2780                                    LAWS OF MARYLAND                                 Ch. 745

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1981.

Approved May 19, 1981.

CHAPTER 746

(House Bill 60)

AN ACT concerning

Divorce - Statement of Change of Name
in Divorce Decree

FOR the purpose of requiring an equity court, under certain
circumstances, to state in a final divorce decree a
previous name of a party desiring to discontinue using
the name assumed on marriage; and clarifying language.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 16 - Chancery

Section 32

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1973 Replacement Volume and 1980 Supplement)

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be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows: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 16 - Chancery

32.

[Whenever] WHEN the court [shall grant] GRANTS a decree
of final divorce, [the decree may include a restoration of
the woman's former name.] THE COURT, ON THE REQUEST OF A
PARTY WHO ASSUMED A NEW NAME ON MARRIAGE AND DESIRES TO
DISCONTINUE USING IT, AND IN THE ABSENCE OF AN ILLEGAL,
FRAUDULENT, OR IMMORAL INTENT BY THE PARTY, SHALL STATE IN
THE DECREE OF DIVORCE EITHER THE BIRTH GIVEN NAME OR OTHER
PREVIOUS NAME THAT THE PERSON DESIRES TO USE.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1981.

Approved May 19, 1981.