§ 9-609
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/md/criminal-law/9-609A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
§9–609.
(a)This section does not apply:
(1)to alarm systems activated by weather conditions or causes beyond the control of the alarm user;
(2)in Frederick County if regulations are adopted under § 12–806 of the Local Government Article providing for the registration of alarm system contractors and alarm users, the issuance of civil citations, and penalties for a violation of a regulation;
(3)in Calvert County if the Board of County Commissioners of Calvert County adopts regulations under § 12–806 of the Local Government Article providing for the registration of alarm system contractors and alarm users, the issuance of civil citations, and penalties for a violation of a regulation; or
(4)in Washington County if the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County adopts regulations under § 12–806 of the Local Government Article providing for the registration of alarm system contractors and alarm users, the issuance of civil citations, and penalties for a violation of a regulation.
(b)An alarm system that is activated more than once within a 12–hour period when a premises with an alarm system is unoccupied and that is not in response to an actual emergency situation or threatened suggested criminal activity constitutes one false alarm if:
(1)access to the building is provided to the alarm system contractor; and
(2)an alarm system contractor or an employee of an alarm system contractor responds to the activated alarm system.
(1)A law enforcement unit or fire department may issue a civil citation to an alarm user for the negligent or accidental activation of an alarm system as a result of faulty, malfunctioning, or improperly installed or maintained equipment or for a false alarm if the number of activations or false alarms to which the law enforcement unit or fire department responds exceeds:
(i)three responses within a 30–day period; or
(ii)eight responses within a 12–month period.
(2)A civil citation issued under this section shall assess a penalty of $30 for each negligent or accidental activation or false alarm.