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Ch. 205 1993 LAWS OF MARYLAND
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article 27—Crimes and Punishments
121A.
(a) In this section "course of conduct" means a persistent pattern of conduct,
composed of a series of acts over a period of time, that evidences a continuity of purpose.
(b) This section does not apply to any peaceable activity intended to express
political views or provide information to others,
(c) A person may not follow another person in or about a public place, or
maliciously engage in a course of conduct that [alarms or] seriously annoys another
person:
(1) With intent to [harass, alarm, or] annoy the other person;
(2) After reasonable warning or request to desist by or on behalf of the
other person; and
(3) Without a legal purpose.
(d) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon
conviction, is subject to a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment for not more than 30
days.
121B.
(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING TERMS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.
(2) (I) "COURSE OF CONDUCT" MEANS A PERSISTENT PATTERN OF
CONDUCT COMPOSED OF A SERIES OF ACTS OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, HOWEVER
SHORT, THAT EVIDENCES A CONTINUITY OF PURPOSE.
(II) "COURSE OF CONDUCT" DOES NOT INCLUDE PICKETING OR
OTHER ORGANIZED PROTESTS AND ANY OTHERWISE LAWFUL ACTIVITY THAT IS
INTENDED TO EXPRESS POLITICAL VIEWS OR PROVIDE INFORMATION TO OTHERS. -
(3) "CREDIBLE THREAT" MEANS A THREAT TO KILL ANOTHER PERSON
OR TO INFLICT BODILY INJURY ON ANOTHER PERSON THAT IS MADE IN ANY
MANNER OR CONTEXT THAT CAUSES THE PERSON HEARING OR RECEIVING THE
THREAT TO REASONABLY FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PERSON WHO IS THE
SUBJECT OF THE THREAT.
(4) "HARASS" MEANS TO ENGAGE IN A KNOWING AND WILLFUL
COURSE OF CONDUCT THAT IS DIRECTED AT A SPECIFIC PERSON, INCLUDING
REPEATED FOLLOWING OF A PERSON, THAT:
(I) CAUSES THE PERSON TO FEAR FOR THE PERSON'S OWN
SAFETY OR THE SAFETY OF A FAMILY MEMBER;
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