# Business Regulation (GBR)

## Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions

### Subtitle 6

#### Section 1-601

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b)

  (1) "Cash" means United States coins and currency.

  (2) "Cash" does not include:

    (i) a paper instrument other than a Federal Reserve note; or

    (ii) a gift card.

(c) "Customer" means a purchaser of a good or service from a merchant.

(d) "Merchant" means a person engaged in the trade or business of the sale of goods or services.

(e) "Price" means the amount due and payable by a customer for a good or service after a merchant:

  (1) subtracts any discount or deduction; and

  (2) applies any applicable tax or fee.

#### Section 1-602

This subtitle:

(1) does not apply to a transaction for a good or service paid with exact change; and

(2) may not be construed to authorize a merchant to round a price for a good or service in a manner that alters the calculation of any tax or fee applicable to the transaction.

#### Section 1-603

(a) This section applies to the portion of the price of an in-person transaction or a telephone, mail, or Internet transaction for which a customer pays using cash if the price totals at least 5 cents.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a merchant doing business in the State may:

  (1) round the price for a good or service in the following manner:

    (i) if the price ends in 1 cent, 2 cents, 6 cents, or 7 cents, by rounding the price down to the nearest cent divisible by five; or

    (ii) if the price ends in 3 cents, 4 cents, 8 cents, or 9 cents, by rounding the price up to the nearest cent divisible by five; or

  (2) round the amount of change due to a customer up or down consistent with item (1) of this subsection.

#### Section 1-604

(a) This section applies to the portion of the price of an in-person transaction or a telephone, mail, or Internet transaction for which a customer pays using cash if the price totals less than 5 cents.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a merchant doing business in the State may round the price for a good or service by rounding the price up to 5 cents.

#### Section 1-605

This subtitle supersedes any regulation, rule, or ordinance that conflicts with this subtitle.

#### Section 1-606

The Secretary may adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle.

---

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