Ch. 353

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(ii) a guardian of the minor.

(3) If a minor wins $5,000 or more, the Director may deposit the prize in a
bank to the credit of 1 of the following, as custodian for the minor:

(i) an adult member of the minor's family; or

(ii) a guardian of the minor.

(4) A custodian under paragraph (3) of this subsection has the same powers
and duties as a custodian under the Maryland Uniform Transfers to Minors Act.

(e) On payment of a prize in accordance with this section, the Director is
discharged of all liability.

(f) (1) A prize winner shall claim a prize within 182 days after the drawing in
which the prize is won.

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, the Director shall
keep an unclaimed prize:

(i) for 182 days after the drawing in which the prize is won, for
payment of the winner; and

(ii) then in an unclaimed prize fund for use for other prizes.

(3) For a game that the Agency designates as a bonus game or drawing and
that is not a daily or weekly State lottery drawing, the period for claiming a prize may
differ from the period set in paragraph (2) of this subsection.

(g) (1) Unless otherwise specifically provided by the laws of the State, AND
EXCEPT FOR PRIZES PAID FOR ANY MULTISTATE LOTTERY GAME, the State and every
officer, department, agency, board, commission, or other unit of State government may
not raise the defense of sovereign immunity in the courts of the State in an action in
contract brought by an annuitant or prize winner that is based on the liability of the State
to pay an annuitant or prize winner the prize that the annuitant is entitled to receive in
accordance with this subtitle and any regulations adopted under this subtitle.

(2) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE STATE
MAY RAISE THE DEFENSE OF SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY TO A CONTRACT ACTION
BROUGHT BY AN ANNUITANT OR PRIZE WINNER OF ANY MULTISTATE LOTTERY
GAME, FOR ANY CLAIM THAT EXCEEDS $200,000.

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

Approved May 8, 1997.

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