1830

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 575

(1971 Replacement Volume and 1977 Supplement)

Preamble

Whereas, The General Assembly is concerned that

minority businesses may have experienced the effect of past

discrimination in the awarding or letting of contracts or

subcontracts for the purchase of materials, supplies,

equipment and services, including construction services, for
the benefit of the State; and

Whereas, __Such discrimination, although contrary to

State policy, may have been based solely on the minority
status of such businesses, and not on their competency; and

Whereas, The economic development and expansion of
minority enterprises may have been impeded thereby; and

Whereas, The General Assembly deems it necessary that
certain departments shall structure their contract

procedures so as to facilitate and encourage the award or

letting of at least 10% of their contracts and the

subcontracts which flow therefrom to competent minority

businesses; provided however, that nothing contained herein

shall be construed as intending to confer or as conferring

upon any minority business or any group or individual

representing a minority business, any right, privilege or

status cognizable by a court, including, but not limited to,
standing to challenge the award of any contract by or on

behalf of the State, its officials, employees or agents,

even where less than 10% of a department's contracts are

awarded to minority__businesses, it being the intention of

the General Assembly that this Act constitute a policy

direction to the Executive which is enforceable merely

through the oversight function of the General Assembly and
not through the judicial branch; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE II ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

Article 41 - Governor—Executive and
Administrative Departments

14F.

(A) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE
MEANINGS INDICATED:

(1) "DEPARTMENT" MEANS THE STATE DEPARTMENTS OF

AGRICULTURE, ASSESSMENTS AND TAXATION, BUDGET AND FISCAL

PLANNING, ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION,

GENERAL SERVICES, HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE, HUMAN

RESOURCES, LICENSING AND REGULATION, NATURAL RESOURCES,

PERSONNEL, PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, AND

TRANSPORTATION. EDUCATION, GENERAL SERVICES, AND

TRANSPORTATION, THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, AND THE