Theodore R. McKeldin, Governor                  1091

"Corporations", sub-title "Religious Corporations", said new sec-
tion to follow immediately after Section 288A thereof, providing
generally for the formation of Presbyterian Church corporations
subject to the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church in the
United States of America, amendment of present charters, of
such corporations, election, qualification, tenure and powers of
trustees.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That new Section 288B be and it is hereby added to Article 23 of
the Annotated Code of Maryland (1951 Edition and 1956 Supple-
ment), title "Corporations", sub-title "Religious Corporations", said
new section to follow immediately after Section 288A thereof, and to
read as follows:

288B. Formation of Presbyterian Church corporations subject
to the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church in the United States
of America; amendment of present charters of such corporations;
election, qualification, nomination, tenure and powers of trustees.

(a)  The provisions of this section shall apply only to Presbyterian
Churches which are subject to the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian
Church in the United States of America, and its successors.

(b)  Such Presbyterian Churches may be incorporated only in con-
formity with the provisions of the Constitution of the Presbyterian
Church in the United States of America and its successors, from time
to time in effect.

(c)  To the extent not prohibited by the Constitution of the United
States, or by the Constitution of the State of Maryland, the charters
of all of such Presbyterian Churches heretofore incorporated shall
be deemed to be hereby amended to conform to the provisions of the
Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of
America, and its successors, from time to time in effect.

(d)  The charters of such Presbyterian Churches shall not at any
time be amended in any manner which will conflict with the pro-
visions of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in the United
States of America, and its successors, from time to time in effect.

(e)  Trustees of such incorporated Presbyterian Churches shall be
elected by the Congregations thereof in accordance with their char-
ters as affected by the provisions of the preceding sub-sections of this
section. To the extent not prohibited by sub-section (c), the qualifi-
cations, nomination, election, tenure and powers of trustees shall be
in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution of the Presby-
terian Church in the United States of America, and its successors,
from time to time in effect. Wherever a vacancy shall exist in the
office of trustee, and there is no provision for filling such vacancy in
the charter of the Church, such vacancy may be filled by the con-
gregation.

(f)  Provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 288B
shall not apply to such Presbyterian Churches as were incorporated
by special act of the General Assembly of Maryland.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
June 1, 1957.

Approved April 10, 1957.