§ 16-41. Solicitation on highways.
(a) Prohibited conduct – In general.
No person shall stand within a highway for the purpose of soliciting a ride, employment, or business from the occupant of any vehicle or for the purpose of presenting a gift to or performing a service, whether gratuitous or for a fee, for the occupant of a vehicle.
(b) Prohibited conduct – Parents or guardians of minors.
No parent or guardian shall knowingly permit any minor under the age of 18 years to violate the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Exception.
This section does not prohibit the solicitation by any person for lawful employment or business from the occupant of any vehicle which is properly and lawfully parked or properly and lawfully standing out of the free flow of traffic.
(d) Enforcement – Adult offenders.
(1) A police officer who finds any person 18 years of age or older violating provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall order the person to cease and desist. Persons failing to comply with this order may be issued a citation containing their signed promise to pay the fine provided or to appear in court for trial.
(2) The officer is not required to take the person into physical custody for the violation unless:
(i) the person charged does not furnish satisfactory evidence of identity; or
(ii) the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person charged will disregard a written promise to appear.
(3) A person receiving a citation under this section shall pay the fine provided for in the citation to the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City, or stand trial for the violation.
(e) Enforcement – Minors.
(1) A police officer who finds any person under 18 years of age violating provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall order the person to cease and desist.
(2) Any person under 18 years of age who fails to comply with this order:
(i) may be taken into custody; and
(ii) subsequent to recording information necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, shall be promptly released to their parent or guardian.
(3) The released person under 18 years of age shall be referred to the Baltimore City Police Department's court sanctioned pre-intake adjustment program.
(f) Penalties.
(1) Any parent or guardian who shall violate subsection (b) of this section after having received written notice of their child or ward having committed a violation of subsection (a) occurring within the preceding 12 months, may receive a written citation and is subject to a fine of $50 for each offense.
(2) Any person 18 years of age or older violating the provisions of subsection (a) of this section after being ordered to cease and desist is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined $50.