# Public Safety (GPS)

## Title 14. Emergency Management

### Subtitle 10. Riots

#### Section 14-1001

(a) In this section, "structure" means:

  (1) a church, chapel, or convent;

  (2) a dwelling;

  (3) a building used or designed as a place to transact business or store property;

  (4) a barn, stable, or other outbuilding; or

  (5) a ship, shipyard, or lumberyard.

(b) Subject to Sec. 14-1002 of this subtitle, if a structure or personal property is stolen, damaged, or destroyed in a riot, the injured party may recover actual damages sustained in a civil action against the county or municipal corporation of the State in which the riot occurred.

#### Section 14-1002

(a) A county or municipal corporation is not liable under Sec. 14-1001 of this subtitle for theft, damage, or destruction that occurs in a riot unless the authorities of the county or municipal corporation:

  (1) had good reason to believe that the riot was about to take place or, having taken place, had notice of the riot in time to prevent the theft, damage, or destruction; and

  (2) had the ability, either by use of the county's or municipal corporation's police or with the aid of the residents of the county or municipal corporation, to prevent the theft, damage, or destruction.

(b) A person may not recover damages from a county or municipal corporation under Sec. 14-1001 of this subtitle if it is satisfactorily proved that the authorities of the county or municipal corporation, and the residents of the county or municipal corporation when called on by the authorities, used reasonable diligence and all the powers entrusted to them to prevent or suppress the riot.

#### Section 14-1003

An action for damages under Sec. 14-1001 of this subtitle shall be filed within 3 years after the date it accrues.

#### Section 14-1004

The form of any pleading in an action under Sec. 14-1001 of this subtitle shall be governed by the Maryland Rules.

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Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)