§ 14–1332
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Com. Law § 14-1332 (2026)
Title 14. Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions
Subtitle 13. Miscellaneous Provisions
§ 14–1332LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)
“Consumer goods” has the meaning stated in § 13–101 of this article.
(3)
“Essential consumer good” means:
(i)
Food, including human and animal food;
(ii)
Water, including ice, and other beverages;
(iii)
Personal hygiene products, including toiletries and cleaning products;
(iv)
Health products, including medicine, medical supplies and equipment, and personal protective equipment; and
(v)
Fuel.
(4)
“Merchant” has the meaning stated in § 13–101 of this article.
(5)
“Retail establishment” means an establishment that sells consumer goods to the public.
(b)
(1)
This section applies only to an in–person transaction at a retail establishment totaling less than $300.
(2)
This section does not apply to:
(i)
A telephone, mail, or Internet transaction;
(ii)
A vending machine or kiosk transaction;
(iii)
A transaction with a merchant that sells to the public primarily:
(1)
Food or beverages for on–premises consumption; or
(2)
A limited variety of gourmet or specialty foods, including cheeses, fruits, nuts, candy, spices, and oils; or
(iv)
The purchase of fuel from a merchant that sells fuel to the public but requires a paid membership to purchase the fuel.
(c)
Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. a merchant may not:
(1)
Prohibit a person from making a cash payment to purchase an essential consumer good;
(2)
Require a person to use a credit or debit card to purchase an essential consumer good; or
(3)
Charge or collect from a person a higher price than charged or collected for an equivalent cashless transaction, whether or not the difference in price is described as a fee, for making a cash payment for the purchase of an essential consumer good.
(d)
(1)
A merchant may prohibit a person from making a cash payment for the purchase of a consumer good:
(i)
In a cash denomination greater than $20; or
(ii)
If the merchant:
(1)
Provides and maintains a device on the premises of the establishment that converts cash into a prepaid card that a person may use to purchase a consumer good at the establishment;
(2)
Does not charge any fee or require a deposit; and
(3)
If the device malfunctions or becomes inoperable, accepts payment in cash in accordance with this section until the device resumes normal operations.
(2)
A merchant may collect from a person an additional amount not exceeding 4 cents when rounding the price for an essential consumer good in accordance with applicable law.
(e)
A violation of this section is:
(1)
An unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice within the meaning of Title 13 of this article; and
(2)
Except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, subject to the enforcement and penalty provisions contained in Title 13 of this article.
(f)
(1)
Sections 13–410(a) and (b) and 13–411 of this article do not apply to a violation of this section.
(2)
The Division of Consumer Protection of the Office of the Attorney General shall provide a merchant who violates this section with at least two separate opportunities to comply with the requirements of this section.
(3)
(i)
A merchant who violates this section after two separate opportunities to comply under paragraph (2) of this subsection is subject to a fine not exceeding $500 for each violation.
(ii)
A merchant who violates this section after having been fined under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 for each subsequent violation.
(iii)
The fines provided for in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph:
(1)
Are civil penalties recoverable in accordance with § 13–410(c) of this article; and
(2)
Shall be set in accordance with § 13–410(d) of this article.