§ 43-1. Definitions.
(a) In general.
In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(b) Assignation.
"Assignation" means an appointment or engagement for prostitution or any act in furtherance of the appointment or engagement.
(c) Commissioner.
"Commissioner" means the Police Commissioner of Baltimore City or the Commissioner's designee.
(d) Controlled dangerous substance.
"Controlled dangerous substance" means a substance listed in Schedule I or Schedule II under State Criminal Law Article § 5-402 or § 5-403.
(e) Controlled paraphernalia.
"Controlled paraphernalia" has the meaning stated in State Criminal Law Article § 5-101.
(f) Crime of violence.
"Crime of violence" has the meaning stated in State Criminal Law Article § 14-101.
(g) Operator.
"Operator" means any person who has charge, care, or control of a premises or structure.
(h) Owner.
"Owner" means the person in whose name a premises is recorded in the Land Records of Baltimore City.
(i) Premises.
"Premises" means all or any part of any land, building, or other structure.
(j) Prostitution.
"Prostitution" means the performance of a sexual act, sexual contact, or vaginal intercourse, as these terms are defined in State Criminal Law Article § 3-301, for hire.
(k) Public nuisance.
(1) "Public nuisance" means any premises that, on 2 or more separate occasions within a 24-month period, were used:
(i) for prostitution, lewdness, or assignation;
(ii) for illegal adult entertainment;
(iii) by persons who assemble for the specific purpose of illegally administering a controlled dangerous substance;
(iv) for the illegal manufacture or distribution of:
(A) a controlled dangerous substance; or
(B) controlled paraphernalia;
(v) for the illegal storage or concealment of a controlled dangerous substance or controlled paraphernalia in sufficient quantity to reasonably indicate under all the circumstances an intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense:
(A) a controlled dangerous substance; or
(B) controlled paraphernalia;
(vi) for gambling;
(vii) for storage or possession of stolen property;
(viii) for storage or possession of unregistered firearms;
(ix) for furtherance of a crime of violence;
(x) by persons who engage in a crime of violence on or near the premises; or
(xi) for criminal gang offenses prohibited under State Criminal Law Article 9, Subtitle 8.
(2) Two reports by police officers, written in the regular course of business, of a premises' having been used for activities described in paragraph (1) of this subsection are prima facie evidence that the premises are a public nuisance.