1. (a)

   1. (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
   2. (2) “Local official” means an individual serving in a publicly elected office of a local government unit, as defined in § 10-101 of the State Government Article.

   3. (3)

      1. (i) “State official” has the meaning stated in § 5-101 of the General Provisions Article.
      2. (ii) “State official” includes the Governor, Governor-elect, Lieutenant Governor, and Lieutenant Governor-elect.

   4. (4) “Threat” includes:

      1. (i) an oral threat; or
      2. (ii) a threat in any written form, whether or not the writing is signed, or if the writing is signed, whether or not it is signed with a fictitious name or any other mark.
2. (b) A person may not knowingly and willfully make a threat to take the life of, kidnap, or cause physical injury to a State official, a local official, a deputy State's Attorney, an assistant State's Attorney, or an assistant Public Defender.
3. (c) A person may not knowingly send, deliver, part with, or make for the purpose of sending or delivering a threat prohibited under subsection (b) of this section.
4. (d) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $2,500 or both.

Added by Acts 2002, c. 26, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2002. Amended by Acts 2013, c. 373, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2013; Acts 2014, c. 104, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2014.

Formerly Art. 27, § 561A.