(A) Use of apartment for prostitution, including human trafficking prohibited.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person, tenant, landlord, landlord agent, management staff and/or property owner to knowingly sublease, assign, transfer possession, or permit use of a room or apartment for the purposes of any violation of the prostitution laws, including human trafficking laws of the State of Maryland or Frederick County, or either.
(2) "Knowingly" means a landlord, landlord agent, management staff, or property owner has been formally notified by law enforcement of facts establishing the existence of a violation as described in section (1) herein and takes no action regarding it.
(3) Anyone who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor per apartment, per occurrence and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than six months for each offense.
(B) Inquiries, complaints. Any inquiries or complaints regarding prostitution and/or human trafficking to any Frederick County Government personnel shall be directed to the Sheriff’s Office of the County.
(C) It is a defense to any prosecution under this section that the landlord, landlord agent, management staff, or property owner provides evidence that it has taken action to regain possession of the leased premises under the following statutory provisions:
(1) MD. Real Property Code Ann. § 8-402 - Tenant hold overs,
(2) § 8-402.1 - Proceedings upon breach of lease, or
(3) MD. Real Property Code Ann. § 14-132. Wrongful detainer actions and procedures.
(Bill No. 18-28, 10-23-2018)