1. (a) This section does not apply to a person if:

   1. (1) the person's previous lawful spouse has been absent from the person for a continuous period of 7 years; and
   2. (2) the person does not know whether the person's previous lawful spouse is living at the time of the subsequent marriage ceremony.
2. (b) While lawfully married to a living person, a person may not enter into a marriage ceremony with another.
3. (c) A person who violates this section is guilty of the felony of bigamy and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 9 years.

4. (d) An indictment or warrant for bigamy is sufficient if it substantially states:

   “(name of defendant) on (date), in (county), having a living spouse, feloniously entered into a marriage ceremony with (name of subsequent spouse), in violation of § 10-502 of the Criminal Law Article, against the peace, government, and dignity of the State.”.

Added by Acts 2002, c. 26, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2002.

Formerly Art. 27, §§ 18,19.