H.B. 576

VETOES

(2)     Any cost for the administration of the Fund may be paid from the Fund.

(3)     The Fund shall be administered by the State Board of Victim Services
under [ §§ 9-1701 through 9-1708 of the State Government Article] §§ 837 THROUGH 844
OF THIS SUBTITLE.

(1) After payment of the claims described in subsection (i) of this section, the
Attorney General shall deposit the moneys remaining in the escrow account in the
Maryland Victims of Crime Fund Account.

(m) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Attorney General has
exclusive jurisdiction and control as escrow agent over any moneys or other consideration
subject to this section.

(2)     A distribution of moneys in an escrow account may be made only by a
determination and order of the Attorney General under this section.

(3)     The Attorney General may adopt regulations for the purpose of
implementation of this section.

(n) Any person aggrieved by a final determination and order of the Attorney
General under this section may seek judicial review.

(o) (1) Any person who willfully fails to do any of the following is subject to a
civil penalty of not less than $10,000 for each offense and not more than an amount equal
to 3 times the contract amount:

(i) Submit to the Attorney General a copy of the contract described in
subsection (b) of this section; or

(ii) Pay over to the Attorney General any moneys or other
consideration as required by this section.

(2)     If 2 or more persons are subject to the penalties provided in this section,
those persons shall be jointly and severally liable for the payment of the penalty imposed.

(3)     After notice and opportunity to be heard is provided, the Attorney
General may by order assess the penalties described in this section.

(4)     If not paid within 30 days from the date of the order, any penalty
assessed under this section shall bear interest at the rate of 1 percent per month,
compounded monthly.

(5)     An action to recover a civil penalty assessed under this section may be
brought by the Attorney General in a court of competent jurisdiction within 6 years after
the cause of action accrues.

(6)     Any money recovered under item (5) of this subsection shall be paid into
the Maryland Victims of Crime Fund.

- 4310 -