2136                                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                                         Ch. 296

(B)  DESERTING MINOR CHILD.

A PARENT MAY NOT DESERT HIS OR HER MINOR CHILD.

(C)  PENALTIES.

AN INDIVIDUAL WHO VIOLATES THIS SECTION IS GUILTY OF A
MISDEMEANOR AND ON CONVICTION IS SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING
$100 OR IMPRISONMENT NOT EXCEEDING 3 YEARS OR BOTH.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived
without substantive change from former Article 27, §
88(b)(1).

In subsection (a) of this section, the word "fail" is
substituted for the former word "neglects" to conform
to § 10-201 of this subtitle.

Defined term: "Support" § 1-101

10-204. ORDER TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT.

(A)  AUTHORITY OF COURT.

BEFORE TRIAL AND WITH THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ACCUSED
INDIVIDUAL, OR ON CONVICTION OF THE INDIVIDUAL UNDER § 10-203 OF
THIS SUBTITLE, INSTEAD OF OR IN ADDITION TO IMPOSING A PENALTY
UNDER § 10-203 OF THIS SUBTITLE, THE COURT MAY:

(1)  ORDER THE INDIVIDUAL TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT
PERIODICALLY IN A CERTAIN AMOUNT FOR 3 YEARS, OR, IF THERE IS AN
AGREEMENT WITH RESPECT TO SUPPORT OF THE CHILD, ORDER THE
INDIVIDUAL TO MAKE PAYMENTS AS PROVIDED IN THE AGREEMENT; AND

(2)  PLACE THE INDIVIDUAL ON PROBATION ON THE
INDIVIDUAL'S ENTERING INTO A RECOGNIZANCE.

(B)  DETERMINATION OF AMOUNT.

IN PASSING THE ORDER, THE COURT SHALL CONSIDER THE FINANCIAL
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ACCUSED INDIVIDUAL.

(C)  RECIPIENT.

THE ACCUSED INDIVIDUAL SHALL MAKE THE PAYMENTS:

(1) TO THE PERSON WHO HAS CUSTODY OF THE MINOR CHILD,
THROUGH THE APPROPRIATE SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AGENCY; OR

(2) IF THE PERSON WHO HAS CUSTODY OF THE CHILD HAS
MADE AN ASSIGNMENT OF THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE CHILD SUPPORT UNDER
ARTICLE 88A, § 48(2) OF THE CODE, TO THE ADMINISTRATION; OR

(3) (2) IF THERE IS AN AGREEMENT WITH RESPECT TO
SUPPORT OF THE CHILD, TO THE RECIPIENT DESIGNATED IN THE
AGREEMENT.