# Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis (GAB)

## Title 23. Howard County

### Subtitle 27. Prohibited Acts

#### Section 23-2701

(a) The following sections of Title 6, Subtitle 3 ("Prohibited Acts") of Division I of this article apply in the county without exception or variation:

  (1) Sec. 6-305 ("Proof of age for sale of alcoholic beverages");

  (2) Sec. 6-306 ("Defense to prosecution for sale to underage individual");

  (3) Sec. 6-309 ("Allowing on-premises consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages by individual under the age of 21 years");

  (4) Sec. 6-310 ("Providing free food");

  (5) Sec. 6-311 ("Restrictions on purchases and sales by retail dealer");

  (6) Sec. 6-312 ("Beverage misrepresentation");

  (7) Sec. 6-313 ("Tampering with alcoholic beverage container");

  (8) Sec. 6-314 ("Sale of alcoholic beverage container with detachable metal tab");

  (9) Sec. 6-315 ("Alcoholic beverage in container without regular label presumed illicit");

  (10) Sec. 6-316 ("Maximum alcohol content");

  (11) Sec. 6-317 ("Multiple serving purchase required");

  (12) Sec. 6-320 ("Disorderly intoxication");

  (13) Sec. 6-321 ("Consumption of alcoholic beverages in public");

  (14) Sec. 6-322 ("Possession of open container");

  (15) Sec. 6-323 ("Possession or use of Alcohol Without Liquid machine");

  (16) Sec. 6-326 ("Sale of alcoholic beverages in powder or crystalline form prohibited");

  (17) Sec. 6-327 ("Unlicensed out-of-state sale of alcoholic beverages");

  (18) Sec. 6-328 ("Tax evasion");

  (19) Sec. 6-329 ("Destruction of evidence"); and

  (20) Sec. 6-330 ("Perjury").

(b) The following sections of Title 6, Subtitle 3 ("Prohibited Acts") of Division I of this article apply in the county:

  (1) Sec. 6-304 ("Selling or providing alcoholic beverages to individual under the age of 21 years"), subject to Sec. 23-2702 of this subtitle;

  (2) Sec. 6-307 ("Selling or providing alcoholic beverages to intoxicated individual"), subject to Sec. 23-2703 of this subtitle; and

  (3) Sec.Sec. 6-308 ("Allowing on-premises consumption of alcoholic beverages not purchased from license holder") and 6-319 ("On-premises consumption of alcoholic beverages not purchased from license holder"), subject to Sec. 23-2704 of this subtitle.

#### Section 23-2702

(a) A license holder or an employee of a license holder who is charged with a violation of Sec. 6-304 of this article:

  (1) shall receive a summons to appear in court on a certain day to answer the charges placed against the license holder or employee; and

  (2) may not be required to post bail pending trial in any court in the State.

(b) A license holder or an employee of a license holder may not be found guilty of a violation of Sec. 6-304 of this article if:

  (1) the license holder or employee establishes to the satisfaction of the finder of fact that the license holder or employee used due caution to establish that the individual was not under the age of 21 years; and

  (2) the individual was not a resident of the State.

(c) The granting of probation before judgment to a license holder or an employee of the license holder for a violation of Sec. 6-304 of this article does not bar the Board from proceeding administratively against the license holder for the violation.

#### Section 23-2703

(a) A license holder or an employee of a license holder who is charged with a violation of Sec. 6-307 of this article:

  (1) shall receive a summons to appear in court on a certain day to answer the charges placed against the license holder or employee; and

  (2) may not be required to post bail pending trial in any court in the State.

(b) The granting of probation before judgment to a license holder or an employee of the license holder for a violation of Sec. 6-307 of this article does not bar the Board from proceeding administratively against the license holder for the violation.

#### Section 23-2704

(a)

  (1) The prohibitions in Sec.Sec. 6-308 and 6-319 of this article concerning the on-premises consumption of alcoholic beverages not purchased from a license holder do not apply to a social event, including a dance, wedding, or fundraiser, that is held in a hall rented from and located on the premises of a veterans organization that holds a license.

(2) The veterans organization may not sell or provide alcoholic beverages to the individuals attending the social event.

(b) Residents and guests of residents in a continuing care retirement community that holds a Class C (continuing care retirement community) beer, wine, and liquor license may consume beer, wine, or liquor not purchased from the continuing care retirement community if:

  (1) the beer, wine, or liquor is consumed with a meal in the dining room; and

  (2) the continuing care retirement community:

    (i) is operated by a nonprofit organization for the continuing care retirement of individuals at least 60 years old;

    (ii) has been incorporated for at least 1 year;

    (iii) has obtained a certificate of registration from the Department of Aging under Title 10, Subtitle 4 of the Human Services Article; and

    (iv) prepares and serves meals during regular operating hours to residents and their guests.

#### Section 23-2705

(a) A holder of an on-sale license may not allow an individual under the age of 18 years to play a game of chance or skill, including pool, billiards, shuffleboard, or a pinball or console machine, in the licensed establishment unless the individual is accompanied by a parent or guardian.

(b) A license holder who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 30 days or a fine not exceeding $100 or both.

#### Section 23-2706

(a) A person engaged in the manufacture or sale of alcoholic beverages, an applicant for a license, and a license holder may not, directly or indirectly, offer or make a payment or gift of more than nominal value to:

  (1) a member of the Board or Hearing Board;

  (2) an employee of the member of the Board or Hearing Board; or

  (3) an agent acting on behalf of a member of the Board or Hearing Board or employee assigned to the Board or Hearing Board.

(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000.

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