ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                             Ch. 117

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

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.

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