Signed by Governor Martin O'Malley

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity, effective October 1, 2014.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an employer, employment agency, or labor organization from discriminating against any individual based on gender identity (Sec. 2).

• Defines “gender identity” as the gender-related identity, appearance, expression, or behavior of an individual, regardless of the individual’s assigned sex at birth (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that gender identity can be demonstrated in the following ways (Sec. 2):
• A consistent and uniform assertion of an individual’s gender identity; or
• Any other evidence that the gender identity is sincerely held as part of an individual’s core identity.

• Prohibits an individual from willfully injuring, intimidating, interfering with, or attempting to injure, intimidate, or interfere with another individual because of gender identity (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits an individual whose business involves real-estate transactions from engaging in discriminatory practices in residential housing (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits an owner, operator, agent, or employee of a “place of public accommodation” from refusing, withholding, or denying to any individual any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, or privileges of the “place of public accommodation” because of an individual’s gender identity (Sec. 2).

• Defines “place of public accommodation” as one of the following locations, including, but not limited to (Sec. 2):
• An inn, hotel, motel, or other establishment that provides lodging to transient guests;
• A restaurant, cafeteria, or another facility principally engaged in selling food or alcoholic beverages for consumption on or off the premises; or
• A theater, concert hall, stadium, or other place of exhibition or entertainment.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill do not apply to “private facilities” in places of public accommodation where an “equivalent private space” is available (Sec. 2). 

• Defines “private facility” as a facility that (Sec. 2):
• Is designed to accommodate only a particular sex;
• Is designed to be used simultaneously by more than one individual of the same sex; or
• Is designed for individuals to disrobe in view of other individuals.

• Exempts a private club or other establishment that is not open to the public from being required to comply with this provision, including an establishment that provides lodging to transient guests that meet the following requirements (Sec. 2):
• The establishment has 5 or less rooms for rent or hire; and
• The establishment is also the proprietor’s residence.

• Exempts religious corporations, associations, educational institutions, and societies from the provisions of this bill (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity, effective October 1, 2014.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an employer, employment agency, or labor organization from discriminating against any individual based on gender identity (Sec. 2).

• Defines “gender identity” as the gender-related identity, appearance, expression, or behavior of an individual, regardless of the individual’s assigned sex at birth (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that gender identity can be demonstrated in the following ways (Sec. 2):
• A consistent and uniform assertion of an individual’s gender identity; or
• Any other evidence that the gender identity is sincerely held as part of an individual’s core identity.

• Prohibits an individual from willfully injuring, intimidating, interfering with, or attempting to injure, intimidate, or interfere with another individual because of gender identity (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits an individual whose business involves real-estate transactions from engaging in discriminatory practices in residential housing (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits an owner, operator, agent, or employee of a “place of public accommodation” from refusing, withholding, or denying to any individual any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, or privileges of the “place of public accommodation” because of an individual’s gender identity (Sec. 2).

• Defines “place of public accommodation” as one of the following locations, including, but not limited to (Sec. 2):
• An inn, hotel, motel, or other establishment that provides lodging to transient guests;
• A restaurant, cafeteria, or another facility principally engaged in selling food or alcoholic beverages for consumption on or off the premises; or
• A theater, concert hall, stadium, or other place of exhibition or entertainment.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill do not apply to “private facilities” in places of public accommodation where an “equivalent private space” is available (Sec. 2). 

• Defines “private facility” as a facility that (Sec. 2):
• Is designed to accommodate only a particular sex;
• Is designed to be used simultaneously by more than one individual of the same sex; or
• Is designed for individuals to disrobe in view of other individuals.

• Exempts a private club or other establishment that is not open to the public from being required to comply with this provision, including an establishment that provides lodging to transient guests that meet the following requirements (Sec. 2):
• The establishment has 5 or less rooms for rent or hire; and
• The establishment is also the proprietor’s residence.

• Exempts religious corporations, associations, educational institutions, and societies from the provisions of this bill (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text