Title 7. Theft and Related Crimes — Subtitle 2. Unlawful Use of Goods
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 7-201 (2026)
Title 7. Theft and Related Crimes
Subtitle 2. Unlawful Use of Goods
§ 7–201LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This section applies only to a wheeled cart or other similar device that is clearly marked with the name and address of its owner and if notice of this section is clearly and prominently displayed at each public exit from the grocery store, store, or market that owns the wheeled cart or other similar device.
(b)
(1)
A person may not:
(i)
without the permission of the owner or agent of the owner, remove a wheeled cart or other similar device provided for the purpose of assembling or carrying purchased materials from a grocery store, store, or market, including its parking facilities;
(ii)
damage any wheeled cart or other device owned by the grocery store, store, or market from which the cart was obtained; or
(iii)
abandon a wheeled cart or other device on the streets or alleys of the State.
(2)
A person may abandon a wheeled cart or other device on the parking facilities of the grocery store, store, or market from which the cart was obtained.
(c)
A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $25 for each violation.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 7-202 (2026)
Title 7. Theft and Related Crimes
Subtitle 2. Unlawful Use of Goods
§ 7–202LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A bailee for hire, or a servant, agent, or employee of the bailee, may not willfully appropriate and use, or allow the appropriation and use of, any property that is the subject matter of the bailment without the consent of the owner of that property.
(b)
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 $100 or both.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 7-203 (2026)
Title 7. Theft and Related Crimes
Subtitle 2. Unlawful Use of Goods
§ 7–203LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Without the permission of the owner, a person may not take and carry away from the premises or out of the custody of another or use of the other, or the other’s agent, or a governmental unit any property, including:
(1)
a vehicle;
(2)
a motor vehicle;
(3)
a vessel; or
(4)
livestock.
(b)
A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction:
(1)
is subject to imprisonment for not less than 6 months and not exceeding 4 years or a fine not less than $50 and not exceeding $100 or both; and
(2)
shall restore the property taken and carried away in violation of this section or, if unable to restore the property, shall pay to the owner the full value of the property.
(c)
It is not a defense to this section that the person intends to hold or keep the property for the person’s present use and not with the intent of appropriating or converting the property.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 7-204 (2026)
Title 7. Theft and Related Crimes
Subtitle 2. Unlawful Use of Goods
§ 7–204LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A person may not use, distribute, manufacture, duplicate, or possess keys capable of being used in locks in or on real property that the State owns or leases unless the use, distribution, manufacture, duplication, or possession is in accordance with the regulations adopted under subsection (c) of this section.
(b)
A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500 for each violation.
(c)
(1)
The Department of General Services shall adopt regulations to govern the use, distribution, manufacture, duplication, and possession of keys capable of being used in locks in or on real property that the State owns or leases.
(2)
Each key subject to the regulations adopted under this subsection shall be clearly identified by:
(i)
the words “do not duplicate” or “unlawful to duplicate”; and
(ii)
a symbol indicating State ownership.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 7-205 (2026)
Title 7. Theft and Related Crimes
Subtitle 2. Unlawful Use of Goods
§ 7–205LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A person who leases or rents a motor vehicle under an agreement to return the motor vehicle at the end of the leasing or rental period may not abandon the motor vehicle or refuse or willfully neglect to return it.
(b)
(1)
A person may not be prosecuted under this section if, within 5 days after a written demand for the return of the motor vehicle is mailed by regular mail and certified United States mail, return receipt requested, to the person who leased or rented the motor vehicle at the last address known to the person who delivered the motor vehicle, the person returns or accounts for the motor vehicle to the person who delivered the motor vehicle.
(2)
A prosecution may not be started until 5 days after a written demand described in paragraph (1) of this subsection is mailed.
(c)
A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.