{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-3-904","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Criminal Law § 3–904","heading":"","body":"(a) The General Assembly declares that:\n(1) the protection and preservation of the home is the keystone of democratic government;\n(2) the public health and welfare and the good order of the community require that members of the community enjoy in their homes a feeling of well-being, tranquility, and privacy and, when absent from their homes, carry with them the sense of security inherent in the assurance that they may return to the enjoyment of their homes;\n(3) the practice of picketing before or about residences and dwelling places causes emotional disturbance and distress to the occupants;\n(4) the purpose of this practice is to harass the occupants of the residences and dwelling places;\n(5) without resort to this practice, full opportunity exists, and under the provisions of this article will continue to exist, for the exercise of freedom of speech and other constitutional rights; and\n(6) the provisions of this section are necessary in the public interest to avoid the detrimental results described in this subsection.\n(b) This section does not prohibit:\n(1) picketing or assembly in connection with a labor dispute, as defined in § 4-301 of the Labor and Employment Article;\n(2) picketing in a lawful manner of a person’s home when it is also the person’s sole place of business; or\n(3) holding a meeting or assembly on any premises commonly used for the discussion of subjects of general public interest.\n(c) A person may not intentionally assemble with another in a manner that disrupts a person’s right to tranquility in the person’s home.\n(d) (1) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $100 or both.\n(2) Each day on which a violation of this section occurs is a separate violation.\n(e) In addition to the penalty provided in subsection (d) of this section, a circuit court:\n(1) may enjoin conduct proscribed by this section; and\n(2) in the proceeding for injunctive relief, may award damages, including punitive damages, against any person found guilty of violating this section.","path":["Article - Criminal Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcr\u0026section=3-904","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:57:08Z","sha256":"0344f065e595a8027f5ede674b2f9ae225bfd7568deef7c694942d82525f220a","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-3-903","next":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-3-905"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}