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LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 284

(D)  CONTEMPT; DEFENSE.

(1)  A PERSON MAY BE HELD IN CONTEMPT IF THE PERSON
UNJUSTIFIABLY:

(I)  FAILS OR REFUSES TO COMPLY WITH A SUBPOENA
FOR APPEARANCE;

(II)  APPEARS BUT FAILS OR REFUSES TO TESTIFY
UNDER OATH; OR

(III)  UNLESS THE DIRECTIVE IS OVERRULED BY A
MAJORITY VOTE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE WHO
ARE PRESENT AT THE HEARING, DISOBEYS A DIRECTIVE OF THE PRESIDING
OFFICER AT THE HEARING TO ANSWER A RELEVANT QUESTION OR TO
PRODUCE A RELEVANT BOOK, DOCUMENT, OR PAPER THAT HAS BEEN
SUBPOENAED.

(2)  IF AN INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE FAILS, IN ANY
MATERIAL RESPECT, TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SUBTITLE AND
THE PERSON WHO IS SUBPOENAED IS PREJUDICED BY THE FAILURE:

(I)  THE PERSON NEED NOT COMPLY; AND

(II)  THE FAILURE IS A COMPLETE DEFENSE IN A
PROCEEDING AGAINST THE PERSON FOR CONTEMPT OR OTHER PUNISHMENT.

(E)  CONTEMPT CITATION.

(1)  BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF AN
INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE MAY APPLY
FOR A CONTEMPT CITATION:

(I)  WHEN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS NOT IN
SESSION, TO A CIRCUIT COURT; AND

(II)  WHEN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS IN SESSION:

1.  TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY;

2.  TO THE SENATE, IF THE SENATE
ESTABLISHED THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE; OR

3.  TO THE HOUSE, IF THE HOUSE ESTABLISHED
THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.

(2)  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE SENATE, OR THE HOUSE:

(I)  MAY CONSIDER THE APPLICATION AS THOUGH THE
ALLEGED CONTEMPT HAD BEEN COMMITTED IN OR AGAINST THAT BODY; AND

(II)  IN ADDITION TO ANY PENALTY THAT A COURT
IMPOSES, MAY IMPOSE ANY OTHER PUNISHMENT THAT THE BODY HAS THE
INHERENT POWER TO IMPOSE.