Debbie -
Where in MD are you? It actually is the county or city that dictates the code to follow, not the state. A municipality may follow any of the different years of NEC code, modify it as they see fit, etc. In Anne Arundel when my tub was installed they followed an older version of NEC code. I believe now they instituted 2002 code, which says minimum 5 feet, within sight, but also includes the requirement for a GFCI outlet within a certain distance (don't remember how far). May have the years wrong, but you get the idea. Bottom line, call the county or city and ask them, they will be the ones issuing the permit/inspecting/etc.