WM. PRESTON. LANE, JR., GOVERNOR. 1763

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take
effect June 1, 1949.

Approved May 6, 1949.

CHAPTER 711
(House Bill 260)

AN ACT to authorize the parishes and separate congregations
of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Mary-
land to establish by-laws governing election of their vestry-
men as an alternate method to the provisions of Chapter 24
of the Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland, session
of November, 1798, known. as the Vestry Act of 1798.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Mary-
land, That the parishes and separate congregations of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Maryland may
by by-laws provide for the manner of conducting elections of
vestrymen, the number of vestrymen to be elected, and the
length of the terms of the offices of vestrymen. Such by-laws
may be adopted at any annual meeting or special meeting of
members of the parish or congregation by a vote of two-thirds
of the qualified voters present at such meeting.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That any by-laws adopted
as authorized by this Act shall be subject to amendment,
modification, or repeal at any annual meeting or special meet-
ing of the parish or congregation in the same manner as herein
provided for adoption of such by-laws.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the provisions of
this Act shall not become effective unless and until any con-
gregation or parish shall have first by resolution adopted
and declared its intention of electing to avail itself of the
provisions of this Act and that this Act is expressly declared
to provide for an alternate authority for the election of
vestries and not intended to repeal any portions of the Vestry
Act of 1798, enacted as Chapter 24 of the General Assembly
of Maryland, session of November, 1798.

SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take
effect June 1, 1949.

Approved May 6, 1949.