Ch. 555                                    1994 LAWS OF MARYLAND

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

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(A) IN THIS SECTION, "OBJECT" DOES NOT INCLUDE FUEL USED FOR FIRE IN
A FIREPLACE, FIREBOX, OR BRAZIER.

[(a)](B) A person may not burn or cause to be burned any [cross or other
religious symbol] OBJECT on any private or public property within the State without the
express consent of the owner of the property and without first giving notice to the fire
department which services the area in which the burning is to take place.

[(b)](C) A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction
is subject to a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than 3 years or

both.

470A.

(b) A person may not:

(1)     Deface, damage, or destroy or attempt to deface, damage, or destroy
religious real or personal property that is owned, leased, or used by a religious entity;

(2)     Obstruct, or attempt to obstruct-by force or threat of force, a person in
the free exercise of that person's religious beliefs;

          (3) Harass or commit a crime upon a person or damage the real or personal
property of:

(i) A person because of that person's race, color, religious beliefs, or
national origin; or

(ii) An institution:

1.       Because of the institution's contacts or association with a
person or group of a particular race, color, religious belief, or national origin; or

2.       Where there is evidence that exhibits animosity on the part
of the person committing the act against a person or group because of that person's or
group's race, color, religious beliefs, or national origin; or

(4) Deface, damage, or destroy, [or] attempt to deface, damage, or destroy,
OR BURN OR ATTEMPT TO BURN ANY OBJECT ON, the real or personal property of:

(i) A person because of that person's race, color, religious beliefs, or
national origin; or

(ii) An institution:

1. Because of the institution's contacts or association with a
person or group of a particular race, color, religious belief, or national origin; or

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