§ 20-601. Definitions  


Latest version.



  •    (a) In general. -- In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

    ** REVISOR'S NOTE
     
       This subsection is standard language substituted for the introductory phrase of former Art. 49B, § 15.

    (b) Disability. --

       (1) "Disability" means:

          (i) 1. a physical disability, infirmity, malformation, or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect, or illness, including epilepsy; or

             2. a mental impairment or deficiency;

          (ii) a record of having a physical or mental impairment as otherwise defined under this subsection; or

          (iii) being regarded as having a physical or mental impairment as otherwise defined under this subsection.

       (2) "Disability" includes:

          (i) 1. any degree of paralysis, amputation, or lack of physical coordination;

             2. blindness or visual impairment;

             3. deafness or hearing impairment;

             4. muteness or speech impediment; and

             5. physical reliance on a service animal, wheelchair, or other remedial appliance or device; and

          (ii) retardation and any other mental impairment or deficiency that may have necessitated remedial or special education and related services.

    ** SPECIAL REVISOR'S NOTE
     
       As enacted by Ch. 120, Acts of 2009, this subsection was new language derived without substantive change from former Art. 49B, § 15(g). However, Chs. 299 and 300, Acts of 2009, amended this subsection.

    ** SPECIAL REVISOR'S NOTE
     
       In the introductory language of paragraph (2) of this subsection, the former phrases "but not be limited to" and "but not limited to" were deleted by Ch. 120 as unnecessary in light of § 1-101(c) of this article, which provides that the terms "includes" and "including" mean "by way of illustration and not by way of limitation".

    ** SPECIAL REVISOR'S NOTE
     
       In paragraph (2)(i)5 of this subsection, the reference to a "service animal" was substituted by Ch. 120 for the former obsolete reference to a "seeing eye dog".

    ** DEFINED TERM:
     

       "Includes", "including"                                              § 1-101

    **

    (c) Employee. -- **

       (1) "Employee" means an individual employed by an employer. **

       (2) Unless the individual is subject to the State or local civil service laws, "employee" does not include: **

          (i) an individual elected to public office; **

          (ii) an individual chosen by an elected officer to be on the officer's personal staff; **

          (iii) an appointee on the policy making level; or **

          (iv) an immediate adviser with respect to the exercise of the constitutional or legal powers of an elected office.

    REVISOR'S NOTE
     
       This subsection is new language derived without substantive change from former Art. 49B, § 15(e).

    REVISOR'S NOTE
     
       In paragraph (2)(i) and (ii) of this subsection, the references to an "individual" are substituted for the former references to a "person" for consistency with paragraph (1) of this subsection and because only a human being and not the other entities included in the definition of "person" can be elected to public office or on an elected officer's staff.

    REVISOR'S NOTE
     
       In paragraph (2)(ii) and (iv) of this subsection, the references to an "elected" officer and an "elected" office, respectively, are added for clarity.

    REVISOR'S NOTE
     
       In paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection, the reference to "personal" staff is substituted for the former incorrect reference to "personnel" staff.

    "Employer"                                                             § 20-601

    **

    (d) Employer. -- **

       (1) "Employer" means: **

          (i) a person that: **

             1. is engaged in an industry or business; and **

             2. has 15 or more employees for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding calendar year; and **

          (ii) an agent of a person described in item (i) of this paragraph. **

       (2) "Employer" includes the State to the extent provided in this title. **

       (3) Except for a labor organization, "employer" does not include a bona fide private membership club that is exempt from taxation under § 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.

    REVISOR'S NOTE
     
       This subsection is new language derived without substantive change from former Art. 49B, § 15(b).

    DEFINED TERMS:
     

       "Employee"                                                          § 20-601
     
       DEFINED TERMS:
     
       "Includes"                                                           § 1-101
     
       DEFINED TERMS:
     
       "Labor organization"                                                § 20-601
     
       DEFINED TERMS:
     
       "Person"                                                             § 1-101

    **

    (e) Employment agency. -- **

       (1) "Employment agency" means: **

          (i) a person that regularly undertakes with or without compensation to procure: **

             1. employees for an employer; or **

             2. opportunities for employees to work for an employer; and **

          (ii) an agent of a person described in item (i) of this paragraph. **

       (2) Except for the United States Employment Service and the system of State and local employment services receiving federal assistance, "employment agency" does not include a unit of the United States, the State, or a political subdivision of the State.

    REVISOR'S NOTE
     
       This subsection is new language derived without substantive change from former Art. 49B, § 15(c).

    REVISOR'S NOTE
     
       As to the substitution of the reference to a "unit" for the former reference to an "agency", see General Revisor's Note to title.

    "Employee"                                                             § 20-601
     
       "Employer"                                                          § 20-601
     
       "Person"                                                             § 1-101

    **

    (f) Genetic information. -- "Genetic information" has the meaning stated in § 27-909(a)(3) of the Insurance Article.

    REVISOR'S NOTE
     
       This subsection formerly was Art. 49B, § 15(h).

    REVISOR'S NOTE
     
       No changes are made. **

    (g) Genetic test. -- "Genetic test" has the meaning stated in § 27-909(a)(5) of the Insurance Article.

    REVISOR'S NOTE
     
       This subsection formerly was Art. 49B, § 15(i).

    REVISOR'S NOTE
     
       No changes are made. **

    (h) Labor organization. -- **

       (1) "Labor organization" means: **

          (i) a labor organization engaged in an industry; and **

          (ii) an agent of an organization described in item (i) of this paragraph. **

       (2) "Labor organization" includes: **

          (i) an organization of any kind, an agency, or an employee representation committee, group, association, or plan: **

             1. in which employees participate; and **

             2. that exists, wholly or partly, for the purpose of dealing with employers concerning grievances, labor disputes, wages, rates of pay, hours, or other terms or conditions of employment; and **

          (ii) a conference, general committee, joint or system board, or joint council that is subordinate to a national or international labor organization.

    REVISOR'S NOTE
     
       This subsection is new language derived without substantive change from former Art. 49B, § 15(d).

    REVISOR'S NOTE
     
       In paragraph (2)(ii) and the introductory language of paragraph (2)(i) of this subsection, the former phrase "so engaged" is deleted as unnecessary in light of the reference to a labor organization "engaged in an industry" in paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection.

    "Employee"                                                             § 20-601
     
       "Employer"                                                          § 20-601
     
       "Includes"                                                           § 1-101

    **

    (i) Religion. -- "Religion" includes all aspects of religious observances, practice, and belief.

    REVISOR'S NOTE
     
       This subsection is new language derived without substantive change from the first two clauses of former Art. 49B, § 15(f).

    DEFINED TERM:
     

       "Includes"                                                           § 1-101



HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 49B, § 15 intro. lang., (b)-(i); 2009, ch. 120, § 2; chs. 299, 300; 2013, chs. 547, 548.