Current with changes from the 2024 Legislative Session
Section 5-6C-01 - Definitions(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.(b) "Benefit corporation" means a Maryland corporation that elects to be a benefit corporation in accordance with § 5-6C-03 of this subtitle and has not ceased to be a benefit corporation through the operation of § 5-6C-04 of this subtitle.(c) "General public benefit" means a material, positive impact on society and the environment, as measured by a third-party standard, through activities that promote a combination of specific public benefits.(d) "Specific public benefit" includes: (1) Providing individuals or communities with beneficial products or services;(2) Promoting economic opportunity for individuals or communities beyond the creation of jobs in the normal course of business;(3) Preserving the environment;(4) Improving human health;(5) Promoting the arts, sciences, or advancement of knowledge;(6) Increasing the flow of capital to entities with a public benefit purpose; or(7) The accomplishment of any other particular benefit for society or the environment.(e) "Third-party standard" means a standard for defining, reporting, and assessing best practices in corporate social and environmental performance that:(1) Is developed by a person or entity that is independent of the benefit corporation; and(2) Is transparent because the following information about the standard is publicly available or accessible: (i) The factors considered when measuring the performance of a business;(ii) The relative weightings of those factors; and(iii) The identity of the persons who developed and control changes to the standard and the process by which those changes were made.