Maryland § 17-318

§ 17-318.

    (a)    (1)    Any person who claims a legal interest in any property delivered to the State under this title must:

            (i)    File a claim to the property or to the proceeds from its sale on the form prescribed by the Administrator; and

            (ii)    Verify the claim as to its completeness and accuracy.

        (2)    After a claim is filed under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Administrator shall allow or deny the claim and provide the claimant notice of the decision.

        (3)    If a claim filed in accordance with this subsection is denied:

            (i)    The Administrator shall inform the claimant of the reason for the denial and specify what additional evidence, if any, is required for the claim to be allowed;

            (ii)    The claimant may file an amended claim with the Administrator or commence an action under § 17–320 of this subtitle; and

            (iii)    The Administrator shall consider an amended claim filed under item (ii) of this paragraph as the initial claim.

        (4)    If the Administrator does not take action on a claim during the 6–month period immediately following the filing of a claim under this subsection, the claim shall be deemed denied.

    (b)    (1)    The Administrator may waive the filing requirement under subsection (a) of this section if:

            (i)    The person receiving the property or payment is the apparent owner included in a report filed under § 17–310 of this subtitle;

            (ii)    The Administrator reasonably believes the person is entitled to receive the property or payment; and

            (iii)    The property or payment has a value of $5,000 or less.

        (2)    If the Administrator waives the filing requirement in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Administrator shall make payment in accordance with § 17–319(b) of this subtitle.

    (c)    The Administrator shall pay or deliver property to a claimant under this section if the Administrator receives evidence sufficient to the satisfaction of the Administrator to establish that the claimant is the owner of the property.