Consumption of alcoholic beverages in public

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    (a)    In this section, “public property” includes property that is:

        (1)    a structure, road, parking area, or grounds; and

        (2)    located on land owned, leased, or operated by:

            (i)    the State;

            (ii)    a county;

            (iii)    a municipality;

            (iv)    the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission;

            (v)    the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission;

            (vi)    the Montgomery County Revenue Authority; or

            (vii)    the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

    (b)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, an individual may not consume an alcoholic beverage:

            (i)    on public property;

            (ii)    on the mall, adjacent parking area, or other outside area of a shopping center;

            (iii)    on an adjacent parking area or other outside area of any other retail establishment; and

            (iv)    in a parked vehicle located in an area described under item (i), (ii), or (iii) of this paragraph.

        (2)    An individual may consume an alcoholic beverage on:

            (i)    public property if authorized by the governmental entity that has authority over the property; or

            (ii)    private property described under paragraph (1)(ii) through (iv) of this subsection if authorized by the owner of the property.

        (3)    If the owner or operator of a motor home or chartered bus has consented to the consumption of the alcoholic beverages, paragraph (1) of this subsection does not apply to passengers:

            (i)    in the living quarters of a motor home equipped with a toilet and central heating; or

            (ii)    of a chartered bus in transit.

    (c)    (1)    A violation of this section is a Code violation and a civil offense.

        (2)    A person who violates this section:

            (i)    shall be issued a citation under § 10–119 of the Criminal Law Article; and

            (ii)    is subject to a fine not exceeding $100.


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