In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. “Business” means a commercial entity that provides locksmith services. “Employee” means an individual employed by a licensed locksmith to provide locksmith services on behalf of the licensed locksmith. “Fixed business address” means a single physical location where a licensee conducts business and at which the licensee or an employee of the licensee is available: during normal business hours; or other hours as provided in the application for the license. “License” means a license issued by the Secretary to provide locksmith services. “Licensed locksmith” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a business that is licensed by the Secretary to provide locksmith services. “Local law enforcement unit” means the Department of State Police, a police department in the State, or sheriff in the State: designated by the county or municipal governing body for a licensee with an in–State fixed business address; or designated by the Secretary for a licensee with an out–of–state fixed business address. “Provide locksmith services” means to engage professionally and for compensation in: repairing, rebuilding, rekeying, repinning, recombinating, adjusting, or installing mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical locking devices, safes, vaults, or safe deposit boxes; or operating a mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical locking device or opening safes, vaults, or safe deposit boxes by a means other than that intended by the manufacturer of such locking devices.

The purpose of this title is to safeguard the life, health, and property of the residents of Maryland to promote their welfare by regulating persons that provide locksmith services.

The provisions of this title may not be construed to prohibit the following: bona fide sales demonstrations to locksmiths or locksmith suppliers by sales representatives who are not licensed; emergency opening services by members of police departments, fire departments, or other government agencies in their official line of duty in order to protect against loss of life or property; the acquisition, making, or use of any key duplication or key blanks; the replacing of a removable or interchangeable core or recombinating a cylinder in a lock that was specifically designed by the manufacturer to be changed by the end user by use of a key; the installation, repair, replacement, or rebuilding of a lock by the manufacturer of the lock; the installation, repair, replacement, or rebuilding of an automotive lock by an automotive repair and service facility, the lock manufacturer, or the manufacturer’s agent; the installation of locks by building trades personnel on projects that require a building permit; the installation or replacement of locks by a retailer or the retailer’s agent: on the premises of the retailer; or off the premises of the retailer if the installation or replacement of locks is incidental to the retailer’s normal course of business; the installation or replacement of locks by a security systems technician who is licensed under Title 18 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article; and the installation, repair, replacement, rekeying, or adjusting of locks or lock components for property by an employee or agent of the property owner or a management company.

The Secretary may adopt and enforce regulations to carry out this title.

The Secretary shall pay all money collected under this title into the General Fund of the State.