Maryland § 20-101

§ 20-101.

    (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;

        (2)    a member of a reserve component of the uniformed services; 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.