Ch. 227

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(1) shall be kept confidential;

(2) is not a public record; and

(3) is not subject to Title 10, Subtitle 6 of the State Government Article.

[(d)](E) A [primary] law enforcement unit may destroy the copy of a record
submitted under this section after 1 year from the date the [primary] law enforcement
unit receives the copy.

12-305.

(a) (1) [A] EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, A dealer
who acquires a precious metal object shall keep it in the county where the dealer holds a
license FROM THE TIME OF ACQUISITION UNTIL [for] at least 18 days after submitting
a copy of a record of its acquisition under § 12-304 of this subtitle.

(2) A DEALER WHO ACQUIRES A PRECIOUS METAL OBJECT AT AN
EVENT WHICH TAKES PLACE AT A LOCATION OTHER THAN THE DEALER'S FIXED
BUSINESS ADDRESS SHALL PLACE THE OBJECT AND A RECORD OF ITS ACQUISITION
AT A LOCATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION (D)(1) OR (2) OF THIS SECTION
BY THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY AFTER ACQUIRING THE OBJECT.

(3) IN PARTIAL COMPLIANCE WITH THE 18-DAY HOLDING
REQUIREMENT UNDER THIS SUBSECTION, A DEALER MAY MAINTAIN AN OBJECT
AND THE RECORD OF ITS ACQUISITION AT A LOCATION OTHER THAN THE DEALER'S
FIXED BUSINESS ADDRESS, IF THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT UNIT IN THE
JURISDICTION WHERE THE ITEM WAS ACQUIRED PROVIDES WRITTEN APPROVAL

(b) (1) A dealer may submit to the primary law enforcement unit a written
request for a shorter holding period for a specific precious metal object.

(2) Within 48 hours after the primary law enforcement unit receives a
request, the primary law enforcement unit shall approve or deny the request.

(3) After inspecting the precious metal object, the primary law enforcement
unit may authorize in writing a shorter holding period.

(4) If the primary law enforcement unit denies the request, the primary law
enforcement unit shall state the reasons in writing.

(c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a dealer may not
alter a precious metal object before or during the holding period.

(2) During the holding period, a dealer may chemically test a precious metal
object to determine its metal content or value if the dealer does not alter the precious
metal object so as to affect its identification or value.

(d) During the holding period for a precious metal object, a dealer shall keep the
precious metal object and the record of its acquisition in:

(1) the place of business of the dealer; or

(2) a storage facility specified in the license application of the dealer.

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