May 26, 2005

The Honorable Michael E. Busch
Speaker of the House
State House
Annapolis, MD 21401

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, today I have vetoed House Bill 1010 - Criminal Procedure - Restitution.

This bill allows restitution for rehabilitation expenses, provides that the $10,000 cap of restitution is per child per incident and not aggregate children per incident, requires the Division of Parole and Probation or Department of Juvenile Services to request the court to impose an earnings withholding order to collect restitution from an obligor's salary if the restitution is overdue and the restitution obligor is employed, and provides for the presumed necessity of specified restitution expenses when written documentation is provided. Senate Bill 873, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign House Bill 1010.

Very truly yours,
Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Governor