Ch. 674

LAWS OF MARYLAND

punished by imprisonment not to exceed one year or by fine not to
exceed $1,000, or both.

(c) Upon the hearing of such action the court may order the
repayment of prior instalments or deposits or any part thereof,
as a condition of terminating the contract and resuming
possession of the property, or may, in its discretion, on its own
motion, and shall, except as provided in § 25, on application to
it by a person in emergency management [and civil defense]
service or a person suffering injury or damage or some person on
his behalf, order a stay of proceedings as provided in this
subtitle unless, in the opinion of the court, the ability of the
defendant to comply with the terms of the contract is not
materially affected by reason of such service; or it may make
such other disposition of the case as may be equitable to
conserve the interests of all parties.

24.

(a)  The provisions of this section shall apply only to
obligations originating prior to the time any person became a
person in emergency management [and civil defense] service or a
person suffering injury or damage and secured by mortgage, trust
deed, or other security in the nature of a mortgage upon real or
personal property owned by a person in emergency management [and
civil defense] service or a person suffering injury or damage at
the commencement of the period of his being in such category, and
still so owned by him.

(b)   In any proceeding commenced in any court during the
period of being a person in emergency management [and civil
defense] service or a person suffering injury or damage to
enforce such obligation arising out of the nonpayment of any sum
thereunder due or out of any other breach of the terms thereof
occurring prior to or during the period of being in such category
the court may, after hearing, in its discretion, on its own
motion, and shall, except as provided in § 25, on application to
it by such a person in emergency management [and civil defense]
service or a person suffering injury or damage or some person on
his behalf, unless in the opinion of the court the ability of the
defendant to comply with the terms of the obligation is not
materially affected by reason of his being in such category --

(1)  Stay the proceedings as provided in this
subtitle; or

(2)  Make such other disposition of the case as may be
equitable to conserve the interests of all parties.

(c)  No sale under a power of sale or under a judgment
entered upon warrant of attorney to confess judgment contained in
any such obligation shall be valid if made during the period of
being a person in emergency management [and civil defense]

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