(a) In this section, “gas company” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of the Public Utilities Article.
(b) (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 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) 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.