§23–605.

    (a)    (1)    An employee organization that is seeking certification as the exclusive representative of a bargaining unit shall submit a petition to the Director that includes the signatures of at least 30% of the eligible employees in the bargaining unit indicating the wish to be represented exclusively by the employee organization specified in the petition for the purpose of collective bargaining.

        (2)    An employee organization that submits a petition to the Director under paragraph (1) of this subsection may not discriminate with regard to terms or conditions of membership because of gender, color, creed, race, national origin, religion, sexual preference, gender identity, or political affiliation.

    (b)    If the Director does not challenge the validity of the petition within 30 days after the Director receives the petition, the petition shall be submitted to the State Mediation and Conciliation Service for the purpose of holding a consent election and certification of the employee organization in accordance with Title 4, Subtitle 2, Part II of the Labor and Employment Article.

    (c)    If the Director challenges the validity of the petition, either the employer or the employee organization may submit a request to the State Mediation and Conciliation Service to determine the validity of the petition and whether to conduct a consent election and certify the employee organization in accordance with Title 4, Subtitle 2, Part II of the Labor and Employment Article.

    (d)    Any costs associated with this section shall be shared equally by the employer and the employee organization specified in the petition.