information a victim impact statement in determining its jurisdiction in certain
delinquency proceedings waiver hearings involving a child; requiring the State's
Attorney to notify a victim of the victim's right to submit a victim impact
statement to the court under certain circumstances; requiring the court to
consider certain statements from a victim before making a disposition on a
delinquency petition; altering the court's priorities in making a disposition on a
delinquency petition; defining a term; altering a definition of "victim"; making
stylistic changes; and generally relating to victims' rights in certain juvenile
hearings and dispositions.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments
Section 594A, 770(e), and 781
Annotated Code of Maryland

(1996 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings
Section 3-801(t), 3-812(e), 3-817, and 3-820(b) and (c)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1998 Replacement Volume)

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings
Section 3-801(a), 3-802, and 3-818
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:

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

594A.

(a) IN THIS SECTION, "VICTIM" HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 3-801 OF THE
COURTS ARTICLE.

(B) In any case, except as provided in [subsection (b)] SUBSECTION (C) OF
THIS SECTION, involving a child who has reached 14 years of age but has not reached
18 years of age at the time of any alleged offense excluded under the provisions of §
3-804(e)(1), (4), or (5) of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, the court
exercising jurisdiction may transfer the case to the juvenile court if a waiver is
believed to be in the interests of the child or society.

[(b)] (C) The court may not transfer a case to the juvenile court under
subsection [(a)] (B) OF THIS SECTION if: