ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                             Ch. 551

Article - Criminal Procedure

6-220.

(b)     (1) When a defendant pleads guilty or nolo contendere or is found guilty
of a crime, a court may stay the entering of judgment, defer further proceedings, and
place the defendant on probation subject to reasonable conditions if:

(i) the court finds that the best interests of the defendant and the
public welfare would be served; and

(ii) the defendant gives written consent after determination of guilt
or acceptance of a nolo contendere plea.

Article - Education

7-301.

(a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, each child who resides
in this State and is 5 years old or older and under 16 shall attend a public school
regularly during the entire school year unless the child is otherwise receiving regular,
thorough instruction during the school year in the studies usually taught in the public
schools to children of the same age.

(c)     Each person who has legal custody or care and control of a child who is 5
years old or older and under 16 shall see that the child attends school or receives
instruction as required by this section.

(e) (1) Any person who induces or attempts to induce a child to absent
himself unlawfully from school or employs or harbors any child who is absent
unlawfully from school while school is in session is guilty of a misdemeanor and on
conviction is subject to a fine not to exceed $500 or imprisonment not to exceed 30
days, or both.

(2)     Any person who has legal custody or care and control of a child who is
5 years old or older and under 16 who fails to see that the child attends school or
receives instruction under this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and:

(i) For a first conviction is subject to a fine not to exceed $50 per
day of unlawful absence or imprisonment not to exceed 10 days, or both; and

(ii) For a second or subsequent conviction is subject to a fine not to
exceed $100 per day of unlawful absence or imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, or
both.

(3)     As to any sentence imposed under this section, the court may
suspend the fine or the prison sentence and establish terms and conditions which
would promote the child's attendance. The suspension authority provided for in this
subsection is in addition to and not in limitation of the suspension authority under §
6-221 of the Criminal Procedure Article.

(E-1)(1) THIS SUBSECTION APPLIES ONLY IN DORCHESTER COUNTY,
SOMERSET COUNTY, WICOMICO COUNTY, AND WORCESTER COUNTY.

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