Section 1-101 - Definitions. - Maryland Statutes

§ 1-101. Definitions.
 

(a)  In general.- In this article the following words have the meanings indicated. 
   
Revisor's Note.

This subsection is new language added as the standard introductory language to a definition section. 

(b)  County.- "County" means a county of the State or Baltimore City. 
   
Revisor's Note.

This subsection is new language added to indicate that a reference in this article to a "county" includes Baltimore City unless the reference specifically provides otherwise. 
 

Article 1, § 14(a) provides that "county" includes Baltimore City "unless such construction would be unreasonable". Because the word "unreasonable" in that section has been interpreted in various ways, the Human Services Article Review Committee decided that an explicit definition of "county" should be included in this article. 

(c)  Person.- "Person" means an individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, personal representative, fiduciary, representative of any kind, partnership, firm, association, corporation, or other entity. 
   
Revisor's Note.

This subsection is new language added to provide an express definition of the term "person". 
 

The definition of "person" in this subsection does not include a governmental entity or unit. The Court of Appeals of Maryland has held consistently that the word "person" in a statute does not include the State, its agencies, or subdivisions unless an intention to include these entities is made manifest by the legislature. See, e.g., Unnamed Physician v. Commission on Medical Discipline, 285 Md. 1, 12-14 (1979). 
 

As to the term "personal representative", see Art. 1, § 5. 

(d)  State.- "State" means: 

(1) a state, possession, territory, or commonwealth of the United States; or 

(2) the District of Columbia. 
   
Revisor's Note.

This subsection is new language added to provide an express definition of the term "state". This definition conforms to the definition of "state" in other revised articles of the Code. See, e.g., IN § 1-101(kk), PUC § 1-101(dd), SP § 1-101(o), CS § 1-101(n), and CR § 1-101(i). 
 

[2007, ch. 3, § 2.]