(a)The General Assembly declares that:
(1)the protection and preservation of the home is the keystone of democratic government;
(2)the public health and welfare and the good order of the community require that members of the community enjoy in their homes a feeling of well-being, tranquility, and privacy and, when absent from their homes, carry with them the sense of security inherent in the assurance that they may return to the enjoyment of their homes;
(3)the practice of picketing before or about residences and dwelling places causes emotional disturbance and distress to the occupants;
(4)the purpose of this practice is to harass the occupants of the residences and dwelling places;
(5)without resort to this practice, fu
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(a) The General Assembly declares that:
(1) the protection and preservation of the home is the keystone of democratic government;
(2) the public health and welfare and the good order of the community require that members of the community enjoy in their homes a feeling of well-being, tranquility, and privacy and, when absent from their homes, carry with them the sense of security inherent in the assurance that they may return to the enjoyment of their homes;
(3) the practice of picketing before or about residences and dwelling places causes emotional disturbance and distress to the occupants;
(4) the purpose of this practice is to harass the occupants of the residences and dwelling places;
(5) without resort to this practice, full opportunity exists, and under the provisions of this article will continue to exist, for the exercise of freedom of speech and other constitutional rights; and
(6) the provisions of this section are necessary in the public interest to avoid the detrimental results described in this subsection.
(b) This section does not prohibit:
(1) picketing or assembly in connection with a labor dispute, as defined in § 4-301 of the Labor and Employment Article;
(2) picketing in a lawful manner of a person’s home when it is also the person’s sole place of business; or
(3) holding a meeting or assembly on any premises commonly used for the discussion of subjects of general public interest.
(c) A person may not intentionally assemble with another in a manner that disrupts a person’s right to tranquility in the person’s home.
(d) (1) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $100 or both.
(2) Each day on which a violation of this section occurs is a separate violation.
(e) In addition to the penalty provided in subsection (d) of this section, a circuit court:
(1) may enjoin conduct proscribed by this section; and
(2) in the proceeding for injunctive relief, may award damages, including punitive damages, against any person found guilty of violating this section.