2090

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 505

6A.

(A)  A state of emergency shall be declared by
executive order or proclamation of the Governor if he finds
that an emergency has developed or is impending for any
cause whatsoever. The state of emergency shall continue
until the Governor finds that the threat or danger has
passed or the emergency has been dealt with to the extent
that emergency conditions no longer exist and terminates the
state of emergency by executive order or proclamation.

(B)  No state of emergency may continue for longer than
30 days unless renewed by the Governor. The General Assembly
by joint resolution may terminate a state of emergency at
any time. Thereupon, the Governor shall issue an executive
order or proclamation ending the state of emergency. All
executive orders or proclamations issued under this section
shall indicate the nature of the emergency, the area or
areas threatened, and the conditions which have brought it
about or which make possible termination of the state of
emergency. An executive order or proclamation shall be
disseminated promptly by means calculated to bring its
contents to the attention of the general public and, unless
the circumstances attendant upon the emergency prevent or
impede, promptly filed with the State [Civil Defense and
Disaster Preparedness] EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND CIVIL
DEFENSE Agency, the Hall of Records, and the local
records-keeping agency in the area to which it applies.

(C)  UPON DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF A STATE OF
EMERGENCY, THE GOVERNOR, IF HE FINDS SUCH ACTION TO BE
NECESSARY IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE, OR
SAFETY, MAY, IN ADDITION TO EXERCISING ANY OTHER AUTHORITY
VESTED IN HIM BY LAW:

(1)  SUSPEND THE PROVISIONS OF ANY STATUTE, OR OF
ANY RULE OR REGULATION OF ANY STATE OR LOCAL AGENCY;

(2)  DIRECT AND COMPEL THE EVACUATION OF ALL OR
PART OF THE POPULATION FROM ANY STRICKEN OR THREATENED AREA
WITHIN THE STATE;

(3)  SET EVACUATION ROUTES AND MODES OF
TRANSPORTATION TO BE USED DURING AN EMERGENCY;

(4)  DIRECT THE CONTROL OF INGRESS AND EGRESS TO
AND FROM AN EMERGENCY AREA, THE MOVEMENT OF PERSONS WITHIN
THE AREA, AND THE OCCUPANCY OF PREMISES THEREIN;

(5) AUTHORIZE THE UTILIZATION OF ANY PRIVATE
PROPERTY, IN WHICH EVENT THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY SHALL BE
COMPENSATED FOR ITS USE AND FOR ANY DAMAGE TO THE PROPERTY;

(6)  PROVIDE FOR TEMPORARY HOUSING; AND

(7)  AUTHORIZE THE CLEARANCE AND REMOVAL OF ANY
DEBRIS AND WRECKAGE.