Annotated Code - Terminology - Clergy and Churches, Faith Institutions, and Places of Worship

HB 36 updates Maryland's legal terminology to replace outdated terms like "clergyman" with "member of the clergy" and "church" with "faith institution" or "place of worship" across multiple sections of the Annotated Code. It specifically revises references in laws covering alcohol permits (e.g., § 26-904), cemetery ownership (e.g., § 5-602), religious corporations (e.g., § 5-301), and other areas like health, labor, and property. The bill directly affects how state laws describe religious entities, ensuring consistent language that includes diverse faith groups (e.g., explicitly adding "Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, or Hindu congregation" to the definition of "faith institution"). This is a procedural terminology update with no new policy changes or rights granted.