A COURT MAY RESCIND ANY OR ALL OF A PRISONER'S DIMINUTION CREDITS
THAT HAVE BEEN AWARDED UNDER ARTICLE 27, §§ 700 AND 704A OF THE CODE IF

THE COURT FINDS THAT:

(1) THE PRISONER'S CIVIL ACTION IS FRIVOLOUS, MALICIOUS, OR HAS
BEEN FILED FOR THE PURPOSE OF HARASSING A PARTY; OR

(2) THE PRISONER TESTIFIED FALSELY OR KNOWINGLY PRESENTED
FALSE EVIDENCE OR FALSE INFORMATION TO THE COURT.

5-508.

A PRISONER MAY NOT MAINTAIN A CIVIL ACTION IF THE SOLE INJURY TO THE
PRISONER IS ALLEGED MENTAL ANGUISH OR INJURY UNLESS THE PRISONER CAN
PRESENT EVIDENCE THAT THE ALLEGED MENTAL ANGUISH OR INJURY HAS
MANIFESTED ITSELF IN A PHYSICAL MANNER.

5-509.

IN A CIVIL ACTION, AN AWARD FOR PUNITIVE DAMAGES AGAINST A
DEFENDANT MAY NOT EXCEED $2,000.

5-510.

IF A PRISONER TILES A CIVIL ACTION THAT IS SUBJECT TO THE ASSESSMENT
AND COLLECTION PROCEDURES UNDER § 5-502 OF THIS SUBTITLE, A TRANSACTION
FEE OF $1 MAY BE LEVIED AGAINST THE PRISONER'S ACCOUNT EACH TIME THAT A
PAYMENT IS FORWARDED TO THE CLERK.

5-511. 5-507.

NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, IN A CIVIL ACTION FILED
BY A PRISONER THAT IS AN APPEAL ON THE RECORD, THE COURT IS NOT REQUIRED
TO HOLD A HEARING IF IT DETERMINES THAT A HEARING IS NOT NECESSARY FOR
THE DISPOSITION OF THE MATTER.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall he construed
prospectively to apply only to civil actions filed on or after the effective date of this Act.

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

May 22, 1997

The Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis MD 21401

Dear Mr. President:

- 4502 -

5-507.

S.B. 522

VETOES