PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                            H.B. 225

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, I have today
vetoed House Bill 225.

This bill requires a lawyer to wait at least 30 days before writing to a person involved in
an accident, disaster, or crime to solicit professional employment. This bill does not apply
to contact initiated by a prospective client.

Senate Bill 14, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me on this date,
accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign House Bill
225.

Sincerely,

Parris N. Glendening

Governor

House Bill No. 225

AN ACT concerning

Lawyers - Written Solicitation of Clients - Limited Prohibition

FOR the purpose of prohibiting a lawyer from sending a written communication, directly
or through an agent, to a certain prospective client during a certain period of time;
providing a certain exception; making provisions of this Act severable; and generally
relating to written solicitations by lawyers.

BY adding to

Article - Business Occupations and Professions

Section 10-605.1

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1995 Replacement Volume and 1995 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Business Occupations and Professions

10-605.1.

(A) A LAWYER MAY NOT SEND A WRITTEN COMMUNICATION, DIRECTLY OR
THROUGH AN AGENT, TO A PROSPECTIVE CLIENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING
PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT IF THE COMMUNICATION CONCERNS:

(1) AN ACTION FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR WRONGFUL DEATH, OR
OTHERWISE RELATES TO AN ACCIDENT OR DISASTER INVOLVING THE PERSON TO
WHOM THE COMMUNICATION IS ADDRESSED OR THE PERSON'S RELATIVE, UNLESS
THE ACCIDENT OR DISASTER OCCURRED MORE THAN 30 DAYS BEFORE THE DATE
THE COMMUNICATION IS MAILED; OR

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