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

2. (b) “Abandoned vehicle” means any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer:

   1. (1) That is inoperable and left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours;
   2. (2) That has remained illegally on public property for more than 48 hours;
   3. (3) That has remained on private property for more than 48 hours without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property;
   4. (4) That has remained in a garage for more than 10 days after the garage keeper has given the owner of the vehicle notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, bearing a postmark from the United States Postal Service, to remove the vehicle;
   5. (5) That has remained in a garage for more than 10 days after the period when, by contract, the vehicle was to remain in the garage;

   6. (6) That was left for more than 10 days in a garage by:

      1. (i) Someone other than its registered owner; or
      2. (ii) A person authorized to have possession of the vehicle under a contract of use, service, storage, or repair;

   7. (7) That has remained on public property for more than 48 hours and:

      1. (i) Is not displaying currently valid registration plates; or
      2. (ii) Is displaying registration plates of another vehicle;
   8. (8) That has been left unattended on any portion of a “controlled access highway” as defined in § 8-101(f) of this article for more than 24 hours;
   9. (9) That has been left unattended on any portion of a primary or secondary highway or controlled access highway, as defined in § 8-101 of this article, and is in violation of any of the provisions of § 22-408 of this article; or
   10. (10) That is not reclaimed as provided under § 16-303.1 of this article.

3. (c) “Garage” means any of the following, if operated for commercial purposes:

   1. (1) A parking place or establishment;
   2. (2) A vehicle storage facility; or
   3. (3) An establishment for the servicing, repair, or maintenance of vehicles.

4. (d)

   1. (1) “Lessor” means a person who regularly leases or offers to lease motor vehicles.

   2. (2) “Lessor” includes:

      1. (i) An assignee of leases; and
      2. (ii) A person who during any 12-month period offers to lease 5 or more motor vehicles or who is assigned 5 or more leases.

5. (e) “Police department” means:

   1. (1) The Department of State Police;
   2. (2) The police department of any political subdivision of this State;
   3. (3) In Baltimore City, the appropriate agency designated by the Board of Estimates;
   4. (4) The police forces of public colleges and universities;
   5. (5) In Prince George's County, an appropriate agency or department designated by the County Executive;
   6. (6) In any municipality in Prince George's County or Montgomery County, an appropriate agency or department designated by the governing body of the municipality; and
   7. (7) The police force of any State government agency.

Added by Acts 1977, c. 14, § 2, eff. July 1, 1977. Amended by Acts 1980, c. 156; Acts 1983, c. 563; Acts 1986, c. 16; Acts 1987, c. 128; Acts 1987, c. 149; Acts 1988, c. 226; Acts 1990, c. 307; Acts 1991, c. 82; Acts 1994, c. 165, § 3, eff. July 1, 1994; Acts 1994, c. 166, § 3, eff. July 1, 1994; Acts 1995, c. 3, §§ 2, 22, eff. March 7, 1995; Acts 1995, c. 524, § 1, 2, eff. July 1, 1995; Acts 1997, c. 261, § 1, eff. Oct.1, 1997; Acts 2002, c. 19, § 1, eff. April 9, 2002; Acts 2018, c. 777, § 1, eff. May 15, 2018; Acts 2020, c. 628, § 1, eff. May 8, 2020.

Formerly Art. 66 ½, § 11-1002.2.