Title 3. Regulation of Livestock and Poultry — Subtitle 8. Regulation of Poultry to Protect Animal Health and Control Avian Influenza
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Agric. § 3-801 (2026)
Title 3. Regulation of Livestock and Poultry
Subtitle 8. Regulation of Poultry to Protect Animal Health and Control Avian Influenza
§ 3–801LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Live poultry market” means any facility or location where poultry:
(1)
Is offered for sale, sold, distributed, or transferred; or
(2)
Is slaughtered and sold on–site.
(c)
“Poultry” means any living domesticated bird.
(d)
“Poultry dealer” means a person who engages in the business of buying, selling, exchanging, or transporting poultry between a production facility and a live poultry market.
(e)
“Production facility” means the facility or farm that is the origin of poultry offered for sale at a live poultry market.
Md. Code Ann., Agric. § 3-802 (2026)
Title 3. Regulation of Livestock and Poultry
Subtitle 8. Regulation of Poultry to Protect Animal Health and Control Avian Influenza
§ 3–802LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as provided by the Secretary, each live poultry market operator, production facility operator, and poultry dealer shall obtain an annual license from the Secretary.
(b)
Each license shall be effective until the following June 30, unless suspended or revoked.
Md. Code Ann., Agric. § 3-803 (2026)
Title 3. Regulation of Livestock and Poultry
Subtitle 8. Regulation of Poultry to Protect Animal Health and Control Avian Influenza
§ 3–803LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In addition to the power to protect the health of domestic animals set forth elsewhere in this article, and subject to Subtitle 10 of this title, the Secretary may adopt an animal health protection program that is applicable to any live poultry market, production facility, and poultry dealer.
(b)
An animal health protection program adopted by the Secretary under subsection (a) of this section may include a program that meets the regulatory requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Uniform Standards for the Prevention and Control of H5 and H7 Low Pathogenicity Avian Influenza in the live bird marketing system.
Md. Code Ann., Agric. § 3-804 (2026)
Title 3. Regulation of Livestock and Poultry
Subtitle 8. Regulation of Poultry to Protect Animal Health and Control Avian Influenza
§ 3–804LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as provided by the Secretary, a person may not keep poultry unless the poultry is registered with the Secretary.
(b)
A person who keeps poultry shall complete and submit to the Secretary a registration form on which the person shall include:
(1)
The name of the poultry keeper;
(2)
The location of the property on which the poultry is kept;
(3)
The type of poultry; and
(4)
Any other related information required by the Secretary.
(c)
(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Secretary shall maintain a person’s registration record filed under subsection (b) of this section in a manner that protects the identity of the registrant.
(2)
If the Secretary, after consultation with the Secretary of Health, determines that the disclosure is necessary to protect the public health or prevent the spread of an infectious or contagious disease, the Secretary may disclose identifying information.
Md. Code Ann., Agric. § 3-805 (2026)
Title 3. Regulation of Livestock and Poultry
Subtitle 8. Regulation of Poultry to Protect Animal Health and Control Avian Influenza
§ 3–805LinkCopy Citation
The Secretary may refuse to issue a license or registration, or may suspend or revoke a license or registration, on any of the following grounds:
(1)
Fraudulent or deceptive statement on an application for a license or certificate; or
(2)
A violation of Subtitle 1 of this title or any regulations adopted by the Secretary under this subtitle.