Sec. 14.03.04.03. Definitions

A. In this chapter, the following words have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

(1) "Accessible" means the public or common use areas of a building can be approached, entered, and used by individuals with physical disabilities and comply with the appropriate requirements of the American National Standard, "Specifications for Making Buildings and Facilities Accessible to and Usable by Physically Disabled People" (ANSI A117.1-1980), as incorporated by reference in COMAR 05.02.02.05B, or another standard that affords disabled persons access equivalent to or greater than that required by ANSI A117.1.

(2) "Accessible route" means a continuous unobstructed path connecting accessible elements and spaces in a building or within a site that can be negotiated by an individual with a disability using a wheelchair, in addition to being safe for and usable by people with other disabilities.

(3) "Agent" or "broker" means a person authorized to perform an action on behalf of another person or acting with apparent authority regarding any matter related to the sale or rental of dwellings.

(4) "Aggrieved person" has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §20-1020(b), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(5) "ANSI A117.1-1980" means the American National Standard, "Specifications for Making Buildings and Facilities Accessible to and Usable by Physically Handicapped People", as incorporated by reference in COMAR 05.02.02.05B.

(6) "Commission" means the Maryland Commission on Human Relations.

(7) "Complaint" has the meaning stated in COMAR 14.03.01.02A.

(8) "Complainant" has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §20-101(c), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(9) "Conciliation" has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §20-1020(c), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(10) "Conciliation agreement" has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §20-1020(d), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(11) "Charge" means a written statement prepared by the Commission's general counsel and issued under State Government Article, §20-1025(b)(2), Annotated Code of Maryland, which contains a factual allegation or allegations of an unlawful discriminatory housing practice or practices.

(12) "Covered multifamily dwelling" has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §20-706(a), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(13) Disability.

(a) "Disability" has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §20-701(b), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(b) "Disability" does not include current illegal use of, or addiction to, a controlled dangerous substance defined under Criminal Law Article, §5-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(14) "Discriminatory housing practice" has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §20-701(c), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(15) "Dwelling" has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §20-701(d), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(16) Dwelling Unit.

(a) "Dwelling unit" means a single unit of residence for one or more individuals.

(b) "Dwelling unit" includes:

(i) A single family home;

(ii) An apartment unit within an apartment building; and

(iii) Other types of dwellings in which sleeping accommodations are provided but toileting or cooking facilities are shared by occupants of more than one room, portion of the dwelling, or rooms within which people sleep, for example, dormitory rooms, sleeping accommodations in shelters intended for occupancy, and a residence for homeless persons.

(17) "Executive Director" has the meaning stated in COMAR 14.03.01.02B.

(18) "Familial status" has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §20-701(e), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(19) "Family" has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §20-701(f), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(20) "Housing for older persons" has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §20-704(c)(1), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(21) "Human Relations Commission" has the meaning stated in COMAR 14.03.01.02C.

(22) "In the business of selling or renting a dwelling" has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §20-701(g), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(23) "Investigator" has the meaning stated in COMAR 14.03.01.02D.

(24) Landlord.

(a) "Landlord" means anyone other than the occupant of real property, who attempts to control or controls the use of the property under claim or right arising out of an ownership interest in the real property by that person or another person for whom that person acts.

(b) "Landlord" includes owners of rental property, trustees, receivers, persons controlling the common areas used in connection with condominiums, homeowners associations, and agents or others acting in the interest of any of these persons.

(25) "Marital status" has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §20-701(h), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(26) "Notice" has the meaning stated in COMAR 14.03.01.02E.

(27) "Offices of the Commission" has the meaning stated in COMAR 14.03.01.02F.

(28) "Party" has the meaning stated in COMAR 14.03.01.02G.

(29) "Person" has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(30) "Prevailing party" has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §20-1020(f), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(31) "Proceeding" means a conference, meeting, hearing, investigation, inquiry, or other fact-finding or decision-making procedure, including the dismissal of a complaint.

(32) "Real property" includes dwellings, parking lots, interests in real estate corporeal or incorporeal, tenements, leaseholds, cooperatives, condominiums, and hereditaments.

(33) "Residential real estate related transaction" has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §20-707(a), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(34) "Respondent" has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §20-101(e), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(35) "Sexual orientation" means the identification of an individual as to male or female homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality.

(36) "Time" has the meaning stated in COMAR 14.03.01.02I.

(37) "To rent" has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §20-701(i), Annotated Code of Maryland.