Maryland Criminal Law Section 9-607

      (a)      In this part the following words have the meanings indicated.

      (b)      "Alarm system" means a burglary alarm system, robbery alarm system, or automatic fire alarm system.

      (c)      (1)      "Alarm system contractor" means a person who installs, maintains, monitors, alters, or services alarm systems.

            (2)      "Alarm system contractor" does not include a person who only manufactures or sells alarm systems.

      (d)      "Alarm user" means:

            (1)      a person in control of an alarm system within, on, or around any building, structure, facility, or site; or

            (2)      the owner or lessee of an alarm system.

      (e)      (1)      "False alarm" means a request for immediate assistance from a law enforcement unit or fire department regardless of cause that is not in response to an actual emergency situation or threatened suggested criminal activity.

            (2)      "False alarm" includes:

                  (i)      a negligently or accidentally activated signal;

                  (ii)      a signal that is activated as the result of faulty, malfunctioning, or improperly installed or maintained equipment; and

                  (iii)      a signal that is purposely activated in a nonemergency situation.

            (3)      "False alarm" does not include:

                  (i)      a signal activated by unusually severe weather conditions or other causes beyond the control of the alarm user or alarm system contractor; or

                  (ii)      a signal activated within 60 days after a new installation of an alarm system.

      (f)      "Law enforcement unit" means the Department of State Police, the police department of a county or municipal corporation, and a sheriff's department or other governmental law enforcement unit having employees authorized to make arrests.

      (g)      "Signal" means the activation of an alarm system that requests a response by a law enforcement unit or a fire department.