reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-514 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 5 - Retail Credit Accounts|Section 12-514 - Jurisdiction of Commissioner of Financial Regulation

    (a)    If a complaint for violation of any provision of this subtitle is filed with the Commissioner of Financial Regulation, he may investigate the complaint and hold a hearing on it in accordance with § 11-413 of the Financial Institutions Article.    (b)    The Commissioner shall give to the person complained against at least 10 days’ written notice of the complaint and the time and place of any hearing. The notice shall be in writing and sent by registered or certified mail to his principal place of business.    (c)    (1)    If, after the hearing, the Commissioner finds that the person has engaged or is engaging in any act or practice prohibited by this subtitle, he shall order the person to cease and desist from the act or practice.        (2)    The order of the Commissioner shall comply with the Administrative Procedure Act.    (d)    (1)    If no appeal is filed, the order becomes final after expiration of the time allowed by the Administrative Procedure Act for appeals from the Commissioner’s orders.        (2)    If an appeal is filed, the order becomes final after final decision of the court affirming the order or dismissing the appeal.    (e)    For purposes of this section, the Commissioner’s order may not apply to any:        (1)    Incorporated bank, savings institution, or trust company; or        (2)    A savings and loan association.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-515 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 5 - Retail Credit Accounts|Section 12-515 - Penalties

    Any person who knowingly violates or participates in the violation of any provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $100 for the first offense and not exceeding $500 for any subsequent offense.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-701 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 7 - Equal Credit Opportunity Act|Section 12-701 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Applicant” means any person who applies to a creditor:        (1)    Directly for an extension, renewal, or continuation of credit; or        (2)    Indirectly by use of an existing credit plan for an amount exceeding a previously established credit limit.    (c)    “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Financial Regulation.    (d)    “Credit” means the right granted by a creditor to a debtor to:        (1)    Defer payment of a debt;        (2)    Incur a debt and defer its payment; or        (3)    Purchase property or services and defer payment for it.    (e)    “Creditor” means any person who regularly:        (1)    Extends, renews, or continues credit for personal, family or household purposes; or        (2)    Arranges for the extension, renewal, or continuation of credit.    (f)    “Person” includes an individual, corporation, business trust, statutory trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, two or more persons having a joint or common interest, or any other legal or commercial entity.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-702 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 7 - Equal Credit Opportunity Act|Section 12-702 - Findings and Purpose

    (a)    The General Assembly finds that there is a need to insure that the various financial institutions and other persons and firms engaged in the extension of credit exercise their responsibility to make credit available with fairness, impartiality, and without discrimination on the basis of sex or marital status. Economic stabilization would be enhanced, and competition among the various financial institutions and other persons and firms engaged in the extension of credit would be strengthened by an absence of discrimination on the basis of sex, marital status, race, color, religion, national origin, or age (provided the applicant has capacity to contract).    (b)    It is the purpose of this subtitle to require that financial institutions and other persons and firms engaged in the extension of credit do not deny credit on the basis of sex, marital status, race, color, religion, national origin, or age (provided the applicant has capacity to contract).
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-703 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 7 - Equal Credit Opportunity Act|Section 12-703 - Jurisdiction of Commissioner of Financial Regulation

    (a)    If a complaint for violation of any provisions of this subtitle is filed with the Commissioner, the Commissioner shall investigate the complaint and may hold a hearing on it in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.    (b)    The Commissioner shall give to the creditor complained against at least 10 days’ written notice of the complaint and the time and place of any hearing. The notice shall be in writing and sent by registered or certified mail to the creditor’s principal place of business.    (c)    (1)    If, after the hearing, the Commissioner finds that the creditor has engaged or is engaging in any act or practice prohibited by this subtitle, the Commissioner shall order the creditor to cease and desist from the act or practice.        (2)    The order of the Commissioner shall comply with the Administrative Procedure Act.    (d)    (1)    If no appeal is filed, the order becomes final after expiration of the time allowed by the Administrative Procedure Act for appeals from the Commissioner’s orders.        (2)    If an appeal is filed, the order becomes final after final decision of the court affirming the order or dismissing the appeal.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-704 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 7 - Equal Credit Opportunity Act|Section 12-704 - Discrimination Prohibited; Compliance With or Violation of Federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act

    With respect to any aspect of a credit transaction:         (1)    A creditor may not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of sex, marital status, race, color, religion, national origin, or age;        (2)    A creditor that complies with the applicable provisions of the federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act, or regulations adopted under the federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act, is in compliance with the requirements of this subtitle; and        (3)    Any violation of the federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act, or any regulation adopted under the federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act, is a violation of the provisions of this subtitle.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-705 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 7 - Equal Credit Opportunity Act|Section 12-705 - "Discriminatory Practices" Defined

    Prohibited discriminatory practices include any:         (1)    Refusal to consider both applicants’ income when both parties of a marriage party apply for a joint account;        (2)    Refusal to consider alimony or child support awarded by a court and received by the applicant as a valid source of income, where that source can be verified as to its amount, length of time received, and regularity of receipt;        (3)    Refusal to extend credit to any person solely because of marital status or change in marital status;        (4)    Refusal to issue separate accounts to married persons where each would be credit worthy if unmarried;        (5)    Request for or consideration of the credit rating of an applicant’s spouse where the applicant is otherwise credit worthy and is not applying for a joint account unless the applicant lists credit references in the name of spouse or former spouse or has no individual prior credit history or the creditor permits the applicant to designate the applicant’s spouse as an authorized purchaser on the account;        (6)    Refusal to recognize the legal name of any married person; and        (7)    Requests for or consideration of information about birth control practices in evaluating any credit application.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-706 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 7 - Equal Credit Opportunity Act|Section 12-706 - Administration of Subtitle

    The provisions of this subtitle shall be administered by the Commissioner.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-707 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 7 - Equal Credit Opportunity Act|Section 12-707 - Civil Liability

    (a)    Notwithstanding the provisions of § 12–703 of this subtitle, any creditor who violates any provisions of this subtitle is liable to the applicant in an amount equal to the sum of any actual damages sustained by the applicant acting either in an individual capacity or as a representative of a class.    (b)    Any creditor who fails to comply with any requirement imposed under this subtitle shall be liable to the aggrieved applicant for punitive damages in an amount not greater than $10,000, as determined by the court, in addition to any actual damages provided in subsection (a) of this section. In pursuing the recovery allowed under this subsection, the applicant may proceed only in an individual capacity and not as a representative of a class.    (c)    Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, any creditor who fails to comply with any requirement imposed under this subtitle may be liable for punitive damages in the case of a class action in such amount as the court may allow, except that as to each member of the class no minimum recovery shall be applicable, and the total recovery in such action shall not exceed the lesser of $100,000 or 1 percent of the net worth of the creditor. In determining the amount of award in any class action, the court shall consider, among other relevant factors, the amount of any actual damages awarded, the frequency and persistence of failures of compliance by the creditor, the resources of the creditor, the number of persons adversely affected, and the extent to which the creditor’s failure of compliance was intentional.    (d)    When a creditor fails to comply with any requirement imposed under this subtitle, an aggrieved applicant may institute a civil action for preventive relief, including an application for a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other action.    (e)    In the case of any successful action to enforce the foregoing liability, the costs of the action together with a reasonable attorney’s fee as determined by the court shall be added to any damages awarded by the court under the provisions of subsections (a), (b), and (d) of this section.    (f)    A creditor does not violate this subtitle if the creditor shows by a preponderance of evidence in any administrative or judicial proceeding that the violation was not willful or resulted from a bona fide error notwithstanding the maintenance of procedures reasonably adapted to avoid any such error.    (g)    An action under this title may be brought in any district court or circuit court, depending upon the amount in controversy, within one year from the date of the occurrence of the violation.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-708 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 7 - Equal Credit Opportunity Act|Section 12-708 - Short Title

    This subtitle may be cited as the Maryland Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-801 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 8 - Loans -- Finder's Fees|Section 12-801 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Borrower” means an individual who obtains a loan or advance of money.    (c)    “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Financial Regulation.    (d)    “Finder’s fee” means any compensation or commission directly or indirectly imposed by a broker and paid by or on behalf of the borrower for the broker’s services in procuring, arranging, or otherwise assisting a borrower in obtaining a loan or advance of money.    (e)    “Lender” means a person defined as a mortgage lender under § 11–501(j)(1)(ii) of the Financial Institutions Article.    (f)    “Mortgage broker” means a person defined as a mortgage lender under § 11–501(j)(1)(i) of the Financial Institutions Article.    (g)    “Person” includes an individual, corporation, business trust, statutory trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, two or more persons having a joint or common interest, or any other legal or commercial entity.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-802 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 8 - Loans -- Finder's Fees|Section 12-802 - Application of Subtitle

    This subtitle does not apply to any loan:        (1)    Described in § 12–103(e) of this title; or        (2)    Made by motor vehicle or recreational vehicle dealers in connection with the sale of their vehicles.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-803 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 8 - Loans -- Finder's Fees|Section 12-803 - Prohibited Relationship Between Broker and Lender

    A mortgage broker may not be a director, officer, or employee of any lender where he places a loan.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-804 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 8 - Loans -- Finder's Fees|Section 12-804 - Fees Mortgage Broker Permitted to Charge

    (a)    A mortgage broker may charge a finder’s fee not in excess of 8 percent of the amount of the loan or advance.    (b)    In addition to a finder’s fee, a mortgage broker may charge a borrower for the actual cost of:        (1)    Any appraisal, credit report, condominium document, or subordination agreement document obtained by the mortgage broker at the written request of the borrower; and        (2)    Any other good or service, as specified in regulations adopted by the Commissioner, that is required to complete a loan application process and that, at the written request of the borrower, is paid by the mortgage broker to a third–party provider of the good or service.    (c)    A mortgage broker obtaining a mortgage loan with respect to the same property more than once within a 24–month period may charge a finder’s fee if the fee is not in excess of 8% of the initial loan amount when combined with the finder’s fee charged on the initial loan and on any other finder’s fee collected during that 24–month period.    (d)    The provisions of this section do not apply to:        (1)    The charging of fees and charges otherwise permitted under this title; or        (2)    Attorney’s fees unless the attorney is functioning as a mortgage broker.    (e)    A mortgage broker may not charge a finder’s fee in any transaction in which the mortgage broker or an owner, part owner, partner, director, officer, or employee of the mortgage broker is the lender or an owner, part owner, partner, director, officer, or employee of the lender.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-805 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 8 - Loans -- Finder's Fees|Section 12-805 - Payment of Finder's Fee

    (a)    A mortgage broker may not receive any fee in the form of a note, mortgage, or other evidence of indebtedness.    (b)    Payment of the finder’s fee to the mortgage broker out of the proceeds of the loan is not considered as interest to the lender if the finder’s fee is not in excess of that permitted by this subtitle.    (c)    If the finder’s fee is paid from the proceeds of the loan, the lender shall comply with the disclosure provisions of § 12–106 of this title or the federal Truth in Lending Act and in addition shall advise the borrower, in writing, of the borrower’s right to a refund of the finder’s fee upon the exercise of any right of rescission of the loan.    (d)    (1)    A finder’s fee may not be charged unless it is pursuant to a written agreement between the mortgage broker and the borrower which is separate and distinct from any other document.        (2)    The terms of the proposed agreement shall:            (i)    Be disclosed to the borrower before the mortgage broker undertakes to assist the borrower in obtaining a loan or advance of money;            (ii)    Specify the amount of the finder’s fee; and            (iii)    Contain a representation by the mortgage broker that the mortgage broker is acting as a mortgage broker and not as a lender in the transaction.        (3)    A copy of the agreement, dated and signed by the mortgage broker and the borrower, shall be provided to the borrower within 10 business days after the date the loan application is completed.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-806 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 8 - Loans -- Finder's Fees|Section 12-806 - Refund of Finder's Fee

    A borrower is entitled to a refund of any finder’s fee paid to a mortgage broker if:         (1)    The loan transaction is not made to the borrower; or        (2)    The borrower exercises his right to rescind the loan transaction under the federal Truth in Lending Act or any similar federal or State law.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-807 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 8 - Loans -- Finder's Fees|Section 12-807 - Violation of Subtitle

    Any mortgage broker who violates any provision of this subtitle shall forfeit to the borrower the greater of:         (1)    Three times the amount of the finder’s fee collected; or        (2)    The sum of $500.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-808 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 8 - Loans -- Finder's Fees|Section 12-808 - Circumstances Under Which Broker May Not Collect Fee

    A licensed real estate broker, insurer, salesman, attorney-at-law, or agent thereof who arranges or procures a mortgage may not collect a finder’s fee if, in addition to acting as broker under this subtitle, he is also acting as a real estate broker, insurer, salesman, attorney-at-law, or agent thereof in connection with the subject property or transaction.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-809 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 8 - Loans -- Finder's Fees|Section 12-809 - Circumventing 12-108

    The provisions of this subtitle may not be used to circumvent the provisions of § 12–108 of this title.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-902 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 9 - Credit Grantor Revolving Credit Provisions|Section 12-902 - Authorized Extensions of Credit

    (a)    Any credit grantor may, subject to the other provisions of this subtitle:        (1)    Offer and extend credit under a revolving credit plan to a borrower and in that connection charge and collect the interest, finance charges, and other charges permitted by this subtitle;        (2)    (i)    Take any security as collateral as may be acceptable to the credit grantor.            (ii)    If real property is taken as security, the credit grantor shall record the entire line of credit when the credit plan is established.    (b)    Without limiting subsection (a) of this section, credit may be extended under a revolving credit plan by a credit grantor’s acquisition of obligations arising out of the honoring of a credit device made available to a borrower under a plan, whether directly or indirectly by means of telephone, point of sale terminal, automated teller machine or other electronic or similar device, or through the mails, by:        (1)    A merchant;        (2)    A bank or other financial institution chartered or organized under the laws of this or any other state, the District of Columbia, the United States or any district, territory, or possession of the United States, or any foreign country;        (3)    Any other person or entity; or        (4)    A government or governmental subdivision or agency.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-904 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 9 - Credit Grantor Revolving Credit Provisions|Section 12-904 - Variation in Periodic Percentage Rate

    (a)    If the agreement governing the revolving credit plan so provides, the periodic percentage rate of interest or finance charges under the plan may vary in accordance with an index or formula that:        (1)    Is made readily available to and verifiable by the borrower;        (2)    Is beyond the control of the credit grantor; and        (3)    May be within the control of the borrower.    (b)    The periodic percentage rate, as varied, may be made applicable to all outstanding unpaid indebtedness on or after the effective date of the variation, including any indebtedness arising out of purchases made or loans obtained prior to the variation.    (c)    The periodic percentage rate, as varied, may not exceed the maximum rate permitted pursuant to § 12–903(a)(1) of this subtitle.    (d)    If a formula used under subsection (a)(3) of this section measures credit risk, the periodic percentage rate of interest or finance charges:        (1)    Shall be lower for any consumer borrower measured as more creditworthy under the formula; and        (2)    If the formula considers delinquency or arrearages, may not be raised unless a consumer borrower is at least 2 months in arrears in payment.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-906 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 9 - Credit Grantor Revolving Credit Provisions|Section 12-906 - Plan Authorizing Both Loans and Purchases

    (a)    If the agreement governing a revolving credit plan permitting the borrower to obtain both loans and purchases so provides, a credit grantor may impose different terms on the indebtedness arising out of purchases than to the indebtedness arising out of loans.    (b)    Subsection (a) of this section applies to all terms, including:        (1)    The terms governing the periodic percentage rate used to calculate interest or finance charges;        (2)    The method of computing the outstanding unpaid indebtedness to which the periodic percentage rate is applied;        (3)    The amounts of other charges; and        (4)    The applicable repayment schedule.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  12-907 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 12 - Credit Regulations|Subtitle 9 - Credit Grantor Revolving Credit Provisions|Section 12-907 - Plan Connected With Demand Deposit Account

    (a)    If credit under a revolving credit plan is offered and extended by a credit grantor which is a depository institution in connection with a demand deposit account or other transaction account maintained by the borrower with the credit grantor under an agreement or arrangement where the credit grantor agrees to honor checks, drafts, or other debits to the account by making extensions of credit to the borrower under a revolving credit plan, any charges customarily imposed by the credit grantor under the terms governing the account in the absence of any associated revolving credit plan may continue to be imposed on the account without specific reference or incorporation in the agreement governing the revolving credit plan.    (b)    The account charges referred to in subsection (a) of this section include:        (1)    Check charges;        (2)    Monthly maintenance charges;        (3)    Checkbook charges;        (4)    Charges for checks drawn in excess of an available line of credit; or        (5)    Any similar charges.    (c)    The amount of any charge imposed on the account may be charged to the account under the plan as a loan and may be included in the outstanding unpaid indebtedness under the terms of the agreement governing the revolving credit plan, to the extent the balance in the demand deposit or other transaction account is insufficient to pay the charge.