WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                   Ch. 787

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Transportation
Section 17-107
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1987 Replacement Volume)

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

Article - Transportation

17-107.

(a) A person who [has knowledge] KNOWS OR HAS REASON TO
KNOW that a motor vehicle is not covered by the required security
may not:

(1)  Drive the vehicle; or

(2)  If he is an owner of the vehicle, knowingly
permit another person to drive it.

(B) (1) IN ANY PROSECUTION UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS
SECTION THE INTRODUCTION OF THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE MOTOR
VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION SHOWING THE ABSENCE OF A RECORD THAT THE
VEHICLE IS COVERED BY THE SECURITY REQUIRED UNDER SECTION 17-104
OF THIS SUBTITLE SHALL BE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF A VIOLATION OF
SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION THAT A PERSON KNOWS OR HAS REASON
TO KNOW THAT A MOTOR VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THE REQUIRED
SECURITY.

(2) THE INTRODUCTION OF EVIDENCE OF THE RECORDS OF
THE ADMINISTRATION MAY NOT LIMIT THE INTRODUCTION OF OTHER
EVIDENCE BEARING UPON WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED BY THE
REQUIRED SECURITY.

[(b)] (C) An owner or lessee of any motor vehicle
registered under Title 13 of this article may not raise the
defense of sovereign or governmental immunity, to the extent of
benefits provided by the security accepted by the Administration
under § 17-103 of this subtitle, in any judicial proceeding in
which the plaintiff claims that personal injury, property damage,
or death was caused by the negligent use of the motor vehicle
while in government service or performing a task of benefit to
the government.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1988.

Approved May 27, 1988.

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