reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1906 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 19 - Maryland Credit Services Businesses Act|Section 14-1906 - Contract With Consumer

    (a)    Every contract between a consumer and a credit services business for the purchase of the services of the credit services business shall:        (1)    Be in writing, dated, and signed by the consumer;        (2)    For a credit services business providing the services described in § 14–1901(e)(1)(i) of this subtitle, include:            (i)    A conspicuous statement in size equal to at least 10–point bold type, in immediate proximity to the space reserved for the signature of the consumer as follows:    “You, the buyer, may cancel this contract at any time prior to midnight of the third business day after the date of the transaction. See the attached notice of cancellation form for an explanation of this right.”;            (ii)    The terms and conditions of payment, including the total of all payments to be made by the consumer, whether to the credit services business or to some other person;            (iii)    A complete and detailed description of the services to be performed and the results to be achieved by the credit services business for or on behalf of the consumer, including all guarantees and all promises of full or partial refunds and a list of the adverse information appearing on the consumer’s credit report that the credit services business expects to have modified and the estimated date by which each modification will occur; and            (iv)    The principal business address of the credit services business and the name and address of its agent in this State authorized to receive service of process; and        (3)    For a credit services business providing the services described in § 14–1901(e)(1)(ii) of this subtitle, include:            (i)    A statement of the consumer’s right to file a complaint under § 14–1911 of this subtitle;            (ii)    The address of the Commissioner where a consumer can file a complaint under § 14–1911 of this subtitle;            (iii)    A statement that a bond exists and the consumer’s right to proceed against the bond under the circumstances and in the manner set forth under § 14–1910 of this subtitle; and            (iv)    The principal business address of the credit services business.    (b)    The contract shall be accompanied by a form completed in duplicate, captioned “NOTICE OF CANCELLATION”, which shall be attached to the contract and easily detachable, and which shall contain in at least 10–point bold type the following statement:
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1907 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 19 - Maryland Credit Services Businesses Act|Section 14-1907 - Violations; Void Contracts; Waivers; Burden of Proof

    (a)    Any breach by a credit services business of a contract under this subtitle, or of any obligation arising under it, shall constitute a violation of this subtitle.    (b)    Any contract for services from a credit services business that does not comply with the applicable provisions of this subtitle shall be void and unenforceable as contrary to the public policy of this State.    (c)    (1)    Any waiver by a consumer of any of the provisions of this subtitle shall be deemed void and unenforceable by a credit services business as contrary to the public policy of this State; and        (2)    Any attempt by a credit services business to have a consumer waive rights given by this subtitle shall constitute a violation of this subtitle.    (d)    In any proceeding involving this subtitle, the burden of proving an exemption or an exception from a definition is upon the person claiming it.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1908 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 19 - Maryland Credit Services Businesses Act|Section 14-1908 - Surety Bonds -- Requirement

    A credit services business is required to obtain a surety bond pursuant to Title 11, Subtitle 3 of the Financial Institutions Article.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1909 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 19 - Maryland Credit Services Businesses Act|Section 14-1909 - Surety Bonds -- Issuance

    The surety bond shall be issued by a surety company authorized to do business in this State.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1910 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 19 - Maryland Credit Services Businesses Act|Section 14-1910 - Surety Bonds -- Claims Against

    (a)    Any person claiming against the surety bond for a violation of this subtitle may maintain an action against the credit services business and against the surety.    (b)    The surety shall be liable only for actual damages and not for the punitive damages permitted under § 14-1912 of this subtitle.    (c)    The aggregate liability of the surety to all persons damaged by a credit services business’s violation of this subtitle may not exceed the amount of the surety bond.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1912 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 19 - Maryland Credit Services Businesses Act|Section 14-1912 - Failure to Comply With Requirements

    (a)    Any credit services business which willfully fails to comply with any requirement imposed under this subtitle with respect to any consumer is liable to that consumer in an amount equal to the sum of:        (1)    Any actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure;        (2)    A monetary award equal to 3 times the total amount collected from the consumer, as ordered by the Commissioner;        (3)    Such amount of punitive damages as the court may allow; and        (4)    In the case of any successful action to enforce any liability under this section, the costs of the action together with reasonable attorney’s fees as determined by the court.    (b)    Any credit services business which is negligent in failing to comply with any requirement imposed under this subtitle with respect to any consumer is liable to that consumer in an amount equal to the sum of:        (1)    Any actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure; and        (2)    In the case of any successful action to enforce any liability under this section, the cost of the action together with reasonable attorney’s fees as determined by the court.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1913 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 19 - Maryland Credit Services Businesses Act|Section 14-1913 - Limitation of Actions for Enforcement of Liability

    (a)    An action to enforce any liability created under this subtitle shall be brought within 2 years from the date the violation at issue occurred.    (b)    Where a defendant has materially and willfully misrepresented any information required to be disclosed to a consumer by this subtitle and the information is material to establishing defendant’s liability, the action may be brought at any time within 2 years of the discovery of the misrepresentation.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1914 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 19 - Maryland Credit Services Businesses Act|Section 14-1914 - Actions Under Consumer Protection Act

    (a)    Each sale of the services of a credit services business that violates any provision of this subtitle is an unfair or deceptive trade practice under Title 13 of this article.    (b)    If the Division of Consumer Protection of the Office of the Attorney General has reason to believe that any credit services business, or any salesperson, agent, representative, or independent contractor acting on behalf of a credit services business, has violated any provision of this subtitle, the Division may institute a proceeding under Title 13 of this article.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1915 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 19 - Maryland Credit Services Businesses Act|Section 14-1915 - Fines and Punishments

    (a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, any person who violates any provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or both, in addition to any civil penalties.    (b)    A person may not be imprisoned for violation of any provision of an order of the Commissioner or of the Attorney General entered pursuant to this subtitle or Title 13 of this article.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1916 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 19 - Maryland Credit Services Businesses Act|Section 14-1916 - Short Title

    This subtitle may be cited as the “Maryland Credit Services Businesses Act”.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-2003 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 20 - Consumer Motor Vehicle Leasing Contracts|Section 14-2003 - Prohibited Activities by Lessors

    (a)    A person who leases vehicles to lessees may not:        (1)    Make any false, falsely disparaging, or misleading oral or written statement, visual description, or other representation of any kind that has the capacity, tendency, or effect of deceiving or misleading a consumer or lessee;        (2)    By any means advertise or offer to the public any motor vehicle without intent to lease it as advertised or offered;        (3)    Misrepresent a lease of a motor vehicle as a sale;        (4)    Fail to include any dealer processing or freight charges in determining the adjusted capitalized cost used to calculate the base lease payment shown in an advertisement for a leased vehicle; or        (5)    Advertise to the general public a capitalized cost reduction to the lessee unless the capitalized cost reduction is offered to all potential lessees.    (b)    (1)    Except as allowed by paragraph (2) of this subsection, in offering to allow a lessee to cure a default by entering into a new lease for the same motor vehicle, a lessor may not include in the new lease any material provision that is less favorable to the lessee than the provisions of the original lease.        (2)    A lessor may include in a lease under paragraph (1) of this subsection an increase in one or more of the following:            (i)    The security deposit;            (ii)    The down payment paid to the lessor; or            (iii)    The lease payments, so long as the total of scheduled lease payments over the term of the new lease does not exceed the total of scheduled lease payments under the original lease.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-2006 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 20 - Consumer Motor Vehicle Leasing Contracts|Section 14-2006 - Applicability of Subtitle; Exclusion or Limitation of Operation of Subtitle Prohibited

    (a)    (1)    This subtitle applies only to the lease of a motor vehicle where the lessee has signed or been offered the lease in this State.        (2)    This subtitle does not apply to a fleet lease of 5 or more motor vehicles.    (b)    A lessor, manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, or dealer may not exclude or limit the operation of this subtitle.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-2009 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 20 - Consumer Motor Vehicle Leasing Contracts|Section 14-2009 - Repossession of Leased Motor Vehicle -- Sale

    (a)    This section applies if the lease provides that the motor vehicle is to be sold after repossession and the lessee is to be responsible for any deficiency arising from the sale of the motor vehicle.    (b)    (1)    The lessor shall sell the motor vehicle that was repossessed at:            (i)    Subject to subsection (c) of this section, a private sale; or            (ii)    A public auction.        (2)    At least 10 days before the sale, the lessor shall notify the lessee in writing of the time and place of the sale, by certified mail, return receipt requested, sent to the lessee’s last known address.        (3)    Any sale of a repossessed motor vehicle must be accomplished in a commercially reasonable manner.    (c)    In all cases of a private sale of a repossessed motor vehicle under this section, a full accounting shall be made to the lessee in writing. This accounting shall contain the following information:        (1)    The unpaid balance at the time the motor vehicle was repossessed;        (2)    The refund credit of unearned insurance premiums, if any;        (3)    The remaining net balance;        (4)    The proceeds of the sale of the motor vehicle;        (5)    The remaining deficiency balance, if any, or the amount due to the lessee; and        (6)    All expenses incurred as a result of the sale.    (d)    The Commissioner of Financial Regulation may make a determination concerning any private sale that the sale was not accomplished in a commercially reasonable manner. Upon that determination, the Commissioner may enter an order disallowing any claim for a deficiency balance.    (e)    (1)    The proceeds of a sale to which this section applies shall be applied, in the following order, to:            (i)    The actual and reasonable costs of the sale;            (ii)    The actual and reasonable costs of retaking and storing the property; and            (iii)    The unpaid balance owing under the lease agreement at the time the property was repossessed.        (2)    The lessor shall furnish to the lessee a written statement which shows the distribution of the proceeds.        (3)    If the provisions of this subtitle, including the requirement of furnishing a notice following repossession, are not followed, the lessor shall not be entitled to any deficiency judgment to which it would be entitled under the lease agreement.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-2010 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 20 - Consumer Motor Vehicle Leasing Contracts|Section 14-2010 - Penalties or Charges in Event of Early Termination or Default

    Any penalties or charges set forth in the lease or claimed by the lessor in the event of early termination or default must comply with the standards set forth in the Consumer Leasing Act.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-2201 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 22 - Maryland Telephone Solicitations Act|Section 14-2201 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Consumer” means an actual or prospective purchaser, lessee, or recipient of consumer goods, consumer services, or consumer realty.    (c)    (1)    “Consumer goods”, “consumer realty”, and “consumer services” mean, respectively, goods, real property, and services which are primarily for personal, household, family, or agricultural purposes.        (2)    (i)    Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, “consumer services” does not include financial services or securities sales.            (ii)    “Consumer services” includes any solicitation offering credit services where:                1.    The consumer is required to call a telephone number;                2.    The consumer is charged a separate toll fee for the call; and                3.    The person making the solicitation receives any portion of the separate telephone toll fee paid by the consumer.    (d)    “Credit services” means providing or offering to provide any service in return for the payment of money or other consideration, where the service is held out to provide assistance to a consumer with regard to:        (1)    Improving the consumer’s credit history, credit rating, or credit record; or        (2)    Obtaining an extension of credit for the consumer.    (e)    (1)    “Merchant” means a person who, directly or indirectly, offers or makes available to consumers any consumer goods, consumer services, or consumer realty.        (2)    “Merchant” does not include a person who is exempt under § 13-104 of this article.    (f)    “Telephone solicitation” means the attempt by a merchant to sell or lease consumer goods, services, or realty to a consumer located in this State that is:        (1)    Made entirely by telephone; and        (2)    Initiated by the merchant.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-2202 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 22 - Maryland Telephone Solicitations Act|Section 14-2202 - Application of Subtitle

    (a)    The provisions of this subtitle do not apply to a transaction:        (1)    Made in accordance with prior negotiations in the course of a visit by the consumer to a merchant operating a retail business establishment which has a fixed permanent location and where consumer goods are displayed or offered for sale on a continuing basis;        (2)    In which the person making the solicitation or the business enterprise for which the person is calling:            (i)    Has made a previous sale to the consumer; or            (ii)    Has a preexisting business relationship with the consumer;        (3)    Which is covered by the provisions of Subtitle 3 of this title;        (4)    In which:            (i)    The consumer may obtain a full refund for the return of undamaged and unused goods to the seller within 7 days of receipt by the consumer; and            (ii)    The seller will process the refund within 30 days of receipt of the returned merchandise by the consumer;        (5)    In which the consumer purchases goods or services pursuant to an examination of a television, radio, or print advertisement or a sample, brochure, catalogue, or other mailing material of the merchant that contains:            (i)    The name, address, and telephone number of the merchant;            (ii)    A description of the goods or services being sold; and            (iii)    Any limitations or restrictions that apply to the offer; or        (6)    In which the merchant is a bona fide charitable organization as defined in § 6-101 of the Business Regulation Article.    (b)    Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, this subtitle applies to any solicitation offering credit services where:        (1)    The consumer is required to call a telephone number;        (2)    The consumer is charged a separate toll fee for the call; and        (3)    The person making the solicitation receives any portion of the separate telephone toll fee paid by the consumer.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-2203 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 22 - Maryland Telephone Solicitations Act|Section 14-2203 - Enforceability of Contract

    (a)    A contract made pursuant to a telephone solicitation is not valid and enforceable against a consumer unless made in compliance with this subtitle.    (b)    A contract made pursuant to a telephone solicitation:        (1)    Shall be reduced to writing and signed by the consumer;        (2)    Shall comply with all other applicable laws and regulations;        (3)    Shall match the description of goods or services as that principally used in the telephone solicitation;        (4)    Shall contain the name, address, and telephone number of the seller, the total price of the contract, and a detailed description of the goods or services being sold;        (5)    Shall contain, in at least 12 point type, immediately preceding the signature, the following statement:    “You are not obligated to pay any money unless you sign this contract and return it to the seller.”; and        (6)    May not exclude from its terms any oral or written representations made by the merchant to the consumer in connection with the transaction.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-2204 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 22 - Maryland Telephone Solicitations Act|Section 14-2204 - Charges to Consumer's Credit Account

    A merchant engaging in a telephone solicitation may not make or submit any charge to the consumer’s credit account until after the merchant receives from the consumer a copy of the contract which complies with this subtitle.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-2205 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 22 - Maryland Telephone Solicitations Act|Section 14-2205 - Effect of Violations

    In addition to any remedies otherwise available at law, a violation of this subtitle shall be:        (1)    An unfair or deceptive trade practice under Title 13, Subtitle 3 of this article; and        (2)    If the violation involves a solicitation offering credit services, a violation of the Maryland Credit Services Businesses Act.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-2301 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 23 - Automotive Crash Parts Act|Section 14-2301 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Aftermarket crash parts” means crash parts:        (1)    Manufactured by a person other than the original manufacturer of the motor vehicle to be repaired; and        (2)    For which the original manufacturer of the motor vehicle has not authorized the use of its name or trademark by the manufacturer of the crash parts.    (c)    “Body shop” means any person that removes, replaces, reconditions, or repairs sheet metal or fiberglass motor vehicle crash parts.    (d)    “Crash parts” means exterior or interior sheet metal or fiberglass panels and parts which form the superstructure or body of a motor vehicle including but not limited to fenders, bumpers, quarter panels, door panels, hoods, grills, firewalls, permanent roofs, wheelwells, and front and rear lamp display panels.    (e)    “Genuine crash parts” means crash parts:        (1)    Manufactured by or for the original manufacturer of the motor vehicle to be repaired; and        (2)    Which are authorized to carry the name or trademark of the original manufacturer of the motor vehicle.    (f)    (1)    “Motor vehicle” means a passenger car as defined under § 11–144.2 of the Transportation Article.        (2)    “Motor vehicle” does not include a motor home, as defined by the Motor Vehicle Administration.