# Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis (GAB)

## Title 22. Harford County

### Subtitle 21. Revocation and Suspension of Licenses

#### Section 22-2101

(a) The following sections of Title 4, Subtitle 6 ("Revocation and Suspension of Local Licenses") of Division I of this article apply in the county without exception or variation:

  (1) Sec. 4-602 ("Power of local licensing board");

  (2) Sec. 4-603 ("Revocation and suspension procedures");

  (3) Sec. 4-605 ("Nudity and sexual displays"); and

  (4) Sec. 4-606 ("Effects of revocation").

(b) Section 4-604 ("Grounds for revocation or suspension") of Division I of this article applies in the county, subject to Sec. 22-2102 of this subtitle.

#### Section 22-2102

(a) The Board and general manager shall have frequent inspections made of the premises of all license holders.

(b) The Board may impose the penalties in Sec. 22-2706 of this title if, after a public hearing, the Board finds that:

  (1) a license holder or an agent or employee of the license holder:

    (i) has violated this article or regulations adopted under this article;

    (ii) has failed to observe in good faith the purposes of this article; or

    (iii) has not maintained the premises in a clean and sanitary manner;

  (2) on the licensed premises there is:

    (i) illegal gambling;

    (ii) an illegal gambling device; or

    (iii) an alcoholic beverage not authorized to be sold under the appropriate license; or

  (3) the license holder has been convicted in federal or State court of a felony.

(c)

  (1) The Board shall report its findings within 14 calendar days after the hearing or, if earlier, at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board.

  (2) The Board shall report cases of potential criminal wrongdoing to the State's Attorney and the Sheriff for prosecution.

#### Section 22-2103

(a)

  (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Board may not issue a license to an applicant if the license has been previously denied, suspended, or revoked unless:

    (i)

      (1) the applicant executes a surety bond of $1,000 to the State;

      (2) the Board approves the surety; and

      (3) the surety bond is conditioned on the faithful observance of the laws governing alcoholic beverages in the State; or

    (ii) the Board:

      (1) accepts $1,000 in cash; and

      (2) deposits the cash and records the deposit.

  (2) The Board may waive a required surety bond or cash deposit.

(b) The bond shall secure the payment of all costs, fines, and penalties imposed on the applicant on a charging document for a violation of alcoholic beverages laws in the county.

(c)

  (1) The applicant shall deposit an approved bond with the Board.

  (2) The Board shall record the bond in a book kept for that purpose.

  (3) The record or a certified copy of the record is evidence of the bond.

(d) The Board may stop requiring a license holder to post bond if the Board finds that the license holder has complied with the terms of a bond for 1 calendar year.

(e)

  (1) The Board may petition for forfeiture of the bond in circuit court if:

    (i) the Board determines that the license holder has failed to observe the terms of the bond; and

    (ii) sufficient notice is given to the license holder.

  (2) If the circuit court declares the bond forfeited, the bond shall be payable to the Board.

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Md. Code Ann., Alco. Bev. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)