2020 Maryland Statutes
Criminal Law
Title 8 - Fraud and Related Crimes
Subtitle 5 - Public Fraud
Part III - Other Public Fraud
Section 8-520 - Fundraising

    (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.