J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                       1507

decedent had died leaving a legitimate child or children or descen-
dants of such deceased child. All money paid by virtue of such an
order shall be charged as a debt or debts against the estate of the
decedent. Upon payment of the sum or sums ordered to be paid
as aforesaid, any bond furnished in the proceedings by the decedent
shall be cancelled and the sureties thereon discharged.

(d) Any monies due and unpaid for the support of the child at
the time it reaches the age of 21 years, dies, marries, or becomes
self-supporting, shall be a continuing obligation of the party or
parties bound by the order of the Court to pay the same, until finally
and completely paid under all the provisions of law applicable to
the order.

66K.

The right of any party to appeal to the Court of Appeals of
Maryland from an order of the Court shall be the same as in any
other case tried in the equity or law courts of this State.

66L.

Either before or after the filing of a bill or petition to establish
paternity and to charge the putative father of an illegitimate child
or children with his or their support and maintenance, the person
alleged to be the father of the child or children, whether he admits
or denies paternity, may propose to make a settlement with respect
to his or their support and maintenance, either in a lump sum, in-
stallments, or otherwise. If the complainant or petitioner agrees to
accept the settlement and the State's Attorney is satisfied that the
amount and terms of the settlement are fair and reasonable and that
the complainant or petitioner has been properly advised in the
premises and is competent to accept the settlement, an agreement
shall be prepared and duly executed and submitted to the Court
for approval. In the event the Court approves the agreement, the
terms thereof shall be incorporated in an order to be passed by the
Court, which order shall be enforceable in all respects and to the
same extent as any other order passed after a hearing.

66M.

The Clerks of the Circuit Courts of the counties and the Equity
Courts CIRCUIT COURT NO. 2 of the City of Baltimore shall keep
and maintain a docket known as "Paternity Docket," in which shall
be kept all records, proceedings, and orders pertaining to each case
pursuant to this subtitle.

66N.

(a)  Nothing contained in Section 66 of this Article or in this sub-
title shall affect any proceeding or prosecution under said Section
66 or under the former Article 12 of this Code, title "Bastardy and
Fornication," instituted prior to June 1, 1963; any such proceedings
or prosecution may be continued, including the enforcement or
modification of any order theretofore passed in said proceeding,
to the same extent and with the same effect as if said Article 12
had not been repealed.

(b)  In any proceeding under this subtitle, proof of a prior con-
viction under said Article 12, whether the conviction occurred before