1. (a)

   1. (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

   2. (2) “Political subdivision” includes a:

      1. (i) county;
      2. (ii) municipal corporation;
      3. (iii) bi-county or multicounty agency;
      4. (iv) county board of education;
      5. (v) public authority; or
      6. (vi) special taxing district that is not a homeowners association.

   3. (3)

      1. (i) “Public employee” means an officer or employee of:

         1. 1. the State; or
         2. 2. a political subdivision of the State.

      2. (ii) “Public employee” includes:

         1. 1. an executive officer of the State;
         2. 2. a judge of the State;
         3. 3. a judicial officer of the State;
         4. 4. a member or officer of the General Assembly;
         5. 5. a member of the police force of Baltimore City or the Department of State Police; and
         6. 6. a member, officer, or executive officer of a political subdivision.
2. (b) A person may not bribe or attempt to bribe a public employee to influence the public employee in the performance of an official duty of the public employee.

3. (c) A public employee may not demand or receive a bribe, fee, reward, or testimonial to:

   1. (1) influence the performance of the official duties of the public employee; or
   2. (2) neglect or fail to perform the official duties of the public employee.

4. (d) A person who violates this section is guilty of the misdemeanor of bribery and on conviction:

   1. (1) is subject to imprisonment for not less than 2 years and not exceeding 12 years or a fine not less than $5,000 and not exceeding $25,000 or both;
   2. (2) may not vote; and
   3. (3) may not hold an office of trust or profit in the State.
5. (e) A person who violates this section is subject to § 5-106(b) of the Courts Article.

6. (f)

   1. (1) A person who violates this section:

      1. (i) is a competent witness; and
      2. (ii) subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, may be compelled to testify against any person who may have violated this section.
   2. (2) A person compelled to testify for the State under paragraph (1) of this subsection is immune from prosecution for a crime about which the person was compelled to testify.

Added by Acts 2002, c. 26, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2002. Amended by Acts 2006, c. 430, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2006; Acts 2017, c. 31, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2017; Acts 2020, c. 164, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2020; Acts 2021, c. 109, § 1, eff. April 13, 2021.

Formerly Art. 27, § 22.