<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".18" citation="COMAR 10.15.04.18" title_num="10" subtitle_num="15" chapter_num="04" heading="Licensing.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>In order to operate a food processing plant, a person shall obtain a food processing license pursuant to the provisions of:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Health-General Article, §§21-211 and 21-305, Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>This chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The Department shall specify on the food processing license what foods or food types the licensee is authorized to process.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The Department shall deny an application for a license if the applicant:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Does not meet the requirements of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Health-General Article, §21-211, or Title 21, Subtitle 3, Annotated Code of Maryland; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A regulation promulgated under Health-General Article, §21-211, or Title 21, Subtitle 3, Annotated Code of Maryland; or</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Fraudulently or deceptively attempts to obtain a license.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The Department may suspend or revoke a license if the licensee:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Violates or fails to meet the requirements of §C of this regulation; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Fraudulently or deceptively obtains a license.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>The Department may deny an application for a food processing plant license and may suspend or revoke a license pursuant to the provisions of:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Health-General Article, §§21-211, 21-311, and 21-314—21-317, Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>State Government Article, §10-226, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>The person-in-charge shall ensure that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Food is not processed without the license required by Health-General Article, §21-305, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The required food processing license is conspicuously posted in the plant; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The processing operations in the plant are limited to the food type or types specified on the license pursuant to §B of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Except as provided in §H of this regulation, a license may not be transferred from one person to another person or from one food processing plant to another.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>On the death of a licensee, the approving authority may transfer a food processing plant license if:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An application is filed in accordance with Health-General Article, §21-306, Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Written evidence establishes that the applicant’s relationship with the deceased was as a:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Spouse of the deceased licensee;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Blood relative to the first degree of consanguinity; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Current officer or surviving partner in the business operating the food processing plant.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>