Section 6-304 - Public utility interference-Gas equipment. - Maryland Statutes

§ 6-304. Public utility interference - Gas equipment.
 

(a)  "Gas company" defined.- In this section, "gas company" has the meaning stated in § 1-101 of the Public Utilities Article. 

(b)  Prohibited.-  

(1) A person may not wrongfully and maliciously damage, connect, disconnect, tap, or interfere or tamper with material, equipment, or facilities of a gas company. 

(2) A person may not intentionally damage or defraud a gas company by: 

(i) bypassing a meter provided for registering the gas consumed; 

(ii) willfully tampering with, damaging, or preventing the action of a meter to register gas; or 

(iii) causing or procuring a meter to be damaged or altered. 

(c)  Prima facie evidence of violation.- Prima facie evidence of a violation of this section by the person who would directly benefit from the use of the gas passing through the meter includes: 

(1) a device that allows the use of gas supplied by a gas company without the gas being registered on a meter provided by the gas company; and 

(2) damage or alteration to a meter so as to prevent the action of the meter. 

(d)  Penalty.- A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding $250 or both. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 192; 2002, ch. 26, § 2; 2010, ch. 52.]