§ 25-207.1. Abandoned or impounded vehicles with removed or defaced serial numbers

   (a) Applicability. -- This section applies to any vehicle:

   (1) Which is impounded by a police department either as abandoned or pursuant to other State or local law;

   (2) From which the engine or vehicle serial number has been removed or defaced; and

   (3) Of which neither the owner nor any secured party can be identified from records of the Administration or other reasonable steps taken by the police department.

(b) Application for assignment of identification number. -- The police department on whose authority the vehicle was impounded may apply to the Administration for an assignment of an identification number under § 13-106.1 and 14-107 of this article.

(c) Application for assignment of certificate of title. -- The police department on whose authority the vehicle was impounded may apply to the Administration for a certificate of title to a vehicle, and shall submit as evidence of ownership:

   (1) A copy of the return receipt or certified mail notice returned as undeliverable, received under § 25-204 of this subtitle; or

   (2) A copy of the notice published under § 25-205 of this subtitle.

(d) Public use of vehicle. -- Notwithstanding the provisions of § 25-207 of this subtitle, the police department, after satisfying the requirements of subsections (b) and (c) of this section, may retain and use the vehicle for public purposes.

(e) Dismantling or disassembling; disposition. -- Any vehicle retained for use under this section:

   (1) May not be dismantled or disassembled for the purpose of using its component parts; and

   (2) When no longer usable for public purposes, shall be transferred by the police department to a scrap processor licensed under § 15-502 of this article.

HISTORY: 1985, ch. 201; 1988, ch. 6, § 1; 1995, ch. 524, § 2.