1458                               Laws of Maryland                         Ch. 534

in the enforcement of any law of this State or of the particular polit-
ical subdivision, directs the operator of any motor vehicle (other
than a police vehicle) within the limits of this State to assist him in
the enforcement of the law or in apprehending any person suspected
of having or known to have committed a violation thereof, the State
or the political subdivision, as the case may be, shall be liable for
damages or injuries proximately caused by the negligence of the
police officer; provided, however, that the defenses of contributory
negligence and "last clear chance" shall be available to the state or
political subdivision. For purposes of this section, the Baltimore City
police shall be considered police officers of Baltimore City, and the
term "police officer" shall be deemed to include all persons charged
with law enforcement. The fiscal officers of the State or political
subdivision, as the case may be, shall forthwith or as soon as possible
pay all just claims made or judgments entered pursuant to this sec-
tion from funds within their control and available for that purpose.

(c) If any police officer of this State, or of any political subdivi-
sion of this State, while acting within the scope of his authority in
the enforcement of any law of this State or of the particular political
subdivision, directs the operator of any motor vehicle (other than a
police vehicle) within the limits of this State to participate in a
road block to assist him in the enforcement of such law or in appre-
hending any person, suspected of having or known to have committed
a violation thereof, the State or the political subdivision, as the case
may be, shall be liable for damages or injuries directly resulting
from, or directly attributable to the participation in the road block;
provided, however, that the defenses of contributory negligence and
"last clear chance" shall be available to the state or political subdivi-
sion. For purposes of this section, the Baltimore City police shall be
considered police officers of Baltimore City, and the term "police
officer" shall be deemed to include all persons charged with law en-
forcement. The fiscal officers of the State or political subdivision, as
the case may be, shall forthwith or as soon as possible pay all just
claims made or judgments entered pursuant to this section from
funds within their control and available for that purpose.

Part II—Omitted

Part III—Process on Nonresident

§ 9-301. Service of process on nonresidents and on residents who
leave State.

(a) The acceptance by a nonresident individual, firm, or cor-
poration of the rights and privileges of using the roads and highways
of Maryland, as evidenced by his, their, or its operation of a motor
vehicle on any of the public highways within the limits of this State,
shall be deemed equivalent to an appointment by the nonresident
individual, firm, or corporation of the Secretary of State, or his suc-
cessor in office, to be his, their, or its true and lawful attorney upon
whom may be served all lawful processes in any action or proceeding
instituted, filed, or pending against him, them, or it, growing out of
any accident or collision in which the nonresident may be involved,
while operating or causing to be operated, a motor vehicle on a public
highway or elsewhere within the boundaries of the State of Mary-
land, including but not limited to property owned by individuals,