# General Provisions (GGP)

## Title 1. Rules of Interpretation

### Subtitle 1. Definitions

#### Section 1-101

Except as otherwise provided in this Code, in this Code the following words have the meanings indicated.

#### Section 1-101.1

"Active duty" has the meaning stated in Sec. 9-901 of the State Government Article.

#### Section 1-101.2

"Active service member" has the meaning stated in Sec. 9-901 of the State Government Article.

#### Section 1-102

(a) "Administrator" includes an executor and a personal representative.

(b) "Executor" includes an administrator and a personal representative.

(c) "Personal representative" includes an administrator and an executor.

#### Section 1-103

(a) "Adult" means an individual at least 18 years old.

(b) Except as provided in Sec. 1-401(b) of this title, as it pertains to legal age and capacity, "minor" means an individual under the age of 18 years.

#### Section 1-103.1

"Armed forces" has the meaning stated in Sec. 9-901 of the State Government Article.

#### Section 1-104

Except as used in Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the Criminal Law Article, "assault" means assault in any degree unless a specific degree of assault is specified.

#### Section 1-105

In this Code, a code of public local laws, a municipal charter, a resolution or ordinance of a county or municipal corporation, or a rule, regulation, or directive of a unit of the State or a political subdivision of the State:

(1) "certified mail" and "registered mail" include the uses, procedures, and fees of the United States Postal Service;

(2) "certified mail" includes "registered mail"; and

(3) "registered mail" includes "certified mail".

#### Section 1-106

Except in matters of inheritance, descent, or distribution of property, "child" or an equivalent word includes an illegitimate child.

#### Section 1-107

"County" means a county of the State or Baltimore City.

#### Section 1-107.1

In statutory causes of action created by this Code to protect civil rights or consumer rights, "damages" or "losses":

(1) means money claimed by, or ordered to be paid to, a person as compensation for loss or injury resulting from the violation of the person's rights or protections; and

(2) includes reasonable nominal damages.

#### Section 1-108

(a) This section does not apply to the review of cases from:

  (1) the Workers' Compensation Commission;

  (2) the Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office; or

  (3) the Maryland Insurance Administration under Sec. 27-1001 of the Insurance Article.

(b) In a statute providing for de novo judicial review or appeal of a quasi-judicial administrative agency action, "de novo" means judicial review based on an administrative record and any additional evidence that would be authorized by Sec. 10-222(f) and (g) of the State Government Article.

#### Section 1-109

In a statute that authorizes a gift to or for the use of the State or any of its officers or units, "gift" includes an inter vivos gift, inter vivos endowment, bequest, devise, legacy, or testamentary endowment of any interest in real or personal property.

#### Section 1-109.1

(a) With respect to any State program of benefits, rights, or privileges applicable to a veteran under this Code, "honorable discharge" includes discharge that is less than honorable:

  (1) solely due to the sexual orientation or gender identity of the individual being discharged;

  (2) based on a statement or consensual act of the individual being discharged related to the individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, if the statement or consensual act was prohibited by the military or naval service at the time of discharge; or

  (3) if the Department of Veterans and Military Families determines an individual is eligible for State benefits based on the criteria established in 38 C.F.R. Sec. 3.12.

(b) A veteran shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families documentation that provides the basis for the veteran's discharge.

#### Section 1-110

"Includes" or "including" means includes or including by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

#### Section 1-111

(a) In this Code and any regulation or directive adopted under it, "legal holiday" means:

  (1) January 1, for New Year's Day;

  (2)

    (i) January 15, for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday; or

    (ii) if the United States Congress designates another day for observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, the day designated by the United States Congress;

  (3) February 12, for Lincoln's birthday;

  (4) the third Monday in February, for Washington's birthday;

  (5) March 25, for Maryland Day;

  (6) Good Friday;

  (7)

    (i) May 30, for Memorial Day; or

    (ii) if the United States Congress designates another day for observance of Memorial Day, the day designated by the United States Congress;

  (8) June 19, for Juneteenth National Independence Day;

  (9) July 4, for Independence Day;

  (10) the first Monday in September, for Labor Day;

  (11) September 12, for Defenders' Day;

  (12)

    (i) October 12, for Columbus Day; or

    (ii) if the United States Congress designates another day for observance of Columbus Day, the day designated by the United States Congress;

  (13) November 11, for Veterans' Day;

  (14) the fourth Thursday in November, for Thanksgiving Day;

  (15) the Friday after Thanksgiving Day, for American Indian Heritage Day;

  (16) December 25, for Christmas Day;

  (17) each statewide general election day in the State; and

  (18) each other day that the President of the United States or the Governor designates for general cessation of business.

(b) Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Code, a legal holiday shall be observed on:

  (1) the date specified in subsection (a) of this section; or

  (2) if that date falls on a Sunday, on the next Monday after that date.

#### Section 1-112

"Local department of social services" includes the Montgomery County government.

#### Section 1-113

(a) Unless otherwise provided, in a law, resolution, or court order, judgment, or decree that refers to publishing a legal advertisement or legal notice, words such as "newspaper" or "newspaper in general circulation" mean a publication that:

  (1) has at least four pages;

  (2) habitually contains news items, reports of current events, editorial comments, advertising matter, and other miscellaneous information that is of public interest and is found generally in an ordinary newspaper;

  (3) has been published and distributed, by sale, from an established place of business at least once a week for 6 months or more before publication of the advertisement or notice;

  (4) has general circulation throughout the community where the publication is published; and

  (5) qualifies for Periodicals rates for mailing through the United States Postal Service.

(b) Subject to subsection (a) of this section and for purposes of the public general laws of the State, in Prince George's County, "newspaper in general circulation" includes a newspaper that:

  (1) is designated by the County Council as a newspaper of record; or

  (2)

    (i) qualifies under subsection (a) of this section with respect to Prince George's County; and

    (ii) is published by a small business as defined in Sec. 14-201 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.

(c) Subject to subsection (a) of this section and for purposes of the public general laws of the State, in Dorchester County, if a law, resolution, or court order, judgment, or decree requires the county to publish a legal advertisement or legal notice:

  (1) any required advertisement or notice shall be published and distributed through print and digital format;

  (2) the time period required for publication starts once the first advertisement or notice appears in print or digital format; and

  (3) if there is no print and digital publication that meets all of the qualifications under subsection (a) of this section, the advertisement or notice may be placed in any digital publication that can be accessed in Dorchester County and that regularly contains local news and information for Dorchester County.

#### Section 1-114

"Person" includes an individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, personal representative, fiduciary, representative of any kind, corporation, partnership, business trust, statutory trust, limited liability company, firm, association, or other nongovernmental entity.

#### Section 1-114.1

"Reserve component" has the meaning stated in Sec. 9-901 of the State Government Article.

#### Section 1-114.2

"Service member" has the meaning stated in Sec. 9-901 of the State Government Article.

#### Section 1-115

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, "state" means:

  (1) a state, possession, territory, or commonwealth of the United States; or

  (2) the District of Columbia.

(b) When capitalized, "State" means Maryland.

#### Section 1-116

"Uniformed services" has the meaning stated in Sec. 9-901 of the State Government Article.

#### Section 1-117

(a) "Veteran" has the meaning stated in Sec. 9-901 of the State Government Article.

(b) With respect to any State program of benefits, rights, or privileges applicable to a veteran under this Code, "veteran" includes, if the individual is eligible under 38 U.S.C. Sec. 101, a member of the commissioned corps of:

  (1) the Public Health Service; or

  (2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or its predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey.

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