WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor

Ch. 417

Article - Transportation

Section 25-204 and 25-205

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1992 Replacement Volume and 1993 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Transportation

25-204.

(a)     As soon as reasonably possible and within 7 days at most after it takes an
abandoned vehicle into custody, a police department shall send a notice, by certified mail,
return receipt requested, bearing a postmark from the United States Postal Service, to:

(1)     The last known registered owner of the vehicle; and

(2)     Each secured party, as shown on the records of the Administration.

(b)     The notice shall:

(1)     State that the abandoned vehicle has been taken into custody;

(2)     Describe the year, make, model, and vehicle identification number of
the vehicle;

(3)     Give the location of the facility where the vehicle is held;

(4)     (i) Inform the owner and secured party of [his] THE OWNER'S AND
SECURED PARTY'S right to reclaim the vehicle within 3 weeks after the date of the
notice, on payment of all towing, preservation, and storage charges resulting from taking
or placing the vehicle in custody; or

(ii) In Baltimore City and Montgomery County, be sent by certified
mail, return receipt requested, and inform the owner and secured party of the owner's
and secured party's right to reclaim the vehicle within 11 working days after the receipt of
the notice, on payment of all towing, preservation, and storage charges resulting from
taking or placing the vehicle in custody; and

(5)     State that the failure of the owner or secured party to exercise this right
in the time provided is:

(i) A waiver by [him] THE OWNER OR SECURED PARTY of all [his]
right, title, and interest in the vehicle; and

(ii) A consent to the sale of the vehicle at public auction.

(c)     In Baltimore City, Prince George's County, and Montgomery County, a police
department or its agent may seek to recover costs of impoundment, storage, and sale of a
vehicle as provided by §§ 25-206.1 and 25-206.2 of this subtitle. If a police department or

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