# Courts and Judicial Proceedings (GCJ)

## Title 3. Courts of General Jurisdiction -- Jurisdiction/special Causes of Action

### Subtitle 15. Peace Orders

#### Section 3-1501

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

(b) "Commissioner" means a District Court commissioner appointed in accordance with Article IV, Sec. 41G of the Maryland Constitution.

(c) "Court" means the District Court of Maryland.

(d) "Employee" means:

  (1) An individual who is employed by an employer; or

  (2) A volunteer or an independent contractor who performs services for an employer at the employer's workplace.

(e)

  (1) "Employer" means a person engaged in a business, an industry, a profession, a trade, or any other enterprise in the State.

  (2) "Employer" includes a person that acts directly or indirectly in the interest of another employer with an employee.

(f) "Final peace order" means a peace order issued by a judge under Sec. 3-1505 of this subtitle.

(g) "Interim peace order" means an order that a commissioner issues under this subtitle pending a hearing by a judge on a petition.

(h) "Military protection order" has the meaning stated in Sec. 9-901 of the State Government Article.

(i) "Petitioner" means an individual who files a petition under Sec. 3-1503 of this subtitle.

(j) "Residence" includes the yard, grounds, outbuildings, and common areas surrounding the residence.

(k) "Respondent" means an individual alleged in a petition to have committed an act specified in Sec. 3-1503(a) of this subtitle against a petitioner or a petitioner's employee.

(l) "Temporary peace order" means a peace order issued by a judge under Sec. 3-1504 of this subtitle.

---

Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)