1602

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 449

562B.

EVERY PERSON WHO OBTAINS OR ATTEMPTS TO OBTAIN BY
EXTORTION A SUM OF MONEY, REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY OR ANY
THING OF VALUE OF $300 OR MORE FROM ANY PERSON IS GUILTY OF
A FELONY, AND UPON BEING CONVICTED THEREOF, SHALL BE
SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT MORE THAN TEN YEARS. OR
FINED NOT MORE THAN $5,000, OR BOTH. IF THE SUM OF MONEY,
PROPERTY, OR THING OF VALUE IS UNDER $300, THE PERSON IS

GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND UPON BEING CONVICTED THEREOF,

SHALL BE SENTENCED TO NOT MORE THAN 18 MONTHS AND BE FINED
NOT MORE THAN $100 $500, OR BOTH. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS
SECTION EXTORTION MEANS THE OBTAINING OF THE OR ATTEMPTING
TO OBTAIN PROPERTY FROM ANOTHER, WITH HIS CONSENT, BY
INDUCEMENT INDUCED BY WRONGFUL USE OF ACTUAL OR THREATENED
FORCE, OR VIOLENCE OR BY WRONGFUL THREAT OF ECONOMIC INJURY.
THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO LEGITIMATE EFFORTS BY
EMPLOYEES OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO OBTAIN CERTAIN WAGES,
HOURS OR WORKING CONDITIONS. A PROSECUTION FOR THE FELONY
OFFENSE UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE INSTITUTED WITHIN 5
YEARS AFTER THE OFFENSE WAS COMMITTED.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That any common
law crimes relating to extortion are not abolished.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1978.

Approved May 16, 1978.

CHAPTER 450

(Senate Bill 290)

AN ACT concerning

Landlord and Tenant - Failure to Pay Rent

FOR the purpose of providing for the procedure by which a
landlord can regain possession of rental property for
nonpayment of rent; and clarifying certain provisions
generally related to a landlord's remedies for
nonpayment of rent by a tenant.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Real Property
Section 8-401(b) and (c) (1) and (2)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1974 Volume and 1977 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF