2023 Maryland Statutes
Criminal Law
Title 6 - Crimes Against Property
Subtitle 3 - Malicious Destruction and Related Crimes
Section 6-304 - Public Utility Interference -- Gas Equipment

Universal Citation:
MD. Criminal Law Code § 6-304 (2023)
Learn more This media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.

    (a)    In this section, “gas company” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of the Public Utilities Article.

    (b)    (1)    A person may not wrongfully and maliciously damage, connect, disconnect, tap, or interfere or tamper with material, equipment, or facilities of a gas company.

        (2)    A person may not intentionally damage or defraud a gas company by:

            (i)    bypassing a meter provided for registering the gas consumed;

            (ii)    willfully tampering with, damaging, or preventing the action of a meter to register gas; or

            (iii)    causing or procuring a meter to be damaged or altered.

    (c)    Prima facie evidence of a violation of this section by the person who would directly benefit from the use of the gas passing through the meter includes:

        (1)    a device that allows the use of gas supplied by a gas company without the gas being registered on a meter provided by the gas company; and

        (2)    damage or alteration to a meter so as to prevent the action of the meter.

    (d)    A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding $250 or both.

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