1. (a) In this article, unless the context requires otherwise, the following words have the meanings indicated.

   (a-1) “Active duty” has the meaning stated in § 9-901 of the State Government Article.

   (a-2) “Active service member” has the meaning stated in § 9-901 of the State Government Article.

2. (b) “Any state” means:

   1. (1) Any state, possession, or territory of the United States;
   2. (2) The District of Columbia; and

   3. (3) The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

      (b-1) “Armed forces” has the meaning stated in § 9-901 of the State Government Article.

3. (c) “County” means a county of this State and includes Baltimore City.
4. (d) “County board” means the board of education of a county and includes the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners.
5. (e) “County superintendent” means the county superintendent of schools of a county and includes the Chief Executive Officer of the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners.
6. (f) “Department” means the State Department of Education.
7. (g) “Elementary and secondary education” means education and programs of education from and including preschool through the end of high school and their equivalent.
8. (h) “Includes” or “including” means includes or including by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

9. (i) “Person” includes:

   1. (1) An individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, executor, administrator, fiduciary, or representative of any kind and any partnership, firm, association, public or private corporation, or other entity; and
   2. (2) The State, any county, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of this State, and any of their agencies or units.
10. (j) “Property” means any real or personal property or any interest in real or personal property.

11. (k) “Public schools” means the schools in the public elementary and secondary education system of this State.

    (k-1) “Reserve component” has the meaning stated in § 9-901 of the State Government Article.

12. (l) “State Board” means the State Board of Education.
13. (m) “State Superintendent” means the State Superintendent of Schools.
14. (n) “Uniformed services” has the meaning stated in § 9-901 of the State Government Article.
15. (o) “Veteran” has the meaning stated in § 9-901 of the State Government Article.

Added by Acts 1978, c. 22, § 2, eff. July 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1991, c. 662, § 1; Acts 1995, c. 370, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, c. 435, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, c. 105, § 1, eff. June 1, 1997; Acts 1997, c. 542, § 1, eff. June 1, 1997; Acts 1999, c. 384, § 1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 1999, c. 385, § 1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 2002, c. 289, § 3, eff. June 1, 2002; Acts 2002, c. 545, § 1, eff. June 1, 2002; Acts 2003, c. 53, § 4, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2004, c. 530, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2004; Acts 2006, c. 133, § 1, eff. June 1, 2006; Acts 2008, c. 367, § 1, eff. July 1, 2008; Acts 2008, c. 368, § 1, eff. July 1, 2008; Acts 2013, c. 533, § 1, eff. July 1, 2013; Acts 2017, c. 328, § 1, eff. June 1, 2017; Acts 2018, c. 381, § 1, eff. July 1, 2018; Acts 2018, c. 563, § 1, eff. July 1, 2018; Acts 2018, c. 564, § 1, eff. July 1, 2018; Acts 2019, c. 512, § 1, eff. July 1, 2019; Acts 2019, c. 595, § 1, eff. July 1, 2019; Acts 2019, c. 596, § 1, eff. July 1, 2019; Acts 2025, c. 255, § 1, eff. July 1, 2025; Acts 2025, c. 256, § 1, eff. July 1, 2025; Acts 2026, c. 161, § 1, eff. April 28, 2026.

Formerly Art. 77, §§ 1, 1A, 142.