HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3273

Section 7-163

Article 17 - Public Local Laws of Maryland

(1975 Edition and 1979 Supplement, as amended)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Code of Public - Local Laws
of Maryland be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as
follows:

Article 17 - Prince George's County

7-163.

The circuit court of Prince George's County is
authorized and empowered to designate, and appoint and
employ, as provided in the budget of Prince George's County,
one or more qualified persons to be known as the master or
masters for domestic relations causes of the circuit court
of Prince George's County for the purpose of hearing such
cases of a domestic relations nature and performing other
similar and related duties as may be from time to time
prescribed by said court. ON A FINDING THAT A DEFENDANT IS
IN WILLFUL CONTEMPT OF COURT FOR FAILURE TO PROVIDE CHILD
SUPPORT, THE MASTER MAY ORDER THE IMMEDIATE DETENTION OF THE
DEFENDANT SUBJECT TO AN IMMEDIATE REVIEW BY A JUDGE IF
REQUESTED. THE REVIEW SHALL BE CONDUCTED NOT LATER THAN 72
HOURS AFTER RECEIPT OF THE REQUEST. Persons so employed
shall be members of the bar of the State of Maryland and
shall receive an annual salary provided by the County
Executive of Prince George's County in such amount as he may
from time to time prescribe after consultation with the
court; and the clerk of the circuit court for Prince
George's County shall reimburse the said County Executive
and county council for salary so paid from the costs
collected pursuant to Section 7-166 of this Subtitle.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1980

Approved May 27, 1980.

CHAPTER 887

(House Bill 1945)

AN ACT concerning

Protection from Domestic Violence

FOR the purpose of establishing a civil procedure available
to victims of domestic violence; providing for the
venue, remedies, and procedures in cases of domestic