Ch. 278

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(2) THE PRACTICE OF ENGINEERING WAS PERFORMED:

(I) VOLUNTARILY AND WITHOUT COMPENSATION;

(II) AT THE SCENE OF A DECLARED NATIONAL, STATE, OR LOCAL
EMERGENCY CAUSED BY A MAJOR EARTHQUAKE, HURRICANE, TORNADO, FIRE,
EXPLOSION, COLLAPSE, OR SIMILAR DISASTER OR CATASTROPHIC EVENT; AND

(III) AT THE REQUEST OF A PUBLIC OFFICIAL, LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICIAL PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIAL, OR FIRE OFFICIAL OR BUILDING INSPECTION
OFFICIAL, ACTING IN AN OFFICIAL CAPACITY.

(C) THE IMMUNITY PROVIDED BY THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO THE
VOLUNTARY PRACTICE OF ENGINEERING PERFORMED WITHIN 90 DAYS AFTER THE
EMERGENCY," DISASTER, OR CATASTROPHIC EVENT, UNLESS EXTENDED BY AN
EXECUTIVE ORDER ISSUED BY THE GOVERNOR UNDER THE GOVERNOR'S
EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE POWERS WHILE A DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY IS IN
EFFECT.

(D) (1) THIS SECTION DOES NOT CREATE, AND MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED AS
CREATING, A NEW CAUSE OF ACTION OR SUBSTANTIVE LEGAL RIGHT AGAINST A
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER.

(2) THIS SECTION DOES NOT AFFECT, AND MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED AS
AFFECTING, ANY IMMUNITIES FROM CIVIL LIABILITY OR DEFENSES ESTABLISHED
BY ANY OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OR AVAILABLE AT COMMON LAW, TO
WHICH A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER MAY BE ENTITLED.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED. That this Act shall be construed
to apply only prospectively and may not be applied or interpreted to have any effect on or
application to any cause of action arising before the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 2. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 1997.

Approved April 29, 1997.

CHAPTER 278
(House Bill 1127)

AN ACT concerning

Creation of a State Debt — Baltimore Neighborhood Recreation Facility

FOR the purpose of authorizing the creation of a State Debt in the amount of $400,000
$200,000 $350,000. the proceeds to be used as a grant to the Mayor and City Council
of Baltimore for certain acquisition, development, or improvement purposes;
providing for disbursement of the loan proceeds, subject to a requirement that the
grantee provide and expend a matching fund; and providing generally for the
issuance and sale of bonds evidencing the loan.

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