Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions — Subtitle 1A. Agricultural Mediation Program
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Agric. § 1-1A-01 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 1A. Agricultural Mediation Program
§ 1–1A-01LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Agricultural mediation” means a voluntary process in which a mediator helps private parties or government agencies resolve agriculturally related disputes in a confidential and nonadversarial setting.
(c)
“Mediator” means an impartial person who is trained to help people find mutually acceptable solutions to shared problems and has no power to impose a solution.
Md. Code Ann., Agric. § 1-1A-02 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 1A. Agricultural Mediation Program
§ 1–1A-02LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Secretary may establish a federally certified State agricultural mediation program in the Department.
(b)
The purpose of the program is to provide eligible persons and government agencies with a voluntary and low–cost process to settle agriculturally related disputes.
Md. Code Ann., Agric. § 1-1A-03 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 1A. Agricultural Mediation Program
§ 1–1A-03LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Secretary may:
(1)
Establish qualifications for a person requesting agricultural mediation services from the Department;
(2)
Establish qualifications for an individual applying to serve as a mediator in the State agricultural mediation program;
(3)
Contract with any qualified individual to provide mediation services for qualified mediation applicants; and
(4)
Receive grants for purposes of defraying the costs of the State agricultural mediation program.
(b)
The Secretary may adopt regulations to:
(1)
Meet the requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture for establishing a federally certified State agricultural mediation program; and
(2)
Implement the provisions of this subtitle.
Md. Code Ann., Agric. § 1-1A-04 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 1A. Agricultural Mediation Program
§ 1–1A-04LinkCopy Citation
Except for purposes of meeting the reporting requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture for a federally certified State agricultural mediation program, the Department shall maintain the confidentiality of all mediation records.