SPIRO T. AGNEW, Governor                        847

CHAPTER 464
(Senate Bill 319)

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Section 3 of
Article 49B of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1964 Replace-
ment Volume), title "Interracial Commission," subtitle "Enforce-
ment Powers of Commission," to revise the hearing procedures of
the Interracial Commission, and matters generally related thereto.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Section 3 of Article 49B of the Annotated Code of Maryland
(1964 Replacement Volume), title "Interracial Commission," sub-
title "Enforcement Powers of Commission," be and it is hereby
repealed and re-enacted, with amendments, to read as follows:

3.

(a)  The said Commission shall have authority and power to make
such surveys and studies concerning interracial relations, conditions
and problems as it may determine, and to promote in every way
possible the betterment of interracial relations. In making such
studies and surveys, it shall be authorized to expend any funds which
may be provided for in the budget or otherwise made available.

(b)  It shall be the duty of said Commission to submit an annual
report to the Governor and General Assembly on or before
January 1st each year, setting forth the results of its studies and
recommendations, if any, for any additional legislation.

(c)   Whenever any problem of racial discrimination or racial ten-
sion DISCRIMINATION arises, the Commission may immediately
hold an investigatory A CONCILIATORY AN INVESTIGATORY
hearing. The place of any such hearing shall be in the county AREA
where the problem exists. The hearing may be public or private and
the Commission shall have the same powers as provided for hearings
on complaints filed.

The purpose of the hearing shall be to resolve the problem prompt-
ly by the gathering of all the facts from all the interested parties and
making such recommendations as may be necessary.

The Commission shall not be bound by the strict rules of evidence

prevailing in courts of law or equity. The testimony taken at the

hearing shall be under oath and be transcribed.

(d) Should the recommendations of the Commission not be
accepted within a reasonable time the Commission may, with the
consent of five members, on its own behalf, petition a court of equity
to serve compliance with said recommendations.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
July 1, 1968.

Approved May 7, 1968.