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<section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="3-904" title_number="3" title_name="Other Crimes Against the Person" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Surveillance and Other Crimes Against Privacy">
  <level label="a">
    <text>The General Assembly declares that:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>the protection and preservation of the home is the keystone of democratic government;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>the public health and welfare and the good order of the community require that members of the community enjoy in their homes a feeling of well-being, tranquility, and privacy and, when absent from their homes, carry with them the sense of security inherent in the assurance that they may return to the enjoyment of their homes;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>the practice of picketing before or about residences and dwelling places causes emotional disturbance and distress to the occupants;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>the purpose of this practice is to harass the occupants of the residences and dwelling places;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>without resort to this practice, full opportunity exists, and under the provisions of this article will continue to exist, for the exercise of freedom of speech and other constitutional rights; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>the provisions of this section are necessary in the public interest to avoid the detrimental results described in this subsection.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>This section does not prohibit:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>picketing or assembly in connection with a labor dispute, as defined in § 4-301 of the Labor and Employment Article;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>picketing in a lawful manner of a person’s home when it is also the person’s sole place of business; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>holding a meeting or assembly on any premises commonly used for the discussion of subjects of general public interest.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>A person may not intentionally assemble with another in a manner that disrupts a person’s right to tranquility in the person’s home.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $100 or both.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Each day on which a violation of this section occurs is a separate violation.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>In addition to the penalty provided in subsection (d) of this section, a circuit court:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>may enjoin conduct proscribed by this section; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>in the proceeding for injunctive relief, may award damages, including punitive damages, against any person found guilty of violating this section.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
