Ch. 5                                       2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(2) IF THE OWNER IS ABSENT FROM THE STATE OR THE OWNER'S
WHEREABOUTS ARE UNKNOWN TO THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL:

(I)      BY POSTING A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER IN A CONSPICUOUS
PLACE ON THE DOOR OR OTHER PROMINENT ENTRANCE TO THE PREMISES; AND

(II)     1. BY MAILING A COPY OF THE ORDER BY CERTIFIED MAIL,
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO THE OWNER AT THE OWNER'S LAST KNOWN
ADDRESS; OR

2. IF THE ADDRESS OF THE OWNER IS NOT KNOWN, BY
MAILING A COPY OF THE ORDER BY CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED,
TO THE OWNER IN CARE OF GENERAL DELIVERY AT THE POST OFFICE THAT SERVES
THE COMMUNITY WHERE THE PREMISES ARE LOCATED.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived without substantive
change from the first, second, and third sentences of former Art. 38A, § 10.

In subsections (a)(2)(ii)1 and 2 and (b)(2)(ii)1 and 2 of this section, the
former references to certified mail "bearing a postmark from the United
States Postal Service" are deleted as unnecessary in light of Art. 1, § 20,
which provides that the term "certified mail" means "the uses, procedures,
and fees provided and generally referred to by the United States Post
Office Department".

In subsections (a)(2)(ii)1 and (b)(2)(ii)1 of this section, the former reference
to the last known "post office" address is deleted as surplusage.

6-320. SAME — FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ORDER.

(A)     AUTHORITY OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL TO ABATE AT EXPENSE OF OWNER
OR OCCUPANT.

IF AN OWNER OR OCCUPANT OF A BUILDING, STRUCTURE, OR PREMISES WHO IS
SERVED WITH A COPY OF AN ABATEMENT ORDER IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 6-319 OF
THIS SUBTITLE FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDER WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE
ORDER IS ISSUED, OR WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER A COURT'S AFFIRMATION OF THE
ORDER BECOMES FINAL, THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL:

(1)      MAY ENTER THE BUILDING, STRUCTURE, OR PREMISES AFFECTED
BY THE ORDER; AND

(2)      AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNER OR OCCUPANT, MAY CAUSE:

(I)      THE BUILDING, STRUCTURE, OR PREMISES TO BE REPAIRED OR
DEMOLISHED;

(II)     THE COMBUSTIBLE, FLAMMABLE, OR EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS
TO BE REMOVED; AND

(III)   THE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS TO BE REMEDIED.

(B)     SUIT TO RECOVER EXPENSES.

- 318 -