PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                            H.B. 576

(ii) A first, second, third, or fourth degree sexual offense.

[(f)] (G) "Secretary" means the Secretary of [the Department of] Public Safety
and Correctional Services or the Secretary's designee.

DRAFTER'S NOTE: This section is transferred from Art. 26A, § 2 of the Code.

The only changes are in style.

816. DECLARATION OF POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE INTENT.

The legislature recognizes that many innocent persons suffer personal physical or
psychological injury or death as a result of criminal acts or in their efforts to prevent
crime or apprehend persons committing or attempting to commit crimes. [Such] THESE
persons or their dependents may thereby suffer disability, incur financial hardships or
become dependent upon public assistance. The legislature finds and determines that
there is a need for government financial assistance for [such] THESE victims of crime.
Accordingly, it is the legislature's intent that aid, care and support be provided by the
State, as a matter of moral responsibility, for [such] THESE victims of crime.

DRAFTER'S NOTE: This section is transferred from Art. 26A, § 1 of the Code.

The only changes are in style.

817. CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION BOARD.

(a)     (1) There is [hereby created in the Department of Public Safety and
Correctional Services a Board, to be known as the] A Criminal Injuries Compensation
Board[, to consist] UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES.

(2)     THE BOARD CONSISTS of [5] FIVE members, no more than [4] FOUR
of whom shall belong to the same political party.

(3)     The members of the Board shall be appointed by the Secretary [of
Public Safety and Correctional Services], with the approval of the Governor, and with the
advice and consent of the Senate.

(4)     One member of the Board shall have been admitted to practice law in
the State [of Maryland] for not less than five years next preceding [his] THE
appointment.

(b)     The term of office of each [such] member [shall be five] IS 5 years[, except
that the members first appointed shall serve for terms of five years, four years and three
years respectively]. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring otherwise than by
expiration of a term shall be appointed for the remainder of the unexpired terms.

(c)     The Secretary, with the approval of the Governor, shall designate one member
of the Board as chairman, to serve at the pleasure of the Secretary.

(d)     The members of the Board shall devote [such] time as is necessary to
perform the duties imposed upon them. They shall receive an annual salary as may be
provided in the [annual] STATE budget.

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