PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                             Ch. 106

(4) The Department may not issue a certificate of competency and safety to
an individual under the age of 18 unless the individual has completed satisfactorily the
course of instruction, or produces a certificate of competency or a hunting license issued
prior to July 1, 1978 or makes out an affidavit that the individual had such a license.

(c)     (1) The Department shall institute and coordinate a statewide course of
instruction in conservation and in competency and safety in the handling of firearms, and
in so doing, the Department may cooperate with any political subdivision or with any
reputable organization having as 1 of its objectives the promotion of competency and
safety in the handling of firearms, such as the National Rifle Association and local rod
and gun clubs.

(2)     The Department may conduct the course in hunter safety and issue the
certificates, using Department personnel or other persons at times and in areas where
other competent agencies are unable or unwilling to meet the demand for instruction.

(3)     Any similar certificate, or hunting license, issued outside the State by a
governmental agency, shall be accepted as complying with the requirements of paragraph
(1) of the subsection, if the privileges are reciprocal for Maryland residents.

(d)     The Department shall adopt regulations to provide for the course of
instruction and the issuance of the certificates consistent with the purpose of this section.

(e)     (1) On or after July 1, 1977 any person who obtains a hunting license by
presenting a fictitious certificate of competency or who attempts to obtain a certificate of
competency or hunting license through fraud shall have his hunting privileges revoked by
the Department for a period not to exceed 1 year.

(2) Any applicant who is refused a certificate of competency under this
section may appeal the decision or action of the issuing unit to the Secretary.

(F) (1) THE DEPARTMENT OR A PERSON DESIGNATED BY THE
DEPARTMENT MAY ISSUE A 1-YEAR GRATIS HUNTING LICENSE TO A MARYLAND
RESIDENT UNDER THE AGE OF 16 YEARS WHO HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A
HUNTER SAFETY COURSE.

(2) AN INDIVIDUAL MAY BE ISSUED ONLY ONE SUCH LICENSE DURING
THE INDIVIDUAL'S LIFETIME.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
August 1, 1995.

Approved April 11, 1995.

- 1463 -