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<chapter num="01" heading="General Regulations" title_num="04" subtitle_num="05">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Definition and Application.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>“Property” means State public buildings, improvements, grounds, and multiservice centers under the jurisdiction of the Department of General Services.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>In addition to the regulations in this chapter, the following areas are also subject to COMAR 04.05.02 and the procedural rules of the Senate and House of Delegates:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>General Assembly buildings, improvements, and grounds;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Senate and House of Delegates:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Chambers,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Lounges,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>Lobbies,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>Appurtenant areas,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(e)">
          <text>Committee rooms; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Joint Hearing Room.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Property Access.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>The property is closed to the public after regular business hours.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Property or portions of it may be closed to the public during regular business hours in emergency situations:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Necessary to the orderly conduct of State business;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>For safety reasons; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>For security reasons.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>After consulting with the Secretary of General Services, or in the Secretary's absence, the Deputy Secretary, emergency situations may be declared by the following individuals, or by their authorized designee:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Superintendent of Baltimore Public Buildings and Grounds;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Superintendent of Annapolis Public Buildings and Grounds; or the</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Manager of a multiservice center.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>During and after business hours or during declared emergency situations, an individual working, visiting, conducting business, or otherwise lawfully in, on, or about State property will be required to display identification documents upon request. During and after business hours or during declared emergencies, an individual may be arrested if the individual:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Either:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Is on the property with no apparent lawful business to pursue; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Fails to display identification documents upon request; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Refuses to leave or fails to leave after being asked to leave by an authorized employee of the Department of General Services.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Prohibited Conduct.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>An individual shall be subject to arrest if the individual:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Damages or defaces the property;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Creates loud, unusual noise, including profanity;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Disturbs employees performing their duties;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Prevents or disturbs the general public from obtaining services provided on the property; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>Obstructs:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Entrances,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Walks,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>Corridors,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>Elevators,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(e)">
          <text>Offices,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(f)">
          <text>Stairways, or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(g)">
          <text>Parking lots.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Except for official purposes and by authorized personnel, an individual on the property may not carry open or concealed firearms, explosives, incendiary devices, or dangerous or deadly weapons.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Photographs, video, video tape, movie film, or audio recordings for commercial purposes may only be made on the property with the approval of the occupying agency head.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>The operation of gambling devices, conducting a pool or lottery, the selling or purchasing of “numbers” or lottery tickets and gambling or betting in any form on the property is prohibited, except for operations by the Maryland State Lottery Agency.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>Dogs and other animals may not be brought upon the property for other than official purposes, except seeing-eye dogs and animals used to guide or assist handicapped persons.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="F.">
      <text>Executive Order 01.01.1987.13 prohibits smoking and the carrying of lit tobacco products or substitutes in public access areas of the property. Smoking is allowed only in areas so designated with posted signs.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="G.">
      <text>Physical damage of the property is prohibited and includes:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Defacing or marking of the property;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Throwing articles of any kind at or from the property;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Climbing upon any part of the property;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Tampering with landscape and planting; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>Willful damage, destruction, or removal of property.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Distribution of Handbills.">
    <text>Except as provided in COMAR 04.05.02, the distribution by the public of materials such as handbills, pamphlets, and letters in indoor areas of the property is prohibited without the prior approval of the appropriate superintendent or manager.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Vehicular Traffic.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Vehicles on the property will be operated in a careful and safe manner, complying with directions of guards and posted signs.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>The blocking of entrances, driveways, walks, or loading platforms is prohibited.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Parking without authority or parking in unauthorized locations or in locations reserved for others is prohibited.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" heading="Controlled Dangerous Substances and Alcoholic Beverages.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>The use of controlled dangerous substances, except as prescribed by physicians or permitted by law, is prohibited on the property.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>An individual under the influence of alcohol or controlled dangerous substances may not be permitted on the property, or to operate a motor vehicle on the property.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" heading="Soliciting and Debt Collection.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>The soliciting of alms, money, or contributions, commercial soliciting, the display or distribution of commercial advertising, political soliciting, or the collection of private debts, is prohibited on the property, except as permitted by §B of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Permissible solicitations require the prior approval of the occupying agency head for scheduling, safety, security, and traffic purposes. Permissible solicitations are limited to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Solicitation by national or local campaigns for savings bonds, health, welfare, and charity;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Solicitations by labor organizations for membership or dues as authorized by law;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Recruitment campaigns for the Armed Forces, National Guard, and other federal or State agencies, as previously approved by the occupant agencies;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Operation of vending facilities and concessions as part of the operation of the property for the benefit of employees and the public;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>Personal notices posted by employees on authorized bulletin boards; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6)">
        <text>Activities on portions of the property leased to other individuals or organizations.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>These restrictions do not apply to Lawyers’ Mall in Annapolis, which is regulated under COMAR 04.05.02.02.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" heading="Demonstrations and Rallies.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Demonstrations and rallies may be held during regular business hours.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>The Secretary or the Chief of the Maryland Capitol Police shall predesignate certain outdoor or indoor areas of the property, traditionally considered public forums, as sites for proposed demonstrations and rallies.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>An applicant for a demonstration or rally can request any other area on the property and the Secretary or the Chief of the Maryland Capitol Police shall make every effort to accommodate the request, consistent with safety, security, and traffic concerns, and the least disturbance to employees in the performance of their duties, and not preventing the general public from obtaining the government services that are provided on the property.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>Individuals or groups wishing to hold demonstrations or rallies should apply in writing at least 2 days in advance to the Secretary or the Chief of the Maryland Capitol Police for a permit, unless extraordinary circumstances prevent the applications.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>Permits are issued at no cost to the applicant on a first-come, first-served basis. The Secretary or the Chief of the Maryland Capitol Police may not refuse to issue a permit based on the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Subject matter of the demonstration;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Applicant; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Lateness of the permit application.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="F.">
      <text>The Secretary or the Chief of the Maryland Capitol Police shall have discretion only as to matters of scheduling, safety, security, and traffic.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="G.">
      <text>The applicant shall designate, by name, at least one individual to be present at the demonstration who will wear an armband or other identifying insignia and be responsible for advising the demonstrators on compliance with applicable laws and regulations.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="H.">
      <text>Signs and placards are permitted, but signs and placards mounted on sticks and poles are not permitted.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="I.">
      <text>An individual may not have a firearm in the individual's possession within 1,000 feet of a demonstration on the property.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="J.">
      <text>An individual may not physically attach or illuminate any banner, sign, or message to any State real property without prior written approval from the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="K.">
      <text>Except for federal, State, and local government entities or law enforcement services agencies, an individual may not launch, land, or retrieve an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) on any State real property without prior written approval from the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="L.">
      <text>No person shall intentionally focus, point, or shine any laser beam or high intensity light directly or indirectly onto the eye or eyes of another person or animal, on another person or animal, or onto any State building window in such a manner as would reasonably be expected to annoy, harass, or alarm the person or animal.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" heading="Penalties.">
    <text>Persons violating these regulations and applicable laws may be prosecuted and, upon conviction by a court, shall be considered guilty of a misdemeanor and may be fined or imprisoned. Nothing contained in these regulations shall be construed to abrogate any other federal, State, or local laws applicable to any area in which the property is located.</text>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">United States Constitution, Amendments 1 and 14; Maryland Constitution, Declaration of Rights, Article 13;Criminal Law Article, §§4-208 and 6-409; State Finance and Procurement Article, §§4-604(6) and (7) and 4-607(a) and (c);State Government Article, §2-1702; Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: October 10, 1994 (21:20 Md. R. 1731)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02D amended effective October 31, 2011 (38:22 Md. R. 1344)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .07 amended effective February 25, 2019 (46:4 Md. R. 190)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .08 amended effective April 5, 2021 (48:7 Md. R. 259)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>