Section 20-101 - Definitions(a) In Subtitles 1 through 11 of this title the following words have the meanings indicated.(b) "Commission" means the Commission on Civil Rights.(c) "Complainant" means a person that files a complaint alleging a discriminatory act under this title.(d) "Discriminatory act" means an act prohibited under: (1) Subtitle 3 of this title (Discrimination in Places of Public Accommodation);(2) Subtitle 4 of this title (Discrimination by Persons Licensed or Regulated by Maryland Department of Labor);(3) Subtitle 5 of this title (Discrimination in Leasing of Commercial Property);(4) Subtitle 6 of this title (Discrimination in Employment);(5) Subtitle 7 of this title (Discrimination in Housing); or(6) Subtitle 8 of this title (Aiding, Abetting, or Attempting Discriminatory Act; Obstructing Compliance).(e) "Gender identity" means the gender-related identity, appearance, expression, or behavior of a person, regardless of the person's assigned sex at birth, which may be demonstrated by:(1) consistent and uniform assertion of the person's gender identity; or(2) any other evidence that the gender identity is sincerely held as part of the person's core identity.(f) "Military status" means the status of being: (1) a member of the uniformed services, as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 101;(2) a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, as listed in 10 U.S.C. § 10101; or(3) a dependent, as defined in 50 U.S.C. § 3911(4).
(g) "Protective hairstyle" includes braids, twists, and locks.(h) "Race" includes traits associated with race, including hair texture, afro hairstyles, and protective hairstyles.(i)(1) "Respondent" means a person accused in a complaint of a discriminatory act.(2) "Respondent" includes a person identified during an investigation of a complaint and joined as an additional or substitute respondent.(j) "Sexual orientation" means the identification of an individual as to male or female homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality.Amended by 2024 Md. Laws, Ch. 323,Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2024.Amended by 2024 Md. Laws, Ch. 322,Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2024.Amended by 2024 Md. Laws, Ch. 259,Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2024.Brought forward without change, 2023 Md. Laws, Ch. 629, Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2023.Amended by 2020 Md. Laws, Ch. 474, Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2020.Amended by 2020 Md. Laws, Ch. 473, Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2020.Amended by 2014 Md. Laws, Ch. 474, Sec. 2, eff. 10/1/2014.