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LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 202

5-106.

(F) A PROSECUTION FOR A WELFARE OFFENSE UNDER ARTICLE
27, SECTION 230A OF THE CODE SHALL BE INSTITUTED WITHIN
THREE YEARS AFTER THE OFFENSE WAS COMMITTED.

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

230A.

(a)    Any person who fraudulently obtains, attempts to
obtain, or aids another person in fraudulently obtaining or
attempting to obtain money, property, food stamps, medical
care or other assistance other than medicaid to which he is
not entitled, under a social, health, or nutritional program
based on need, financed in whole or in part by the State of
Maryland, and administered by the State or its political
subdivisions is guilty of a misdemeanor. For purposes of
this section, fraud shall include:

(1)    Wilfully making a false statement or
representation; or

(2)    Wilfully failing to disclose a material
change in household or financial condition; or

(3)    Impersonating another person.

(b)    Upon conviction, after notice and the opportunity
to be heard as to the amount of payment and how the payment
is to be made, the person shall make full restitution of the
money, property, food stamps, medical care or other
assistance unlawfully received, or the value thereof, and
shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not
more than three years, or both fined and imprisoned.

(c)    Any person receiving assistance at public expense
shall read, or have read to them, a statement of what
conduct constitutes fraud under this section and shall sign
a statement acknowledging that he understands that the
penalties for welfare fraud may be a fine of not more than
$1,000 or imprisonment for not more than three years, or
both fine and imprisonment.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1978.

Approved May 2, 1978.

CHAPTER 203
(Senate Bill 142)
AN ACT concerning