2013 Maryland Code
CRIMINAL LAW
§ 8-520 - Fundraising

§8-520.

(a) In this section, “public safety officer” means:

(1) a police officer;

(2) a paid or volunteer fire fighter;

(3) an emergency medical technician;

(4) a rescue squad member;

(5) the State Fire Marshal; or

(6) a sworn officer of the State Fire Marshal.

(b) This section does not prohibit, limit, or interfere with the right of an off-duty public safety officer who is not in uniform from participating in a charitable or other fundraising campaign.

(c) A person may not encourage, solicit, or receive contributions of money or any thing of value for, or offer any thing for sale in, a charitable or other fundraising campaign by representing to the public that the charitable or other fundraising campaign is approved by:

(1) a police or fire department in the State without the prior written consent of the chief administrative officer of the police or fire department or from the chief administrative officer’s designee; or

(2) a public safety officer or member of the family of a public safety officer without the prior written consent of the public safety officer or a family member of the public safety officer.

(d) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 60 days or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both for each violation.