1200

LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 218

SUBTITLE 7. OFFSETS
15-701. DEFINITIONS.

(A)    IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE
MEANINGS INDICATED.

(B)    "CONSUMER DEBT" MEANS ANY DEBT ARISING FROM A
TRANSACTION FOR CONSUMER GOODS AS DEFINED IN §9-109 OF
THIS ARTICLE.

(C)    "OFFSET" MEANS THE SEIZURE BY A BANK OF
PERSONAL PROPERTY, BELONGING TO A CUSTOMER, IN THE BANK'S
POSSESSION OR UNDER ITS CONTROL ON DEPOSIT TO SETTLE
DELINQUENT DEBTS.

15-702. OFFSETS AGAINST CONSUMER DEBTS PROHIBITED.

FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, A BANK OR
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION MAY NOT OFFSET ANY PROPERTY IN ITS
POSSESSION OR MONEY FROM A CUSTOMER'S SAVINGS OR CHECKING
ACCOUNT FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF A DELINQUENT CONSUMER DEBT
UNLESS:

(1)    THE OFFSET IS AUTHORIZED IN WRITING BY THE
CUSTOMER; OR

(2)    A COURT ORDER IS OBTAINED TO PERMIT THE
OFFSET.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect[[July]] October 1, 1975.

Approved April 8, 1975.

CHAPTER 219
(House Bill 390)
AN ACT concerning

Crimes and Punishments — Technical Corrections

FOR the purpose of correcting certain technical errors

relating to crimes and punishments.

BY repealing and re—enacting, with amendments,

Article 27 — Crimes and Punishments

Section 35A(b)(8), 35A(h)(3), 35A(h)(4), 36(c),