Maryland Code § ABC-3-504

Section ABC-3-504
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(a) In this section, "alcohol awareness program" means a program that:
(1) includes instruction on how alcohol affects an individual's
behavior and body;
(2) provides education on the dangers of drinking and driving; and
(3) defines effective methods to:
(i) determine whether a customer is under the legal drinking
age;
(ii) serve customers to minimize the chance of intoxication;
and
(iii) stop service before a customer becomes intoxicated.
(b) (1) This section applies to:
(i) a licensed premises that sells alcoholic beverages to a
customer from a bar or service bar on the premises; and

(ii) a premises licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for off-
premises consumption.
(2) This section does not apply to:
(i) a temporary license;
(ii) a Class E (on-sale) water vessel license;
(iii) a Class F (on-sale) railroad license; or
(iv) a Class G (on-sale) airplane license.
(c) The Executive Director:
(1) shall approve, certify, and issue an alcohol awareness program
permit to each alcohol awareness program that complies with this section; and
(2) may require recertification of the approved alcohol awareness
program to ensure compliance with changes in the program.
(d) Before an individual may teach an alcohol awareness program, the
individual shall obtain an alcohol awareness instructor's permit.
(e) A holder of any retail alcoholic beverages license or an employee
designated by the holder shall complete training in an approved alcohol awareness
program.
(f) (1) (i) For each completion of a certified alcohol awareness
program, the alcohol awareness program provider shall issue a certificate of
completion that is valid for 4 years from the date of issuance.
(ii) The holder or employee shall complete retraining in an
approved alcohol awareness program for each successive 4-year period.
(iii) On request, a valid certificate shall be presented to the
proper authority.
(2) Within 5 days after a license holder, an owner of an unlicensed
establishment, or an employee of a license holder or owner of an unlicensed
establishment is sent a certificate of completion, the alcohol awareness program
provider shall inform the appropriate local licensing board of:

(i) the individual's name, address, and certification date; and
(ii) the name and address of the licensed establishment or
unlicensed establishment.
(g) The Executive Director may decertify the alcohol awareness program of
an alcohol awareness program provider who violates subsection (c), (d), or (f) of this
section.
(h) (1) Each local licensing board shall enforce this section.
(2) A license holder who violates subsection (e) of this section is
subject to:
(i) for the first offense, a $100 fine; and
(ii) for each subsequent offense, a fine not to exceed $500 or a
suspension or revocation of the license or both.
(i) (1) This section does not create or enlarge a civil cause of action or
criminal proceeding against a license holder.
(2) Evidence of a violation of this section:
(i) may only be used as evidence before the local licensing
board in an action brought before the local licensing board for a violation of this
section; and
(ii) may not be introduced in a civil or criminal proceeding.

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