HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                    1677

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF

MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Family Law

5-801.

(a) [This section applies only in Anne Arundel, Calvert,
Charles, and St. Mary's counties.

(b)] A person who is charged with the care of a child under
the age of 8 years may not allow the child to be locked or
confined in a dwelling, building, [or] enclosure, OR MOTOR
VEHICLE while the person charged is absent AND THE DWELLING,

BUILDING, ENCLOSURE, OR MOTOR VEHICLE IS OUT OF THE SIGHT OF THE

PERSON CHARGED unless the person charged provides a reliable
person at least 13 years old to remain with the child to protect

the child from fire, scalding, smoke inhalation, [or]

suffocation, OR WEATHER CONDITIONS.

[(c)] (B) A person who violates this section is guilty of a
misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding
[$1,000] $500 or imprisonment not exceeding [1 year] 30 DAYS, or
both.

[5-802.

(a)  This section does not apply if the enclosure in which
the child is confined is a fenced yard.

(b)  In Howard County, a person who is charged with the care
of a child under the age of 8 years may not allow the child to be
locked or confined in a dwelling, building, or enclosure while
the person charged is absent and the dwelling, building, or
enclosure is out of the sight of the person charged unless the
person charged provides a reliable person at least 13 years old
to remain with the child to protect the child from fire,
scalding, smoke inhalation, or suffocation.

(c)  A person who violates this section is guilty of a
misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding
$1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year, or both.]

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall

take effect July 1, 1986.
Approved May 13, 1986.

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