§ 20–205
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Util. § 20-205 (2026)
Title 20. Procurement
Subtitle 2. Minority Business Enterprise Preferences
§ 20–205LinkCopy Citation
(a)
To participate in the contract–specific goals and preferences authorized under this subtitle, a business must:
(1)
be certified by a certification agency in accordance with Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the regulations adopted under that subtitle;
(2)
(i)
be certified by any certification agency; and
(ii)
submit all additional documentation necessary for the Office to determine that the business meets the requirements of Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the regulations adopted under that subtitle; or
(3)
be certified under a certification program that the Commission determines substantially duplicates the requirements for a State certification agency under Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the regulations adopted under that subtitle.
(b)
To substantially duplicate the requirements for a State certification agency under Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the regulations adopted under that subtitle, a certification program shall, at a minimum, have certification requirements that are at least as narrowly tailored as the State’s requirements in Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the regulations adopted under that subtitle with respect to:
(1)
business ownership and control;
(2)
business size standards;
(3)
business owner personal net worth; and
(4)
business owner social and economic disadvantage.
(c)
If the Office determines that a business seeking to participate in the minority business enterprise utilization program established under § 20–204 of this subtitle has a certification that does not substantially duplicate the requirements in Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the regulations adopted under that subtitle, the Office may:
(1)
request and evaluate documentation and evidence necessary to determine whether the business may be authorized to participate in programs under this subtitle; and
(2)
following the evaluation under item (1) of this subsection, authorize a business to participate in programs under this subtitle.