ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor

H.B. 634

3-704.

(a)     A person, with the intent to UNLAWFULLY extort money [or procure other
profit], PROPERTY, OR ANYTHING OF VALUE FROM ANOTHER, may not falsely accuse
or threaten to FALSELY accuse another of a crime or of anything that, if the
accusation were true, would tend to bring the other into contempt or disrepute.

(b)     A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on
conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding [2] 10 years OR A FINE NOT
EXCEEDING $10,000 OR BOTH.

3-705.

(a)     A person, with the intent to UNLAWFULLY extort [or gain] money,
property, or anything of value from another, may not verbally threaten to:

(1)     accuse any person of a crime [that may be charged by indictment
under the laws of the State] or of anything that, if true, would bring the person into
contempt or disrepute; or

(2)     (I) [injure the person or property of anyone] CAUSE PHYSICAL
INJURY TO A PERSON;

(II)     INFLICT EMOTIONAL DISTRESS ON A PERSON;

(III)   CAUSE ECONOMIC DAMAGE TO A PERSON; OR

(IV)    CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE PROPERTY OF A PERSON.

(b)     A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction
[shall be sentenced] IS SUBJECT to imprisonment [for not less than 2 years and] not
exceeding 10 years OR A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $10,000 OR BOTH.

3-706.

(a)     (1) This section applies to any writing, whether or not the writing is
signed, or if the writing is signed, whether or not it is signed with a fictitious name or
any other mark or designation.

(2) This section does not apply to a good faith reasonable notice of
dishonor and warning of criminal prosecution under Title 8, Subtitle 1 of this article
given by a holder of an instrument to the maker of the instrument.

(b)     A person, with the intent to UNLAWFULLY extort [or gain] money,
property, or anything of value from another, may not knowingly send or deliver, or
make for the purpose of being sent or delivered and part with the possession of, a
writing threatening to:

(1)     accuse any person of a crime [that may be charged by indictment
under the laws of the State] or of anything that, if true, would bring the person into
contempt or disrepute; or

(2)     (I) [injure the person or property of anyone] CAUSE PHYSICAL
INJURY TO A PERSON;

- 3105 -