Section 6-409 - Refusal or failure to leave public building or grounds. - Maryland Statutes

§ 6-409. Refusal or failure to leave public building or grounds.
 

(a)  Prohibited - During regularly closed hours.- A person may not refuse or fail to leave a public building or grounds, or a specific part of a public building or grounds, during the time when the public building or grounds, or specific part of the public building or grounds, is regularly closed to the public if: 

(1) the surrounding circumstances would indicate to a reasonable person that the person who refuses or fails to leave has no apparent lawful business to pursue at the public building or grounds; and 

(2) a regularly employed guard, watchman, or other authorized employee of the government unit that owns, operates, or maintains the public building or grounds asks the person to leave. 

(b)  Same - During regular business hours.- A person may not refuse or fail to leave a public building or grounds, or a specific part of a public building or grounds, during regular business hours if: 

(1) the surrounding circumstances would indicate to a reasonable person that the person who refuses or fails to leave: 

(i) has no apparent lawful business to pursue at the public building or grounds; or 

(ii) is acting in a manner disruptive of and disturbing to the conduct of normal business by the government unit that owns, operates, or maintains the public building or grounds; and 

(2) an authorized employee of the government unit asks the person to leave. 

(c)  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 $1,000 or both. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 578(a), (b), (d); 2002, ch. 26, § 2.]