WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor Ch. 285
[8-510.

(a) (1) If a district court or circuit court judge is satisfied that a defendant in
a criminal case is a chronic alcoholic, the judge may commit the defendant to the
Department for evaluation and treatment, under the conditions that the judge sets.

(2) The Department shall accept custody of the individual.

(b) (1) A commitment under this section shall be for at least 96 hours and not
more than 6 weeks.

(2) Except during the first 96 hours after commitment, the Secretary or a
designee of the Secretary may terminate the commitment if the Secretary or designee
determines that continued commitment:

(i) Is not in the best interest of the individual; or
(ii) Does not serve any useful purpose.

(c) Before an individual is released from commitment under this section, the
Secretary or designee shall give the judge that ordered commitment notice of the
proposed date and time of release.]

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act is an
emergency measure, is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health
and safety, has been passed by a yea and nay vote supported by three-fifths of all the
members elected to each of the two Houses of the General Assembly, and shall take
effect from the date it is enacted.

Approved May 2, 1990.

CHAPTER 285
(Senate Bill 749)

AN ACT concerning

Religious and Ethnic Crimes - Penalties

FOR the purpose of altering the penalties for certain crimes against religious property
or crimes against persons or property because of race, religious beliefs, or national
origin.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments
Section 470A

Annotated Code of Maryland
(1987 Replacement Volume and 1989 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF

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