Section 21-101 through 21-108, inclusive, to be under the new title "Title 21.

State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy"
Annotated Code of Maryland

(1997 Replacement Volume arid 1998 Supplement)

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Correctional Services
Section 7-301(a)
Annotated Code of Maryland

(As enacted by Chapter_ (H.B. 11) of the Acts of the General Assembly of

1999) .

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article—State Government
Section 7-205(a) and 10-102(b)
Annotated Code of Maryland

(1995 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

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

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

640.

(A) AT THE TIME OF IMPOSITION OF A SENTENCE OF INCARCERATION FOR A
VIOLENT CRIME AS DEFINED IN § 7-101 OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ARTICLE
THAT IS TO BE EXECUTED AND FOR WHICH A DEFENDANT WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR
PAROLE AS PROVIDED IN § 7-301(C) OR (D) OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
ARTICLE, THE COURT SHALL STATE IN OPEN COURT THE MINIMUM TIME THE
DEFENDANT MUST SERVE FOR THE VIOLENT CRIME BEFORE BECOMING ELIGIBLE
FOR PAROLE.

(B) THE STATEMENT REQUIRED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION IS
FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED A PART OF
THE SENTENCE.

(C) THE FAILURE OF A COURT TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS
SECTION DOES NOT AFFECT THE LEGALITY OR EFFICACY OF THE SENTENCE
IMPOSED.

643C.

[(a) Nothing in this article may be construed to prohibit the use of judicial
guidelines in setting sentences.

(b) However, the guidelines may not:

(1) Prescribe a sentence exceeding the maximum sentence provided by

law; of