298 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 334

law unless this sub-section is specifically referred to in such
repeal.

(c) Is not an inmate of any public institution at the time
of receiving assistance. An inmate of such an institution may,
however, make application for such assistance, but the assist-
ance, if granted, shall not begin until after he ceases to be an
inmate.

(d) Is not receiving old age assistance.

(e) Has not made an assignment or transfer of property for
the purpose of rendering himself eligible for assistance under
this Article at any time within three (3) years immediately
prior to the filing of application for public assistance or the
receipt of assistance pursuant to the provisions of this sub-
title.

19. (Granting of Assistance. ) Upon the completion of such
investigation, the County Board shall decide whether the appli-
cant is eligible for public assistance under the provisions of
this sub-title, and determine, in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the State Department, the amount of such
assistance and the date on which such assistance shall begin.
The County Board shall notify the applicant of its decision.
Such assistance shall be paid upon order of the County Board
from funds allocated to the County Board for this purpose.
Should the fund or funds available be sufficient to permit a
grant to only a part of the blind persons coming within the
provisions of this sub-title, the County Board shall select in
its discretion those in most urgent need of such assistance.

31. (Fraudulent Acts. ) Whoever knowingly obtains, or
attempts to obtain, or aids, or abets any person to obtain by
means of a wilfully false statement or representation, or by im-
personation, or other fraudulent device, public assistance to
which he is not entitled, or public assistance greater than that
to which he is justly entitled; or whoever knowingly or wil-
fully sells or aids or abets in selling, or whoever knowingly or
wilfully buys or aids or abets in buying or in any way disposing
of the property, either personal or real, of a recipient of public
assistance, while such person is receiving public assistance or
while his application for public assistance is pending, without
the consent of the County Board, and with the intent to defeat
the purposes of this Article, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor,
and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not more than five
hundred dollars ($500) or be imprisoned for not more than one
year, or be both so fined and imprisoned in the discretion of
Court. In assessing the penalty, the Court shall take into con-
sideration, among other factors, the amount of money fraudu-
lently received.