# § 53-1 Definitions.

Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## § 53-1 Definitions.

Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 53-1 (2026)

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

(b) “Covered entity” means any municipal agency, as defined in <cite data-path="|1|§2|(j)">Article 1, § 2(j) of the City Charter</cite>, that delivers a direct public service.

(c) “Designated Citywide language” means a language that, according to United States Census data, is the primary language used by at least 3 percent of the City’s total population or 500 LEP individuals, whichever is less.

(d) “Direct public service” means the provision of a good or service, including monetary goods, by a covered entity.

(e) “Grant” means funds, regardless of source, that are controlled by the City and allocated from the City to a grantee for a specific purpose.

(f) “Grantee” means a legal entity to which a grant is made.

(g) “Language access services” means the methods used by a covered entity to limit language barriers and provide LEP individuals with meaningful access.

(h) “Limited English Proficient individual” or “LEP individual” means:

  (1) an individual who does not speak English as the individual’s primary language; and

  (2) an individual who has a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English.

(i) “Major public contact” means the employees and representatives of a covered entity who interact with members of the public at least twice in an average workday.

(j) “Meaningful access” means an LEP individual has the ability to use timely, accurate, and effective language access services at no cost to the individual in order to receive services and benefits comparable to those enjoyed by English proficient individuals.

(k) “MIMA” means the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs or its successor agency.

(l) “Subgrant” means an allocation of grant funds by a grantee to a separate legal entity.

(m) “Subgrantee” means a legal entity to which a subgrant is awarded.

(n) “Vital document” means any form, permit, record, or other official document produced by the City that an individual applying for a service or benefit from a covered entity must understand, respond to, or complete to access or continue to access a direct public service.

*History: *

*History: *