Maryland § 4-123.1

§ 4-123.1.

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

        (2)    (i)    “Humane method” means:

                1.    A method by which livestock are rendered insensible to pain, by a single blow or gunshot, or by an electrical, chemical, or other rapid and effective means, before being shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut; or

                2.    Ritual slaughter.

            (ii)    “Humane method” does not include the use of a manually operated hammer, sledge, or poleax during a slaughtering operation.

        (3)    (i)    “Livestock” means cattle, calves, sheep, swine, horses, mules, goats, or other animals that may be used in the preparation of a meat product.

            (ii)    “Livestock” does not include poultry or other fowl.

        (4)    “Packer” means a person who is engaged in the business of:

            (i)    Slaughtering; or

            (ii)    Manufacturing or preparing a meat or livestock product for sale.

        (5)    “Ritual slaughter” means a method of slaughter by which livestock suffer loss of consciousness by anemia of the brain caused by simultaneous and instantaneous severance of the carotid arteries with a sharp instrument in accordance with ritual requirements of a religious faith.

        (6)    “Slaughterer” means a person who is regularly engaged in the commercial slaughtering of livestock.

        (7)    “Stockyard” means a facility, consisting of pens, other enclosures, and appurtenances, operated for compensation or profit as a public market to handle, keep, and hold livestock for sale or shipment.

    (b)    It is the policy of the State to prevent inhumane methods of livestock slaughter at an official establishment.

    (c)    This section may not be construed to:

        (1)    Prohibit or limit the religious freedom of a person;

        (2)    Apply to a farmer while slaughtering livestock of the farmer; or

        (3)    Apply to ritual slaughter.

    (d)    A slaughterer, packer, or stockyard operator may not, unless by a humane method:

        (1)    Shackle, hoist, or otherwise bring livestock into position for slaughter; or

        (2)    Bleed or slaughter livestock.

    (e)    The Secretary shall inspect the handling of livestock in connection with slaughtering in an official establishment.

    (f)    (1)    A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $100 for each violation.

        (2)    In addition to the penalty under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Secretary may refuse to provide or may suspend temporarily inspection services for an establishment that violates this section with respect to the slaughter of livestock.