compact in the Maryland Register. (e) After keeping the agreement or compact for the time required under this section, the Division of State Documents may deliver the agreement or compact to the State Archives.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-105

(a) The Secretary of State shall: (1) keep a book in which the Secretary records each commission that the Governor issues to a civil officer; and (2) send the commission of each civil officer to the individual before whom the officer is to qualify. (b) (1) The Secretary of State shall keep the records on qualification of civil officers that the clerks of court file as provided by law. (2) The Secretary of State may certify to the qualification of a civil officer to the same extent that a clerk of court may certify.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-106

(a) The Secretary of State shall have a seal for the authentication of copies of records in the Office of the Secretary. (b) Except as otherwise provided by law, the Secretary of State may charge a person: (1) for the authentication of a copy of a record in the custody of the Secretary, a fee of not more than $5; and (2) if the person does not provide the copy for authentication, 50 cents a page.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-107

The Secretary of State’s annual salary shall be: (1) $112,500 for the first year of appointment beginning January, 2023; (2) $116,000 starting on the first anniversary after appointment; (3) $118,500 starting on the second anniversary after appointment; and (4) $120,000 starting on the third anniversary after appointment and thereafter.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-108

(a) In this section, “affidavit” means a written statement: (1) made to the best of the affiant’s knowledge, information, and belief; and (2) the contents of which are affirmed under the penalties of perjury. (b) A nonprofit association, corporation, or other organization that has been in existence for at least 5 years and promotes social welfare and general civic improvement may register with the Secretary of State as a community association by filing an affidavit that the organization meets the requirements of § 5-406(a)(7) of the Courts Article.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-109

The Office of the Secretary of State shall assume lead responsibility with respect to the maintenance and development of sister-state relationships.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-201

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Division. (c) “Code of Maryland Regulations” means the Code of Maryland Regulations and its permanent supplements. (d) “Committee” means the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review. (e) “Division” means the Division of State Documents. (f) “Executive order” has the meaning stated in § 3-401 of this article. (g) “Register” means the Maryland Register. (h) “Regulation” has the meaning stated in § 10-101 of this article, unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (i) (1) “Unit” means an officer or unit in the Executive Branch of the State government that is authorized by law to adopt regulations or to adjudicate contested cases. (2) “Unit” does not include a board of license commissioners.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-203

(a) The head of the Division is the Administrator, who shall be appointed by the Governor. (b) (1) The Administrator holds office during good behavior. (2) Subject to the hearing requirements of this subsection, the Governor may remove the Administrator for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or misconduct in office. (3) Before the Governor removes the Administrator, the Governor shall: (i) prepare written charges; and (ii) give the Administrator a copy of the charges and an opportunity for public hearing. (4) Notice of the hearing shall be given to the Administrator at least 10 days before the hearing. (5) The Administrator may be represented at the hearing by counsel. (c) The Administrator exercises the powers and performs the duties under this subtitle and Title 10, Subtitle 1 of this article subject to the general supervision of the Secretary of State.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-204

(a) The Division shall compile and edit: (1) the Code of Maryland Regulations; and (2) as a temporary supplement, the Maryland Register. (b) Subject to the limitations in this subtitle, the Administrator is responsible for the publication and distribution of the Code of Maryland Regulations and the Register.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-205

(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, the Code of Maryland Regulations shall contain the text of: (1) each executive order that is generally permanent in nature; (2) each regulation; (3) each document that the General Assembly requires to be published with a regulation; and (4) unless otherwise privileged, each other document that the Committee permits to be published in the Code of Maryland Regulations. (b) (1) At least once each year, the Division shall integrate into the Code of Maryland Regulations each document that: (i) is required to be included in the Code of Maryland Regulations; and (ii) has not previously been integrated or included in the Code of Maryland Regulations. (2) This integration may be carried out by: (i) publication of looseleaf pages for insertion in the Code of Maryland Regulations; or (ii) other appropriate permanent supplements to the Code of Maryland Regulations. (c) (1) Each part of the Code of Maryland Regulations and each issue of its permanent supplements shall contain a certification of the Administrator that the part or issue includes all of the documents that are effective and have been codified, as of the date set by the Administrator. (2) Each issue of the permanent supplements shall contain its issue date, which shall be its date of deposit in the United States mail. This date shall appear prominently on the first page. (d) (1) If the Committee permits a unit to publish a document in the Code of Maryland Regulations and publication otherwise would not be required, the Committee may require the unit to reimburse the Division for the cost of the publication. (2) The Division shall bill for and collect the reimbursement.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-206

(a) An issue of the Register shall contain: (1) on the first page: (i) the closing date and hour of the issue; and (ii) the issue date, which shall be the date of deposit in the United States mail and shall appear prominently; (2) the text of each of the following documents that has been submitted to the Division before the closing date and hour and has not been published previously: (i) during each session of the General Assembly: 1. a synopsis of each bill that is introduced; and 2. a synopsis of each bill that is enacted; (ii) unless posted promptly on the website of the Maryland Judiciary: 1. each proposed rule of court that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland directs to be published; 2. each rule of court that the Supreme Court of Maryland adopts or permits to be adopted; 3. the hearing calendar of the Supreme Court of Maryland; 4. each administrative order or memorandum of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland or of the Administrative Office of the Courts that the Chief Justice directs to be published; 5. the hearing calendar of the Appellate Court of Maryland; and 6. each administrative regulation that the Chief Judge of the District Court adopts; (iii) each executive order; (iv) each designation of an official State agency under a federal program; (v) except for notaries public and special police, a list of gubernatorial appointments that states: 1. the office; 2. the name of the appointee; 3. the county where the appointee resides; 4. the effective date of appointment; 5. the term of office; and 6. the salary; (vi) for a proposed regulation: 1. the notice of the proposed adoption of the regulation; and 2. the text of the proposed regulation; (vii) each notice of a public hearing that a unit issues; (viii) unless otherwise exempted, each other document that is required by law to be published in the Code of Maryland Regulations; (ix) each other document that is required to be published in the Register; (x) each notice or other document issued by an agency of a county or municipal government that the Committee permits to be published in the Register; and (xi) unless otherwise privileged, each other document that the Committee permits to be published in the Register; (3) a table of contents; and (4) an index to each title of the Code of Maryland Regulations that a document in the issue affects. (b) (1) Each issue of the Register shall contain a certification of the Administrator that the issue contains all of the documents that have been submitted to the Division as of the closing date and hour of the issue. (2) The certification of the Administrator in the Register is conclusive evidence of this fact. (c) (1) If the Committee permits a unit or an agency of a county or municipal government to publish a document in the Register and publication otherwise would not be required, the Committee may require the unit or agency to reimburse the Division for the cost of the publication. (2) The Division shall bill for and collect the reimbursement.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-206.2

§7–206.2. (a) The Division may arrange for databases derived from publications issued by the Division to be made available to the public for direct online searching by contracting with third–party or value–added resellers. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Division shall make available to the public, at no cost, direct online searching of: (1) the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR); (2) at least the 15 most recent issues of the Maryland Register; and (3) any other material the Division determines to be in the public interest. (c) The receipt of any material made available to the public under the terms of subsection (b) of this section shall be preceded by a legend stating that: “The information you are about to receive is made available for personal use only. By proceeding beyond this point you agree that you will not use the information for any prohibited commercial purpose, as defined in § 7–206.2(e) of the State Government Article, including, by way of example and not in limitation, the downloading of this information for resale in any other electronic or printed form.”. (d) The legend referenced in subsection (c) of this section shall be presented to the recipient in a manner that affords the recipient an opportunity to refuse to access the material. (e) (1) In this subsection, “prohibited commercial purpose” includes any use that involves the resale or other compensated transfer of information made available under subsection (b) of this section. (2) “Prohibited commercial purpose” does not include the incorporation of portions of information made available under subsection (b) of this section into documents commenting upon or advising persons of the legal effect of that information, even though the person incorporating the information may be compensated for the comments or advice. (3) Data or material obtained under subsection (b) of this section may not be used for any prohibited commercial purpose. (f) A person who violates subsection (e) of this section is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 for each violation.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-207

(a) (1) Unless the Committee provides otherwise, the Code of Maryland Regulations and the Register may not reprint any text from: (i) the Annotated Code of Maryland; (ii) the Session Laws; (iii) the United States Code; (iv) the United States Statutes at Large; (v) the Code of Federal Regulations; (vi) the Federal Register; or (vii) any other generally available publication that the Administrator specifies. (2) State statutes as described under paragraph (1)(i) and (ii) of this subsection need not be incorporated by reference. (3) (i) Federal laws as described under paragraph (1)(iii), (iv), (v), and (vi) of this subsection may be incorporated by reference. (ii) Federal law incorporated by reference after October 1, 2005, shall be identified by using the phrase “incorporated by reference”. (iii) The unit incorporating federal law may: 1. incorporate only a specified version of that law by specifying a date; or 2. incorporate future versions of that law by using the phrase “as amended”. (4) (i) Other publications as described in paragraph (1)(vii) of this subsection may be incorporated by reference by: 1. satisfying the requirements of § 23–303 of the Education Article, except as determined by the Administrator; and 2. complying with Title 10, Subtitle 1 of this article and with other requirements specified by the Administrator. (ii) Incorporated documents shall be identified by using the phrase “incorporated by reference”. (iii) The incorporation shall specify an edition number, year, or other specific indication of the version being adopted. (iv) Prospective incorporation is not permitted for this category of document. (v) Agency generated documents have the additional requirement of providing the Division with an electronic version ready for publication on the Division website as required by § 7–206.2 of this subtitle. (b) (1) If the Administrator determines that publication would be in the public interest, nothing in this section prohibits the Administrator from publishing factual information concerning: (i) documents published or to be published in the Code of Maryland Regulations and the Register; or (ii) the Code of Maryland Regulations and the Register. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle or Title 10, Subtitle 1 of this article, the Code of Maryland Regulations and the Register may not include news material or a press release, speech, or other comment.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-208

(a) The Administrator may include in the Code of Maryland Regulations and the Register annotations of judicial decisions and other explanatory materials that relate to a document in the Code of Maryland Regulations or the Register. (b) The Administrator may prepare the annotations or obtain them by contract.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-209

With the consent of the Attorney General, the Administrator may remove from the Code of Maryland Regulations: (1) a provision of a regulation that a court of final appeal has declared to be unconstitutional; or (2) a regulation if the unit that adopted the regulation has been abolished and the regulation does not transfer to a successor.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-210

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, an issue of the Register complying with the requirements of § 7-206 of this subtitle shall be published at least once every 2 weeks. (b) (1) (i) To avoid a conflict with a State or national holiday, with the approval of the Committee, the Administrator may alter the publication date of an issue of the Register by not more than 3 days. (ii) At least 30 days before a change of publication date occurs, the Administrator shall publish, as appropriate, notice of the change in the Register. (2) The Committee may provide for more frequent publication of all or any part of the Register. (c) (1) An index shall be published at least quarterly for the Register. (2) For the Register, the last index for a calendar year shall be a cumulative index of that publication for that year. (d) A supplement to the index to the Code of Maryland Regulations or a new index shall be published at least once a year.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-211

(a) Subject to the conditions that the Board of Public Works sets, the Administrator shall contract for the prompt printing and distribution of the Code of Maryland Regulations, including its permanent supplements, and the Register. (b) The contract shall provide for a typographical arrangement that permits a unit or court to obtain, at reasonable cost, pamphlet reprints of the regulations of the unit or the rules of court that are published in the Code of Maryland Regulations.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-212

(a) (1) The Administrator may adopt a codification system and set editorial standards for the Code of Maryland Regulations and the Register, including a numbering system and captions or tag lines. (2) The numbering system, captions, or tag lines are not part of the official text of a document. (b) Except for rules of court, each document that is submitted for publication in the Code of Maryland Regulations and the Register shall conform to the codification system and editorial standards. (c) After consultation with the unit that adopted a regulation, the Administrator may conform a regulation or other document to the codification system and editorial standards.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-213

(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section and § 3–405(b) of this article, each document to be published in the Code of Maryland Regulations or the Register shall be submitted to the Administrator, who: (1) for 1 year after the publication of the document, shall keep and permit inspection of the document; and (2) then shall deliver the document to the State Archives. (b) (1) The Clerk of the Supreme Court of Maryland shall submit to the Administrator: (i) each rule of court that the Supreme Court of Maryland adopts or permits to be adopted; and (ii) each administrative order or memorandum of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland or the Administrative Office of the Courts that the Chief Justice directs to be published. (2) The Chief Clerk of the District Court shall submit to the Administrator each administrative regulation that the Chief Judge of the District Court adopts. (c) The Administrator may require that any document required or permitted to be published in the Register be submitted electronically or on paper, or both.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-214

(a) This subtitle does not affect any other requirement as to notice, including a time that is specifically set for the publication of the notice. (b) (1) A unit shall submit a notice that sets a date for a hearing or meeting or for the termination of the opportunity to be heard in time for publication in an issue of the Register that will be published: (i) on or before the date set by law for publication of the notice; or (ii) if the date for publication is not set by law, at least 15 days before the date for the hearing or meeting or for the termination of the opportunity to be heard. (2) As to a notice that paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection governs, publication of the notice less than 15 days before the date for a hearing or meeting or the termination of the opportunity to be heard does not prejudice the effectiveness of the notice, if notice of less than 15 days is reasonable. (3) Unless notice by publication is insufficient in law, a notice that sets a date for a hearing or meeting or for the termination of the opportunity to be heard and that is submitted as required by this subsection constitutes, on publication, notice to: (i) each person who resides in the State; or (ii) each person who holds an interest in property in the State. (c) Publication of a notice as required by this subtitle and as required by any other provision of the Code are both necessary to constitute full compliance with law.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-215

The Administrator may require a unit to reimburse the Division for the cost of a publication of a document in an issue of the Register if the unit submits, withdraws, or changes the document after the closing date and hour of that issue.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-216

(a) (1) The Committee shall adopt guidelines for the Administrator to: (i) sell a subscription list for any publication of the Division; and (ii) set the price for: 1. a copy of or a subscription to the Code of Maryland Regulations and the Register; and 2. a copy of a database or other computer readable information on magnetic tape or some other electronic media. (2) The Committee may allow: (i) a volume discount; and (ii) the free, reciprocal exchange of publications by the State and other jurisdictions. (b) A copy of the Code of Maryland Regulations and the Register shall be available to the public at the price set under this section. (c) The Administrator shall provide, without charge: (1) to each member of the General Assembly each issue of the Register; (2) to the Enoch Pratt Library and the Thurgood Marshall State Law Library, 1 copy of: (i) the Code of Maryland Regulations; (ii) each issue of the permanent supplements to the Code of Maryland Regulations; and (iii) each issue of the Register; and (3) to a judge of a State court except the orphans’ court, 1 copy of: (i) the current Code of Maryland Regulations; and (ii) each issue of the Register that the judge requests. (d) Unless authorized by the Committee, the Administrator may not allow public access to a document that is to be included in the Register earlier than the date immediately following the issue date of the Register in which the document is published.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-216.1

§7–216.1. (a) There is a special fund in the Division of State Documents. (b) The purpose of the fund is to pay the costs of publishing and distributing the products of the Division. (c) The Administrator of the Division 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 Treasurer shall hold the fund separately and the Comptroller shall account for the fund. (e) The fund consists of revenue received by the Division in payment of its products. (f) The fund may be used only for the expenses of production and distribution of its products and to support the operations of the Division. (g) (1) The Treasurer shall invest the money in the fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested. (2) Any investment earnings in the fund shall be credited to the General Fund of the State. (h) Expenditures from the fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget. (i) Money expended from the fund for the production and distribution of the Division’s products is supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding that otherwise would be appropriated for the production and distribution of the Division’s products.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-217

(a) The official text of a document is: (1) until incorporation in the Code of Maryland Regulations, the text of the document in the most recent form in the Register; or (2) after incorporation in the Code of Maryland Regulations, the text of the document in the most recent form in the Code of Maryland Regulations. (b) Notwithstanding any discrepancy between the official text and any other text of a document, the official text is the only valid and enforceable text.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-218

(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the Administrator shall correct an error in the official text of a document in the Code of Maryland Regulations or the Register by: (1) inclusion of the correction in an errata list in the Register; or (2) publication of a corrected form of the affected part of the document in the Code of Maryland Regulations or the Register. (b) (1) An error that is made in publication of a document under this subtitle and that changes the legal effect of a provision of the document invalidates only: (i) that provision; and (ii) any other provision of the document that then is so incomplete that it cannot be carried out in accordance with the purpose of the document. (2) If the error changes the legal effect of a proposed or adopted regulation, the regulation shall be published anew as provided in § 10-112 of this article.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-219

Unless notice by publication is insufficient in law or unless otherwise specifically provided by law, publication of a document under this subtitle gives a person who is subject to or affected by the document notice of the contents of the document.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-220

Publication of a document in the Code of Maryland Regulations or the Register creates a rebuttable presumption that: (1) the document: (i) was issued, prescribed, repealed, or adopted properly; and (ii) if the document is a regulation, was approved as to legality by the Attorney General; and (2) the requirements of this subtitle and of §§ 10-111(a), 10-112 through 10-117, and 10-129 of this article have been met.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-221

The provisions of a document in the Code of Maryland Regulations and the Register are severable, unless the document expressly states otherwise.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-222

A rule of court, administrative memorandum of a court, administrative order of a court, or administrative regulation of the Chief Judge of the District Court in the Code of Maryland Regulations or the Register has the effective date set in the document.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-301

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) “Actual address” means a residential street address, school address, or work address of an individual as specified on the individual’s application to be a Program participant under this subtitle. (c) “Disabled person” has the meaning stated in § 13–101 of the Estates and Trusts Article. (d) “Domestic violence” has the same meaning as “abuse” under § 4–501(b) of the Family Law Article. (e) “Harassment” means a violation of § 3–803 of the Criminal Law Article. (f) “Program” means the Address Confidentiality Program. (g) “Program participant” means an individual designated as a Program participant under this subtitle. (h) “Sexual assault” means a sexual crime under § 3–303 through § 3–310, § 3–314, § 3–315, or § 3–322 through § 3–325 of the Criminal Law Article, the sexual abuse of a minor under § 3–602 of the Criminal Law Article, or the sexual abuse of a vulnerable adult under § 3–604 of the Criminal Law Article. (i) “Stalking” has the meaning stated in § 3–802 of the Criminal Law Article. (j) “Survivor of human trafficking” means an individual who has been recruited, harbored, transported, provided, or obtained for labor, services, or a sexual act through the use of force, fraud, or coercion.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-302

The purpose of this subtitle is to enable: (1) State and local agencies to respond to requests for public records without disclosing the location of a Program participant; (2) interagency cooperation in providing address confidentiality for Program participants; (3) State and local agencies and private entities to accept a Program participant’s use of an address designated by the Office of the Secretary of State as a substitute address; and (4) a Program participant to use an address designated by the Office of the Secretary of State as a substitute address.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-303

The Secretary of State shall establish and administer an Address Confidentiality Program for survivors of threatened, attempted, or actual domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, or human trafficking.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-304

(a) The following individuals may apply to participate in the Program: (1) an individual acting on the individual’s own behalf; (2) a parent or guardian acting on behalf of a minor who resides with the parent or guardian; (3) a guardian acting on behalf of a disabled person; or (4) an individual who resides in the same household as an eligible applicant or Program participant. (b) An application to participate in the Program shall be in the form required by the Secretary of State and shall contain: (1) a statement that: (i) the applicant is a survivor of threatened, attempted, or actual domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, or human trafficking; and (ii) the applicant fears for the applicant’s safety, or the safety of the applicant’s child; (2) evidence that the applicant is eligible for Program participation, including: (i) certified law enforcement, court, or other federal or State agency records or files; (ii) documentation from a domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking prevention or assistance program; (iii) documentation from a religious, medical, or other professional from whom the applicant has sought assistance or treatment as a survivor of threatened, attempted, or actual domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, or human trafficking; or (iv) a statement from the applicant about the applicant’s subjective fear; (3) a statement that disclosure of the applicant’s actual address would endanger the applicant’s safety or the safety of the applicant’s child; (4) a knowing and voluntary designation of the Secretary of State as agent for purposes of service of process and receipt of first–class, certified, or registered mail; (5) the mailing address and telephone number at which the applicant may be contacted by the Secretary of State; (6) the actual address that the applicant requests not be disclosed by the Secretary of State because it would increase the risk of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, human trafficking, or other crimes; (7) a statement as to whether there is any existing court order or pending court action involving the applicant and related to divorce proceedings, child support, child custody, or child visitation, and the identity of the court that issued the order or has jurisdiction over the action, if any; (8) a sworn statement by the applicant that, to the best of the applicant’s knowledge, all the information contained in the application is true; (9) the signature of the applicant and the date on which the applicant signed the application; and (10) a voluntary release and waiver of all future claims against the State that may arise from participation in the Program except for a claim based on gross negligence. (c) (1) (i) On the filing of a properly completed application and release, the Secretary of State shall: 1. review the application and release; and 2. if the application and release are properly completed and accurate, designate the applicant as a Program participant. (ii) An applicant shall be a participant for 4 years from the date of filing unless the participation is canceled or withdrawn prior to the end of the 4–year period. (2) A Program participant may withdraw from participation by filing a signed request for withdrawal with the Secretary of State.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-305

(a) If an applicant falsely attests in an application that disclosure of the applicant’s actual address would endanger the applicant’s safety or the safety of the applicant’s child or knowingly provides false information when applying for participation or renewal of participation in the Program, the applicant shall no longer be allowed to participate in the Program. (b) A person may not knowingly make a false attestation or knowingly provide false information in an application in violation of subsection (a) of this section. (c) A person who violates subsection (b) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-306

(a) If a Program participant obtains a legal name change, the Program participant shall notify the Secretary of State within 30 days and provide the Secretary of State with a certified copy of any judgment or order evidencing the change or any other documentation the Secretary of State considers to be sufficient evidence of the change. (b) If a Program participant makes a change in address or telephone number from an address or a telephone number listed on the Program participant’s application, the Program participant shall notify the Secretary of State at least 7 days before the change occurs.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-307

(a) The Secretary of State may cancel the participation of a Program participant if: (1) the Program participant fails to notify the Secretary of State of any legal name change or change in address or telephone number in the manner required by § 7–306 of this subtitle; (2) the Program participant files a request for withdrawal of participation under § 7–304(c)(2) of this subtitle; (3) the Program participant submits false information in applying for participation in the Program in violation of § 7–305 of this subtitle; (4) the Secretary of State forwards mail to the Program participant and the mail is returned as undeliverable; or (5) the Secretary of State determines that the Program participant’s actual address is readily accessible to the general public. (b) The Secretary of State shall send notice of any cancellation of participation in the Program to the participant and shall set forth the reason for cancellation. (c) A Program participant may appeal any cancellation decision by filing an appeal with the Secretary of State within 30 days after the date of the notice of cancellation in accordance with procedures developed by the Secretary of State. (d) (1) An individual who ceases to be a Program participant is responsible for notifying any person who uses the substitute address designated by the Secretary of State that the substitute address is no longer valid. (2) If an individual has requested the shielding of property records in accordance with Title 3, Subtitle 1, Part II of the Real Property Article, the Secretary of State shall give written notice to the clerk of the circuit court within 30 days after the individual ceases to be a Program participant.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-308

(a) (1) A Program participant may make a request to any person or State or local agency to use a substitute address designated by the Secretary of State as the Program participant’s address. (2) Subject to subsections (b) and (d) of this section, when a Program participant has made a request to a person or State or local agency under this subsection, the person or agency shall use the substitute address designated by the Secretary of State as the Program participant’s address. (b) (1) (i) When a Program participant presents the address designated by the Secretary of State to any person, that address must be accepted as the address of the Program participant. (ii) A person may not require a Program participant to submit any address that could be used to physically locate the Program participant either as a substitute or in addition to the designated address, or as a condition of receiving a service or benefit, unless the service or benefit would be impossible to provide without knowledge of the Program participant’s physical location. (2) A bank, a credit union, any other depository institution, or any other financial institution within the meaning of § 1–101 of the Financial Institutions Article may require a request made under subsection (a) of this section to be in writing and on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State identifying an individual as a Program participant. (c) A Program participant who acquires an ownership interest in real property while participating in the Program may request the shielding of real property records concerning the property in accordance with Title 3, Subtitle 1, Part II of the Real Property Article. (d) (1) A State or local agency that has a bona fide statutory or administrative requirement for using a Program participant’s actual address may apply to the Secretary of State for a waiver from the requirements of the Program. (2) If the Secretary of State approves the waiver, the State or local agency shall use the Program participant’s actual address only for the required statutory or administrative purposes.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-309

(a) (1) Each local board of elections shall use a Program participant’s actual address for all election–related purposes. (2) A Program participant may not use the substitute address designated by the Secretary of State as the Program participant’s address for voter registration purposes. (b) A local board of elections may not make a Program participant’s address contained in voter registration records available for public inspection or copying except: (1) on request by a law enforcement agency for law enforcement purposes; and (2) as directed by a court order to disclose the address.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-310

(a) Except as otherwise provided by this subtitle, a record of a Program participant’s actual address and telephone number maintained by the Secretary of State or a State or local agency is not a public record within the meaning of § 4–101 of the General Provisions Article. (b) The Secretary of State may not disclose a Program participant’s actual address or telephone number or substitute address except as provided in subsection (c) of this section and: (1) (i) on request by a law enforcement agency for law enforcement purposes; and (ii) as directed by a court order; or (2) on request by a State or local agency to verify a Program participant’s participation in the Program or substitute address for use under § 7–308 of this subtitle. (c) The Secretary of State shall notify the appropriate court of a Program participant’s participation in the Program and of the substitute address designated by the Secretary of State if the Program participant: (1) is subject to a court order or an administrative order; (2) is involved in a court action or an administrative action; or (3) is a witness or a party in a civil or criminal proceeding.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-311

(a) (1) A person may not knowingly and intentionally obtain a Program participant’s actual address or telephone number from the Secretary of State, the clerk of a circuit court, or any agency without authorization to obtain the information. (2) A person may not knowingly and intentionally seek and obtain a Program participant’s actual address or telephone number from any other person if, at the time of obtaining the information, the person has specific knowledge that the actual address or telephone number belongs to a Program participant. (b) (1) This subsection applies only when a person: (i) obtains a Program participant’s actual address or telephone number during the course of the person’s employment; and (ii) at the time of disclosure, has specific knowledge that the actual address or telephone number belongs to a Program participant. (2) A person may not knowingly and intentionally disclose a Program participant’s actual address or telephone number to another person unless the disclosure is authorized by law, including as authorized by subsection (c) of this section. (c) (1) If an individual who is a Program participant notifies a person in writing on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State that states the requirements of the Program and that the individual is a Program participant, the person may not knowingly disclose the Program participant’s name, home address, work address, or school address unless: (i) the person to whom the address is disclosed also lives, works, or goes to school at the disclosed address; or (ii) the Program participant has provided written consent to the disclosure of the Program participant’s name, home address, work address, or school address for the purpose for which the disclosure will be made. (2) The person to whom written consent is provided under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection: (i) may require the consent to be in a particular form acceptable to the person and the Program participant; and (ii) shall limit any disclosure to only those disclosures that are necessary for the purpose for which the consent is provided. (3) A person that receives notice as provided under paragraph (1) of this subsection is presumed to have specific knowledge that the disclosed home address, work address, or school address belongs to the Program participant. (d) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $2,500.

Md. Code, State Government § 7-312

(a) (1) In this section, “notice” means, for a person described in § 7–308(b)(2) of this subtitle, receipt of written notification on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State identifying an individual as a Program participant. (2) “Notice” includes receipt of written notification on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State identifying an individual as a Program participant. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, service of process on an individual by a person or an agency that has received notice that the individual is a Program participant shall be made in accordance with this section. (c) Service of process shall be made: (1) in person on the Program participant; or (2) by mail on the Secretary of State. (d) If service by publication is required, service is valid if: (1) the publication omits the name of the Program participant; and (2) the Secretary of State has been served in accordance with subsection (c)(2) of this section.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatutesFetched: 10/16/2026