(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section and otherwise provided in this article, a person may not knowingly allow the consumption, possession, or transfer of alcoholic beverages in an establishment that is a restaurant, tavern, hotel, club, dance studio, disco, or place of public entertainment if:
(1) the establishment is not licensed by the Board;
(2) the person possesses or controls the establishment as owner, lessee, or user; and
(3) the establishment is:
(i) open to the public or licensed by the State; or
(ii) licensed by the State or a county unit other than the Board.
(b) (1) The prohibition under subsection (a) of this section does not apply to:
(i) the room of a registered guest in a hotel, motel, or hospice; or
(ii) the property of:
1. a volunteer fire company;
2. a catering establishment;
3. a community or civic association;
4. a swim club;
5. a social, civic, nonprofit, charitable, fraternal, patriotic, educational, or public service organization; or
6. a religious institution that has been in existence for at least 3 years.
(2) The Board may exempt a place similar to one listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection on a case–by–case basis.
(3) The Board shall adopt regulations to administer this subsection.
(c) An owner, a manager, or an employee of an establishment subject to the prohibitions of this section who knowingly allows the prohibited consumption in violation of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000.
Structure Maryland Statutes