1. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

2. B. Terms Defined.

   1. (1) “Business day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday, State Holiday, or day on which State administrative offices are closed.
   2. (2) “Ceremonial meal” means a religious meal associated with the commemoration of a formal religious or sacred observance.
   3. (3) “Chief Medical Officer (CMO)” means the highest ranking healthcare professional responsible for the administration of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services’ (Department’s) medical, mental, and dental healthcare services.
   4. (4) “Commissary manager” means the individual responsible for a facility commissary or the Department contract monitor for a commissary vendor.
   5. (5) “Enhanced meal” means a dinner meal with additional portions of food provided in addition to the regular meal to meet the minimum daily nutritional needs during a religious observance of fasting.
   6. (6) “Halal diet” means food that is certified by a recognized Muslim Certification Agency.
   7. (7) “Health Services Administrator (HSA)” means a medical professional responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the healthcare operations within a healthcare facility.

   8. (8) “High religious observance” means the:

      1. (a) Jewish high holy days of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Passover; and
      2. (b) Islamic high holy month of Ramadan.
   9. (9) “Incarcerated individual” has the meaning stated in Correctional Services Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   10. (10) “Kosher diet” means food that is certified by a recognized Orthodox Jewish Certification Agency.
   11. (11) “Passover” means a holiday that celebrates the deliverance of the ancient Hebrews from slavery.
   12. (12) “Registered religious preference” is the faith group with which the incarcerated individual is affiliated within the Department’s Religious Services Program.

   13. (13) “Religious diet” means a dietary option that:

       1. (a) Meets or exceeds established nutritional standards based on the Dietary Reference Intake, Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine, Nutritional Academies, for ages 19—50 years old and above, with the exception of iron for pregnant females;
       2. (b) Conforms to dietary restrictions of the incarcerated individual’s designated faith group; and
       3. (c) Cannot be met by the Department’s standard menu.
   14. (14) “Religious Diet Program (RDP)” means a food services operation within the Department that is administered by the Chief of Religious Services and the Director of Food Services.
   15. (15) “Seasonal observance” means a worship or celebration recognized annually at a specific time of year, which, unlike a routine observance, has specific value to a particular religious group.

   16. (16) Seder Plate.

       1. (a) “Seder Plate” means a ceremonial plate for the Seder service that is separate from the special Passover meal and is provided during Passover Seder service.

       2. (b) “Seder Plate” for the Jewish, Messianic House of Yahweh, Assemblies of Yahweh, and Hebrew Israelites faith groups consists of:

          1. (i) Matzo;
          2. (ii) Roasted lamb bone;
          3. (iii) Bitter herb horseradish and romaine lettuce;
          4. (iv) Parsley and celery or boiled potato;
          5. (v) Chopped, mixed apples and nuts with grape juice; and
          6. (vi) A cup of salt water.

Authority: Correctional Services Article, §§2-109(c), 3-205, 4-208, and 5-201, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: March 12, 2018 (45:5 Md. R. 286)

Regulations .01—.11 repealed and Regulations .01—.11 adopted effective February 16, 2026 (53:3 Md. R. 122)