Terms Used In Maryland Code, LOCAL GOVERNMENT 13-104

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • County: means a county of the State or Baltimore City. See
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • state: means :

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

    (2) the District of Columbia. See
(a) In this section, “service dog” means a dog that is professionally trained to aid individuals who are:

(1) blind or visually impaired;

(2) deaf or hard of hearing; or

(3) mobility impaired.

(b) If an application meets the requirements of subsection (c) of this section and the local licensing agency is satisfied that the dog for which a license is sought is a service dog and is actually in use as a service dog:

(1) the dog owner is not required to pay a fee for issuance of the license; and

(2) the local licensing agency shall inscribe across the face of the license in red ink the words “service dog”.

(c) (1) An application for a license for a service dog shall be accompanied by an affidavit from the owner stating that:

(i) the dog for which the license is sought has been professionally trained as a service dog; and

(ii) the owner is aware that the owner may be liable, under § 7-705 of the Human Services Article, for damages caused by the service dog to premises or facilities.

(2) The local licensing agency in each county shall make forms available for affidavits required under this subsection.

(d) (1) In addition to any tag issued under Part II of this subtitle, the local licensing agency shall issue a tag for a service dog.

(2) A service dog tag shall:

(i) be orange;

(ii) be labeled “service dog”; and

(iii) indicate that it is issued by the State.

(3) In accordance with § 4-316 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, the Department of General Services shall purchase the service dog tags and make them available to the counties on reimbursement for the cost of the tags.