1. (a) In this section, “gas company” has the meaning stated in § 1-101 of the Public Utilities Article.

2. (b)

   1. (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. (2) A person may not intentionally damage or defraud a gas company by:

      1. (i) bypassing a meter provided for registering the gas consumed;
      2. (ii) willfully tampering with, damaging, or preventing the action of a meter to register gas; or
      3. (iii) causing or procuring a meter to be damaged or altered.

3. (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. (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. (2) damage or alteration to a meter so as to prevent the action of the meter.
4. (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.

Added by Acts 2002, c. 26, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2002. Amended by Acts 2010, c. 52, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2010.

Formerly Art. 27, § 192.