1993 LAWS OF MARYLAND

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1989 Replacement Volume and 1992 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

121B.

(A)     (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(2)      (I) "COURSE OF CONDUCT" MEANS A PERSISTENT PATTERN OF
CONDUCT COMPOSED OF TWO OR MORE ACTS OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, HOWEVER
SHORT, THAT EVIDENCES A CONTINUITY OF PURPOSE.

(II) "COURSE OF CONDUCT" DOES NOT INCLUDE

CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED ACTIVITY.

(3) "PROTECTIVE ORDER" MEANS ANY COURT ORDER, INCLUDING ANY
TYPE OF RESTRAINING ORDER OR INJUNCTION, THAT ORDERS A PERSON TO:

(I) REFRAIN FROM ABUSING OR THREATENING TO ABUSE
ANOTHER PERSON;

(II) REFRAIN FROM CONTACTING, ATTEMPTING TO CONTACT, OR
HARASSING ANOTHER PERSON:

(III) REFRAIN FROM ENTERING THE RESIDENCE OF ANOTHER
PERSON; OR

(IV) REMAIN AWAY FROM THE PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, SCHOOL,
OR RESIDENCE OF ANOTHER PERSON.

(4)      "STALK" MEANS TO ENGAGE IN A KNOWING AND WILLFUL COURSE
OF CONDUCT THAT INVOLVES AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED THREAT TO KILL ANOTHER
PERSON OR TO INFLICT BODILY INJURY ON ANOTHER PERSON THAT IS MADE:

(I) WITH THE INTENT TO PLACE THAT PERSON IN FEAR OF
BODILY INJURY OR DEATH; AND

(II) IN ANY MANNER OR CONTEXT THAT CAUSES THAT PERSON TO
REASONABLY FEAR BODILY INJURY OR DEATH.

(B) (1) A PERSON MAY NOT STALK ANOTHER PERSON.

(2) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION, A
PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS SECTION IS GUILTY OF A FELONY AND ON
CONVICTION IS SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $5,000 OR IMPRISONMENT NOT
EXCEEDING 3 YEARS OR BOTH.

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Ch. 206