# Commercial Law (GCL)

## Title 14. Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions

### Subtitle 13. Miscellaneous Provisions

#### Section 14-1332

(a)

  (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

  (2) "Consumer goods" has the meaning stated in Sec. 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 Sec. 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 Sec. 13-410(c) of this article; and

      (2) Shall be set in accordance with Sec. 13-410(d) of this article.

---

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