# Local Government (GLG)

## Title 12. Other Powers of Counties -- Generally

### Subtitle 1. County Officers and Employees

#### Section 12-101

(a) This section applies to all counties except:

  (1) Anne Arundel County;

  (2) Baltimore City;

  (3) Baltimore County;

  (4) Cecil County;

  (5) Howard County;

  (6) Prince George's County;

  (7) Queen Anne's County; and

  (8) Worcester County.

(b) The governing body of a county may provide for the appointment and removal of any county officer or employee whose appointment or election is not provided for by the Maryland Constitution or public general law or public local law.

#### Section 12-102

(a) This section applies to all counties except:

  (1) Anne Arundel County;

  (2) Baltimore City;

  (3) Baltimore County;

  (4) Cecil County;

  (5) Howard County;

  (6) Prince George's County;

  (7) Queen Anne's County; and

  (8) Worcester County.

(b) Subject to any restriction imposed by a public general law or public local law, the governing body of a county may determine the compensation of appointed officers and employees of the county.

#### Section 12-103

(a) This section applies to all counties except:

  (1) Anne Arundel County;

  (2) Baltimore City;

  (3) Baltimore County;

  (4) Cecil County;

  (5) Howard County;

  (6) Prince George's County; and

  (7) Worcester County.

(b) The provisions of Sec.Sec. 9-105 and 9-106 of this article apply to an act, an ordinance, or a resolution adopted by a commission county under this section.

(c) The governing body of a county may establish a merit system in connection with the appointment of county officials and employees not elected or appointed under the Maryland Constitution or public general law of the State.

#### Section 12-104

In Dorchester County, the governing body may include in the merit system of the county the employees of the Dorchester County Sanitary District.

#### Section 12-105

(a) The provisions of Sec.Sec. 9-105 and 9-106 of this article apply to an act, an ordinance, or a resolution adopted under this section.

(b) The County Commissioners of Garrett County shall have a merit system for all county employees in accordance with the recommendations of the Merit System Commission and Governmental Study Commission of Garrett County.

#### Section 12-106

(a) This section applies to all counties except:

  (1) Anne Arundel County;

  (2) Baltimore City;

  (3) Baltimore County;

  (4) Cecil County;

  (5) Howard County;

  (6) Prince George's County;

  (7) Queen Anne's County; and

  (8) Worcester County.

(b) The provisions of Sec.Sec. 9-105 and 9-106 of this article apply to an act, an ordinance, or a resolution adopted by a commission county under this section.

(c)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the governing body of a county may:

    (i) create, change, or abolish an office or a department; and

    (ii) assign additional functions to an office or a department.

  (2) The governing body of a county may not create, change, or abolish an office or a department or transfer a function of an office or department established by the Maryland Constitution, public general law, or public local law.

#### Section 12-107

(a) This section applies to all counties except Baltimore City.

(b) The provisions of Sec.Sec. 9-105 and 9-106 of this article apply to an act, an ordinance, or a resolution adopted by a commission county under this section.

(c) The governing body of a county may enact a law or regulation:

  (1) designed to prevent conflicts between the private interests and public duties of county officers or employees, including the governing body; and

  (2) to govern the conduct and actions of county officers and employees, including the governing body, in performing their public duties.

(d)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the governing body of a county may enact a law or regulation to provide for a penalty, including a fine, a forfeiture, an imprisonment, or a removal from office for violation of any law or regulation enacted under subsection (c) of this section.

  (2) The governing body of Calvert County shall enact a law or regulation that authorizes the governing body to remove a county elected official from office for violations of any law or regulation enacted under subsection (c) of this section or Sec. 5-807(a)(1) of the General Provisions Article relating to conflicts of interest.

#### Section 12-108

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section and notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual appointed to a board or commission by the County Commissioners of Charles County may not serve more than two consecutive full terms.

(b) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply if the County Commissioners of Charles County determine that there is not a qualified individual to replace an incumbent who has served two consecutive full terms.

#### Section 12-109

(a) Frederick County may:

  (1) pay the wages of a county employee by debit card; and

  (2) require a county employee, as a condition of employment, to elect to receive the payment of wages by debit card or, subject to Sec. 1-206(b) and (c) of this article, by direct deposit.

(b) If a county employee elects to receive the payment of wages by debit card, the county shall provide to the employee a statement that includes:

  (1) the total amount of the employee's wages;

  (2) any amount deducted from the wages; and

  (3) the amount of the wages credited to the debit card.

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Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)