Maryland Statutes
Subtitle 3 - Malicious Destruction and Related Crimes
Section 6-304 - Public Utility Interference -- Gas Equipment

(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.

Structure Maryland Statutes