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Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a) This section does not apply:
(1) to alarm systems activated by weather conditions or causes beyond the control of the alarm user;
(2) in Frederick County if regulations are adopted under § 12-806 of the Local Government Article providing for the registration of alarm system contractors and alarm users, the issuance of civil citations, and penalties for a violation of a regulation;
(3) in Calvert County if the Board of County Commissioners of Calvert County adopts regulations under § 12-806 of the Local Government Article providing for the registration of alarm system contractors and alarm users, the issuance of civil citations, and penalties for a violation of a regulation; or
(4) in Washington County if the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County adopts regulations under § 12-806 of the Local Government Article providing for the registration of alarm system contractors and alarm users, the issuance of civil citations, and penalties for a violation of a regulation.
(b) An alarm system that is activated more than once within a 12-hour period when a premises with an alarm system is unoccupied and that is not in response to an actual emergency situation or threatened suggested criminal activity constitutes one false alarm if:
(1) access to the building is provided to the alarm system contractor; and
(2) an alarm system contractor or an employee of an alarm system contractor responds to the activated alarm system.
(c)(1) A law enforcement unit or fire department may issue a civil citation to an alarm user for the negligent or accidental activation of an alarm system as a result of faulty, malfunctioning, or improperly installed or maintained equipment or for a false alarm if the number of activations or false alarms to which the law enforcement unit or fire department responds exceeds:
(i) three responses within a 30-day period; or
(ii) eight responses within a 12-month period.
(2) A civil citation issued under this section shall assess a penalty of $30 for each negligent or accidental activation or false alarm.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Maryland Code, Criminal Law § 9-609 - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/md/criminal-law/md-code-crim-law-sect-9-609/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
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