(a) If the Commissioner issues the certificate of abandoned motor vehicle, title to the motor vehicle shall pass to the holder of the certificate of abandoned motor vehicle, free from all claims of the owner or prior holder of the motor vehicle, and of all persons claiming through or under the owner or prior holder. The Commissioner shall issue an appropriate title or salvage title of the motor vehicle at no charge.

(b) Except for intentionally inflicted damage or gross negligence, neither the State nor any of its agents or employees shall be liable to the owner for any damage to the motor vehicle during the period in which the State retains custody. (Added 2003, No. 101 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)