Ch. 165

LAWS OF MARYLAND

(C) ON RECEIPT OF A COPY OF A CONTRACT UNDER SUBSECTION
(B)(1) OF THIS SECTION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL MAIL TO ANY
VICTIM AT THE VICTIM'S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS, A NOTICE THAT INFORMS
THE VICTIM OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RECEIPT OF THE COPY.

(D) A PERSON MAY NOT:

(1)  CONCEAL THE EXISTENCE OF A CONTRACT DESCRIBED IN
SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION; OR

(2) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION,
MAKE OR RECEIVE PAYMENTS UNDER A CONTRACT DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION
(B) OF THIS SECTION.

(E) (1) (I) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL DEPOSIT ANY FUNDS
RECEIVED UNDER THIS SECTION IN AN INTEREST BEARING ESCROW
ACCOUNT.

(II) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (3) OF
THIS SUBSECTION AND SUBSECTION (F) OF THIS SECTION, THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL SHALL HOLD FUNDS FOR THE BENEFIT OF AND PAYABLE TO THE
VICTIM, AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION.

(2)  (I) IF, WITHIN 5 YEARS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
THE ESCROW ACCOUNT, THE VICTIM BRINGS OR HAS A PENDING CIVIL
ACTION IN A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION OR HAS RECOVERED A
MONEY JUDGMENT FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE DEFENDANT OR HAS BEEN
AWARDED RESTITUTION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL PAY, SUBJECT TO
THE PRIORITY OF CLAIMS DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION, TO THE VICTIM
FUNDS FROM THE ESCROW ACCOUNT TO THE EXTENT OF THE MONEY JUDGMENT
OR THE AMOUNT OF RESTITUTION. ANY FUNDS THEN REMAINING IN THE
ESCROW ACCOUNT SHALL BE PAID OVER AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION.
MONEY MAY NOT BE PAID UNDER THIS SUBPARAGRAPH UNTIL THE DEFENDANT
HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY, HAS PLEADED NOLO CONTENDERE, HAS BEEN
PLACED ON PROBATION BEFORE JUDGMENT, HAS BEEN FOUND NOT
CRIMINALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR CRIMINAL CONDUCT UNDER § 12-108 OF THE
HEALTH - GENERAL ARTICLE, OR HAS VOLUNTARILY AND INTELLIGENTLY
ADMITTED TO THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME FOR WHICH THE DEFENDANT IS
NOT PROSECUTED.

(II) AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 6 MONTHS FOR 5 YEARS
FROM THE DATE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RECEIVES SUCH MONEYS OR OTHER
CONSIDERATION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL PUBLISH A LEGAL NOTICE
IN NEWSPAPERS OF GENERAL CIRCULATION. IN THE COUNTY WHERE THE
CRIME WAS COMMITTED AND IN COUNTIES CONTIGUOUS TO THAT COUNTY
THAT ADVISES THE VICTIMS THAT ESCROW MONEYS ARE AVAILABLE TO
SATISFY MONEY JUDGMENTS UNDER THIS SECTION. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
MAY PROVIDE FOR ADDITIONAL NOTICE AS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DEEMS
NECESSARY

(3) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (4) OF THIS
SUBSECTION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL PAYOVER PAY OVER TO THE
DEFENDANT ALL OF THE FUNDS FROM THE ESCROW ACCOUNT IF:

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