3274

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 887

violence; granting certain equitable jurisdiction to
the District Court and to the Circuit Court of this
State; providing for maintenance of central registers

of the court orders; and generally relating to

procedures in cases of domestic violence designating
certain conduct between household members as "abuse";
providing that a household member may file a petition
in a court alleging abuse by another household member;
providing for an ex parte injunction to provide
protection from abuse; providing for a subsequent
hearing; providing that the court may grant certain
relief; providing certain penalties and remedies; and
specifying certain procedural aspects related to these
proceedings.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings

Section 4-402(a)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1974 Volume and 1979 Supplement)

BY adding to

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings

Section 4-404, 4-501 through 4-510 4-506, inclusive, to

be under the new subtitle "Subtitle 5.

Protection from Domestic Violence", and

6-203(f)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1974 Volume and 1979 Supplement)

Preamble

WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that physical
violence inflicted by people against their spouses and
household members is prevalent at all levels of society; and

WHEREAS, Not only are these intrafamily assaults

physically injurious to the victim, but the reliance on
violence as a means of resolving domestic disputes produces
marital disharmony and promotes an emotional atmosphere
conducive to unhealthy childhood development; and

WHEREAS, The remedies available to the victim of an
intrafamily assault need to be expanded to include a civil
remedy providing immediate and effective protection; now,
therefore,

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be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings