§ 20-101

(a) In Subtitles 1 through 11 of this title the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) “Commission” means the Commission on Civil Rights.

(c) “Complainant” means a person that files a complaint alleging a discriminatory act under this title.

(d) “Discriminatory act” means an act prohibited under:

(1) Subtitle 3 of this title (Discrimination in Places of Public Accommodation);

(2) Subtitle 4 of this title (Discrimination by Persons Licensed or Regulated by Maryland Department of Labor);

(3) Subtitle 5 of this title (Discrimination in Leasing of Commercial Property);

(4) Subtitle 6 of this title (Discrimination in Employment);

(5) Subtitle 7 of this title (Discrimination in Housing); or

(6) Subtitle 8 of this title (Aiding, Abetting, or Attempting Discriminatory Act; Obstructing Compliance).

(e) “Gender identity” means the gender–related identity, appearance, expression, or behavior of a person, regardless of the person’s assigned sex at birth, which may be demonstrated by:

(1) consistent and uniform assertion of the person’s gender identity; or

(2) any other evidence that the gender identity is sincerely held as part of the person’s core identity.

(f) “Military status” means the status of being:

(1) a member of the uniformed services;

(2) a member of a reserve component of the uniformed services; or

(3) a dependent, as defined in 50 U.S.C. § 3911(4).

(g) “Protective hairstyle” includes braids, twists, and locks.

(h) “Race” includes traits associated with race, including hair texture, afro hairstyles, and protective hairstyles.

(i) (1) “Respondent” means a person accused in a complaint of a discriminatory act.

(2) “Respondent” includes a person identified during an investigation of a complaint and joined as an additional or substitute respondent.

(j) “Sexual orientation” means the identification of an individual as to male or female homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality.