ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                                Ch. 5

(2)      RECOGNIZES THAT TIMELY AND APPROPRIATE ASSISTANCE MUST
BE PROVIDED WHEN THE LIVES OR PROPERTY OF THE PUBLIC IS IN IMMINENT
DANGER;

(3)      RECOGNIZES THAT EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE USUALLY IS
SUMMONED BY TELEPHONE, AND THAT A MULTIPLICITY OF EMERGENCY
TELEPHONE NUMBERS EXISTED THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND WITHIN EACH
COUNTY;

(4)      WAS CONCERNED THAT AVOIDABLE DELAYS IN REACHING
APPROPRIATE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE WERE OCCURRING TO THE JEOPARDY OF
LIFE AND PROPERTY; AND

(5)    ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE THREE DIGIT NUMBER, 9-1-1, IS A
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AND APPLIED TELEPHONE NUMBER THAT MAY BE USED
TO SUMMON EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AND TO ELIMINATE DELAYS CAUSED BY LACK
OF FAMILIARITY WITH EMERGENCY NUMBERS AND BY CONFUSION IN
CIRCUMSTANCES OF CRISIS.

(B) PURPOSES OF SUBTITLE.

THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBTITLE ARE TO:

(1)      ESTABLISH THE THREE DIGIT NUMBER, 9-1-1, AS THE PRIMARY
EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR THE STATE; AND

(2)      PROVIDE FOR THE ORDERLY INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE, AND
OPERATION OF 9-1-1 SYSTEMS IN THE STATE.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived without substantive
change from former Art. 41, § 18-101(a) through (e).

In subsection (a)(1) of this section, the reference to "the public" is
substituted for the former reference to "the citizens of Maryland" for
consistency throughout this article. Similarly, in subsection (a)(2) of this
section, the reference to "the public" is substituted for the former reference
to "its citizens". See General Revisor's Note to article.

In subsection (a)(3) of this section, the reference to "emergency" assistance
is substituted for the former reference to "such" assistance for clarity.

In subsection (a)(4) and (5) of this section, the references to emergency
"assistance" are substituted for the former references to emergency "aid"
for consistency within subsection (a) of this section.

In subsection (a)(5) of this section, the former reference to
"understandable" confusion is deleted as surplusage.

Defined terms: "County" § 1-101
"9-1-1 system" § 1-301

- 37 -