S.B. 133

VETOES

physical injury for the purpose of the crime of child abuse in the first degree.

House Bill 588, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me,
accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign Senate
Bill 133.

Sincerely,

Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.

Governor

Senate Bill No. 133

AN ACT concerning

Criminal Law - Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse - Increased Penalties

FOR the purpose of prohibiting certain persons with permanent or temporary care or
custody or responsibility for the supervision of a minor from causing abuse
resulting in serious severe physical injury or death to the minor; altering certain
penalties for child abuse; establishing the offenses of child abuse in the first and
second degrees; increasing certain penalties for child sexual abuse; establishing
certain penalties for certain subsequent convictions of certain offenses; defining
a certain term; and generally relating to penalties for abuse and sexual abuse of
a minor.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Criminal Law
Section 3-601 and 3-602
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2002 Volume)

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

Article - Criminal Law

3-601.

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2)     "Abuse" means physical injury sustained by a minor as a result of
cruel or inhumane treatment or as a result of a malicious act under circumstances
that indicate that the minor's health or welfare is harmed or threatened by the
treatment or act.

(3)     "Family member" means a relative of a minor by blood, adoption, or
marriage.

(4)     "Household member" means a person who lives with or is a regular
presence in a home of a minor at the time of the alleged abuse.

(5)      "SERIOUS SEVERE PHYSICAL INJURY' MEANS:

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