§ 14–308
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., State Fin. & Proc. § 14-308 (2026)
Title 14. Preferences
Subtitle 3. Minority Business Participation
§ 14–308LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
A person may not:
(i)
fraudulently obtain, hold, or attempt to obtain or hold certification;
(ii)
aid another person in performing an act prohibited under item (i) of this paragraph;
(iii)
willfully obstruct, impede, or attempt to obstruct or impede a State official or employee investigating the qualifications of a business entity that has requested certification;
(iv)
fraudulently obtain, attempt to obtain, or aid another person in fraudulently obtaining or attempting to obtain, public money to which the person is not entitled under this subtitle; or
(v)
in any minority business enterprise matter administered under this subtitle:
(1)
willfully falsify, conceal, or cover up a material fact by any scheme or device;
(2)
make a false or fraudulent statement or representation; or
(3)
use a false writing or document that the person knows to contain a false or fraudulent statement or entry.
(2)
Except as otherwise provided by law, a contractor may not identify a certified minority business enterprise in a bid or proposal and:
(i)
fail to request, receive, or otherwise obtain authorization from the certified minority business enterprise to identify the certified minority business enterprise in its bid or proposal;
(ii)
fail to notify the certified minority business enterprise before execution of the contract of its inclusion of the bid or proposal;
(iii)
fail to use the certified minority business enterprise in the performance of the contract; or
(iv)
pay the certified minority business enterprise solely for the use of its name in the bid or proposal.
(3)
A person who violates any provision of this subsection is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or both.
(b)
(1)
A person may not make a false statement about whether an entity has certification.
(2)
A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $2,500 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both.
(c)
The Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs shall make available a fraud hotline for reporting violations of this section.