NOTTINGHAM, MD—Baltimore County Councilman David Marks on Monday announced the passage of Bill 72-23, which exempts fast food restaurants and pharmacies from any charges related to the Bring Your Own Bag Act.

The legislation, which the Baltimore County Council passed by a vote of 6-to-1, can be found online here (PDF).

The legislation adds package bulk items, pharmacies, and fast food restaurants to the list of exempted businesses. Restaurants often need paper bags to avoid food contamination.

Councilman Marks also supported exempting liquor stores and other small businesses.

“We would like to thank Councilman Marks for working hard for this legislation,” said Gary Rissling, owner of Silver Spring Mining Company.

“Restaurants such as McDonald’s and Chick-Fil-A are not required to charge anyone for a paper bag. The bill says so, and the County Executive confirmed it on WBAL-Radio last week,” Councilman Marks told NottinghamMD.com on Monday morning. “They are wrongly assessing the fee, which they collect themselves. Baltimore County receives no revenue.”