Title 14. Emergency Management — Subtitle 3. Governor's Emergency Powers

is used by a licensed health care facility:

a situation in which three or more individuals are at the same time and in the same place engaged in tumultuous conduct that leads to the commission of unlawful acts that disturb the public peace or cause the unlawful destruction or damage of public or private property;

a crisis, disaster, riot, or catastrophe; or

an energy emergency.

if public safety is endangered or on reasonable apprehension of immediate danger to public safety; and

on:

control traffic, including public and private transportation, in the emergency area;

designate specific zones in the emergency area in which the occupancy and use of buildings and vehicles may be controlled;

control the movement of individuals or vehicles into, in, or from the designated zones;

control places of amusement and places of assembly;

control individuals on public streets;

establish curfews;

control the sale, transportation, and use of alcoholic beverages;

control the possession, sale, carrying, and use of firearms, other dangerous weapons, and ammunition;

control the storage, use, and transportation of explosives or flammable materials or liquids considered to be dangerous to public safety, including “Molotov cocktails”; and

authorize the use of alternate care sites.

in a newspaper of general circulation in the emergency area;

through television or radio serving the emergency area; or

by circulating notices or posting signs at conspicuous places in the emergency area.

takes effect from the time and in the manner specified in the order, rule, or regulation;

may be amended or rescinded, in the same manner as the original order, by the Governor at any time during the state of emergency; and

terminates when the Governor declares that the state of emergency no longer exists.

establish and implement programs, controls, standards, priorities, and quotas for the allocation, conservation, and consumption of energy resources;

suspend and modify existing standards and requirements affecting or affected by the use of energy resources, including those that relate to air quality control, the type and composition of various energy resources, the production and distribution of energy resources, and the hours and days during which public buildings and commercial and industrial establishments are authorized or required to remain open; and

establish and implement regional programs and agreements to coordinate the energy resource programs and actions of the State with those of the federal government and of other states and localities.

the imposition of a civil penalty not exceeding $1,000 for each violation; and

the method and conditions of collecting the civil penalty.

In this subsection, “Committee” means:

Before promulgating an order, rule, or regulation under this section, the Governor shall submit the order, rule, or regulation to the Committee for approval or rejection.

All records of orders, rules, regulations, and Committee meetings are open to the public.

cooperate in any manner requested by the Governor or the Governor’s designated representative; and

subject to subsection (b) of this section, allow the use of its equipment, facilities, and personnel if the use is required by the Governor or the Governor’s designated representative.

Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, if the Governor proclaims that a state of emergency exists, the Department of State Police may take any action it considers necessary to assist local law enforcement agencies.

Any action that the Department of State Police takes under this subsection shall be reasonably calculated effectively to control and terminate the public emergency.

The militia shall have full power and responsibility for the area designated by the Governor as an emergency area.

Each law enforcement agency, law enforcement official, fire company, and rescue squad in the emergency area, including the Department of State Police, shall cooperate with the militia and operate under its direction.

may proclaim a day on which the banking institution may remain closed; and

shall limit the proclamation to the principal banking office and branch offices of the banking institution that the emergency affects.

conceal a material fact;

make a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or

use a false writing or document that contains a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement.

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 $1,000 or both.

A violation of the Maryland Vehicle Law for which a penalty is provided is not subject to the penalties of this section.