In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. “Amusement attraction” means: an amusement ride; or a structure that gives amusement, excitement, pleasure, or thrills to people who move around, over, or through the structure without the aid of a moving device integral to the structure. “Amusement attraction” does not include a structure that is devoted principally to exhibitions related to agriculture, the arts, education, industry, religion, or science. “Amusement owner” means a person, the State, or a political subdivision of the State that owns an amusement attraction or, if the amusement attraction is leased, the lessee. “Amusement park” means an area that is used principally for 1 or more permanently erected amusement attractions. “Amusement ride” means a device that is intended to give amusement, excitement, pleasure, or thrills to passengers whom the device carries: along or around a fixed or restricted course; or within a defined area. “Carnival” means an itinerant enterprise that consists principally of 1 or more temporarily located amusement attractions. “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Labor and Industry. “Fair” means an enterprise that: is devoted principally to periodic exhibitions related to agriculture, the arts, education, industry, religion, or science; and has 1 or more amusement attractions operated along with the exhibitions. “Inflatable amusement attraction” means an air–supported amusement attraction that: incorporates a structural and mechanical system; and uses a high strength fabric or film that achieves its strength, shape, and stability by tensioning from internal air pressure.

The General Assembly finds that: an unsafe amusement attraction is likely to cause serious and preventable injuries to members of the public; and for the welfare of the people of the State, these injuries must be prevented and the public must be protected from unsafe amusement attractions. The purpose of this title is to ensure, as far as possible, the safety of the public in the use of amusement attractions at carnivals, fairs, and amusement parks in the State by providing for: adoption of safety regulations; an effective enforcement and compliance program; and reporting procedures on the safety of amusement attractions that: help to achieve the purpose of this title; and describe accurately the hazards of amusement attractions.

This title does not apply to a single-passenger, coin-activated amusement ride that is electrically, manually, or mechanically operated unless admission is charged for access to the place where the amusement ride is located. This title does not repeal or modify § 21–1111 (“Medicine or patent medicine shows”) or § 21–1212 (“Violation of § 21–1111”) of the Health – General Article. This title does not prevent the licensing of carnivals, fairs, or amusement attractions by the State or a political subdivision of the State. This title does not repeal or modify the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Act.

The purchase of a ticket to a carnival or amusement ride is not an assumption of risk by the buyer.