Ch. 139                          MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                               209

CHAPTER 139
(House Bill 214)

AN ACT to add new Section 7-103 to Article 66 1/2 of the Annotated Code of
Maryland (1970 Replacement Volume and 1972 Supplement), title "Vehicle
Laws," subtitle "Subtitle 7. Required Security," to follow immediately after
Section 7-102 thereof, making it unlawful to knowingly operate or permit the
operation of a motor vehicle not covered by required security [[and to provide
penalties]].

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That new Section 7-103 be and it is hereby added to Article 66 1/2
of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1970 Replacement Volume and 1972
Supplement) title "Vehicle Laws," subtitle "Subtitle 7. Required Security," to
follow immediately after Section 7-102 thereof and to read as follows:

7-103.

(A) ANY PERSON WHO OPERATES A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH
KNOWLEDGE THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THE
SECURITY REQUIRED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE, OR WHO
KNOWINGLY PERMITS ANOTHER PERSON TO OPERATE A MOTOR
VEHICLE OWNED INDIVIDUALLY, JOINTLY, OR SEVERALLY BY HIM
WITH KNOWLEDGE THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THE
SECURITY REQUIRED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE, IS GUILTY OF A
MISDEMEANOR [[, AND UPON CONVICTION, SHALL BE FINED NOT
LESS THAN $25 NOR MORE THAN $1000]].

[[(B) A PERSON CHARGED WITH A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION
SHALL APPEAR PERSONALLY IN COURT FOR TRIAL AND MAY NOT
FORFEIT COLLATERAL IN LIEU OF TRIAL. IF THE COURT
DETERMINES THAT, AT THE TIME OF TRIAL, THE DEFENDANT
OWNS INDIVIDUALLY, JOINTLY, OR SEVERALLY, OR REGULARLY
DRIVES A MOTOR VEHICLE FOR WHICH SECURITY IS REQUIRED
AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THE REQUIRED
SECURITY, THE COURT, WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS VERDICT AS TO
THE OFFENSE CHARGED, SHALL SUSPEND AND PHYSICALLY
CONFISCATE THE OPERATOR'S OR CHAUFFEUR'S LICENSE OF THE
DEFENDANT UNTIL HE DEMONSTRATES TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE
ADMINISTRATOR THAT ANY VEHICLE WHICH HE OWNS OR
REGULARLY DRIVES IS COVERED BY THE REQUIRED SECURITY.

(C) ANY LICENSE SUSPENDED AND CONFISCATED PURSUANT TO
THIS SECTION SHALL BE SENT TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE
ADMINISTRATOR, WHO SHALL RETAIN CUSTODY OF IT UNTIL IT
EXPIRES OR IS RETURNED TO THE LICENSEE UPON A SHOWING
THAT THE REQUIRED SECURITY IS IN EFFECT.]]

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take
effect July 1, 1973.

Approved April 26, 1973.