H.B. 634                                                 VETOES

State House
Annapolis, MD 21401

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, I have today
vetoed House Bill 634 - Criminal Law - Extortion - Damages and Penalties.

This bill prohibits a person, with the intent to unlawfully extort money, property, or
anything of value, from falsely accusing, verbally threatening to accuse, or knowingly
sending a writing threatening to accuse another of a crime or of anything that, if true,
would tend to bring the other into contempt or disrepute. It also prohibits a person
from verbally threatening or knowingly sending a writing threatening to cause
physical injury or economic damage to a person, inflict emotional distress on a person,
or cause damage to the property of a person.

Senate Bill 353, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me on
April 27, 2004, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me
to sign House Bill 634.

Very truly yours,
Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Governor

House Bill No. 634

AN ACT concerning

Criminal Law - Extortion - Damages and Penalties

FOR the purpose of prohibiting a person, with the intent to unlawfully extort money,
property, or anything of value, from falsely accusing, verbally threatening to
accuse, or knowingly sending a writing threatening to accuse another of a crime
or of anything that, if true, would tend to bring the other into contempt or
disrepute, or from verbally threatening or knowingly sending a writing
threatening to cause physical injury or economic damage to a person, inflict
emotional distress on a person, or cause damage to the property of a person;
increasing certain penalties; and generally relating to crimes of extortion.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Criminal Law
Section 3-704 through 3-706
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2002 Volume and 2003 Supplement)

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

Article - Criminal Law

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