Marvin Mandel, Governor                       1343

CHAPTER 437
(Senate Bill 656)

AN ACT to add new Section 120 to Article 66C of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1970 Replacement Volume AND 1971 SUP-
PLEMENT), title "Natural Resources," subtitle "Birds, Game
and Inland Water Fish," subheading "Department of Game and
Inland Fish," TO FOLLOW IMMEDIATELY AFTER SECTION
119 THEREOF, authorizing police officers of the Department of
Natural Resources to issue citations for violations of laws re-
quired to be enforced by the Secretary of Natural Resources,
providing generally for such citations and for penalties for fail-
ing to appear in court in response to a citation. THEREFOR.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That new Section 120 be and it is hereby added to Article 66C of the
Annotated Code of Maryland, (1970 REPLACEMENT VOLUME
AND 1971 SUPPLEMENT), title "Natural Resources," subtitle
"Birds, Game and Inland Water Fish," subheading, "Department of
Game and Inland Fish," to follow immediately after Section 119
thereof and to read as follows:

120.

(a)   Whenever a person is apprehended by a police officer of the
Department of Natural Resources for violation of any law required
to be enforced by the Secretary of Natural Resources or by the
Department of Natural Resources or its employees, the officer shall
prepare and sign a written citation containing a notice to appear
in Court, the name and address of the person charged, appropriate
license numbers, if any, the offense charged, the time and place the
person shall appear in Court, and such other pertinent information
as may be required by the Secretary of Natural Resources.

(b)  The person charged may give his written promise to appear
in Court by signing the citation prepared by the officer, in which
event the officer is not required to take the person in physical
custody for the violation should the officer believe the person charged
will appear in Court when required to do so.

(c)  It shall be unlawful for any person to violate his written
promise to appear in Court unless sufficient collateral for the offense
has been posted, the fine has been paid in advance of trial, or the
person is represented by counsel in court.

(d)  Any person convicted before any court for violating any of
the provisions of this section shall be fined not less than $25.00 nor
more than $100.00. or imprisoned for not more than 30 days, or both
such fine and imprisonment.

(e) Forfeiture of bail or collateral deposit to secure a Defendant's

appearance in Court, unless vacated in this State, shall constitute a

plea of guilty, upon which a final conviction may be entered.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
July 1, 1972.

Approved May 26, 1972.