(a) The Department, in coordination with the Department of the Environment, shall: (1) Establish a program to certify a person to verify whether an agricultural operation meets and is in compliance with the requirements of this subtitle; (2) Maintain a list of all certified verifiers; and (3) Publish the list of all certified verifiers on the Department’s Web site. (b) (1) The certification program shall provide verifiers with the training and education necessary to determine whether an agricultural operation is in compliance with the Program. (2) A certified verifier may not verify an agricultural operation: (i) In which the certified verifier holds an interest, as defined by regulation; or (ii) That the certified verifier initially determined had met the requirements under § 8–1004 of this subtitle. (c) In establishing the certification program, the Department may: (1) Charge reasonable fees, including an annual certification fee, to cover the costs associated with the certification program; (2) Require continuing education or training for verifiers; (3) Designate an entity to train, certify, and recertify verifiers; and (4) Recognize the training program of an entity employing program; (2) Require continuing education or training for verifiers; (3) Designate an entity to train, certify, and recertify verifiers; and (4) Recognize the training program of an entity employing verifiers if the program meets the certification and recertification training and education standards established by the Department.
Maryland Legal Code