(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) 'Authorized instructor' means an instructor at a qualified institution of higher education who: (i) teaches a course or program in enology, fermenting, brewing, or hospitality and tourism; and (ii) is at least 21 years old. (3) 'Qualified institution of higher education' means an institution of postsecondary education that: (i) generally limits enrollment to graduates of secondary schools; (ii) awards degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, or graduate level; and (iii) offers courses or programs in enology, fermenting, brewing, or hospitality and tourism. (4) 'Qualified student' means a student who is: (i) at least 18 years old and under the age of 21 years; and (ii) enrolled in a course or program in enology, fermenting, brewing, or hospitality and tourism offered by a qualified institution of higher education. (5) (i) 'Taste' means to draw an alcoholic beverage into the mouth. (ii) 'Taste' does not include swallowing or otherwise consuming an alcoholic beverage. (b) A qualified student may taste an alcoholic beverage if: (1) the qualified student: (i) tastes the alcoholic beverage: 1. does not include swallowing or otherwise consuming an alcoholic beverage. (b) A qualified student may taste an alcoholic beverage if: (1) the qualified student: (i) tastes the alcoholic beverage: 1. for educational purposes as part of a course or program in enology, fermenting, brewing, or hospitality and tourism that the qualified student is enrolled in at a qualified institution of higher education; and 2. only during the dates and times of the enology, fermenting, brewing, or hospitality and tourism course or program; and (ii) spits the alcoholic beverage out after tasting the alcoholic beverage; (2) an authorized instructor offers the alcoholic beverage only during the dates and times of the enology, fermenting, brewing, or hospitality and tourism course or program; and (3) the alcoholic beverage remains under the control of an authorized instructor. (c) A qualified institution of higher education is not required to obtain a permit or license issued under this article to allow a qualified student to taste an alcoholic beverage in accordance with this section if the qualified institution does not impose an extra fee or charge for the alcoholic beverage tasted by a qualified a qualified student to taste an alcoholic beverage in accordance with this section if the qualified institution does not impose an extra fee or charge for the alcoholic beverage tasted by a qualified student.
Maryland Legal Code