1594                             Laws of Maryland                       Ch. 536

more than three years, or both. Whoever, in the commission of any
such acts, uses a deadly or dangerous weapon, shall be subject to a
fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment of not more than ten
years, or both.

197-14.

Before any violation of this Act is reported by the Board to any
State's attorney for institution of a criminal proceeding, the person
against whom such proceeding is contemplated shall be given reason-
able notice of the alleged violation and opportunity to present his
views orally or in writing with regard to such contemplated pro-
ceeding. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as requiring the
Board to report for criminal prosecution VIOLATIONS of this Act
whenever he THE BOARD believes that the public interest will be
adequately served and compliance with the Act obtained by a suita-
ble written notice or warning.

197-15.

(a)    The Board may by regulations prescribe conditions under
which poultry products capable of use as human food, shall be stored
or otherwise handled by any person engaged in the business of buy-
ing, selling, freezing, storing, or transporting, in or for intrastate
commerce, such articles, whenever the Board deems such action
necessary to assure that such articles will not be adulterated or
misbranded when delivered to the consumer.

(b)    The Board shall promulgate such other rules and regulations
as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

(c)    When opportunity is afforded for submission of comments
by interested persons on proposed rules or regulations under this
Act, there shall be oral presentation of their views.

197-16.

(a) The Board shall, by regulation under conditions, as to sani-
tary standards, practices, and procedures, exempt from specific pro-
visions of this Act:

(1)    retail dealers with respect to poultry products sold directly
to consumers in individual retail stores, if the only processing opera-
tion performed by such retail dealers is the cutting up of poultry
products on the premises where such sales to consumers are made;

(2)    for such period of time as the Board determines that it would
be impracticable to provide inspection and the exemption will aid in
the effective administration of this Act, any person engaged in the
processing of poultry or poultry products and the poultry or poultry
products processed by such person: Provided, however, That no such
exemption shall continue in effect more than 120 days after enact-
ment of this Act;

(3)    persons slaughtering, processing, or otherwise handling
poultry or poultry products which have been or are to be processed
as required by recognized religious dietary laws, to the extent that
the Board determines necessary to avoid conflict with such require-
ments while still effectuating the purposes of this Act;

(4) the slaughtering by any person of poultry of his own raising,
and the processing by him and transportation of the poultry prod-
ucts exclusively for use by him and members of his household and his
nonpaying guests and employees;

(5) the custom slaughter by any person of poultry delivered by
the owner thereof for such slaughter, and the processing by such