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Ratzlaf v. United States, 510 U.S. 135, 147-48 (1994); see Raplee v. United States, 842 F.3d 328,
332 (4th Cir. 2016) (“If the meaning of the text is plain . . . that meaning controls.”).
The Fourth Circuit has instructed that, when interpreting a state statute, a federal court
should “apply the statutory construction rules applied by the state’s highest court.” In re DNA Ex
Post Facto Issues, 561 F.3d 294, 300 (4th Cir. 2009); see Carolina Trucks & Equip., Inc. v. Volvo
Trucks of N. Am., Inc., 492 F.3d 484, 489 (4th Cir. 2007). Both Maryland and Illinois follow
general rules of statutory interpretation. Johnson v. Mayor & City Council of Balt., 430 Md. 368,
377, 61 A.3d 33, 38 (2013); Hadley v. Ill. Dep't of Corrections, 224 Ill.2d 365, 309 Ill. Dec. 296,
864 N.E.2d 162, 165 (2007).
In Maryland, the “‘cardinal rule of statutory interpretation is to ascertain and effectuate the
real and actual intent of the General Assembly.’” Conaway v. State, 464 Md. 505, 523 212 A.3d
348, 358 (2017) (citation omitted); see Deville v. State, 383 Md. 217, 223, 858 A.2d 484, 487
(2004). Courts first examine “‘the plain meaning of the statutory language[.]’” Johnson v. Mayor
& City Counsil of Balt., 430 Md. 368, 377, 61 A.3d 33, 38 (citation omitted). If the language “‘is
clear and unambiguous, and consistent with both the broad purposes of the legislation, and the
specific purpose of the provision being interpreted, [the] inquiry is at an end.’” Id. (citation
omitted). However, if the statute’s “‘language is ambiguous or unclear, [courts] seek to discern
the intent of the legislature from surrounding circumstances, such as legislative history, prior case
law, and the purposes upon which the statutory framework was based.’” Id. (citation omitted).
The statutory language “‘must be viewed within the context of the statutory scheme to
which it belongs, considering the purpose, aim, or policy of the Legislature in enacting the
statute.’” In re J.C.N., 460 Md. 371, 391, 190 A.3d 329, 341 (2018) (citation omitted). And, a
court should strive to “avoid a construction of the statute that is unreasonable, illogical, or