HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                         2801

(c) (1) A commissioner shall receive applications and
determine probable cause for the issuance of charging documents.

(2)   [He] A COMMISSIONER shall advise arrested persons
of their constitutional rights, set bond or commit persons to
jail in default of bond or release them on personal recognizance
if circumstances warrant, and conduct investigations and
inquiries into the circumstances of any matter presented to him
in order to determine if probable cause exists for the issuance
of a charging document, warrant, or criminal summons and, in
general, perform all the functions of committing magistrates as
exercised by the justices of the peace prior to July 5, 1971.

(3)  There shall be in each county, at all times, one
or more commissioners available for the convenience of the public
and police in obtaining charging documents, warrants, or criminal
summonses and to advise arrested persons of their rights as
required by law.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1984 1985.

Approved May 29, 1984.

CHAPTER 528

(Senate Bill 299)

AN ACT concerning

Cruelty to Animals

FOR the purpose of clarifying the intention of the General
Assembly that certain provisions of law relating to cruelty
to animals apply to all animals however owned or unowned, if
used for scientific or medical activities, however funded;
prohibiting animals in specific facilities from being
removed without certain prior review and approval; requiring
the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to conduct
certain investigations under specific circumstances and to
make a certain report; and generally relating to the
application of the Cruelty to Animals Act to all animals.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

Section 59 and 67

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1982 Replacement Volume and 1983 Supplement)