# Business Regulation (GBR)

## Title 19. Miscellaneous State Business Regulation

### Subtitle 3. Returnable Containers and Returnable Textiles

#### Section 19-303

(a)

  (1) A person may register:

    (i) a class of returnable containers if:

      (1) the person owns or deals in goods handled or delivered in a returnable container; and

      (2) the returnable container has an identifying name, mark, or device securely attached, impressed, or imprinted; or

    (ii) a class of returnable textiles, if the person:

      (1) is in the business of regularly supplying clean laundered returnable textiles; and

      (2) periodically exchanges the clean returnable textiles for soiled returnable textiles.

  (2) A person who has registered a returnable container or returnable textile under State law is not required to reregister the returnable container or returnable textile.

(b) To register a returnable container or returnable textile a person shall:

  (1)

    (i) prepare a clear statement of the character of the returnable container or returnable textile; and

    (ii) prepare a comprehensive description of the identifying name, mark, or device attached, impressed, imprinted, woven, or produced;

  (2) sign and acknowledge the comprehensive description before an officer qualified to take an acknowledgment to deeds in the State;

  (3) publish the signed and acknowledged comprehensive description:

    (i) in two successive issues, in different weeks, of a newspaper published in the county in which the principal office, place of business, or agency of the person is located; or

    (ii) twice a week for 2 successive weeks in a daily newspaper published in Baltimore City if the principal office, place of business, or agency of the person is located in Baltimore City; and

  (4) file with the Secretary of State the comprehensive description and a certificate of publication, certified by the owner or manager of the newspaper in which the comprehensive description was published.

(c) A person may transfer a registration by filing a copy of the assignment or transfer with the Secretary of State.

(d)

  (1) The Secretary of State shall record each:

    (i) comprehensive description filed under subsection (b) of this section;

    (ii) certificate of publication filed under subsection (b) of this section; and

    (iii) transfer filed under subsection (c) of this section.

  (2) On application, the Secretary of State shall provide to the applicant a certified copy of a recorded filing.

  (3) The Secretary of State shall establish reasonable fees:

    (i) for recording under this section; and

    (ii) for providing copies of records filed under this section.

(e) A certified copy of a comprehensive description and a certificate of publication or of a transfer with the seal of the Secretary of State attached is:

  (1) evidence that the person complied with this subtitle; and

  (2) prima facie evidence of:

    (i) title to or right to use, collect, or deliver the corresponding returnable containers; and

    (ii) title to the corresponding returnable textiles.

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