<section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-101" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Powers"> <text>In this title, “public local law” has the meaning stated in Article XI–F, § 1 of the Maryland Constitution.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-102" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Powers"> <text>This title applies only to code counties.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-103" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Powers"> <text>It is the intent of the General Assembly that the authority exercised under Article XI–F, § 8, of the Maryland Constitution, to limit the rate of property tax that a code county may impose or regulate the maximum amount of indebtedness that a code county may incur, be exercised only when there is the possibility that the code county is imposing an excessive rate of property taxation or is incurring indebtedness in an excessive amount.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-201" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Civil Infractions"> <level label="a"> <text>Unless a law, a resolution, or an ordinance classifies a violation as a criminal offense, the county commissioners may provide, by law, that a violation of an ordinance, a resolution, or a public local law is a civil infraction.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A civil infraction is a civil offense.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-202" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Civil Infractions"> <level label="a"> <text>Any official authorized by the county commissioners to serve a citation may serve a citation on a person who the official believes is committing a civil infraction.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The issuing authority shall retain a copy of the citation.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The citation shall contain:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a certification by the official who issued the citation attesting to the truth of the matter set forth in the citation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the name and address of the defendant;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the nature of the civil infraction;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the location and time that the civil infraction occurred;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the amount of the fine assessed;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the manner, location, and time in which the fine may be paid to the county; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>notice of the defendant’s right to elect to stand trial.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-203" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Civil Infractions"> <text>A county may impose:</text> <level label="1"> <text>for the first commission of a civil infraction, a fine not exceeding $500; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>for a second or subsequent commission, a fine not exceeding $1,000 for each commission.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-204" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Civil Infractions"> <text>A defendant who receives a citation under this subtitle may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>pay the fine to the county within 20 days after the day on which the citation is received; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>elect to stand trial for the civil infraction as provided in § 11–205 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-205" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Civil Infractions"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>To elect to stand trial for a civil infraction, the defendant shall provide notice of intention to stand trial to the county at least 5 days before the payment date specified in the citation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>After receiving the notice of intention to stand trial, the county shall forward a copy of the citation to the District Court having venue.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>After receiving the citation, the District Court shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>schedule the case for trial; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>notify the defendant of the trial date.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The county shall send a formal notice of the civil infraction to the defendant’s last known address if a defendant:</text> <level label="i"> <text>does not file a notice of intention to stand trial for the civil infraction within the time required under subsection (a) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>does not pay the fine for the civil infraction by the payment date specified in the citation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the citation has not been satisfied within 15 days after the date of the notice, the county shall assess an additional fine not exceeding twice the original fine.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the citation has not been satisfied within 35 days after the date of the notice, the county may request adjudication of the case in the District Court.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>After receiving a request from the county, the District Court shall promptly:</text> <level label="i"> <text>schedule the case for trial; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>summon the defendant to appear.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A defendant’s failure to respond to a summons issued under paragraph (4) of this subsection is contempt of court.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-206" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Civil Infractions"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the State’s Attorney for a county shall prosecute a civil infraction in the same manner as a prosecution of a violation of the criminal laws of the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State’s Attorney may enter a nolle prosequi or place the case on the stet docket in the same manner as provided by law for a violation of the criminal laws of the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to the approval of the county commissioners, the State’s Attorney may designate in writing the county attorney or an assistant county attorney to prosecute civil infractions.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The county attorney or assistant county attorney designated under this subsection may exercise the powers of the State’s Attorney in connection with a civil infraction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The State’s Attorney for Allegany County is not required to be present at a trial for a violation of a civil infraction under §§ 13–503 through 13–506 of this article if the official who issued the citation for the civil infraction is present at the trial on behalf of the county.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-207" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Civil Infractions"> <level label="a"> <text>In a civil infraction proceeding:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the court shall confirm that the defendant has received a copy of and understands the charges;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the defendant may enter a plea of guilty or not guilty;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the court shall apply the evidentiary standards provided by law for the trial of a criminal case;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the defendant may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>cross–examine witnesses;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>produce evidence or witnesses on the defendant’s behalf;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>testify; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>be represented by counsel of the defendant’s own choice and at the defendant’s expense; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the burden of proof is the same as required by law in the trial of a criminal case.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The court may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>enter a verdict of guilty or not guilty; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>before entering a verdict, place the defendant on probation in the same manner as allowed in the trial of a criminal case.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-208" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Civil Infractions"> <level label="a"> <text>A defendant who is found to have committed a civil infraction shall pay:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the fine imposed under § 11–203 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>court costs of $5.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A defendant is not liable for payment of costs imposed under § 7–409 of the Courts Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-209" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Civil Infractions"> <level label="a"> <text>If a defendant is found guilty of a civil infraction and a fine is imposed, the court may direct that the payment of the fine be suspended or deferred under conditions that the court sets.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A court may treat a defendant’s willful failure to pay a fine imposed under this subtitle as a criminal contempt of court.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The District Court shall remit to the county any fine, penalty, or forfeiture the court collects.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-210" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Civil Infractions"> <level label="a"> <text>A defendant who is found guilty of a civil infraction may file a motion for a new trial or a motion for a revision of judgment as provided by law for a criminal case.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A motion filed under this section shall be filed in the same manner as a motion filed in a criminal case.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In ruling on a motion filed under this section, the court has the same authority that the court has in a criminal case.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-211" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Civil Infractions"> <text>Adjudication of a civil infraction is not a criminal conviction for any purpose.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-301" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Juvenile Curfew"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Curfew hours” means the hours between midnight and 5:00 a.m.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Establishment” means a privately owned place of business operated for profit to which the public is invited.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Guardian” means a person who is appointed by a court as a guardian.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>“Public place” means a place to which the general public has access for a lawful purpose.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Public place” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a public street, a sidewalk, an alley, a highway, and a right–of–way of a public street or highway; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the common areas of a transport facility, a school, a hospital, an apartment building, an office building, a shopping center, a park, a playground, a parking lot, a theater, a restaurant, a bowling alley, a tavern, a cafe, an arcade, and a shop.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Remain” means to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>linger unnecessarily in a public place; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>fail to leave the premises of an establishment or a public place when asked by a law enforcement officer or an employee of the establishment or public place.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-302" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Juvenile Curfew"> <text>This subtitle applies in code counties in the Eastern Shore class as established under § 9–302 of this article.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-303" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Juvenile Curfew"> <text>After making independent factual findings demonstrating a local need for a curfew, the county commissioners may adopt a juvenile curfew ordinance.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-304" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Juvenile Curfew"> <text>Subject to § 11–305 of this subtitle, a juvenile curfew ordinance shall state that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a minor may not remain in a public place or on the premises of an establishment during curfew hours;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a parent or guardian of a minor may not knowingly allow the minor to remain in a public place or on the premises of an establishment during curfew hours; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the owner, operator, or employee of an establishment may not knowingly allow a minor to remain on the premises of the establishment during curfew hours.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-305" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Juvenile Curfew"> <text>A juvenile curfew ordinance adopted under this subtitle does not apply to a minor who is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>accompanied by the minor’s parent or guardian;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>performing an errand at the direction of the minor’s parent or guardian, without a detour or stop, until 12:30 a.m.;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>accompanied by an adult authorized by the minor’s parent or guardian to have temporary care or custody of the minor for a designated period of time within a specified area;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>with consent of the minor’s parent or guardian, involved in interstate travel;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>engaged in legal employment activity or is going to or returning home from a legal employment activity;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>involved in a sudden or unexpected happening or an unforeseen combination of circumstances that calls for immediate action to protect health, safety, welfare, or property from actual or threatened harm or an unlawful act;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>on the property where the minor resides or on the sidewalk abutting the minor’s residence or abutting the residence of a next–door neighbor if an adult resident of that property has given permission for the minor’s presence;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>attending or returning directly home from:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a school, religious, or recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by the local jurisdiction, a civic organization, or a volunteer association that takes responsibility for the minor; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a place of public entertainment, including a movie, play, or sporting event;</text> </level> </level> <level label="9"> <text>exercising First Amendment rights under the United States Constitution if the minor has first submitted to the chief of the local law enforcement agency a written communication that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is signed by the minor and countersigned, if practicable, by the parent or guardian of the minor;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>includes the parent’s or guardian’s home address and telephone number; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>specifies when, where, and in what manner the minor will be in a public place during curfew hours; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="10"> <text>remaining in a public place in a case of reasonable necessity if the minor’s parent or guardian has communicated to the chief of the local law enforcement agency facts:</text> <level label="i"> <text>establishing the reasonable necessity; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>designating:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the specific public place and the points of origin and destination for the minor’s travel; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the times the minor will be in the public place or traveling to or from the public place.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-306" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Juvenile Curfew"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>If a law enforcement officer reasonably believes that a minor is in a public place or on the premises of an establishment in violation of a juvenile curfew ordinance, the officer shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>notify the minor that the minor is in violation of the juvenile curfew ordinance;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>require the minor to tell the officer the minor’s name, address, telephone number, and where to contact the minor’s parent or guardian;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>issue the minor a written warning that the minor is in violation of the juvenile curfew ordinance; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>order the minor to promptly go home.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The law enforcement officer may take the minor:</text> <level label="i"> <text>to the minor’s home, if appropriate; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>into custody and transport the minor to a local law enforcement station or designated curfew center when:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the minor has received one previous written warning for a violation of a juvenile curfew ordinance;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the minor has committed a delinquent act, as defined in § 3–8A–01 of the Courts Article; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>taking the minor into custody is authorized under § 3–8A–14 of the Courts Article.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A law enforcement officer may issue a civil citation for a violation of a juvenile curfew ordinance to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a minor;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a parent or guardian of a minor; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>an owner, operator, or employee of an establishment.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The law enforcement agency shall send written notice of the violation of the juvenile curfew ordinance to the minor’s parent or guardian.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-307" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Juvenile Curfew"> <text>A civil citation for a violation of a juvenile curfew ordinance shall include a fine:</text> <level label="1"> <text>for a first offense, not exceeding $500; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>for a second or subsequent offense, not exceeding $1,000.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-308" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Juvenile Curfew"> <level label="a"> <text>When a minor is taken into custody for a violation of a juvenile curfew ordinance, the law enforcement officer shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>immediately notify the parent or guardian of the minor to come take custody of the minor; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>determine whether, consistent with constitutional safeguards, the minor or the parent or guardian, or both, are in violation of the juvenile curfew ordinance.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If the parent or guardian arrives to take custody of the minor and the appropriate information is recorded, the minor shall be released to the custody of the parent or guardian.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the parent or guardian cannot be located or fails to take custody of the minor, the minor shall be released to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the local department of social services;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the Department of Juvenile Services; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>another adult who will, on behalf of the parent or guardian, assume the responsibility of caring for the minor pending the availability or arrival of the parent or guardian.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-401" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Water and Sewerage Services"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “department” means a department of public facilities and services.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The powers granted under this section may be exercised notwithstanding any other law in effect when the county commissioners exercise a power granted under this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The county commissioners, by public local law, may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>establish a department of public facilities and services; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>provide for the organization and functions of the department.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The county commissioners may assign to a department:</text> <level label="1"> <text>responsibility for construction, maintenance, repair, service, and management of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>public works, public buildings, publicly owned water and sewerage facilities and projects, and capital projects;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>water supply facilities and projects;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal facilities and projects;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>solid waste collection, recycling, and disposal facilities and projects;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>storm drainage, erosion, and sediment control facilities and projects;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>lighting for roads, highways, alleys, and other public places; or</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>mosquito control facilities and programs; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any other function or duty that is not inconsistent with this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection, if the county commissioners assign to a department the responsibility for water and sewerage functions, the county commissioners shall abolish by public local law:</text> <level label="i"> <text>any water or sewer authority established for the county under Title 9, Subtitle 9 of the Environment Article; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any sanitary district or commission established for the county under Title 9, Subtitle 6 of the Environment Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Before abolishing a water or sewer authority or sanitary district or commission, the county commissioners may request that the entity provide to the county appropriate information to assist the county commissioners in complying with paragraph (3) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The public local law shall provide:</text> <level label="i"> <text>for the retiring, refunding, refinancing, transfer, or assumption of any applicable outstanding bonds of the abolished entity;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>for the assumption of all existing assets and liabilities of the abolished entity by the county, subject to an audit of the assets and liabilities by a certified public accountant;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>for the transfer of all real and personal property of the abolished entity to the county;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>for the transfer of responsibility and administration of any legally enforceable agreement between the abolished entity and another party to the county;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>for the continued effect of orders, rules, and regulations of the abolished entity, until revoked or modified by the county commissioners;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>that any revenues of an abolished entity remain dedicated for the purpose collected and are not transferred into the county’s general fund; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>that all matters pending before the abolished entity may continue and shall be completed by the department.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any employee of a water or sewer authority or of a sanitary district or commission employed on the date that the authority, district, or commission is abolished who transfers to the department or to a municipality or local community under § 11–402 of this subtitle shall transfer without any loss of salary, retirement benefits, insurance benefits, leave time, seniority level, or other employee benefits.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>If the county commissioners abolish a water or sewer authority or sanitary district or commission, the county commissioners shall exercise the powers of a water or sewer authority or sanitary district or commission.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The county commissioners may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>adopt regulations for water and sewerage management;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>acquire, construct, operate, or maintain water and sewerage systems as the county commissioners consider to be in the public interest and necessary to protect the general health and welfare; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>set rates, fees, and assessments for water and sewerage services and benefits.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-402" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Water and Sewerage Services"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section, “local community” means an incorporated or unincorporated community, other than a municipality, with a governing board that is elected by the property owners or residents of the community.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Local community” includes a community association or similar association or a special taxing district if the association or district has a governing board elected by the property owners or residents of the community.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section applies only if a county establishes a department of public facilities and services and assumes the responsibilities of a sanitary district or commission or a water or sewer authority under § 11–401 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Subject to subsections (d) and (e) of this section, the county commissioners may enter into an agreement with the governing body of a municipality or a governing board of a local community that transfers responsibility for water or sewerage services to the municipality or local community.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>An agreement made under this section shall be in writing and shall require that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the municipality or local community continues to serve any area, within or outside its boundaries, that is served by the facilities transferred when the transfer occurs;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any increase in fees or taxes for water or sewerage services following the transfer be applied uniformly within and outside the boundaries of the municipality or local community;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the municipality or local community, in accordance with the agreement, assumes legal responsibility for the payment of principal of and interest on any applicable outstanding bonds issued by the county or by a water or sewer authority or a sanitary district or commission with respect to facilities being transferred to the municipality or local community;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the disposal of sewage sludge by the municipality or local community be conducted in accordance with county regulations;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the municipality or local community honors, in accordance with the agreement, any obligation that exists when the transfer occurs, for the treatment at a treatment facility of leachate generated at a landfill in the county;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the municipality or local community complies with the terms of any grant or requirement involving a federal or State agency concerning facilities or operations transferred to the municipality under the agreement; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>any revenues from an entity abolished under § 11–401 of this subtitle and transferred under the agreement remain dedicated for the purpose collected and are not transferred into the municipality’s or local community’s general fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>An agreement made under this section shall specify:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the obligation of the parties to cooperate in the operation of any laboratory, the sharing of equipment, and other related matters in which the county and municipality or local community might mutually benefit;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the obligation of the parties to satisfy any vested retirement rights of employees who transfer from the county to the municipality or local community under the agreement;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the obligation of the parties to assure the maintenance of salary levels, retirement benefits, insurance benefits, vacation benefits, leave time, seniority levels, and other employee benefits, which are in effect for county employees who transfer to the municipality or local community under the agreement; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>any other matter relating to water or sewerage services on which the county and municipality or local community agree that are consistent with this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-501" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Towing Companies"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Nonconsensual towing” means towing a motor vehicle from private property without the consent of the motor vehicle’s owner or operator.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Tow truck” has the meaning stated in § 13–920 of the Transportation Article.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Towing” means the moving or removal of a motor vehicle by a tow truck.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Towing company” means a person that provides towing services.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Towing service” means the operation of removing or towing motor vehicles.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-502" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Towing Companies"> <text>This subtitle applies only in code counties in the Southern Maryland class, as established in § 9–302 of this article.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-503" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Towing Companies"> <text>The county commissioners may adopt rules and regulations for the licensing, maintenance, and operation of towing companies in the county to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>promote transparency, accountability, and uniformity regarding nonconsensual towing practices;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>safeguard the public health and welfare;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>promote good civic design; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>promote the health, safety, morals, order, convenience, and prosperity of the community.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-504" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Towing Companies"> <text>The rules and regulations adopted by the county commissioners may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>require a person who maintains or operates a towing company in the county to obtain a license from the county; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>specify a reasonable fee for the license.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-505" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Towing Companies"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Before adopting rules and regulations under § 11–503 of this subtitle, the county commissioners shall hold a public hearing.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The rules or regulations are not valid unless a public hearing is held as advertised.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The county commissioners shall publish notice of the time and place of the public hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the county once a week for not less than 4 successive weeks.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-506" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Towing Companies"> <level label="a"> <text>A person who violates a rule or regulation adopted under § 11–503 of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine of not less than $500 or imprisonment not exceeding 2 months or both.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each day on which a violation continues is a separate offense.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-507" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Towing Companies"> <text>In the event of a conflict, federal law, State law, or written program guidance issued by a unit of the federal or State government shall preempt a rule or regulation adopted or any other action taken under this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="11-601" title_number="11" title_name="Powers of Code Counties" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “regular employee” does not include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an employee, as defined in § 4–501 of the Labor and Employment Article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an appointed official;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>an elected official; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a supervisory, managerial, or confidential employee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section applies only in code counties in the Southern Maryland class, as established in § 9–302 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A county may enact a local law to provide regular employees of the county the right to organize and bargain collectively with binding arbitration through representative employee organizations chosen by the regular employees.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A local law enacted in accordance with this section shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>provide definitions of and remedies for unfair labor practices; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>prohibit strikes or work stoppages by represented regular employees.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A local law enacted in accordance with this section may not affect the rights and duties of a county and any exclusive representatives under a local law enacted in accordance with Title 4, Subtitle 5 of the Labor and Employment Article.</text> </level> </section>