§ 5-6C-01

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

(b) “Benefit corporation” means a Maryland corporation that elects to be a benefit corporation in accordance with § 5–6C–03 of this subtitle and has not ceased to be a benefit corporation through the operation of § 5–6C–04 of this subtitle.

(c) “General public benefit” means a material, positive impact on society and the environment, as measured by a third–party standard, through activities that promote a combination of specific public benefits.

(d) “Specific public benefit” includes:

(1) Providing individuals or communities with beneficial products or services;

(2) Promoting economic opportunity for individuals or communities beyond the creation of jobs in the normal course of business;

(3) Preserving the environment;

(4) Improving human health;

(5) Promoting the arts, sciences, or advancement of knowledge;

(6) Increasing the flow of capital to entities with a public benefit purpose; or

(7) The accomplishment of any other particular benefit for society or the environment.

(e) “Third–party standard” means a standard for defining, reporting, and assessing best practices in corporate social and environmental performance that:

(1) Is developed by a person or entity that is independent of the benefit corporation; and

(2) Is transparent because the following information about the standard is publicly available or accessible:

(i) The factors considered when measuring the performance of a business;

(ii) The relative weightings of those factors; and

(iii) The identity of the persons who developed and control changes to the standard and the process by which those changes were made.