<section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-101" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Bad Checks"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Check” means a negotiable instrument that is not postdated at the time it is issued.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Drawer” means a person whose name appears on a check as the primary obligor, whether the actual signature on the check is that of the person or of another purportedly authorized to draw the check on the person’s behalf.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Funds” means money or credit.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Issue”, with respect to a check, means the act of a drawer or representative drawer who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>delivers the check or causes it to be delivered to a person who acquires a right against the drawer with respect to the check as a result of the delivery; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>draws the check with the intent that it be delivered to a person who on delivery would acquire a right assignable with respect to the check drawer and the check is delivered to that person.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Obtain” has the meaning stated in § 7-101 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Pass”, with respect to a check, means delivering the check by a payee, holder, or bearer of the check, if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the check was or purports to have been drawn and issued by a person other than the person delivering the check; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the delivery was made to a third person who acquires a right with respect to the check as a result of the delivery or for a purpose other than collection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“Property” has the meaning stated in § 7-101 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Representative drawer” means a person who signs a check as drawer in a representative capacity or as agent of the drawer.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <text>“Service” includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>labor or professional service;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>telecommunication, public utility, toll facility, or transportation services;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>lodging, entertainment, or restaurant service; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the use of computers, data processing, or other equipment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <text>“Value” has the meaning stated in § 7-103 of this article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-102" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Bad Checks"> <level label="a"> <text>For purposes of this subtitle, a drawer has insufficient funds with a drawee to cover a check when the drawer has with the drawee:</text> <level label="1"> <text>no account;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>only a closed account;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>no funds; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>funds in an amount that is less than the amount needed to cover the check.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A check dishonored for “no account” has been dishonored for “insufficient funds”.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-103" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Bad Checks"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not obtain property or services by issuing a check if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the person knows that there are insufficient funds with the drawee to cover the check and other outstanding checks;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the person intends or believes when issuing the check that payment will be refused by the drawee on presentment; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>payment of the check is refused by the drawee on presentment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not obtain property or services by issuing a check if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>when issuing the check, the person knows that the person or, in the case of a representative drawer, the person’s principal intends, without the consent of the payee, to stop or countermand the payment of the check, or otherwise to cause the drawee to disregard, dishonor, or refuse to recognize the check; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>payment is refused by the drawee on presentment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person may not issue a check if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the check is in payment for services provided or to be provided by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an employee of the drawer or representative drawer; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an independent contractor hired by the drawer or representative drawer;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the drawer or representative drawer:</text> <level label="i"> <text>intends or believes when issuing the check that payment will be refused by the drawee on presentment; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>knows that the drawer or, in the case of a representative drawer, the principal of the representative drawer has insufficient funds with the drawee to cover the check and other outstanding checks;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the employee of the drawer or representative drawer or an independent contractor hired by the drawer or representative drawer passes the check to a third person; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>payment is refused by the drawee on presentment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A person may not obtain property or services by passing a check if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the person knows that the drawer of the check has insufficient funds with the drawee to cover the check and other outstanding checks;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the person intends or believes when passing the check that payment will be refused by the drawee on presentment; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>payment of the check is refused by the drawee on presentment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A person may not obtain property or services by passing a check if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the person knows that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>payment of the check has been stopped or countermanded; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the drawee of the check will disregard, dishonor, or refuse to recognize the check; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>payment is refused by the drawee on presentment.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-104" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Bad Checks"> <level label="a"> <text>The drawer or representative drawer is presumed to know that there are insufficient funds whenever the drawer of a check has insufficient funds with the drawee to cover the check and other outstanding checks when issuing the check.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The drawer or representative drawer of a dishonored check is presumed to have intended or believed that the check would be dishonored on presentment if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the drawer had no account with the drawee when issuing the check; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>when issuing the check, the drawer had insufficient funds with the drawee to cover the check and other outstanding checks;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the check was presented to the drawee for payment not more than 30 days after the date of issuing the check; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the drawer had insufficient funds with the drawee at the time of presentment.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A notice of protest of a check, or a certificate under oath of an authorized representative of the drawee declaring the dishonor of a check, the drawer’s lack of an account, or that the drawer had insufficient funds introduced in evidence is presumptive evidence, that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the check was dishonored by the drawee; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the drawer had:</text> <level label="i"> <text>no account with the drawee when the check was issued; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>insufficient funds with the drawee at the time of presentment and issuing of the check.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The fact that a drawer or representative drawer, without the consent of the payee, stopped or countermanded the payment of the check, or otherwise caused the drawee to disregard, dishonor, or refuse to recognize the check without returning or tendering the return of the property obtained, is presumptive evidence that the drawer or representative drawer had the intent when issuing the check to stop or countermand payment or otherwise cause the drawee to disregard, dishonor, or refuse to recognize the check.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-105" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Bad Checks"> <level label="a"> <text>A person who obtains property or services by issuing or passing a check in violation of § 8-103 of this subtitle may not be prosecuted under this article, if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>other than falsely representing that there are sufficient funds with the drawee to cover the check, the issuing or passing of the check is not accompanied by a false representation; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the person who obtains the property or services makes the check good within 10 days after the drawee dishonors the check.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A prosecution may not be commenced against a person described in subsection (a) of this section earlier than 10 days after the drawee dishonors the check.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person who obtains property or services by issuing a check in violation of § 8-103 of this subtitle may be prosecuted immediately under this article, if the person issuing the check:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is the drawer; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>did not have an account with the drawee when the check was issued.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Unless specifically charged by the State, obtaining property or services with a value of less than $100 by issuing or passing a check in violation of § 8-103 of this subtitle, as provided in § 8-106(d) of this subtitle, may not be considered a lesser included crime of any other crime.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-106" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Bad Checks"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A person who obtains property or services with a value of at least $1,500 but less than $25,000 by issuing or passing a check in violation of § 8–103 of this subtitle is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person who obtains property or services with a value of at least $25,000 but less than $100,000 by issuing or passing a check in violation of § 8–103 of this subtitle is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $15,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A person who obtains property or services with a value of $100,000 or more by issuing or passing a check in violation of § 8–103 of this subtitle is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or a fine not exceeding $25,000 or both.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who obtains property or services by issuing or passing more than one check in violation of § 8–103 of this subtitle is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>each check that is issued is for at least $1,500 but less than $25,000 and is issued to the same person within a 30–day period; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the cumulative value of the property or services is at least $1,500 but less than $25,000.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except as provided in subsections (b) and (d) of this section, a person who obtains property or services with a value of at least $100 but less than $1,500 by issuing or passing a check in violation of § 8–103 of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>A person who obtains property or services with a value of less than $100 by issuing or passing a check in violation of § 8–103 of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>It is not a defense to the crime of obtaining property or services with a value of less than $100 by issuing or passing a check in violation of § 8–103 of this subtitle that the value of the property or services at issue is $100 or more.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-107" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Bad Checks"> <text>In addition to the penalties provided in § 8-106 of this subtitle, if a person obtains property or services by issuing or passing a check in violation of § 8-103 of this subtitle, on conviction, the court:</text> <level label="1"> <text>if the property has been recovered or is in the defendant’s possession or control, may order restoration of the property to any person with a property interest in it;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>to the extent that the property is not restored or compensation has not been provided for the services, may order restitution of the value of the property or services obtained to be paid to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>any person having a property interest in the property; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the person who provided the services; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>may order the defendant to pay a collection fee of up to $35, for each check, to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>any person with a property interest in the property; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the person who provided the services.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-108" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Bad Checks"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not pay a fine or cost imposed by a court by delivering a check issued by the person or another person if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the person knows that payment of the check has not been provided for; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>payment of the check is refused by the drawee on presentment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 60 days or a fine not exceeding $100 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-201" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Credit Card Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Cardholder” means the person named on the face of a credit card to whom or for whose benefit the credit card is issued by an issuer.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>“Credit card” means an instrument or device issued by an issuer for the use of a cardholder in obtaining money, goods, services, or anything of value on credit.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Credit card” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a debit card, access card, or other device for use by a cardholder to effect a transfer of funds through an electronic terminal, telephone, or computer;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a magnetic tape that orders or authorizes a financial institution to debit or credit an account; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a code, account number, or other means of account access that is not encoded or truncated and can be used to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>obtain money, goods, services, or anything of value; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>initiate a transfer of funds.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Credit card” does not include a check, draft, or similar paper instrument.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Issuer” means a business organization or financial institution that issues a credit card or the authorized agent of the business organization or financial institution.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-202" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Credit Card Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>If a person violates §§ 8-203 through 8-209 of this subtitle as part of one scheme or a continuing course of conduct, from the same or several sources:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the conduct may be considered as one violation; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the value of money, goods, services, or things of value may be aggregated in determining if the crime is a felony or a misdemeanor.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Sections 8-203 through 8-209 of this subtitle may not be construed to preclude the applicability of any other provision of the criminal law of this State that applies or may apply to any transaction that violates §§ 8-203 through 8-209 of this subtitle, unless that provision is inconsistent with §§ 8-203 through 8-209 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-203" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Credit Card Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not make or cause to be made, directly or indirectly, a false statement in writing about the identity of the person or of another to procure the issuance of a credit card:</text> <level label="1"> <text>knowing the statement to be false; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>with the intent that the statement be relied on.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 18 months or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-204" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Credit Card Crimes"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A person may not:</text> <level label="i"> <text>take a credit card from another, or from the possession, custody, or control of another without the consent of the cardholder; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>with knowledge that a credit card has been taken under the circumstances described in item (i) of this paragraph, receive the credit card with the intent to use it or sell or transfer it to another who is not the issuer or the cardholder.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person who violates this subsection is guilty of credit card theft.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A person may not receive a credit card that the person knows was lost, mislaid, or delivered under a mistake as to the identity or address of the cardholder and retain possession of the credit card with the intent to use, sell, or transfer it to another who is not the issuer or the cardholder.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person who violates this subsection is guilty of credit card theft.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>sell a credit card unless the person is the issuer; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>buy a credit card from a person other than the issuer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A person other than the issuer may not receive a credit card that the person knows was taken or retained under circumstances that constitute:</text> <level label="1"> <text>credit card theft;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a violation of § 8-203 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a violation of subsection (c) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 18 months or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-205" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Credit Card Crimes"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Falsely emboss” means to complete a credit card without the authorization of the issuer named on the credit card by adding any of the matter, other than the signature of the cardholder, that the issuer requires to appear on a credit card before it can be used by a cardholder.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Falsely make” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>to make or draw, wholly or partly, a device or instrument that purports to be a credit card but that is not a credit card because an issuer did not authorize the making or drawing; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>to alter a credit card that was validly issued.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not, with the intent to defraud another:</text> <level label="1"> <text>falsely make a purported credit card;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>falsely emboss a credit card; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>transfer or possess:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a falsely made instrument or device that purports to be a credit card, with knowledge that the instrument or device was falsely made; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a falsely embossed credit card with knowledge that the credit card was falsely made or falsely embossed.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person other than the cardholder or one authorized by the cardholder may not sign a credit card with the intent to defraud another.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of the felony of credit card counterfeiting and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 15 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-206" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Credit Card Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not for the purpose of obtaining money, goods, services, or anything of value, and with the intent to defraud another, use:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a credit card obtained or retained in violation of § 8–204 or § 8–205 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a credit card that the person knows is counterfeit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not, with the intent to defraud another, obtain money, goods, services, or anything of value by representing:</text> <level label="1"> <text>without the consent of the cardholder, that the person is the holder of a specified credit card; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>that the person is the holder of a credit card when the credit card had not been issued.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>If the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value obtained in violation of this section is at least $1,500 but less than $25,000, a person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value obtained in violation of this section is at least $25,000 but less than $100,000, a person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $15,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>If the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value obtained in violation of this section is $100,000 or more, a person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or a fine not exceeding $25,000 or both.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, if the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value obtained in violation of this section is at least $100 but less than $1,500, 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.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value obtained in violation of this section is less than $100, 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 $500 or both.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-207" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Credit Card Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>If a person is authorized by an issuer to furnish money, goods, services, or anything of value on presentation of a credit card by the cardholder, the person or an agent or employee of the person may not, with the intent to defraud the issuer or cardholder:</text> <level label="1"> <text>furnish money, goods, services, or anything of value on presentation of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a credit card obtained or retained in violation of § 8–204 or § 8–205 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a credit card that the person knows is counterfeit; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>fail to furnish money, goods, services, or anything of value that the person represents in writing to the issuer that the person has furnished.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>If the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value furnished or not furnished in violation of this section is at least $1,500 but less than $25,000, a person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value furnished or not furnished in violation of this section is at least $25,000 but less than $100,000, a person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $15,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>If the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value furnished or not furnished in violation of this section is $100,000 or more, a person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or a fine not exceeding $25,000 or both.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, if the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value furnished or not furnished in violation of this section is at least $100 but less than $1,500, 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.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value furnished or not furnished in violation of this section is less than $100, 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 $500 or both.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-208" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Credit Card Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “incomplete credit card” means a credit card that lacks any stamped, embossed, imprinted, or written matter, other than the signature of the cardholder, that an issuer requires to appear on a credit card before a cardholder can use the credit card.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Without the consent of the issuer, a person other than the cardholder may not possess an incomplete credit card with the intent to complete it.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person may not possess, with knowledge of its character, machinery, plates, or any other contrivance designed to reproduce an instrument purporting to be a credit card of an issuer that has not consented to the preparation of the credit card.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 15 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-209" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Credit Card Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not receive money, goods, services, or anything of value if the person knows or believes that the money, goods, services, or other thing of value was obtained in violation of § 8–206 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>If the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value obtained in violation of this section is at least $1,500 but less than $25,000, a person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value obtained in violation of this section is at least $25,000 but less than $100,000, a person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $15,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>If the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value obtained in violation of this section is $100,000 or more, a person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or a fine not exceeding $25,000 or both.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, if the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value obtained in violation of this section is at least $100 but less than $1,500, 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.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value obtained in violation of this section is less than $100, 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 $500 or both.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-210" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Credit Card Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “publish” means to communicate information to one or more persons:</text> <level label="1"> <text>orally:</text> <level label="i"> <text>in person; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>by telephone, radio, or television; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in a writing of any kind.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not publish or cause to be published the number or code of an existing, canceled, revoked, expired, or nonexistent telephone credit card, or the numbering or coding system that is used in issuing telephone credit cards, with the intent that the number, code, or system be used or with knowledge that it may be used fraudulently to avoid paying a lawful toll charge.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-211" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Credit Card Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>It is not a defense to a crime under § 8-206, § 8-207, or § 8-209 of this subtitle involving money, goods, services, and other things of value with a value not exceeding $100 that the value of the money, goods, services, and other things of value at issue is more than $100.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Unless specifically charged by the State, a violation of § 8-206, § 8-207, or § 8-209 of this subtitle involving money, goods, services, and other things of value with a value not exceeding $100, may not be considered a lesser included crime of any other crime.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-213" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Credit Card Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>In this part the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Authorized use, disclosure, or receipt” means any use, disclosure, or receipt necessary to accomplish the specific purpose for which the person issued a credit card number or payment device number, or granted to another the right to use, disclose, or receive the credit card number or other payment device number.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Holder” means a person who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>has been issued a credit card number or other payment device number; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is authorized by the person who has been issued a credit card number or other payment device number to use, disclose, or receive that credit card number or payment device number.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>“Holder’s signature” means the signature of a holder in connection with a credit application or credit card transaction.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Holder’s signature” includes an electronically recorded signature.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Payment device number” means a code, account number, or other means of account access, other than a check, draft, or similar paper instrument, that can be used to obtain money, goods, services, or anything of value, or for purposes of initiating a transfer of funds.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>“Person” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Person” includes a business trust, statutory trust, estate, trust, and two or more persons having a joint or common interest.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-214" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Credit Card Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not use or disclose any credit card number or other payment device number or holder’s signature unless:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the person is the holder of the credit card number or payment device number;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the disclosure is made to the holder or issuer of the credit card number or payment device number;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the use or disclosure is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>required under federal or State law;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>at the direction of a governmental unit in accordance with law; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>in response to the order of a court having jurisdiction to issue the order;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the disclosure is in connection with an authorization, processing, billing, collection, chargeback, insurance collection, fraud prevention, or credit card or payment device recovery that relates to the credit card number or payment device number, an account accessed by the credit card number or payment account number, a debt for which the holder or a person authorized by the holder gave the credit card number or payment device number for purposes of identification, or a debt or obligation arising, alone or in conjunction with another means of payment, from the use of the credit card number or payment device number;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the disclosure is reasonably necessary in connection with:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the sale or pledge, or negotiation of the sale or pledge, of any portion of a business or the assets of a business;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the management, operation, or other activities involving the internal functioning of the person making the disclosure; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the management, operation, or other activities involving disclosures between a corporation and its subsidiaries or controlled affiliates or between the subsidiaries or the controlled affiliates;</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the disclosure is made to a consumer reporting agency, as defined in § 14–1201 of the Commercial Law Article;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>subject to subsection (d) of this section, whether or not the person is a consumer reporting agency and whether or not the disclosure is a consumer report, the disclosure is made under a circumstance specified in the credit reporting provisions of § 14–1202(a)(3)(i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of the Commercial Law Article; or</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>the disclosure is allowed under § 1–303 of the Financial Institutions Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A disclosure for marketing purposes may not be made if the holder of an active credit card number or payment device number has prohibited the issuer in writing at the issuer’s address from using the card or number for marketing purposes.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Notwithstanding subsection (a)(5)(iii) of this section, a disclosure for marketing purposes may not be made if the holder of an active credit card number or payment device number, other than an encoded credit card number or encoded payment device number, has notified the issuer in writing at an address specified by the issuer, that disclosure for marketing purposes is not allowed.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The issuer shall notify each holder of an active credit card number or payment device number of the nondisclosure option and the specified address on a periodic basis at the issuer’s discretion at least once each year.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The issuer shall comply with the holder’s election within 45 days after receiving the holder’s response.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The election shall remain in effect until the holder rescinds the election or until there have been no debits or credits to the credit card number or payment device number for a 12–month period.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Notwithstanding subsection (a)(7) of this section, and except as provided in § 14–1202(a)(3)(i) of the Commercial Law Article, a person may not furnish a report containing a credit card number or payment device number before receiving an individual written, electronic, or other tangible record of a certification from the requestor:</text> <level label="1"> <text>containing the reason that the credit card number or payment device number is required; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>stating that the credit card number or payment device number:</text> <level label="i"> <text>cannot be obtained under a circumstance specified under this part or Title 14 of the Commercial Law Article; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>is needed for security, or loss or fraud prevention purposes.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-214.1" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Credit Card Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>In a criminal case or juvenile proceeding involving a violation of § 8–204, § 8–205, § 8–206, § 8–207, § 8–208, § 8–209, § 8–210, or § 8–214 of this subtitle or § 8–301 of this title, an affidavit sworn to by a lawful credit cardholder may be introduced as substantive evidence that the credit card or credit card number was taken, used, or possessed without the authorization of the credit cardholder.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>At least 10 days before a proceeding in which the State intends to introduce into evidence an affidavit as provided under this section, the State shall provide written notice to the defendant that the State intends to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>rely on the affidavit; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>introduce the affidavit into evidence at the proceeding.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On written demand of a defendant filed at least 5 days before the proceeding described in subsection (a) of this section, the State shall require the presence of the affiant as a prosecution witness.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-216" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Credit Card Crimes"> <text>A person who violates this part is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 15 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.</text> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-217" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Credit Card Crimes"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Attorney General may institute a civil action against a person who violates this part to recover for the State a civil penalty not exceeding $1,000 for each violation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For the purposes of this subsection, each prohibited disclosure or use of a credit card number, payment device number, or holder’s signature is an independent violation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Attorney General may seek an injunction in a civil action to prohibit a person who has engaged or is engaged in a violation of this part from engaging in the violation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-301" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Identity Fraud"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Artificial intelligence” has the meaning stated in § 3.5–801 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>“Deepfake representation” means a photograph, a film, a video, an audio recording, a digital image, a picture, or a computer or computer–generated image or picture, whether made, produced, or generated by electronic, mechanical, or other means, that is indistinguishable from an actual and identifiable human being.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Deepfake representation” does not include images or items depicting human beings that are:</text> <level label="1"> <text>drawings;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>cartoons;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>sculptures; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>paintings.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Harm” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>physical injury;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>serious emotional distress; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>economic damages.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Health care” means care, services, or supplies related to the health of an individual that includes the following:</text> <level label="i"> <text>preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, maintenance care, palliative care and counseling, service assessment, or procedure:</text> <level label="1"> <text>with respect to the physical or mental condition or functional status of an individual; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>that affects the structure or function of the body; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the sale or dispensing of a drug, device, equipment, or other item in accordance with a prescription.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>“Health information” means any information, whether oral or recorded in any form or medium, that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is created or received by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a health care provider;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a health care carrier;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a public health authority;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>an employer;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>a life insurer;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>a school or university; or</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>a health care clearinghouse; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>relates to the:</text> <level label="1"> <text>past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition of an individual;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>provision of health care to an individual; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>past, present, or future payment for the provision of health care to an individual.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <level label="i"> <text>“Indistinguishable from an actual and identifiable human being” means an image an ordinary person would conclude is of an actual and identifiable human being.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Indistinguishable from an actual and identifiable human being” includes an image that is computer–generated and has been created, adapted, or modified to appear as an actual and identifiable human being.</text> </level> </level> <level label="8"> <text>“Interactive computer service” means an information service, system, or access software provider that provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server, including a system that provides access to the Internet and cellular phones.</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>“Payment device number” has the meaning stated in § 8–213 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="10"> <level label="i"> <text>“Personal identifying information” includes a name, address, telephone number, driver’s license number, Social Security number, place of employment, employee identification number, health insurance identification number, medical identification number, mother’s maiden name, bank or other financial institution account number, date of birth, personal identification number, unique biometric data, including fingerprint, voice print, retina or iris image or other unique physical representation, digital signature, credit card number, or other payment device number.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Personal identifying information” may be derived from any element in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, alone or in conjunction with any other information to identify a specific natural or fictitious individual.</text> </level> </level> <level label="11"> <text>“Re–encoder” means an electronic device that places encoded personal identifying information or a payment device number from the magnetic strip or stripe of a credit card onto the magnetic strip or stripe of a different credit card or any electronic medium that allows such a transaction to occur.</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>“Skimming device” means a scanner, skimmer, reader, or any other electronic device that is used to access, read, scan, obtain, memorize, or store, temporarily or permanently, personal identifying information or a payment device number encoded on the magnetic strip or stripe of a credit card.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not knowingly, willfully, and with fraudulent intent possess, obtain, or help another to possess or obtain any personal identifying information of an individual, without the consent of the individual, in order to use, sell, or transfer the information to get a benefit, credit, good, service, or other thing of value or to access health information or health care.</text> </level> <level label="b–1"> <text>A person may not maliciously use an interactive computer service to disclose or assist another person to disclose the driver’s license number, bank or other financial institution account number, credit card number, payment device number, Social Security number, or employee identification number of an individual, without the consent of the individual, in order to annoy, threaten, embarrass, or harass the individual.</text> </level> <level label="b–2"> <text>A person may not knowingly, willfully, and with fraudulent intent utilize the personal identifying information of an individual, without the consent of the individual, in order to cause harm.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person may not knowingly and willfully assume the identity of another, including a fictitious person:</text> <level label="1"> <text>to avoid identification, apprehension, or prosecution for a crime; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>with fraudulent intent to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>get a benefit, credit, good, service, or other thing of value;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>access health information or health care;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>avoid the payment of debt or other legal obligation; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>harm, harass, intimidate, threaten, or coerce the other person.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A person may not knowingly, willfully, and with fraudulent intent to obtain a benefit, credit, good, service, or other thing of value or to access health information or health care, use:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a re–encoder to place information encoded on the magnetic strip or stripe of a credit card onto the magnetic strip or stripe of a different credit card or use any other electronic medium that allows such a transaction to occur without the consent of the individual authorized to use the credit card from which the personal identifying information or payment device number is being re–encoded; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a skimming device to access, read, scan, obtain, memorize, or store personal identifying information or a payment device number on the magnetic strip or stripe of a credit card without the consent of the individual authorized to use the credit card.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A person may not knowingly, willfully, and with fraudulent intent possess, obtain, or help another possess or obtain a re–encoder device or a skimming device for the unauthorized use, sale, or transfer of personal identifying information or a payment device number.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>A person may not knowingly and willfully claim to represent another person without the knowledge and consent of that person, with the intent to solicit, request, or take any other action to otherwise induce another person to provide personal identifying information or a payment device number.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person may not knowingly, willfully, and with fraudulent intent use artificial intelligence or a deepfake representation to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>cause harm to another by impersonating, falsely depicting, or claiming to represent that person or any other person; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>create or distribute false records with the intent to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>cause harm to another person;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>induce another person to provide personal identifying information; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>obtain a benefit, credit, good, service, or other thing of value.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>A person who violates this section where the benefit, credit, good, service, health information or health care, or other thing of value that is the subject of subsection (b), (c)(2)(i), (ii), or (iii), or (d) of this section has a value of at least $1,500 but less than $25,000 is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A person who violates this section where the benefit, credit, good, service, or other thing of value that is the subject of subsection (b), (c)(2)(i), (ii), or (iii), or (d) of this section has a value of at least $25,000 but less than $100,000 is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $15,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A person who violates this section where the benefit, credit, good, service, or other thing of value that is the subject of subsection (b), (c)(2)(i), (ii), or (iii), or (d) of this section has a value of $100,000 or more is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or a fine not exceeding $25,000 or both.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person who violates this section where the benefit, credit, good, service, health information or health care, or other thing of value that is the subject of subsection (b), (c)(2)(i), (ii), or (iii), or (d) of this section has a value of at least $100 but less than $1,500 is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A person who violates this section under circumstances that reasonably indicate that the person’s intent was to manufacture, distribute, or dispense another individual’s personal identifying information without that individual’s consent is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $25,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A person who violates subsection (b–1), (b–2), (c)(1) or (2)(iv), (e), or (f)(1) of 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.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>A person who violates subsection (f)(2) of this section involving one victim is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A person who violates subsection (f)(2) of this section involving two or more victims is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $15,000 or both.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>When the violation of this section is pursuant to one scheme or continuing course of conduct, whether from the same or several sources, the conduct may be considered as one violation and the value of the benefit, credit, good, service, or other thing of value may be aggregated in determining whether the violation is a felony or misdemeanor.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>A person who is the victim of an act that would constitute a violation of subsection (f)(2) of this section may bring a civil action against the person or persons who committed the act in a court of competent jurisdiction.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The court may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>issue an injunction to prevent or restrain an act that would constitute a violation of subsection (f)(2) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>grant any other appropriate relief.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>A person described in subsection (g)(2) or (4) of this section is subject to § 5–106(b) of the Courts Article.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <text>In addition to restitution under Title 11, Subtitle 6 of the Criminal Procedure Article, a court may order a person who pleads guilty or nolo contendere or who is found guilty under this section to make restitution to the victim for reasonable costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees, incurred:</text> <level label="1"> <text>for clearing the victim’s credit history or credit rating;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>for clearing the victim’s record or history related to health information or health care; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>in connection with a civil or administrative proceeding to satisfy a debt, lien, judgment, or other obligation of the victim that arose because of the violation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <text>A sentence under this section may be imposed separate from and consecutive to or concurrent with a sentence for any crime based on the act or acts establishing the violation of this section.</text> </level> <level label="l"> <text>Notwithstanding any other law, the Department of State Police may initiate investigations and enforce this section throughout the State without regard to any limitation otherwise applicable to the Department’s activities in a municipal corporation or other political subdivision.</text> </level> <level label="m"> <level label="1"> <text>Notwithstanding any other law, a law enforcement officer of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, the Maryland Port Administration Police, the Park Police of the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission, or a municipal corporation or county may investigate violations of this section throughout the State without any limitation as to jurisdiction and to the same extent as a law enforcement officer of the Department of State Police.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The authority granted in paragraph (1) of this subsection may be exercised only in accordance with regulations that the Department of State Police adopts.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The regulations are not subject to Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The authority granted in paragraph (1) of this subsection may be exercised only if an act related to the crime was committed in the investigating law enforcement agency’s jurisdiction or if the complaining witness resides in the investigating law enforcement agency’s jurisdiction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="n"> <text>If action is taken under the authority granted in subsection (m) of this section, notification of an investigation:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in a municipal corporation, shall be made to the chief of police or designee of the chief of police;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in a county that has a county police department, shall be made to the chief of police or designee of the chief of police;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>in a county without a police department, shall be made to the sheriff or designee of the sheriff;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>in Baltimore City, shall be made to the Police Commissioner or the Police Commissioner’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>on property owned, leased, or operated by or under the control of the Maryland Transportation Authority, the Maryland Aviation Administration, or the Maryland Port Administration, shall be made to the respective chief of police or the chief’s designee; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>on property owned, leased, or operated by or under the control of the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission, to the chief of police of the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission for the county in which the property is located.</text> </level> </level> <level label="o"> <text>When acting under the authority granted in subsection (l) or (m) of this section, a law enforcement officer:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in addition to any other immunities and exemptions to which the officer may be entitled, has the immunities from liability and exemptions accorded to a law enforcement officer of the Department of State Police; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>remains an employee of the officer’s employing agency.</text> </level> </level> <level label="p"> <level label="1"> <text>A State’s Attorney or the Attorney General may investigate and prosecute a violation of this section or a violation of any crime based on the act establishing a violation of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Attorney General exercises authority under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Attorney General has all the powers and duties of a State’s Attorney, including the use of a grand jury in any county or Baltimore City, to investigate and prosecute the violation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="q"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the prosecution of a violation of this section or for a violation of any crime based on the act establishing a violation of this section may be commenced in any county in which:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an element of the crime occurred; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the victim resides.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-302" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Identity Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “offer for sale” includes to induce, solicit, attempt, or advertise in a manner intended to encourage a person to purchase an identification card.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to subsection (c) of this section, a person may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>sell, issue, offer for sale, or offer to issue an identification card or document that contains:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a blank space for a person’s age or date of birth; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a person’s incorrect age or date of birth; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>knowingly sell, issue, offer for sale, or offer to issue an identification card or document that contains:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an incorrect name instead of a person’s true name; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an incorrect address for a person.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>This section does not prohibit a manufacturer of identification cards or documents from selling or issuing identification cards or documents that contain a blank space for a person’s age or date of birth to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>employers, for use as employee identification cards or documents;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>hospitals, for use as patient identification cards; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>governmental units.</text> </level> </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 2 years or a fine not exceeding $2,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each identification card or document sold or issued and each offer in violation of this section is a crime that may be separately prosecuted.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Attorney General, or the State’s Attorney for a county where a violation of this section occurs, may seek an injunction to stop a sale, issue, or offer that violates this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-303" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Identity Fraud"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Government identification document” means one of the following documents issued by the United States government or any state or local government:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a passport;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an immigration visa;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>an alien registration card;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>an employment authorization card;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>a birth certificate;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>a Social Security card;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>a uniformed services identification;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>an adoption decree;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>a marriage license;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>a driver’s license; or</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>a photo identification card.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Uniformed services” has the meaning stated in § 9–901 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not, with fraudulent intent:</text> <level label="1"> <text>possess a fictitious or fraudulently altered government identification document;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>display, cause, or allow to be displayed a fictitious or fraudulently altered government identification document;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>lend a government identification document to another or knowingly allow the use of the person’s government identification document by another; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>display or represent as the person’s own a government identification document not issued to the person.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>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 $500 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-304" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Identity Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>A person who knows or reasonably suspects that the person is a victim of identity fraud, as prohibited under this subtitle, may contact a local law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over:</text> <level label="1"> <text>any part of the county in which the person lives; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any part of the county in which the crime occurred.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>After being contacted by a person in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, a local law enforcement agency shall promptly:</text> <level label="1"> <text>prepare and file a report of the alleged identity fraud; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>provide a copy of the report to the victim.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The local law enforcement agency contacted by the victim may subsequently refer the matter to a law enforcement agency with proper jurisdiction.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A report filed under this section is not required to be counted as an open case for purposes including compiling open case statistics.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-305" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Identity Fraud"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Identity fraud” means a violation of § 8–301 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Identity theft passport” means a card or certificate issued by the Attorney General that verifies the identity of the person who is a victim of identity fraud.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who knows or reasonably suspects that the person is a victim of identity fraud and has filed a report under § 8–304 of this subtitle may apply for an identity theft passport through a law enforcement agency.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A law enforcement agency that receives an application for an identity theft passport shall submit the application and a copy of the report filed under § 8–304 of this subtitle to the Attorney General for processing and issuance of an identity theft passport.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Attorney General, in cooperation with a law enforcement agency, may issue an identity theft passport to a person who is a victim of identity fraud.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Attorney General may not issue an identity theft passport to a person before completing a background check on the person.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A person who is issued an identity theft passport under subsection (d) of this section may present the identity theft passport to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a law enforcement agency to help prevent the arrest or detention of the person for an offense committed by another using the person’s personal identifying information; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a creditor to aid in the investigation of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a fraudulent account that is opened in the person’s name; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a fraudulent charge that is made against an account of the person.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>A law enforcement agency or creditor that is presented with an identity theft passport under subsection (e) of this section has sole discretion to accept or reject the identity theft passport.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In determining whether to accept or reject the identity theft passport, the law enforcement agency or creditor may consider the surrounding circumstances and available information regarding the offense of identity fraud against the person.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>An application for an identity theft passport submitted under this section, including any supporting documentation:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is not a public record; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may not be released except to a law enforcement agency in this or another state.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The Attorney General shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-401" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Other Commercial Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>A partner may not with fraudulent intent:</text> <level label="1"> <text>convert or appropriate to the partner’s own use partnership money or property;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>make, or cause to be made, a false entry in partnership records of a partnership transaction; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>fail to make or cause to be made an entry in partnership records to show the true state of a transaction:</text> <level label="i"> <text>relating to partnership business; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>involving the use of partnership money or property.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is subject to § 5-106(b) of the Courts Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-402" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Other Commercial Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>With intent to defraud, an officer or agent of a corporation may not sign, or in any manner assent to, a statement to or a publication for the public or the shareholders that contains false representations of the corporation’s assets, liabilities, or affairs, to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>enhance or depress the market value of the corporation’s shares or obligations; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>commit fraud in another manner.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not less than 6 months and not exceeding 3 years or a fine not less than $1,000 and not exceeding $10,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is subject to § 5-106(b) of the Courts Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-403" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Other Commercial Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>A debtor who possesses personal property that is subject to a security interest may not secrete, hypothecate, destroy, or sell the property or remove the property from the county where it was located when the security interest attached:</text> <level label="1"> <text>without the written consent of the secured party or the secured party’s assignee; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>with the intent to defraud the secured party.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A debtor who possesses personal property that is under levy pursuant to a writ of execution may not remove, secrete, hypothecate, destroy, or sell the property or remove the property from the county where it was located when the levy was made:</text> <level label="i"> <text>without the prior written consent of the judgment creditor, the judgment creditor’s lawfully authorized agent, or the judgment creditor’s assignee; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>with intent to defraud the judgment creditor or the judgment creditor’s assignee, and defeat the lien of the judgment creditor or the judgment creditor’s assignee under the levy.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This subsection does not relieve the sheriff or other officer making the levy from responsibility to the judgment creditor for safekeeping personal property taken into possession by the sheriff or other officer making the levy.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A seller of personal property who possesses the personal property under a recorded bill of sale may not remove, secrete, hypothecate, destroy, or sell the property or remove the property from the county where it was located when sold:</text> <level label="1"> <text>without prior written consent in the contract of the buyer or the buyer’s assignee; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>with intent to defraud the buyer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>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 $500 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-404" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Other Commercial Fraud"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Compensation” includes payment based on a sale or distribution made to a person who:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is a participant in a plan or operation; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>on making a payment, is entitled to become a participant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Consideration” does not include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>payment for purchase of goods or services furnished at cost for use in making sales to persons who are not participants in the scheme and who are not purchasing in order to participate in the scheme;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>time or effort spent in pursuit of sales or recruiting activities; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the right to receive a discount or rebate based on the purchase or acquisition of goods or services by a bona fide cooperative buying group or association.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Promote” means to induce one or more persons to become a participant.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Pyramid promotional scheme” means a plan or operation by which a participant gives consideration for the opportunity to receive compensation to be derived primarily from any person’s introduction of others into participation in the plan or operation rather than from the sale of goods, services, or other intangible property by the participant or others introduced into the plan or operation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not establish, operate, advertise, or promote a pyramid promotional scheme.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>It is not a defense to a prosecution under this section that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the plan or operation limits the number of persons who may participate or limits the eligibility of participants; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>on payment of anything of value by a participant, the participant obtains any other property in addition to the right to receive compensation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>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 $10,000 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-405" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Other Commercial Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies only to a person employed in any capacity in the management or navigation of a vessel on a river, canal, bay, or other waters exclusively within the State whether or not the person is a co-owner of or has an interest in any of the cargo of the vessel.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not sell, give away, pledge, or in any manner dispose of the cargo of a vessel or an article or commodity on the vessel:</text> <level label="1"> <text>without the consent of the owner; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>with the intent to defraud the owner.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who sells the cargo of a vessel or an article or commodity on the vessel with the consent of the owner may not neglect or refuse to pay to the owner the consideration received by the person with the intent to defraud the owner.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not less than 6 months and not exceeding 1 year or a fine not less than $500 and not exceeding $1,000 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-406" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Other Commercial Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>A person, on the person’s own behalf or on behalf of another, who receives, accepts, or takes in trust from another a warehouse or elevator receipt, bill of lading, or document giving, or purporting to give, title to, or the right to possession of, goods, wares, merchandise, or other personal property, subject to a written contract expressing the terms and conditions of the trust, may not fail to fulfill in good faith the terms and conditions of the trust.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not less than 1 year and not exceeding 10 years or a fine not less than $500 and not exceeding $5,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is subject to § 5-106(b) of the Courts Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-407" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Other Commercial Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to a written contract or written lease for a leased or rented good or thing of value whether or not the contract or lease contains an option to purchase the good or thing of value if the lease:</text> <level label="1"> <text>does not exceed a period of 6 months; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is for a good or thing with a value of $1,500 or more.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not fraudulently convert to the person’s own use a good or thing of value received under a written contract or written lease entered into for the purpose of renting or leasing things for valuable consideration.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The failure to return the good or thing of value to the possession of, or account for the good or thing of value with, the person who delivered the good or thing of value at the time or in the manner described in the written contract or written lease is prima facie evidence of intent to fraudulently convert the good or thing of value.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>A person may not be prosecuted under this section if within 10 days after a written demand for the return of the good or thing of value is mailed by certified United States mail, return receipt requested, to the person who received the good or thing of value at the last address known to the person who delivered the good or thing of value, the person returns the good or thing of value to the possession of, or accounts for the good or thing of value with, the person who delivered the good or thing of value.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A prosecution may not be started until 10 days after a written demand described in paragraph (1) of this subsection is mailed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 60 days or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A person who violates this section shall restore the good or thing of value converted to the person’s own use or pay the full value to the owner or the person who delivered the good or thing of value.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>A prosecution under this section does not preclude prosecution for theft under § 7–104 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a person is convicted under § 7–104 of this article and this section for the same act or transaction, the conviction under this section shall merge for sentencing purposes into the conviction under § 7–104 of this article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-408" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Other Commercial Fraud"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Direct loan agreement” means an agreement between a lender and a borrower under which the lender advances funds under a loan secured by the motor vehicle purchased by the borrower.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>“Installment sale agreement” means a contract for the sale or lease of a motor vehicle, negotiated or entered into in the State, under which:</text> <level label="1"> <text>part or all of the price is payable in one or more payments after the contract is made; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the seller takes collateral security or keeps a security interest in the motor vehicle sold.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Installment sale agreement” includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a prospective installment sale agreement;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a purchase money security agreement;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a contract for the bailment or leasing of a motor vehicle under which the bailee or lessee contracts to pay as compensation a sum that is substantially equal to or is more than the value of the motor vehicle; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a renewal, extension, or refund agreement.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Lease contract” means a contract for or in contemplation of a lease for the use of a motor vehicle, and the purchase of services incidental to the lease, for a term of more than 4 months.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Lessor” means a person who leases a motor vehicle to another under a lease contract.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>“Motor vehicle” means a vehicle for which an owner is required to obtain a certificate of title under Title 13 of the Transportation Article.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>“Motor vehicle agreement” means a lease contract, direct loan agreement, installment sale agreement, or security agreement.</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>“Secured party” means a person who has a security interest in a vehicle.</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>“Security agreement” means a written agreement that reserves or creates a security interest.</text> </level> <level label="10"> <level label="i"> <text>“Security interest” means an interest in a vehicle that is reserved or created by agreement and that secures payment or performance of an obligation.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Security interest” includes the interest of a lessor under a lease intended as security.</text> </level> </level> <level label="11"> <level label="i"> <text>“Seller” means a person who sells or leases or agrees to sell or lease a motor vehicle under an installment sale agreement.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Seller” includes a present holder of an installment sale agreement.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not engage in an act of unlawful subleasing of a motor vehicle in which:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the motor vehicle is subject to a motor vehicle agreement the terms of which prohibit the transfer or assignment of a right or interest in the motor vehicle or under the motor vehicle agreement without consent of the lessor or secured party;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the person is not a party to the motor vehicle agreement;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the person:</text> <level label="i"> <text>transfers or assigns, or purports to transfer or assign, a right or interest in the motor vehicle or under a motor vehicle agreement to a person who is not a party to the motor vehicle agreement; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>assists, causes, negotiates, attempts to negotiate, or arranges an actual or purported transfer of a right or interest in the motor vehicle or under a motor vehicle agreement from a person, other than the lessor or secured party, who is a party to the motor vehicle agreement;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>neither the person nor the party to the motor vehicle agreement obtains written consent to the transfer or assignment from the lessor or secured party before conducting the acts described in item (3) of this subsection; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the person receives or intends to receive a commission, compensation, or other consideration for engaging in the acts described in item (3) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>It is not an act of unlawful subleasing of a motor vehicle under this section if the acts under subsection (b)(3) of this section are engaged in by a person who is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a party to the motor vehicle agreement; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a dealer or vehicle salesman licensed under Title 15 of the Transportation Article and engaged in vehicle sales who assists, causes, or arranges a transfer or assignment under the terms of an agreement for the purchase or lease of another motor vehicle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not affect the enforceability of a provision of a motor vehicle agreement by a party to the agreement.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A party to a motor vehicle agreement may not be prosecuted under this section as an accessory to the act of unlawful subleasing of the motor vehicle that is subject to the motor vehicle agreement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-409" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Other Commercial Fraud"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Closed–loop gift card” has the meaning stated in § 14–4901 of the Commercial Law Article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>“Gift card” means an open–loop gift card or a closed–loop gift card.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Gift card” does not include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a credit card;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an electronic funds transfer; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>money, a check, a draft, or any other similar paper instrument.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Open–loop gift card” has the meaning stated in § 14–4901 of the Commercial Law Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not, with the intent to defraud another, alter or tamper with a gift card or its packaging.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of the misdemeanor of gift card forgery and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 18 months or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-501" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <text>In this part, “fraud” includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the willful making of a false statement or a false representation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the willful failure to disclose a material change in household or financial condition; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the impersonation of another.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-502" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <text>This part does not apply to a violation of Part II of this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-503" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to money, property, food stamps, or other assistance that is provided under a social or nutritional program based on need that is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>financed wholly or partly by the State; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>administered by the State or a political subdivision of the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>By fraud, a person may not obtain, attempt to obtain, or help another person to obtain or attempt to obtain, money, property, food stamps, or other assistance to which the person is not entitled.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>A person who is convicted of a violation of this section shall make full restitution of the money or the value of the property, food stamps, or other assistance obtained by the person in violation of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Full restitution under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be made after the person has received notice and has been given the opportunity to be heard as to the amount of payment and how it is to be made.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-504" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>An application for money, property, food stamps, or other assistance, under a nutritional program based on need or a social program financed in whole or in part by the State, and administered by the Department of Human Services, the Maryland Department of Health, or a local department of social services, whether under this or any other article of the Code, shall be in writing and signed by the applicant.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not make a false or fraudulent statement with the intent to obtain money, property, food stamps, or other assistance in making and signing the application required in subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of the misdemeanor of perjury and on conviction is subject to the penalties provided for perjury in § 9–101 of this article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-505" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>A person with intent to defraud may not make an unauthorized disposition of food donated under a program of the federal government.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who is not authorized to receive food donated under any program of the federal government may not convert the food to the person’s own use or benefit.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>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 $500 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-508" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>In this part the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“False representation” means the knowing and willful:</text> <level label="1"> <text>concealing, falsifying, or omitting of a material fact;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>making of a materially false or fraudulent statement; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>use of a document that contains a statement of material fact that the user knows to be false or fraudulent.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>“Health care service” means health or medical care procedures, goods, or services that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>provide testing, diagnosis, or treatment of human disease or dysfunction; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>dispense drugs, medical devices, medical appliances, or medical goods for the treatment of human disease or dysfunction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Health care service” includes any procedure, goods, or service that is a required benefit of a State health plan.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Representation” includes an acknowledgment, certification, claim, ratification, report of demographic statistics, encounter data, enrollment claims, financial information, health care services available or rendered, and qualifications of a person rendering health care or ancillary services.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Serious injury” means an injury that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>creates a substantial risk of death;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>causes serious permanent or serious protracted disfigurement;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>causes serious permanent or serious protracted loss of the function of any body part, organ, or mental faculty;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>causes serious permanent or serious protracted impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>involves extreme physical pain.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>“State health plan” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the State Medical Assistance Plan established in accordance with Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act of 1939;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a medical assistance plan established by the State; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a private health insurance carrier, health maintenance organization, managed care organization as defined in § 15-101 of the Health - General Article, health care cooperative or alliance, or other person that provides or contracts to provide health care services that are wholly or partly reimbursed by or are a required benefit of a health plan established in accordance with Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act of 1939 or by the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“State health plan” includes a person that provides or contracts or subcontracts to provide health care services for an entity described in paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-509" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <text>A person may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>knowingly and willfully defraud or attempt to defraud a State health plan in connection with the delivery of or payment for a health care service;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>knowingly and willfully obtain or attempt to obtain by means of a false representation money, property, or any thing of value in connection with the delivery of or payment for a health care service that wholly or partly is reimbursed by or is a required benefit of a State health plan;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>knowingly and willfully defraud or attempt to defraud a State health plan of the right to honest services; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>with the intent to defraud make a false representation relating to a health care service or a State health plan.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-510" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <text>A person who has applied for or received a benefit or payment under a State health plan for the use of another individual may not knowingly and willfully convert all or any part of a State health plan benefit or payment to a use that is not for the authorized beneficiary.</text> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-511" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <text>A person may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>provide to another individual items or services for which payment wholly or partly is or may be made from federal or State funds under a State health plan; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>solicit, offer, make, or receive a kickback or bribe in connection with providing those items or services or making or receiving a benefit or payment under a State health plan.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-512" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <text>A person may not solicit, offer, make, or receive a rebate of a fee or charge for referring another individual to a third person to provide items or services for which payment wholly or partly is or may be made from federal or State funds under a State health plan.</text> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-513" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <text>A person may not knowingly and willfully make, cause to be made, induce, or attempt to induce the making of a false representation with respect to the conditions or operation of a facility, institution, or State health plan in order to help the facility, institution, or State health plan qualify to receive reimbursement under a State health plan.</text> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-514" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <text>A person may not knowingly and willfully obtain, attempt to obtain, or aid another individual in obtaining or attempting to obtain a drug product or medical care, the payment of all or a part of which is or may be made from federal or State funds under a State health plan, by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>fraud, deceit, false representation, or concealment;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>counterfeiting or alteration of a medical assistance prescription or a pharmacy assistance prescription distributed under a State health plan;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>concealment of a material fact; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>using a false name or a false address.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-515" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <text>A person may not knowingly and willfully possess a medical assistance card or a pharmacy assistance card distributed under a State health plan or the Medical Assistance or Pharmacy Assistance Program established by Title 15 of the Health - General Article without the authorization of the person to whom the card is issued.</text> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-516" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>If a violation of this part results in the death of an individual, a person who violates a provision of this part is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding life or a fine not exceeding $200,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If a violation of this part results in serious injury to an individual, a person who violates a provision of this part is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or a fine not exceeding $100,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the value of the money, health care services, or other goods or services involved is $1,500 or more in the aggregate, a person who violates a provision of this part is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $100,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A person who violates any other provision of this part is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $50,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>In this subsection, “business entity” includes an association, firm, institution, partnership, and corporation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A business entity that violates a provision of this part is subject to a fine not exceeding:</text> <level label="i"> <text>$250,000 for each felony; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>$100,000 for each misdemeanor.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-517" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>A health care provider who violates a provision of this part is liable to the State for a civil penalty not more than three times the amount of the overpayment.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The civil penalty provided in this section is in addition to any other penalty provided by law.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>This section may not be construed to limit a victim’s right to restitution under Title 11, Subtitle 6 of the Criminal Procedure Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-520" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “public safety officer” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a police officer;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a paid or volunteer fire fighter;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>an emergency medical technician;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a rescue squad member;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the State Fire Marshal; or</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>a sworn officer of the State Fire Marshal.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section does not prohibit, limit, or interfere with the right of an off-duty public safety officer who is not in uniform from participating in a charitable or other fundraising campaign.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person may not encourage, solicit, or receive contributions of money or any thing of value for, or offer any thing for sale in, a charitable or other fundraising campaign by representing to the public that the charitable or other fundraising campaign is approved by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a police or fire department in the State without the prior written consent of the chief administrative officer of the police or fire department or from the chief administrative officer’s designee; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a public safety officer or member of the family of a public safety officer without the prior written consent of the public safety officer or a family member of the public safety officer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 60 days or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both for each violation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-521" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not obtain or attempt to obtain legal representation from the Office of the Public Defender by willfully and knowingly:</text> <level label="1"> <text>making a false representation or false statement;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>failing to disclose the person’s true financial condition; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>using any other fraudulent means.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>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 $1,000 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-522" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to a simulated document even if the document contains a statement that it is not legal process or a government document.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A person may not use, sell, or send or deliver to another, with the intent to induce the payment of a claim, a document that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>simulates a summons, complaint, or other court process of any kind; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>implies that the person is a part of or associated with a unit of the federal government or a unit of the State or a county or municipal government.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>With intent to induce the payment of a claim, a person may not use a seal, insignia, envelope, or any other form that simulates the seal, insignia, envelope, or form of any governmental unit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding:</text> <level label="1"> <text>$100 for the first violation; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>$500 for each subsequent violation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>This section does not prohibit the printing, publication, or distribution of genuine court or legal process forms in blank.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Proof that the document was mailed or delivered to any person with the intent that it be forwarded to the intended recipient is sufficient proof of sending.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A person who has been charged with a violation of this section may be prosecuted in the county in which the simulated document was used, sold, sent, or delivered.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-523" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Housing agency” means an agency established to administer a housing assistance program under the Housing and Community Development Article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Housing assistance” means financial assistance, as defined in § 1-101 of the Housing and Community Development Article, offered for the purpose of obtaining housing based on need under a program administered by a housing agency and financed wholly or partially by federal, State, or local funds.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not knowingly make a false statement of a material fact for the purpose of influencing a housing agency regarding:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an application for housing assistance; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an action affecting housing assistance already provided.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-524" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Coercion” means:</text> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>causing or threatening to cause bodily harm to an individual; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>physically restraining or confining or threatening to physically restrain or confine an individual;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>exposing or disseminating or threatening to expose or disseminate any fact or information that would tend to subject an individual to criminal or immigration proceedings, hatred, contempt, or ridicule;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>destroying, concealing, removing, confiscating, or possessing any actual or purported passport or other immigration document, or any other actual or purported government identification document, of an individual;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>providing a controlled dangerous substance to an individual for the purpose of compelling the individual to engage in an action against the individual’s will;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>causing or threatening to cause financial harm to an individual or exerting financial control over a disabled or elderly adult; or</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>depriving an individual of medical care.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Controlled dangerous substance” has the meaning stated in § 5–101 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Deception” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>creating or confirming another person’s impression of an existing fact or past event that is false and that the accused knows or believes to be false; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>promising benefits or the performance of services that the accused does not intend to deliver or perform or knows will not be delivered or performed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Exploitation” means illegally or improperly using an individual or an individual’s government benefits through undue influence, harassment, duress, false representation, false pretense, or other similar means for personal profit or advantage or for the profit or advantage of another.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>“Government benefits” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Medicare benefits;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Medicaid benefits;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Social Security benefits;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>veterans benefits;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>pension benefits;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>Temporary Disability Assistance Program (TDAP) benefits; and</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>Public Assistance to Adults (PAA) benefits.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>“Isolation” means preventing an individual from having contact with friends or family, a welfare agency, law enforcement officers, health care providers, or other individuals or entities without the knowledge of the individual or against the individual’s wishes.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A person may not, through deception, coercion, exploitation, or isolation, knowingly recruit, harbor, transport, or obtain an individual for the purpose of appropriating the government benefits of an individual for personal benefit or to benefit another.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person may not knowingly benefit financially or by receiving anything of value from participation in a venture that violates paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A person may not aid, abet, or conspire with one or more persons to violate paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>If the aggregate value of the government benefits involved is less than $1,500, a person who violates a provision of 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.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the aggregate value of the government benefits involved is at least $1,500 but less than $25,000, a person who violates a provision of this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the aggregate value of the government benefits involved is at least $25,000, but less than $100,000, a person who violates a provision of this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $15,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If the aggregate value of the government benefits involved is $100,000 or more, a person who violates a provision of this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or a fine not exceeding $25,000 or both.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Each violation of this section shall be considered a separate offense.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A sentence imposed under this section may be separate from and consecutive to or concurrent with a sentence for any crime based on the act establishing the violation of this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-601" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Counterfeiting and Related Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>A person, with intent to defraud another, may not counterfeit, cause to be counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in counterfeiting any:</text> <level label="1"> <text>bond;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>check;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>deed;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>draft;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>endorsement or assignment of a bond, draft, check, or promissory note;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>entry in an account book or ledger;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>lease of real property;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>letter of credit;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>negotiable instrument;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>power of attorney;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>promissory note;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>release or discharge for money or property;</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>rental agreement relating to real property;</text> </level> <level label="14"> <text>title to a motor vehicle;</text> </level> <level label="15"> <text>waiver or release of mechanics’ lien; or</text> </level> <level label="16"> <text>will or codicil.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not knowingly, willfully, and with fraudulent intent possess a counterfeit of any of the items listed in subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A person who violates subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person who violates subsection (b) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the prosecution of an alleged violation of this section or for an alleged violation of a crime based on an act that establishes a violation of this section may be commenced in any county in which:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an element of the crime occurred;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the deed or other alleged counterfeit instrument is recorded in the county land records, filed with the clerk of the circuit court, or filed with the register of wills;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the victim resides; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>if the victim is not an individual, the victim conducts business.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-602" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Counterfeiting and Related Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>A person, with intent to defraud another, may not issue or publish as true a counterfeit instrument or document listed in § 8-601 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-603" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Counterfeiting and Related Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not knowingly possess, with unlawful intent, a counterfeit title to a motor vehicle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-604" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Counterfeiting and Related Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not, with intent to defraud:</text> <level label="1"> <text>manufacture United States currency;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>counterfeit, cause to be counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in counterfeiting United States currency; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>make, scan, record, reproduce, transmit, or have in the person’s control, custody, or possession an analog, digital, or electronic image of United States currency.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-604.1" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Counterfeiting and Related Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not knowingly possess, with unlawful intent, or issue counterfeit United States currency.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-605" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Counterfeiting and Related Crimes"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A person may not counterfeit, cause to be counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in counterfeiting:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a commission, patent, pardon, order for release, or other court document; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a warrant, certificate, or other public security from which money may be drawn from the treasury of the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person may not write, sign, or possess a counterfeit:</text> <level label="i"> <text>commission, patent, pardon, order for release, or other court document; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>warrant, certificate, or other public security from which money may be drawn from the treasury of the State.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 2 years and not exceeding 10 years.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-606" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Counterfeiting and Related Crimes"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Access” means to instruct, communicate with, store data in, or retrieve data from, or otherwise use equipment including computers and other data processing equipment or resources connected with computers or other data processing equipment.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Public record” includes an official book, paper, or record, kept on a manual or automated basis, that is created, received, or used by a unit of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the State;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a political subdivision of the State; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a multicounty agency.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not or may not attempt to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>willfully make a false entry in a public record;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>except under proper authority, willfully alter, deface, destroy, remove, or conceal a public record; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>except under proper authority, willfully and intentionally access a public record.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-606.1" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Counterfeiting and Related Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>forge, falsify, or counterfeit the signature of a judge, court officer, or court employee of the State; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>use a document with a forged, false, or counterfeit signature of a judge, court officer, or other court employee of the State knowing the signature to be forged, false, or counterfeit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is subject to § 5–106(b) of the Courts Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-607" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Counterfeiting and Related Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “public seal” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the great seal of the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the seal of any court of the State; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>any other public seal of the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>counterfeit and use a public seal;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>steal a public seal;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>unlawfully and falsely, or with evil intent, affix a public seal to a deed, warrant, or writing; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>have and willfully conceal a counterfeit public seal, if the person knows that it was counterfeited.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 2 years and not exceeding 10 years.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A person who violates this section is subject to § 5-106(b) of the Courts Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-608" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Counterfeiting and Related Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>counterfeit the stamp of the Comptroller;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>unlawfully use or steal the stamp of the Comptroller;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>unlawfully and falsely, or with evil intent, affix the stamp of the Comptroller to any written instrument; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>have and willfully conceal a counterfeit stamp of the Comptroller, if the person knows that it was counterfeited.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 2 years and not exceeding 10 years.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is subject to § 5-106(b) of the Courts Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-609" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Counterfeiting and Related Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “order for money or goods” means any writing, ordering, or requesting for the payment of money or the delivery of goods.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>with intent to defraud another, cause or procure to be counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in counterfeiting an order for money or goods;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>with intent to defraud another, issue, publish, or pass a counterfeit order for money or goods, if the person knows it was counterfeited; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>knowingly and fraudulently obtain money or goods by means of a counterfeit order for money or goods.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 2 years and not exceeding 10 years.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-610" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Counterfeiting and Related Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “prescription” includes an order, paper, and recipe purported to have been made by an authorized provider, as defined in § 5-101 of this article, for a drug, medicine, or alcoholic beverage.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>knowingly counterfeit, cause or procure to be counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in counterfeiting a prescription;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>knowingly issue, pass, or possess a counterfeit prescription; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>obtain or attempt to obtain a prescription drug by fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 2 years.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Payment or an offer or promise to pay for a drug, medicine, or alcoholic beverage obtained in violation of this section is not a defense to a violation of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-611" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Counterfeiting and Related Crimes"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Counterfeit mark” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an unauthorized copy of intellectual property; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>intellectual property affixed to goods knowingly sold, offered for sale, manufactured, or distributed, to identify services offered or rendered, without the authority of the owner of the intellectual property.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Intellectual property” means a trademark, service mark, trade name, label, term, device, design, or word adopted or used by a person to identify the goods or services of the person.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Retail value” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a trademark counterfeiter’s selling price for the goods or services that bear or are identified by the counterfeit mark; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a trademark counterfeiter’s selling price of the finished product, if the goods that bear a counterfeit mark are components of the finished product.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Trademark counterfeiter” means a person who commits the crime of trademark counterfeiting prohibited by this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not willfully manufacture, produce, display, advertise, distribute, offer for sale, sell, or possess with the intent to sell or distribute goods or services that the person knows are bearing or are identified by a counterfeit mark.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the aggregate retail value of the goods or services is $1,500 or more, a person who violates this section is guilty of the felony of trademark counterfeiting and on conviction:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>shall transfer all of the goods to the owner of the intellectual property.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If the aggregate retail value of the goods or services is less than $1,500, a person who violates this section is guilty of the misdemeanor of trademark counterfeiting and on conviction:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>shall transfer all of the goods to the owner of the intellectual property.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>An action or prosecution for trademark counterfeiting in which the aggregate retail value of the goods or services is less than $1,500 shall be commenced within 2 years after the commission of the crime.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Any goods bearing a counterfeit mark are subject to seizure by a law enforcement officer to preserve the goods for transfer to the owner of the intellectual property either:</text> <level label="1"> <text>under an agreement with the person alleged to have committed the crime; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>after a conviction under this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>State or federal registration of intellectual property is prima facie evidence that the intellectual property is a trademark or trade name.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-612" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Counterfeiting and Related Crimes"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “token” means a ticket, coupon, coin, disc, slug, or any other thing that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is evidence of the right of an individual to enter, leave, ride on, or pass through or over any thing or place for which a fee is charged, including a building, ground, public conveyance, vessel, or bridge; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is intended or designed to be inserted into a box or machine for the collection of fees or given to a collector.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A person may not counterfeit or issue, or cause to be counterfeited or issued, or aid or assist in counterfeiting or issuing a token without the permission of the person who lawfully issues, sells, or gives away the token.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person may not issue or pass a token if the person knows that it was:</text> <level label="i"> <text>counterfeited; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>issued without the permission of the person who lawfully issues, sells, or gives away the token.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-613" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Counterfeiting and Related Crimes"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Service” includes the use of telephone or telegraph facilities, gas, electricity, or a musical instrument, phonograph, or other property.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Vending machine” includes a slot machine, pay telephone, or other receptacle designed to receive United States currency in connection with the sale or use of property or of a service.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>operate, cause to be operated, or attempt to operate or cause to be operated a vending machine by a means not lawfully authorized by the owner, lessee, or licensee of the vending machine, including by means of a slug or by counterfeit, mutilated, sweated, or foreign currency;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>take, obtain, or receive from or in connection with a vending machine any property or service, without depositing into the vending machine United States currency in the amount required by the owner, lessee, or licensee of the vending machine; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>manufacture for sale, sell, or give away a slug or device that is intended to be deposited in a vending machine if the person:</text> <level label="i"> <text>intends to defraud the owner, lessee, licensee, or other person entitled to the contents of the vending machine; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>knows that the slug or device is intended for unlawful use.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 months or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-701" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Crimes Against Estates"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not willfully or corruptly embezzle, steal, destroy, withdraw, impair, or alter a will, codicil, deed, land patent or assignment of a land patent, or a writ of administration, return, record, or part of any of those documents if as a result of that act the estate or right of any person may be defeated, injured, or altered.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 3 years and not exceeding 7 years.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is subject to § 5-106(b) of the Courts Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-702" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Crimes Against Estates"> <level label="a"> <text>Unless the maker of a will gives instruction to the person keeping the will for safe custody, a person who receives a will for safe custody may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>destroy the will; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>after the person learns of the death of the maker, willfully hide the will for a period of 6 months.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 18 months and not exceeding 15 years.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is subject to § 5-106(b) of the Courts Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-801" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Financial Crimes Against Vulnerable Adults"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Deception” has the meaning stated in § 7–101 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Deprive” has the meaning stated in § 7–101 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Obtain” has the meaning stated in § 7–101 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Property” has the meaning stated in § 7–101 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <level label="i"> <text>“Undue influence” means domination and influence amounting to force and coercion exercised by another person to such an extent that a vulnerable adult or an individual at least 68 years old was prevented from exercising free judgment and choice.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Undue influence” does not include the normal influence that one member of a family has over another member of the family.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>“Value” has the meaning stated in § 7–103 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>“Vulnerable adult” has the meaning stated in § 3–604 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A person may not knowingly and willfully obtain by deception, intimidation, or undue influence the property of an individual that the person knows or reasonably should know is a vulnerable adult with intent to deprive the vulnerable adult of the vulnerable adult’s property.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person may not knowingly and willfully obtain by deception, intimidation, or undue influence the property of an individual that the person knows or reasonably should know is at least 68 years old, with intent to deprive the individual of the individual’s property.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>A person convicted of a violation of this section when the value of the property is at least $1,500 but less than $25,000 is guilty of a felony and:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>shall restore the property taken or its value to the owner, or, if the owner is deceased, restore the property or its value to the owner’s estate.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A person convicted of a violation of this section when the value of the property is at least $25,000 but less than $100,000 is guilty of a felony and:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $15,000 or both; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>shall restore the property taken or its value to the owner, or, if the owner is deceased, restore the property or its value to the owner’s estate.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A person convicted of a violation of this section when the value of the property is $100,000 or more is guilty of a felony and:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or a fine not exceeding $25,000 or both; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>shall restore the property taken or its value to the owner, or, if the owner is deceased, restore the property or its value to the owner’s estate.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person convicted of a violation of this section when the value of the property is less than $1,500 is guilty of a misdemeanor and:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $500 or both; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>shall restore the property taken or its value to the owner, or, if the owner is deceased, restore the property or its value to the owner’s estate.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A sentence imposed under this section may be separate from and consecutive to or concurrent with a sentence for any crime based on the act or acts establishing the violation of this section.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>If a defendant fails to restore fully the property taken or its value as ordered under subsection (c) of this section, the defendant is disqualified, to the extent of the defendant’s failure to restore the property or its value, from inheriting, taking, enjoying, receiving, or otherwise benefiting from the estate, insurance proceeds, or property of the victim of the offense, whether by operation of law or pursuant to a legal document executed or entered into by the victim before the defendant shall have been convicted under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The defendant has the burden of proof with respect to establishing under paragraph (1) of this subsection that the defendant has fully restored the property taken or its value.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>This section may not be construed to impose criminal liability on a person who, at the request of the victim of the offense, the victim’s family, or the court appointed guardian of the victim, has made a good faith effort to assist the victim in the management of or transfer of the victim’s property.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>In addition to any penalties set forth in this section, a violation of this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is an unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice within the meaning of Title 13 of the Commercial Law Article; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is subject to the enforcement and penalty provisions contained in Title 13 of the Commercial Law Article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-901" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not fail to furnish to the purchaser of purebred livestock a paper or certificate showing that the livestock is purebred stock within 90 days after the sale and delivery of the livestock if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the paper or certificate is a condition of sale; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>payment has been made for the livestock.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not less than $5 and not exceeding $50 for each violation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-902" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Fraud"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Drug” means a drug, medicine, or a medicinal or chemical preparation for internal human consumption.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Prepare” means to make, mix, manufacture, or compound.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who is engaged in the business of preparing or dispensing a drug for internal human consumption may not prepare, dispense, sell, or deliver the drug to a person directly or through an agent or employee if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>ethyl alcohol is usually used to prepare the drug; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the preparer, or the preparer’s agent or employee, in any manner uses or substitutes methyl alcohol for ethyl alcohol, or puts methyl alcohol into the drug.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 3 months and not exceeding 1 year or a fine of not less than $100 and not exceeding $500 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-903" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Fraud"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A person may not intentionally issue, sell, or give to an unauthorized person a ticket or instrument for the transfer from a conveyance on one passenger line or route to a conveyance on another line or route of the same or a different carrier.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Unless authorized to do so, a person may not intentionally receive a ticket or instrument for the transfer from a conveyance on one passenger line or route to a conveyance on another line or route of the same or a different carrier.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>for the first violation, a fine not exceeding $100; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>for each subsequent violation, imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-904" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>A person knowingly may not enter or race a horse in a running or harness race under a name or designation other than that registered with the Jockey Club or the United States Trotting Association.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-905" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Fraud"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not knowingly present for payoff, or give to another to present for payoff, a counterfeit or altered pari-mutuel betting ticket.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>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 $1,000 or both.</text> </level> </section>