HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3555

WHEREAS, A blind or visually handicapped pedestrian using a
guide dog and not carrying a cane predominately white or metallic
in color (with or without a red tip), or a blind or visually
handicapped pedestrian using a guide dog in any of the places,
accommodations, or conveyances listed has all the rights and
privileges conferred by law upon any other person; and

WHEREAS, Every blind or visually handicapped person has the
right to be accompanied by a guide dog, especially trained for
the purpose, in any of the places listed without being required
to pay an extra charge for the guide dog; however, the person is
liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by the
person's dog; and

WHEREAS, Any person or persons, firm, or corporation, who
denies or interferes with admittance to or enjoyment of the
enumerated public facilities or otherwise interferes with the
rights of a blind or visually handicapped person may be charged
and convicted of a criminal offense; and

WHEREAS, The law provides that each year the Governor take
suitable public notice of October 15 as White Cane Safety Day and
that the citizens of the State are urged to observe the
provisions of the White Cane Law and to take precautions
necessary to the safety of the visually handicapped; and

WHEREAS, Citizens are asked to be aware of the presence of
visually handicapped persons in the community and to keep safe
and functional for the blind or visually handicapped the streets,
highways, sidewalks, walkways, public accommodations, public
buildings, public facilities, other public places, amusement and
resort, and other places to which the public is invited and to
offer assistance to the blind or visually handicapped person upon
appropriate occasions; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the

Governor is requested to appoint a task force to study the

application, enforcement, and need to revise the "White Cane
Law"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the task force consist of 9 members
including:

(1)  2 members of the House of Delegates, appointed by
the Speaker of the House;

(2)  2 members of the Senate of Maryland appointed by
the President of the Senate;

(3)  5 3 blind or visually handicapped persons,
appointed by the Governor; and be it further

(4) 1 deaf or hearing impaired person appointed by
the Governor;