# Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis (GAB)

## Title 3. State Licensing

### Subtitle 5. Conduct of State License Holders

#### Section 3-501

A license holder may store or keep alcoholic beverages only: 

(1) on the premises covered by the license; or

(2) at a public warehouse, a government-controlled warehouse, or an individual warehouse for which a permit has been issued under this article.

#### Section 3-502

(a) A retail dealer may not employ a solicitor or salesperson outside the licensed premises to solicit orders for the sale of alcoholic beverages.

(b) The sale of alcoholic beverages may not occur outside the licensed premises.

(c) This section does not prohibit:

  (1) receiving orders by mail, telephone, or messenger;

  (2) the filling of orders by delivery; or

  (3) the payment for orders at the place of delivery.

#### Section 3-503

(a) An individual under the age of 18 years may not be engaged in the sale of alcoholic beverages.

(b)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, an individual between the ages of 18 and 21 years may be employed in the sale of beer and light wine.

  (2) An individual under the age of 21 years may not be employed by a holder of a Class D beer, wine, and liquor license in the sale of alcoholic beverages.

(c) An individual at least 18 years old may be employed by a holder of a Class A license to operate a lottery ticket terminal.

#### Section 3-504

(a) In this section, "alcohol awareness program" means a program that:

  (1) includes instruction on how alcohol affects an individual's behavior and body;

  (2) provides education on the dangers of drinking and driving; and

  (3) defines effective methods to:

    (i) determine whether a customer is under the legal drinking age;

    (ii) serve customers to minimize the chance of intoxication; and

    (iii) stop service before a customer becomes intoxicated.

(b)

  (1) This section applies to:

    (i) a licensed premises that sells alcoholic beverages to a customer from a bar or service bar on the premises; and

    (ii) a premises licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption.

  (2) This section does not apply to:

    (i) a temporary license;

    (ii) a Class E (on-sale) water vessel license;

    (iii) a Class F (on-sale) railroad license; or

    (iv) a Class G (on-sale) airplane license.

(c) The Executive Director:

  (1) shall approve, certify, and issue an alcohol awareness program permit to each alcohol awareness program that complies with this section; and

  (2) may require recertification of the approved alcohol awareness program to ensure compliance with changes in the program.

(d) Before an individual may teach an alcohol awareness program, the individual shall obtain an alcohol awareness instructor's permit.

(e) A holder of any retail alcoholic beverages license or an employee designated by the holder shall complete training in an approved alcohol awareness program.

(f)

  (1)

    (i) For each completion of a certified alcohol awareness program, the alcohol awareness program provider shall issue a certificate of completion that is valid for 4 years from the date of issuance.

    (ii) The holder or employee shall complete retraining in an approved alcohol awareness program for each successive 4-year period.

    (iii) On request, a valid certificate shall be presented to the proper authority.

  (2) Within 5 days after a license holder, an owner of an unlicensed establishment, or an employee of a license holder or owner of an unlicensed establishment is sent a certificate of completion, the alcohol awareness program provider shall inform the appropriate local licensing board of:

    (i) the individual's name, address, and certification date; and

    (ii) the name and address of the licensed establishment or unlicensed establishment.

(g) The Executive Director may decertify the alcohol awareness program of an alcohol awareness program provider who violates subsection (c), (d), or (f) of this section.

(h)

  (1) Each local licensing board shall enforce this section.

  (2) A license holder who violates subsection (e) of this section is subject to:

    (i) for the first offense, a $100 fine; and

    (ii) for each subsequent offense, a fine not to exceed $500 or a suspension or revocation of the license or both.

(i)

  (1) This section does not create or enlarge a civil cause of action or criminal proceeding against a license holder.

  (2) Evidence of a violation of this section:

    (i) may only be used as evidence before the local licensing board in an action brought before the local licensing board for a violation of this section; and

    (ii) may not be introduced in a civil or criminal proceeding.

#### Section 3-505

(a) A license holder or an employee of the license holder may require an individual to sign a book that the license holder keeps if:

  (1) the individual has shown documentary evidence that substantiates the individual's age to allow the purchase of alcoholic beverages; and

  (2) the age of the individual remains in question.

(b)

  (1) The book authorized under subsection (a) of this section shall contain copies of the following form:

  Date............... 20.... 

  To Be Filled in by Seller

  x

  x

  IDENTIFICATION (CHECK ALL SHOWN)

  x

  Driver's License    ?      Army I.D. Card    ?

  Birth Certificate    ?      Coast Guard I.D. Card    ?

  Service Discharge    ?      Marine I.D. Card    ?

  Draft Card    ?      Navy I.D. Card    ?

  Air Force I.D. Card    ?

  Other (Specify)     x

  x

  x

  DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASER

  x

  Height          Weight    x

  Color of Eyes      Color of Hair    x

  Outstanding Features    x

  x

  x

  x

  x

  Seller's Signature    x

  x

  x

  To Be Filled in by Prospective Purchaser

  I declare I am of legal age to purchase fermented malt beverages or intoxicating liquor, and that I am subject to arrest and prosecution for misrepresenting my age. 

  Print full name    x

  Street address    x

  City      State    x

  Signature    x

  (2) The license holder or an employee of the license holder shall record all information required by each section of the form.

#### Section 3-506

(a) This section does not apply to:

  (1) the delivery of wine from a direct wine shipper to a consumer using a common carrier in accordance with Title 2, Subtitle 1, Part V of this article; or

  (2) the holder of a common carrier permit in the course of delivering directly shipped wine in accordance with Title 2, Subtitle 1, Part V of this article.

(b) Retail delivery to a purchaser of alcoholic beverages is prohibited unless:

  (1) a retail license holder obtains a letter of authorization from the local licensing board to make deliveries; and

  (2) the delivery is made from the licensed premises by the retail license holder or an employee of the retail license holder.

#### Section 3-507

(a) A license holder shall frame the license under glass and display the license conspicuously in the licensed premises.

(b) A Class F license shall be kept in the chief operating office of the corporation in the State.

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