MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                                 2001

MARYLAND, That new Section 255A be and it is hereby added
to Article 27 — Crimes and Punishments, of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1971 Replacement Volume and 1973
Supplement) to read as follows:

Article 27 — Crimes and Punishments
255A.

(A)    NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS
SUBTITLE, THE CLERK OF THE COURT OF DORCHESTER COUNTY
[[SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE LICENSES TO CONDUCT GAMES
OF BINGO. ]]MAY ISSUE LICENSES ALLOWING CONDUCT OF GAMES
OF BINGO IN ADDITION TO THOSE GAMES OF BINGO WHICH MAY BE
HELD IN CONNECTION WITH A CARNIVAL, BAZAAR," OR RAFFLE.
ORGANIZATIONS ELIGIBLE FOR BINGO LICENSES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

(1)    A TAX-SUPPORTED VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY
OR AUXILIARY UNIT OF WHICH THE MEMBERS THEREOF ARE
DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THAT FIRE COMPANY.

(2)    A NATIONALLY CHARTERED VETERANS'
ORGANIZATION OR AUXILIARY UNIT OF WHICH THE MEMBERS
THEREOF ARE DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH TEAT ORGANIZATION.

(3)    A BONA FIDE RELIGIOUS GROUP WHICH HAS
CONDUCTED RELIGIOUS SERVICES AT A FIXED LOCATION IN
DORCHESTER COUNTY FOR A PERIOD OF AT LEAST THREE YEARS
PRIOR TO THE APPLICATION TO THE CLERK OF THE COURT.

(4)    A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DESIRING TO
RAISE MONEY FOR AN EXCLUSIVELY CHARITABLE, ATHLETIC OR
EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE SPECIFICALLY DESCRIBED IN THE
APPLICATION TO THE CLERK OF THE COURT. TO QUALIFY SUCH
ORGANIZATION BUST HAVE BEEN OPERATING IN DORCHESTER
COUNTY FOR A PERIOD OF AT LEAST THREE YEARS PRIOR TO THE
APPLICATION TO THE CLERK OF THE COURT.

(B)    THE APPLICATION TO THE CLERK OF THE COURT FOR
THE ISSUANCE OF THE LICENSE SHALL CONTAIN A CERTIFICATION
BY ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF THE ORGANIZATION
STATING THE FOLLOWING:

(1)    THE TIME AND PLACE OF THE ACTIVITIES FOR
WHICH THE LICENSE IS SOUGHT.

(2)    THAT THE BINGO GAMES FOR WHICH THE
LICENSE IS SOUGHT WILL BE SOLELY AND PERSONALLY
CONDUCTED, MANAGED AND OPERATED BY THE REGULAR MEMBERS OF
THE ORGANIZATION WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF PROFESSIONALS
AND THAT NO COMMISSION, SALARY, COMPENSATION, REWARD OR
RECOMPENSE WILL BE PAID TO ANY PERSON FOR HOLDING,
OPERATING OR CONDUCTING, OR ASSISTING IN THE HOLDING,
OPERATING OR CONDUCTING OF THE GAMES.