WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor Ch. 523

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

Section 576

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1987 Replacement Volume and 1989 Supplement)

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments
Section 577

Annotated Code of Maryland
(1987 Replacement Volume and 1989 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

576.

Any person who enters or trespasses on any property which is posted against
trespassers in a conspicuous manner or in accordance with the provisions of § 576A of
this subheading is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not
exceeding $500, or imprisonment not exceeding three months, or both. The prosecution
of such offenders shall be made and proceedings instituted by the landowner or tenant
of the property unlawfully entered. Any person who is convicted of violating the
provisions of this section and who carried any firearm or bow and arrow at the time of
the violation shall have the person's hunting license revoked for one year immediately
on conviction. Any person who is convicted of violating the provisions of this section
and was carrying a fishing rod or net at the time of the violation shall have any fishing
license revoked for one year immediately on conviction. If the person does not hold a
license, the person may not be issued the appropriate license until one year after any
conviction under the provisions of this section.

577.

(a) (1) Any person or persons who remains upon, enters upon or crosses over
the land, premises or private property, including boarding any boat or other marine
vessel, of any person or persons in this State after having been duly notified by the
owner or his agent not to do so is considered guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction
[shall be fined not more than $500] IS SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING
$500, OR IMPRISONMENT NOT EXCEEDING 3 MONTHS, OR BOTH.

(2) This section may not be construed to include within its provisions the
entry upon or crossing over any land when such entry or crossing is done under a bona
fide claim or right of ownership of said land, it being the intention of this section only
to prohibit any wanton trespass upon the private land of others.

(b) These provisions do not preclude the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore
from enacting legislation making it unlawful or prohibitory to refuse, withhold from, or
deny to any person because of his race, creed, color, sex, age, physical or mental

- 2323 -