§ 6-304. Public utility interference -- Gas equipment.

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

(b) Prohibited. --

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

      (i) bypassing a meter provided for registering the gas consumed;

      (ii) willfully tampering with, damaging, or preventing the action of a meter to register gas; or

      (iii) causing or procuring a meter to be damaged or altered.

(c) Prima facie evidence of violation. -- 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) 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) damage or alteration to a meter so as to prevent the action of the meter.

(d) Penalty. -- 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.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 192; 2002, ch. 26, § 2; 2010, ch. 52.