(a)    Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall obtain a permit with a Grade A or a manufactured grade classification from the Secretary before that person may:

(1)    Bring, send, or receive a milk product into this State for sale;

(2)    Offer a milk product for sale;

(3)    Give a milk product away;

(4)    Store a milk product; or

(5)    Transport a milk product.

(b)    A permit is required to:

(1)    Be a bobtailer;

(2)    Be a bulk milk hauler/sampler;

(3)    Be a certified industry dairy farm inspector;

(4)    Be a milk processor;

(5)    Be a milk processor – farmstead cheese producer;

(6)    Be a milk producer;

(7)    Operate a distribution station;

(8)    Operate a milk transportation company;

(9)    Operate a receiving station; or

(10)    Operate a transfer station.

(c)    A permit is not required for:

(1)    A milk producer who is outside the departmental inspection area if the raw milk from that milk producer is processed by a milk processor who holds a permit issued under this subtitle;

(2)    A bulk milk hauler/sampler who receives raw milk from outside the departmental inspection area;

(3)    A grocery store, restaurant, soda fountain, or similar establishment where milk products are served or sold at retail if:

(i)    The establishment complies with all applicable provisions of this subtitle and all applicable rules or regulations adopted under this subtitle; and

(ii)    The milk product is received from a permit holder; or

(4)    A bulk milk hauler/sampler who is transporting a sealed tanker and not producers’ samples.

(d)    The Secretary shall designate all permits with one of the following classifications, as required by rules and regulations:

(1)    Grade A milk; or

(2)    Manufactured milk.