Ch. 285 LAWS OF MARYLAND
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

470A.

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) "Religious real property" includes:

(i) A church, synagogue, or other place of worship;
(ii) A cemetery;

(iii) A religious school, educational facility, community center,
structure, or other real property used for any religious purpose; and

(iv) The grounds adjacent to the property described in items (i)
through (iii) of this paragraph.

(b) A person may not:

(1) Deface, damage, or destroy or attempt to deface, damage, or destroy
religious real or personal property that is owned, leased, or used by a religious entity;

(2) Obstruct, or attempt to obstruct by force or threat of force, a person in
the free exercise of that person's religious beliefs;

(3) Harass or commit a crime upon a person or damage the real or
personal property of a person because of that person's race, color, religious beliefs, or
national origin; or

(4) Deface, damage, or destroy or attempt to deface, damage, or destroy
the real or personal property of a person because of that person's race, color, religious
beliefs, or national origin.

(c) A person who violates the provisions of this section is subject to the
following penalties:

(1) If the violation involves a separate crime that is a felony or if [death]
INJURY results to [the] A victim, the person is guilty of a felony and upon conviction
is subject to imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or a fine of not more than
$10,000, or both.

(2) IF THE VIOLATION INVOLVES A SEPARATE CRIME THAT IS A
FELONY AND RESULTS IN DEATH TO A VICTIM, THE PERSON IS GUILTY OF
A FELONY AND UPON CONVICTION IS SUBJECT TO IMPRISONMENT FOR
NOT MORE THAN 20 YEARS, OR A FINE OF NOT MORE THAN $20,000, OR
BOTH.

[(2)] (3) In all other cases, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon
conviction is subject to imprisonment for not more than 3 years, or a fine of not more
than $5,000, or both.

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