Ch. 617

LAWS OF MARYLAND

(D) (E) "ALARM USER" MEANS THE OPERATOR OWNER OR LESSEE OF
AN ALARM SYSTEM.

(E) "ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES" MEANS:

(1) LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES (F) "LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCY" MEANS THE MARYLAND STATE POLICE, BALTIMORE CITY POLICE
AND, THE POLICE OF ANY COUNTY, OR INCORPORATED MUNICIPALITY,
AND SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE ANY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OR
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THAT HAS THE POWER TO ARREST.

(F) (G) (1) "FALSE ALARM" MEANS ANY REQUEST FOR IMMEDIATE
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES' ASSISTANCE BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
REGARDLESS OF CAUSE THAT IS NOT IN RESPONSE TO AN ACTUAL
EMERGENCY SITUATION OR THREATENED SUGGESTED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

(2) FALSE ALARMS INCLUDE: (2) "FALSE ALARM"

INCLUDES:

(I)  NEGLIGENTLY OR ACCIDENTALLY ACTIVATED
SIGNALS;

(II)  SIGNALS THAT ARE THE RESULT OF FAULTY,
MALFUNCTIONING, OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR MAINTAINED EQUIPMENT;
AND

(III)  SIGNALS THAT ARE PURPOSELY ACTIVATED TO
SUMMON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN NONEMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

(3)  "FALSE ALARM" DOES NOT INCLUDE:

(I)  SIGNALS ACTIVATED BY UNUSUALLY SEVERE
WEATHER CONDITIONS OR OTHER CAUSES BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE
ALARM USER OR ALARM BUSINESS SYSTEM CONTRACTOR; AND OR

(II)  ALARMS SIGNALS ACTIVATED DURING THE
INITIAL 60-DAY PERIOD FOLLOWING NEW INSTALLATION.

(4)  (I) AN ALARM SYSTEM THAT IS ACTIVATED A SECOND
TIME WITHIN A 12-HOUR PERIOD WHEN THE PREMISES ARE UNOCCUPIED
SHALL BE DEEMED 1 FALSE ALARM IF:

1.  ACCESS TO THE BUILDING IS PROVIDED TO
THE ALARM SYSTEM CONTRACTOR; AND

2.  AN ALARM COMPANY TECHNICIAN SYSTEM
CONTRACTOR OR AN EMPLOYEE OF AN ALARM SYSTEM CONTRACTOR RESPONDS.

(II) FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH PARAGRAPH (F)(4)(I)
OF THIS SECTION ITEM (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL RESULT IN EACH
SUBSEQUENT ALARM BEING COUNTED AS A FALSE ALARM.

156B.

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