(2) WHETHER THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL JUSTIFICATION FOR
PROSECUTING OR DEFENDING THE PROCEEDING.

(D) UPON A FINDING BY THE COURT THAT THERE WAS AN ABSENCE OF
SUBSTANTIAL JUSTIFICATION OF A PARTY FOR PROSECUTING OR DEFENDING THE
PROCEEDING, AND ABSENT A FINDING BY THE COURT OF GOOD CAUSE TO THE
CONTRARY, THE COURT SHALL AWARD TO THE OTHER PARTY THE REASONABLE AND
NECESSARY EXPENSE OF PROSECUTING OR DEFENDING THE PROCEEDING.

(E) THE COURT MAY AWARD REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY REASONABLE AND
NECESSARY EXPENSE THAT HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN PAID.

(F) AS TO ANY AMOUNT AWARDED FOR COUNSEL FEES, THE COURT MAY:

(1) ORDER THAT THE AMOUNT AWARDED BE PAID DIRECTLY TO THE
LAWYER; AND

(2) ENTER JUDGMENT IN FAVOR OF THE LAWYER

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

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 1999.

Approved May 13, 1999.

CHAPTER 392
(House Bill 98)

AN ACT concerning

Courts - Costs - Sheriffs' Fees

FOR the purpose of authorizing sheriffs to collect certain fees based on certain
agreements with the Child Support Enforcement Administration of the
Department of Human Resources, limiting the amount of costs that a court may
award to a party in a certain proceeding; providing for the application of this
Act; and generally relating to sheriffs' fees.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings
Section 7-402

Annotated Code of Maryland
(1998 Replacement Volume)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: