ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland tenants and homeowners who
vandalize or put graffiti on residential properties going through
foreclosure could face steep fines and jail time under legislation
proposed in Annapolis.
Delegate Andrew Serafini, R-Washington County, is sponsoring the
measure, which would make it a misdemeanor punishable by as many as
30 days in jail or a fine of up to $10,000 to damage a property
that is subject to a foreclosure action. People convicted of this
offense would also have to pay restitution costs or perform
community service.
Serafini's proposal is scheduled for a House Committee hearing
Tuesday afternoon.
Maryland officials say there were more than 50,000 properties in
some state of foreclosure in 2009, but no data is available on how
many were vandalized.
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On the Net:
Read House Bill 347:
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/fnotes/bil(underscore)0007/hb0347.pdf
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-02-08-10 1450EST