1990 LAWS OF MARYLAND [CH. 680

in whole or in part to the person or institution having cus-
tody of the minor child or children.

(c) Provided that in Anne Arundel, Carroll, Cecil,
Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, Montgomery,
Prince George's, St. Mary's, Talbot and Wicomico Coun-
ties, the Trial Magistrates shall have concurrent jurisdic-
tion with the Circuit Court of each of the respective coun-
ties to try persons violating the provisions of this sub-title.
And further provided, that in Allegany County the Justice
of the Peace, known as the Magistrate for Juvenile Cases,
shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court
for said County to try persons violating the provisions of
this sub-title and that imprisonment of offenders shall not
exceed two years.

90. The State's Attorney for the City of Baltimore, in
addition to the powers and authority heretofore vested
in him by law, shall be empowered upon personal knowl-
edge, complaint or information that any person has de-
serted or failed to provide for the support and mainte-
nance of his wife, or that any parent has deserted or failed
to provide for the support and maintenance of his or her
minor child or children, to require witnesses other than
the person accused or to be accused to appear before him,
the Deputy State's Attorney or any Assistant State's At-
torney, for such examination of witnesses as may be
deemed necessary.

Provided the State's Attorney has reason to believe it
to be in the Interest of the public that an investigation or
inquiry be made with a view to the filing of any informa-
tion to the Criminal Court of Baltimore, such as herein-
after provided.

91. (a) After examination or inquiry shall have been
made and completed as provided for herein, the State's
Attorney may file an Information in the Criminal Court
of Baltimore against the person under investigation charg-
ing him with the offense [or offenses] of desertion and
failing to support his wife, [or child or both, ] or against
the parent under investigation charging him or her with
the offense of desertion and failing to support his or her
minor child, as the facts may warrant.

(b) And the Court before whom such information shall
have been made is hereupon empowered, upon the written
consent of the person complained of as having deserted
and failed to support his wife, to pass an order which shall
be subject to change by it, from time to time, as the cir-