3860                                                      VETOES

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings

9-102.

IN A CASE OF ALLEGED CHILD ABUSE, AS DEFINED IN § 5-901 OF
THE FAMILY LAW ARTICLE OR ARTICLE 27, § 35A OF THE CODE, THE AGE
OR MENTAL CAPACITY OF A CHILD VICTIM MAY NOT PRECLUDE THE CHILD
VICTIM FROM TESTIFYING.

IF A VICTIM IS A MINOR, THE AGE OF THE VICTIM MAY NOT
PRECLUDE THE VICTIM FROM TESTIFYING IN AN ALLEGED CASE OF:

(1) CHILD ABUSE, AS DEFINED IN § 5-901 OF THE FAMILY
LAW ARTICLE OR ARTICLE 27, § 35A OF THE CODE;

(2) A SEXUAL OFFENSE, AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 27, §
464, § 464A, § 464B, OR § 464C OF THE CODE;

(3) RAPE, AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 27, § 462 OR § 463 OF
THE CODE; OR

(4) ASSAULT AND BATTERY.

IN A CRIMINAL TRIAL, THE AGE OF A CHILD MAY NOT BE THE
REASON FOR PRECLUDING A CHILD FROM TESTIFYING.

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

May 28, 1985
The Honorable Melvin A. Steinberg
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21404

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland
Constitution, I have today vetoed Senate Bill 552.

This bill provides statewide guidelines for facilitating the
locating of missing children; requires certain investigatory and
reporting activities by law enforcement agencies; provides
authority to the Maryland State Police in the investigation of
missing children reports; establishes a State clearinghouse for
missing children; and establishes an advisory council to the
State Clearinghouse.