Current with changes from the 2024 Legislative Session
Section 6-304 - Public utility interference - Gas equipment(a) In this section, "gas company" has the meaning stated in § 1-101 of the Public Utilities Article.(b)(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 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) 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.