Maryland Insurance Section 1-203
§ 1-203.
  (a)   (1)   In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
    (2)   "Certificate of guarantee" means an instrument that is issued:
      (i)   by a nonprofit association of contractors, or its wholly owned subsidiary that is approved to operate by Calvert County, Charles County, Prince George's County, Montgomery County, or St. Mary's County, as appropriate; and
      (ii)   on behalf of a contractor for the purpose of satisfying:
        1.   county bond requirements for public improvements; or
        2.   other county bond requirements.
    (3)   "Contractor" means a person that, for a fixed price, commission, fee, or percentage, undertakes to bid on or accepts or offers to accept orders or contracts to perform or supervise the construction, improvement, or maintenance of a building, structure, or road.
  (b)   This article does not apply to a certificate of guarantee.
  (c)   Calvert County, Charles County, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and St. Mary's County:
    (1)   may honor certificates of guarantee; but
    (2)   are not required under this article to honor certificates of guarantee.