Criminal Law - Interference With a Public Safety Answering Point - Penalties

HB 445 amends Maryland law to specifically criminalize actions that disrupt public safety answering points (PSAPs), which are emergency call centers like 911 services. It makes it a felony to intentionally interfere with or impair PSAP operations (with penalties up to 5 years in prison or $25,000 fine) or to cause actual disruption (up to 10 years or $50,000 fine). The bill directly affects anyone who intentionally disrupts emergency call systems, including through computer access or other means. Key provisions add specific penalties to existing criminal law, targeting threats to emergency response infrastructure. This focuses solely on protecting critical 911 services from intentional interference.