Marvin Mandel, Governor                         595

CHAPTER 284
(House Bill 305)

AN ACT to add new Section 399A to Article 27 of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1971 Replacement Volume), title "Crimes and
Punishments," subtitle "Crimes and Punishments," subheading
"Minors—Care and Protection of," to follow immediately after
Section 399 thereof, to make it unlawful in Charles County for
any person charged with the care of a child age seven (7) or less
to confine that child to a dwelling while he is absent from the
premises unless he leaves a reliable person at least thirteen years
of age with the child in order to protect the child from certain
dangers, and to provide that any person violating this section,
upon conviction, is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to certain
penalties.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That new Section 399A be and it is hereby added to Article 27 of
the Annotated Code of Maryland (1971 Replacement Volume), title
"Crimes and Punishments," subtitle "Crimes and Punishments,"
subheading "Minors—Care and Protection of," to follow immediately
after Section 399 and to read as follows:

399A.

In Charles County, any person who is charged with the care of
a child age seven (7) or less shall not allow that child to be locked or
otherwise confined in any dwelling, building or enclosure, while the
person so charged is absent from the premises unless he provides a
reliable person of at least thirteen years of age to remain with the
child in order to protect the child from the danger of fire, scalding,
smoke inhalation or suffocation. Any person who violates this section
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be
fined not more than $1000 or imprisoned for not more than one
year, or both.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
July 1, 1971.

Approved April 29, 1971

CHAPTER 285
(House Bill 306)

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Section 324(g)
of the Code of Public Local Laws of Somerset County (1963 Edition
and 1970 Supplement), being Article 20 of the Code of Public
Local Laws of Maryland), title "Somerset County," subtitle "Tax
Exemptions," to provide that no tax exemption granted by the
Somerset County Commissioners shall have any effect after Decem-
ber 31, 1975.