{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-9-609","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Criminal Law § 9–609","heading":"","body":"(a) This section does not apply:\n(1) to alarm systems activated by weather conditions or causes beyond the control of the alarm user;\n(2) in Frederick County if regulations are adopted under § 12–806 of the Local Government Article providing for the registration of alarm system contractors and alarm users, the issuance of civil citations, and penalties for a violation of a regulation;\n(3) in Calvert County if the Board of County Commissioners of Calvert County adopts regulations under § 12–806 of the Local Government Article providing for the registration of alarm system contractors and alarm users, the issuance of civil citations, and penalties for a violation of a regulation; or\n(4) in Washington County if the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County adopts regulations under § 12–806 of the Local Government Article providing for the registration of alarm system contractors and alarm users, the issuance of civil citations, and penalties for a violation of a regulation.\n(b) An alarm system that is activated more than once within a 12–hour period when a premises with an alarm system is unoccupied and that is not in response to an actual emergency situation or threatened suggested criminal activity constitutes one false alarm if:\n(1) access to the building is provided to the alarm system contractor; and\n(2) an alarm system contractor or an employee of an alarm system contractor responds to the activated alarm system.\n(c) (1) A law enforcement unit or fire department may issue a civil citation to an alarm user for the negligent or accidental activation of an alarm system as a result of faulty, malfunctioning, or improperly installed or maintained equipment or for a false alarm if the number of activations or false alarms to which the law enforcement unit or fire department responds exceeds:\n(i) three responses within a 30–day period; or\n(ii) eight responses within a 12–month period.\n(2) A civil citation issued under this section shall assess a penalty of $30 for each negligent or accidental activation or false alarm.","path":["Article - Criminal Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcr\u0026section=9-609","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:57:08Z","sha256":"1536346b0cc36a699ee88eb08ffd4b2a091cb60a2da578bee7c1831c37e82531","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-9-608","next":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-9-610"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}