Marvin Mandel, Governor                            381

per centum (2%) for each year less than thirty (80). Retirement
income shall be seventy per centum (70%) of final average earn-
ings (base salary) for the three years preceding retirement, with
a minimum of twenty (20) years and fifty per centum (50%) of
the annual earnings and less three quarters (¾) of Social Security
benefits paid. The plan shall be retroactive to include all sworn per-
sonnel actively engaged in law enforcement to the date of employ-
ment. The plan shall contain disability provisions and death benefits
for spouse and/or minor children. Employee's contribution shall not
exceed seven per centum (7%) on the first $9,000 of annual earnings
plus ten per centum (10%) on annual earnings in excess of $9,000.
There shall be a cost of living adjustment and a provision for a cash
refund of contributions, plus interest for persons terminating employ-
ment. This pension plan shall become effective on or before July 1,
1973.

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

Approved April 26, 1972.

CHAPTER 118
(Senate Bill 896)

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Section 34 (c)
of Article 101 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1964 Replace-
ment Volume and 1971 Supplement), title "Workmen's Com-
pensation," subtitle "Application of Article," to change the num-
ber of authorized active members of the Volunteer Fire Depart-
ments in Howard County.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Section 34 (c) of Article 101 of the Annotated Code of Mary-
land (1964 Replacement Volume and 1971 Supplement), title "Work-
men's Compensation," subtitle "Application of Article" be and it is
hereby repealed and re-enacted, with amendments, to read as follows:

34.

(c) The County Commissioners of Kent County and County Coun-
cil of Howard County shall secure compensation to volunteer firemen
or to their dependents in case of death of such firemen, by insuring
the payment of such compensation in the State Accident Fund or in
any private stock corporation or mutual association authorized to
provide such insurance. The County Commissioners of Prince George's
County and the County Council of Anne Arundel County shall
secure compensation to volunteer firemen, or to their dependents in
case of death, by insuring the payment of such compensation in
the State Accident Fund or in any private stock company or mutual
association licensed to provide such insurance. The County Com-
missioners of Kent County shall annually levy upon the assessable
property of Kent County a tax sufficient to pay for such insurance.
Provided, however, that the active members of the Chestertown
Volunteer Fire Company shall be limited to seventy-five members,