(2002)

Dear William W. Sondervan, Ed.D.

You have requested our opinion whether the Division of Correction ("DOC") may require that applicants for correctional officer positions in its facilities be at least 21 years old. You note that the Correctional Training Commission ("CTC") recently amended its regulations setting selection standards for correctional officers to lower the minimum age for entry-level positions from 21 to 18.

A DOC policy that required an applicant to be at least 21 years old would violate the Maryland statute that prohibits age discrimination in employment unless the DOC could…