EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0002*
HOUSE BILL 2
P1, P5 5lr1796
(PRE–FILED) CF SB 24
By: Delegate Stewart
Requested: August 13, 2024
Introduced and read first time: January 8, 2025
Assigned to: Rules and Executive Nominations
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Annotated Code – Terminology – Clergy and Churches, Faith Institutions, and 2
Places of Worship 3
FOR the purpose of altering certain terminology throughout the Annotated Code that refers 4
to a clergyman to refer to a member of the clergy and churches to refer to faith 5
institutions and places of worship; and generally relating to clergy, churches, faith 6
institutions, and places of worship. 7
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8
Article – Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis 9
Section 16–405(b)(1)(iii) and 26–904(d)(2)(ix) 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2024 Replacement Volume) 12
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 13
Article – Business Regulation 14
Section 5–602(a)(2) and 17–1803(e)(1)(i) 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2024 Replacement Volume) 17
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 18
Article – Commercial Law 19
Section 13–104(1), 14–401(l)(3), and 23–101(e)(2)(vi) 20
Annotated Code of Maryland 21
(2013 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 22
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 23
Article – Corporations and Associations 24
Section 5–301(b), 5–301.1, 5–302, 5–304(b), 5–305, 5–307(b) and (c), 5–310(a)(1), 25
5–311, and 5–312(a) and (b)(1) 26 2 HOUSE BILL 2
Annotated Code of Maryland 1
(2014 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 2
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 3
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 4
Section 3–2A–01(f)(2) and 9–111 5
Annotated Code of Maryland 6
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 7
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8
Article – Criminal Law 9
Section 4–209(b)(1)(iii) 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 12
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 13
Article – Economic Development 14
Section 10–301(k) 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 17
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 18
Article – Education 19
Section 2–206(e)(4), 2–304(b)(1), 7–108(b)(1)(iv), 7–404(g), and 11–202.1(h)(2)(i) 20
Annotated Code of Maryland 21
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 22
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 23
Article – Environment 24
Section 6–401(g)(2)(ix) 25
Annotated Code of Maryland 26
(2013 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 27
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 28
Article – Environment 29
Section 14–108(4), 15–505(b)(2)(v), and 15–810(b)(4) 30
Annotated Code of Maryland 31
(2014 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 32
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 33
Article – Family Law 34
Section 2–403(a)(1) and 5–705(a)(3) 35
Annotated Code of Maryland 36
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 37
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 38
Article – Health – General 39 HOUSE BILL 2 3
Section 7–1003(i), 10–703, 19–301(o)(2), 19–403(3), and 19–4A–02(2) 1
Annotated Code of Maryland 2
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 3
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 4
Article – Health Occupations 5
Section 1–401(a)(4)(ii) and 9–307(a) and (c) 6
Annotated Code of Maryland 7
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 8
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 9
Article – Labor and Employment 10
Section 8–208(b) and (c) 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2016 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 13
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 14
Article – Natural Resources 15
Section 10–410(g)(1), (3), (5), and (6) 16
Annotated Code of Maryland 17
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 18
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 19
Article – Public Safety 20
Section 6–307(a)(1)(ii), 10–204(a)(1)(i), and 14–1001(a)(1) 21
Annotated Code of Maryland 22
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 23
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 24
Article – Real Property 25
Section 12–104(d) 26
Annotated Code of Maryland 27
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 28
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 29
Article – State Government 30
Section 9–1010(a)(1) 31
Annotated Code of Maryland 32
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 33
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 34
Article – Tax – General 35
Section 11–204(b)(1) and (7) and 11–206(d)(1)(ii) 36
Annotated Code of Maryland 37
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 38
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 39 4 HOUSE BILL 2
Article – Transportation 1
Section 8–714(b)(3)(ii), 8–742, 11–117(a), and 21–703(a)(3) and (g)(2) 2
Annotated Code of Maryland 3
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 4
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 5
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 6
Article – Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis 7
16–405. 8
(b) (1) In this subsection, “protected building” means: 9
(iii) a [church or other] place of worship. 10
26–904. 11
(d) (2) A license holder that obtains an entertainment permit under § 26–1103 12
of this title may allow an individual under 21 years of age to be present on the premises 13
while an alcoholic beverage is being served during any of the following events: 14
(ix) [church] event HELD BY A FAITH INST ITUTION; 15
Article – Business Regulation 16
5–602. 17
(a) This subtitle does not apply to a cemetery that: 18
(2) is owned and operated by: 19
(i) a county; 20
(ii) a municipal corporation; 21
(iii) [a church; 22
(iv) a synagogue;] A FAITH INSTITUTION ; 23
[(v)] (IV) a religious organization; 24
[(vi)] (V) a nonprofit organization created before 1900 by an act of 25
the General Assembly; 26
[(vii)] (VI) a family and does not conduct public sales; or 27 HOUSE BILL 2 5
[(viii)] (VII) a State veterans agency. 1
17–1803. 2
(e) (1) An exhibitor need not get a trader’s license for a show if the show is 3
promoted by: 4
(i) a [church] FAITH INSTITUTION , as defined in § 5–301(b) of the 5
Corporations and Associations Article; 6
Article – Commercial Law 7
13–104. 8
This title does not apply to: 9
(1) The professional services of a certified public accountant, architect, 10
[clergyman] MEMBER OF THE CLERGY , professional engineer, lawyer, veterinarian, 11
insurance company authorized to do business in the State, insurance producer licensed by 12
the State, Christian Science practitioner, land surveyor, property line surveyor, 13
chiropractor, optometrist, physical therapist, podiatrist, real estate broker, associate real 14
estate broker, or real estate salesperson, or medical or dental practitioner; 15
14–401. 16
(l) (3) “Services” does not include the professional services of an accountant, 17
architect, [clergyman] MEMBER OF THE CLERGY , engineer, lawyer, or medical or dental 18
practitioner. 19
23–101. 20
(e) (2) “Retirement community” does not include: 21
(vi) A retirement community that is owned by or affiliated with a 22
[church] FAITH INSTITUTION or religious organization; 23
Article – Corporations and Associations 24
5–301. 25
(b) [“Church”] “FAITH INSTITUTION ” means any [church] FAITH 26
INSTITUTION, religious society, or congregation of any sect, order, or denomination. 27
5–301.1. 28
6 HOUSE BILL 2
Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle or in any other provision of law, this 1
part applies to every religious corporation formed in this State by any [church] FAITH 2
INSTITUTION. 3
5–302. 4
(a) The adult members of a [church] FAITH INSTITUTION may form a religious 5
corporation as provided in this part. 6
(b) The members shall: 7
(1) Elect at least four individuals to act as trustees in the name of and on 8
behalf of the [church] FAITH INSTITUTION ; and 9
(2) Prepare a plan of the [church] FAITH INSTITUTION . 10
(c) The plan shall include: 11
(1) The purposes for which the religious corporation is formed; 12
(2) The name of the religious corporation and the [church] FAITH 13
INSTITUTION; 14
(3) The time and manner for election and succession of trustees; and 15
(4) The exact qualifications of individuals eligible: 16
(i) To vote at elections; and 17
(ii) To be elected to office. 18
5–304. 19
(b) The articles of incorporation shall contain: 20
(1) The plan of the [church] FAITH INSTITUTION ; 21
(2) The address of the principal place of worship of the [church] FAITH 22
INSTITUTION; and 23
(3) The name and address of the resident agent of the [church] FAITH 24
INSTITUTION. 25
5–305. 26
HOUSE BILL 2 7
If a [church] FAITH INSTITUTION forms a religious corporation, any assets held in 1
trust for the [church] FAITH INSTITUTION by any person shall be conveyed immediately 2
to the religious corporation. 3
5–307. 4
(b) Unless the plan provides otherwise, the trustees shall be elected and their 5
successors continued at the time and place ordinarily used for public meetings of the 6
[church] FAITH INSTITUTION , by the individuals who, according to the custom and usage 7
of the [church] FAITH INSTITUTION , have a voice in the management and direction of 8
congregational or temporal affairs. 9
(c) Unless the plan permits otherwise, the minister of the [church] FAITH 10
INSTITUTION or, if there is more than one minister, the senior minister shall be a trustee 11
of the religious corporation, in addition to the trustees required by § 5–302(b)(1) of this 12
subtitle. 13
5–310. 14
(a) If any contest arises over the voting rights or the fair conduct of an election: 15
(1) Each contending party shall appoint one individual from among the 16
members of a neighboring [church] FAITH INSTITUTION of the same religious persuasion 17
or, if there is no such [church] FAITH INSTITUTION , from among the members of any other 18
[church] FAITH INSTITUTION ; and 19
5–311. 20
(a) Members of a [church] FAITH INSTITUTION may separate from the [church] 21
FAITH INSTITUTION , form a house of worship, and employ a minister if: 22
(1) They are of sufficient number to form a house of worship and maintain 23
a minister; and 24
(2) All debts and contracts incurred by them as members of the original 25
[church] FAITH INSTITUTION are discharged. 26
(b) When incorporated, the new [church] FAITH INSTITUTION is entitled to the 27
benefits of this subtitle relating to religious corporations. 28
5–312. 29
(a) If any [church] FAITH INSTITUTION organized since 1800 as a religious 30
corporation under any law of the State did not file its plan or articles of incorporation for 31
record in the proper office within the time required by law, but subsequently files its plan 32
or articles of incorporation in the proper office: 33 8 HOUSE BILL 2
(1) The [church] FAITH INSTITUTION is a lawful religious corporation; 1
(2) The date of incorporation is the date of the plan or articles of 2
incorporation; and 3
(3) If otherwise lawful, every action of the [church] FAITH INSTITUTION 4
from the date of incorporation is valid. 5
(b) There is a conclusive presumption in every court of the State that a plan or 6
articles of incorporation of a religious corporation were properly filed for record in the 7
appropriate office and that these records were lost or destroyed, if: 8
(1) It appears from the record book of the religious corporation or from any 9
other source that the [church] FAITH INSTITUTION adopted a valid plan or articles of 10
incorporation; and 11
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 12
3–2A–01. 13
(f) (2) “Health care provider” does not include any nursing institution 14
conducted by and for those who rely upon treatment by spiritual means through prayer 15
alone in accordance with the tenets and practices of a recognized [church or religious 16
denomination] FAITH INSTITUTION . 17
9–111. 18
A minister of the gospel, [clergyman] MEMBER OF THE CLERGY , or priest of an 19
established [church of any denomination] FAITH INSTITUTION may not be compelled to 20
testify on any matter in relation to any confession or communication made to him in 21
confidence by a person seeking his spiritual advice or consolation. 22
Article – Criminal Law 23
4–209. 24
(b) (1) A county, municipal corporation, or special taxing district may regulate 25
the purchase, sale, transfer, ownership, possession, and transportation of the items listed 26
in subsection (a) of this section: 27
(iii) except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, within 100 28
yards of or in a park, [church] PLACE OF WORSHIP , school, public building, and other place 29
of public assembly. 30
HOUSE BILL 2 9
Article – Economic Development 1
10–301. 2
(k) “Noncollegiate educational institution” means a noncollegiate educational 3
institution as defined in § 2–206 of the Education Article that: 4
(1) has received a certificate of approval from the State Board of Education; 5
or 6
(2) is an institution operated by a bona fide [church organization] FAITH 7
INSTITUTION. 8
Article – Education 9
2–206. 10
(e) (4) This subsection does not apply to [an] A NONCOLLEGIATE 11
EDUCATIONAL institution operated by a bona fide [church organization] FAITH 12
INSTITUTION, including the Amish and Mennonite church parochial schools. However, 13
[an] A NONCOLLEGIATE EDUC ATIONAL institution that does not have a certificate of 14
approval from the State Board may not r eceive State funds, except that [an] A 15
NONCOLLEGIATE EDUCAT IONAL institution operated by a bona fide [church 16
organization] FAITH INSTITUTION is not required to have a certificate to receive State 17
funds for eligible students in the food service program who are enrolled in nursery school 18
through the eighth grade. 19
2–304. 20
(b) (1) Before a private noncollegiate educational institution that operates in 21
this State ends operations, including those operated by bona fide [church organizations] 22
FAITH INSTITUTIONS , the chief administrative officer of the PRIVATE NONCOLLEGIAT E 23
EDUCATIONAL institution shall file with the State Superintendent the original or a legible 24
copy of all essential records of the academic achievements of each former student of the 25
PRIVATE NONCOLLEGIAT E EDUCATIONAL institution who received instruction in any 26
combination of grades 9 through 12 or their equivalents. 27
7–108. 28
(b) (1) If written application is made to the county superintendent, the county 29
board shall provide for the use of a public school facility for: 30
(iv) Other civic, educational, social, or recreational purposes or 31
[church] FAITH INSTITUTION affiliated civic purposes. 32
7–404. 33 10 HOUSE BILL 2
(g) A student whose parent or guardian objects in writing to hearing and vision 1
screening on the ground that it conflicts with the tenets and practice of a recognized [church 2
or religious denomination] FAITH INSTITUTIO N of which he is an adherent or member may 3
not be required to take these screenings. 4
11–202.1. 5
(h) With regard to a religious educational institution authorized to operate 6
without a certificate of approval under subsection (b) of this section, a person may not: 7
(2) Enroll a student in the institution unless, before enrollment, the person 8
gives written notice to and obtains a written acknowledgment from the student that: 9
(i) The institution’s instructional program is only designed for and 10
aimed at persons who hold or seek to learn the particular religious faith or beliefs of the 11
[church] FAITH INSTITUTION or religious institution, and provides only educational 12
programs for religious vocations or purposes; 13
Article – Environment 14
6–401. 15
(g) (2) “Public and commercial building” includes: 16
(ix) [Churches] PLACES OF WORSHIP ; 17
14–108. 18
The Department shall deny the permit if the Department determines that: 19
(4) The operation will constitute a significant physical hazard to a 20
neighboring dwelling unit, school, [church] PLACE OF WORSHIP , hospital, commercial or 21
industrial building, public road, or other public or private property in existence at the time 22
of the application for the permit; 23
15–505. 24
(b) (2) Subject to valid existing rights, as that term is used in the federal 25
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, the Department may not issue, 26
extend or renew any permit: 27
(v) Within 300 feet of any public building, school, public park, 28
[church] PLACE OF WORSHIP , community or institutional building; or 29
15–810. 30 HOUSE BILL 2 11
(b) The Department may deny the permit on finding that: 1
(4) The operation will constitute a substantial physical hazard to a 2
neighboring dwelling house, school, [church] PLACE OF WORSHIP , hospital, commercial 3
or industrial building, public road, or other public or private property in existence at the 4
time of application for the permit; 5
Article – Family Law 6
2–403. 7
(a) (1) A license shall read substantially as follows: 8
“State of Maryland and County of ........... To any individual authorized by the laws 9
of this State to perform a marriage ceremony. You are hereby authorized to join together 10
in matrimony according to the rules and ceremonies of your [church] FAITH INSTITUTION , 11
society or religious sect and the laws of this State, or according to the laws of this State, 12
the following individuals: 13
……………………………………………… 14
(state here name of intended party one) 15
……………………………………………… 16
(state here name of intended party two) 17
Given under my hand and seal of the Circuit Court for ………, this ……… day of 18
…………… (state here month and year).” 19
5–705. 20
(a) (3) A minister of the gospel, [clergyman] MEMBER OF THE CLERGY , or 21
priest of an established [church of any denomination] FAITH INSTITUTION is not required 22
to provide notice under paragraph (1) of this subsection if the notice would disclose matter 23
in relation to any communication described in § 9–111 of the Courts Article and: 24
(i) the communication was made to the minister, [clergyman] 25
MEMBER OF THE CLERGY , or priest in a professional character in the course of discipline 26
enjoined by the [church] FAITH INSTITUTION to which the minister, [clergyman] 27
MEMBER OF THE CLERGY , or priest belongs; and 28
(ii) the minister, [clergyman] MEMBER OF THE CLERGY , or priest 29
is bound to maintain the confidentiality of that communication under canon law, [church] 30
THE doctrine OF THE FAITH INSTITU TION, or practice. 31
Article – Health – General 32
7–1003. 33 12 HOUSE BILL 2
(i) (1) An individual shall be entitled to receive visits: 1
(i) From a lawyer that the individual chooses; 2
(ii) From a [clergyman] MEMBER OF THE CLERGY that the 3
individual chooses; and 4
(iii) During reasonable visiting hours that the licensee sets, from any 5
other visitor. 6
(2) Each married individual in a licensed residential facility shall have 7
privacy during a visit by the spouse. 8
(3) If, for the welfare of the individual, visits are restricted, the restriction 9
shall be: 10
(i) Signed by the executive officer or administrative head of the 11
licensee; and 12
(ii) Made a permanent part of the individual’s record. 13
(4) Visits of an individual’s lawyer or [clergyman] MEMBER OF THE 14
CLERGY may not be restricted. 15
10–703. 16
(a) Each individual in a facility shall be entitled to converse privately with and 17
receive visits: 18
(1) At all reasonable hours, from a lawyer that the individual chooses; 19
(2) At all reasonable hours, from a [clergyman] MEMBER OF THE CLERGY 20
that the individual chooses; and 21
(3) During reasonable visiting hours that the facility sets, from any other 22
visitor if the individual wishes to see the visitor. 23
(b) If an individual refuses to see a visitor, the refusal shall be made a permanent 24
part of the individual’s record. 25
(c) (1) If, for medically justified reasons, visits or private conversations are 26
restricted, the restriction and the reasons for the restriction shall be: 27
(i) Signed by a physician; 28
(ii) Dated as to when the restriction expires; 29 HOUSE BILL 2 13
(iii) Made a permanent part of the individual’s record; and 1
(iv) Reviewed every 30 days if the restriction remains in effect. 2
(2) Visits of an individual’s lawyer or [clergyman] MEMBER OF THE 3
CLERGY may not be restricted during reasonable hours. 4
19–301. 5
(o) (2) “Related institution” does not include a nursing facility or visiting nurse 6
service that is conducted only by or for adherents of a bona fide [church] FAITH 7
INSTITUTION or religious organization, in accordance with tenets and practices that 8
include reliance on treatment by spiritual means alone for healing. 9
19–403. 10
This subtitle does not: 11
(3) Prohibit the care of an individual who relies on treatment in accordance 12
with the tenets and practices of a recognized [church or religious denomination] FAITH 13
INSTITUTION and, with or without compensation, is cared for in accordance with those 14
tenets and practices. 15
19–4A–02. 16
This subtitle does not: 17
(2) Prohibit the care of an individual who relies on treatment in accordance 18
with the tenets and practices of a recognized [church or religious denomination] FAITH 19
INSTITUTION and, with or without compensation, is provided care in accordance with those 20
tenets and practices. 21
Article – Health Occupations 22
1–401. 23
(a) (4) (ii) “Provider of health care” does not include any nursing institution 24
that is conducted by and for those who rely on treatment by spiritual means through prayer 25
alone in accordance with the tenets and practices of a recognized [church or religious 26
denomination] FAITH INSTITUTION . 27
9–307. 28
(a) In this section, “certified institution” means an institution that: 29
14 HOUSE BILL 2
(1) Cares for and treats the sick in accordance with the teachings of any 1
recognized [church or religious denomination] FAITH INSTITUTION that teaches reliance 2
on spiritual means through prayer alone for healing; and 3
(2) Is certified by that [church or religious denomination] FAITH 4
INSTITUTION to provide this care and treatment. 5
(c) An applicant qualifies for a limited license only if a recognized [church or 6
religious denomination] FAITH INSTITUTION that teaches reliance on spiritual means 7
through prayer alone for healing approves the applicant as qualified to administer certified 8
institutions. 9
Article – Labor and Employment 10
8–208. 11
(b) Employment is not covered employment if the employment is performed for: 12
(1) a [church or an association or convention of churches] FAITH 13
INSTITUTION OR AN AS SOCIATION OR CONVENT ION OF FAITH INSTI TUTIONS; or 14
(2) an organization that is: 15
(i) operated primarily for religious purposes; and 16
(ii) controlled, operated, principally supported, or supervised by a 17
[church or an association or convention of churches] FAITH INSTITUTION OR AN 18
ASSOCIATION OR CONVENTION O F FAITH INSTITUTIONS . 19
(c) Employment is not covered employment if the employment is performed by: 20
(1) a commissioned, licensed, or ordained minister of a [church] FAITH 21
INSTITUTION in the exercise of the ministry; or 22
(2) a member of a religious order in the exercise of duties required by the 23
order. 24
Article – Natural Resources 25
10–410. 26
(g) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, a 27
person, other than the owner or occupant, while hunting for any wild bird or mammal may 28
not shoot or discharge any firearm or other deadly weapon within 150 yards, known as the 29
“safety zone”, of a dwelling house, residence, [church] PLACE OF WORSHIP , or other 30 HOUSE BILL 2 15
building or camp occupied by human beings, or shoot at any wild bird or mammal while it 1
is within this area, without the specific advance permission of the owner or occupant. 2
(3) (i) For archery hunters in Allegany County, Calvert County, Carroll 3
County, Cecil County, Frederick County, Garrett County, Harford County, Montgomery 4
County, St. Mary’s County, Washington County, Worcester County, or Wicomico County, 5
the safety zone described in paragraph (1) of this subsection extends for 50 yards from a 6
dwelling house, residence, [church] PLACE OF WORSHIP , or any other building or camp 7
occupied by human beings. 8
(ii) For archery hunters in Anne Arundel County, the safety zone 9
described in paragraph (1) of this subsection extends for 100 yards from a dwelling house, 10
residence, [church] PLACE OF WORSHIP , or any other building or camp occupied by human 11
beings. 12
(iii) In Howard County, for archery hunters who are hunting under 13
the authority of a deer management permit, or who are actively participating in a hunting 14
program administered by the county, the safety zone described in paragraph (1) of this 15
subsection extends for 50 yards from a dwelling house, residence, [church] PLACE OF 16
WORSHIP, or any other building or camp occupied by humans. 17
(5) In Harford County, an archery hunter shall use a tree stand when 18
hunting any wild bird or mammal within 50 to 100 yards of a dwelling house, residence, 19
[church] PLACE OF WORSHIP , public or nonpublic school, or other building or camp 20
occupied by human beings. 21
(6) (i) In Montgomery County or Washington County, an archery 22
hunter shall be in an elevated position that allows the hunter to shoot in a downward 23
trajectory when hunting any wild bird or mammal within 50 to 100 yards of a dwelling 24
house, residence, [church] PLACE OF WORSHIP , public or nonpublic school, or other 25
building or camp occupied by human beings. 26
(ii) In Howard County, for archery hunters who are hunting under 27
the authority of a deer management permit, or who are actively participating in a hunting 28
program administered by the county, shall be in an elevated position that allows the 29
hunters to shoot in a downward trajectory when hunting any wild bird or mammal within 30
50 to 150 yards of a dwelling house, residence, [church] PLACE OF WORSHIP , public or 31
nonpublic school, or other building or camp occupied by human beings. 32
Article – Public Safety 33
6–307. 34
(a) (1) The State Fire Marshal shall inspect for fire exits and reasonable safety 35
standards: 36
16 HOUSE BILL 2
(ii) all schools, theaters, [churches] PLACES OF WORSHIP , and 1
other places of public assembly. 2
10–204. 3
(a) (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, a mixing building 4
or storage building of a fireworks plant shall be located at least: 5
(i) 1,000 feet from a school, [church] PLACE OF WORSHIP , hospital, 6
place of public assembly, or gasoline or fuel oil storage building or service station; and 7
14–1001. 8
(a) In this section, “structure” means: 9
(1) a [church, chapel,] PLACE OF WORSHIP or convent; 10
Article – Real Property 11
12–104. 12
(d) The damages to be awarded for the taking of a structure, such as a [church or 13
place of religious worship] PLACE OF WORSHIP , held in fee simple, or under a lease 14
renewable forever, by or for the benefit of a religious body and regularly used by the 15
religious body, are the cost of reproducing or replacing the improvements, adjusted for 16
physical and functional depreciation, to which shall be added the fair market value of the 17
land. 18
Article – State Government 19
9–1010. 20
(a) The Archives: 21
(1) shall collect public and private records and other information that 22
relate to the history of the province and State of Maryland from the earliest times, including 23
[church] records OF FAITH INSTITUTION S and newspapers; 24
Article – Tax – General 25
11–204. 26
(b) The sales and use tax does not apply to a sale by: 27
HOUSE BILL 2 17
(1) a bona fide [church] FAITH INSTITUTION or religious organization, if 1
the sale is made for the general purposes of the [church] FAITH INSTITUTION or 2
organization; 3
(7) subject to subsection (e) of this section, a bona fide [church] FAITH 4
INSTITUTION, religious organization, or other nonprofit organization exempt from taxation 5
under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code if: 6
(i) the sale is made at an auction sale; and 7
(ii) the proceeds of the sale are used to carry on the exempt purposes 8
of the [church] FAITH INSTITUTION or organization; or 9
11–206. 10
(d) The sales and use tax does not apply to: 11
(1) a sale of food: 12
(ii) by a [church] FAITH INSTITUTION or religious organization; 13
Article – Transportation 14
8–714. 15
(b) A permit is not required under this section to erect or maintain any outdoor 16
sign: 17
(3) That is used only to advertise: 18
(ii) A county [or church] fair held in this State OR A FAIR HELD IN 19
THIS STATE BY A FAITH INSTITUTION; 20
8–742. 21
This part does not prohibit the erection or maintenance of: 22
(1) Any on premise outdoor sign that complies with § 8–744 of this subtitle; 23
(2) Any outdoor sign used to identify a [church] PLACE OF WORSHIP or a 24
historical monument or location, if the sign is erected in accordance with the rules and 25
regulations of the Administration; or 26
(3) Any outdoor sign along a highway that is not an expressway, even if the 27
highway runs parallel or partially parallel to an expressway, if the sign faces that highway. 28
18 HOUSE BILL 2
11–117. 1
(a) “Educational purposes” includes those activities of schools certified by the 2
Department of Education, activities of centers for individuals with an intellectual disability 3
and physically handicapped individuals, [church schools] SCHOOLS OPERATED BY A 4
FAITH INSTITUTION , Sunday schools and [church] FAITH INSTITUTION related 5
functions, child care centers, day camps, or summer camps, or any other activity that 6
provides some educational experience for its participants. 7
21–703. 8
(a) Except as provided in subsection (g) of this section, this section applies to: 9
(3) Every bus that is owned or operated by a [church] FAITH INSTITUTION 10
and carrying any passenger; 11
(g) (2) This section does not apply to school buses and [church] buses THAT 12
ARE OWNED OR OPERATE D BY A FAITH INSTITU TION, as described in subsection (a)(2) 13
and (3) of this section, at locations within Baltimore City where complying with the 14
provision of this section would conflict with the existing traffic signal indications. 15
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 16
October 1, 2025. 17