§ 5–608
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 5-608 (2026)
Title 5. Occupational Safety and Health
Subtitle 6
§ 5–608LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as provided in § 24–505 of the Health – General Article, an individual may not smoke in an indoor place of employment.
(b)
(1)
The Department shall adopt regulations that prohibit environmental smoke, as defined in § 24–501 of the Health – General Article, in indoor places of employment not normally open to the general public.
(2)
Subject to subsection (c) of this section, a person who violates a regulation adopted under this subtitle:
(i)
for a first violation, shall be issued a written reprimand by the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s designee;
(ii)
for a second violation, is subject to a civil penalty of $100; and
(iii)
for each subsequent violation, is subject to a civil penalty not less than $250.
(c)
The Commissioner may waive a penalty established under subsection (b) of this section, giving consideration to factors that include:
(1)
the seriousness of the violation; and
(2)
any demonstrated good faith measures to comply with the provisions of this subtitle.
(d)
A penalty collected by the Commissioner under this section shall be paid to the Cigarette Restitution Fund established under § 7–317 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
(e)
An employer who discharges or discriminates against an employee because that employee has made a complaint under this section, has given information to the Department in accordance with this section, has caused to be instituted or is about to cause to be instituted a proceeding under this section, or has testified or is about to testify in a proceeding, shall be deemed in violation of this section and shall be subject to a civil penalty of at least $2,000 but not more than $10,000 for each violation.
(f)
(1)
An employee may not:
(i)
make a groundless or malicious complaint to the Commissioner or an authorized representative of the Commissioner;
(ii)
in bad faith, bring an action under this subtitle; or
(iii)
in bad faith, testify in an action under this subtitle or a proceeding that relates to the subject of this subtitle.
(2)
The Commissioner may bring an action for injunctive relief and damages against a person who violates the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection.