Section 8-520 - Fundraising. - Maryland Statutes

§ 8-520. Fundraising.
 

(a)  "Public safety officer" defined.- In this section, "public safety officer" means: 

(1) a police officer; 

(2) a paid or volunteer fire fighter; 

(3) an emergency medical technician; 

(4) a rescue squad member; 

(5) the State Fire Marshal; or 

(6) a sworn officer of the State Fire Marshal. 

(b)  Scope of section.- This section does not prohibit, limit, or interfere with the right of an off-duty public safety officer who is not in uniform from participating in a charitable or other fundraising campaign. 

(c)  Prohibited.- A person may not encourage, solicit, or receive contributions of money or any thing of value for, or offer any thing for sale in, a charitable or other fundraising campaign by representing to the public that the charitable or other fundraising campaign is approved by: 

(1) a police or fire department in the State without the prior written consent of the chief administrative officer of the police or fire department or from the chief administrative officer's designee; or 

(2) a public safety officer or member of the family of a public safety officer without the prior written consent of the public safety officer or a family member of the public safety officer. 

(d)  Penalty.- A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 60 days or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both for each violation. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 233A; 2002, ch. 26, § 2.]