Ch. 261

(d) The Motor Vehicle Administrator shall:

(1) Name a chairman of the Task Force; and

(2) Provide administrative support for the meetings of the Task Force.

(e) On or before December 1, 1997, the Task Force shall issue a report of its
findings and its recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2-1312 of
the State Government Article, to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and the
House of Delegates Commerce and Government Matters Committee.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October June 1, 1997. It shall remain effective for a period of 7 months and, at the end
of December 31, 1997, with no further action required by the General Assembly, this Act
shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect.

Approved April 29, 1997.

CHAPTER 261
(House Bill 794)

AN ACT concerning

Vehicle Laws - Driving While License Suspended or Revoked for Alcohol and Drug
Related Driving Offenses - Vehicle Impoundment or Immobilization

FOR the purpose of requiring a court allowing a court, as a sentence, a part of a sentence,
or a condition of probation, to order the impoundment or immobilization of a
vehicle driven by the vehicle's owner while the owner's license was suspended or
revoked for certain alcohol or drug related driving offenses under certain
circumstances; providing for the length of the impoundment or immobilization
period; providing for the consideration of factors by the court in making a
determination whether to order an impoundment or immobilization of a vehicle
under this Act; allowing a court to require a bond or other security equal to certain
costs; requiring the vehicle's registered owner who drove the vehicle while the
owner's license was suspended or revoked for certain offenses to pay all
impoundment and storage or immobilization certain costs; requiring the person in
possession police department with custody of a vehicle impounded or immobilized
under this Act to return the vehicle or restore use of the vehicle to the registered
owner under certain circumstances; authorizing a court to decline to order an
impoundment or immobilization under certain circumstances; requiring certain
notice to certain persons if a police department takes a vehicle into custody under
this Act; providing for the contents of a certain notice; providing for the rights and
duties of a lienholder of a vehicle impounded or immobilized under this Act;
providing that, if a vehicle taken into custody is not reclaimed, the vehicle shall be
considered an abandoned vehicle under certain circumstances; altering a certain
definition of the term "abandoned vehicle" to include an unclaimed vehicle taken
into custody under this Act under certain circumstances; defining a certain term;

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1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND