reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-222 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 2 - Franchises|Section 14-222 - Notice; Hearing; Vacating or Modifying Stop Order

    (a)    After passing a stop order, the Commissioner promptly shall send to the applicant or registrant a notice that:        (1)    states that the stop order has been passed;        (2)    states the reasons for the stop order; and        (3)    informs the applicant or registrant of the right to a hearing under this section.    (b)    (1)    The applicant or registrant may submit to the Commissioner a written request for a hearing on the stop order.        (2)    The Commissioner shall schedule a hearing within 15 business days after the Commissioner receives the request unless the applicant or registrant consents to a later date.        (3)    The Commissioner may schedule a hearing even if the applicant or registrant does not request a hearing.    (c)    (1)    If a hearing is not requested and is not scheduled by the Commissioner and therefore is not held, the stop order remains in effect until the Commissioner modifies or vacates it.        (2)    If a hearing is held, after the hearing, the Commissioner may modify or vacate the stop order or extend it until the Commissioner makes a final determination.        (3)    The Commissioner may modify or vacate a stop order if the Commissioner finds that:            (i)    conditions have changed; or            (ii)    it is otherwise in the public interest to vacate or modify the stop order.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-223 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 2 - Franchises|Section 14-223 - Copies of Documents to Franchisees

    A franchisor may not sell a franchise in the State without first giving a prospective franchisee a copy of the offering prospectus and a copy of each proposed agreement that relates to the sale of the franchise at the earlier of:        (1)    14 calendar days before the execution by the prospective franchisee of any binding agreement with the franchisor;        (2)    14 calendar days before payment of any consideration that relates to the franchise relationship; or        (3)    a reasonable request by a prospective franchisee to receive a copy of the offering prospectus.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-224 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 2 - Franchises|Section 14-224 - Records Required

    Each franchisor or subfranchisor shall keep a complete set of records of each sale of a franchise.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-225 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 2 - Franchises|Section 14-225 - Advertisements Offering Franchises

    A person may not publish an advertisement offering to sell a franchise subject to registration under this subtitle unless:         (1)    the person submits a copy of the advertisement to the Commissioner for review at least 7 business days before the first publication of the advertisement unless the Commissioner by regulation or order allows a later submission; or        (2)    the advertisement is exempted from review by regulation of the Commissioner.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-226 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 2 - Franchises|Section 14-226 - Release From Liability as Condition of Sale

    As a condition of the sale of a franchise, a franchisor may not require a prospective franchisee to agree to a release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel that would relieve a person from liability under this subtitle.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-227 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 2 - Franchises|Section 14-227 - Civil Liability

    (a)    (1)    A person who sells or grants a franchise is civilly liable to the person who buys or is granted a franchise if the person who sells or grants a franchise offers to sell or sells a franchise:            (i)    without the offer of the franchise being registered under this subtitle; or            (ii)    by means of an untrue statement of a material fact or any omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, if the person who buys or is granted a franchise does not know of the untruth or omission.        (2)    In determining liability under this subsection, the person who sells or grants a franchise has the burden of proving that the person who sells or grants a franchise did not know and, in the exercise of reasonable care, could not have known of the untruth or omission.    (b)    The person who buys or is granted a franchise may sue under this section to recover damages sustained by the grant of the franchise.    (c)    A court may order the person who sells or grants a franchise to:        (1)    rescind the franchise; and        (2)    make restitution to the person who buys or is granted a franchise.    (d)    (1)    Joint and several liability under this section extends to:            (i)    each person who directly or indirectly controls a person liable under this section;            (ii)    each partner in a partnership liable under this section;            (iii)    each principal officer or director of a corporation liable under this section;            (iv)    each other person that has a similar status or performs similar functions as a person liable under this section; and            (v)    each employee of a person liable under this section, if the employee materially aids in the act or transaction that is a violation under this subtitle.        (2)    However, liability under this subsection does not extend to a person who did not have knowledge of or reasonable grounds to believe in the existence of the facts by which the liability is alleged to exist.    (e)    An action under this section must be brought within 3 years after the grant of the franchise.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-228 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 2 - Franchises|Section 14-228 - Offer or Sale of Franchise Without Registration

    (a)    Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, a person may not offer to sell, through advertisement or otherwise, or sell a franchise in the State unless the offer of the franchise has been registered under this subtitle.    (b)    A person who willfully sells a franchise knowingly violating this section is guilty of a felony and, on conviction, is subject for each violation to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or both.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-229 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 2 - Franchises|Section 14-229 - Fraud or Deceit; Untrue Statements or Omissions of Material Fact

    (a)    In connection with an offer to sell or sale of a franchise, a person, directly or indirectly, may not:        (1)    employ a device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;        (2)    make an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statement made, in light of the circumstances under which it is made, not misleading; or        (3)    engage in an act, practice, or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on another person.    (b)    A person who willfully sells a franchise knowingly violating this section is guilty of a felony and, on conviction, is subject for each violation to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or both.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-230 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 2 - Franchises|Section 14-230 - False or Misleading Statement or Omission in Prospectus or Amendment

    (a)    In a prospectus or amendment to it, a person may not willfully make a false or misleading statement of a material fact or willfully omit to state a material fact required to be stated in the prospectus or amendment or necessary to make the statements in the prospectus or amendment not misleading.    (b)    A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and, on conviction, is subject for each violation to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or both.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-231 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 2 - Franchises|Section 14-231 - Untrue Statements or Omissions of Material Fact in Applications, Notices, or Reports

    (a)    A person may not make or cause to be made an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact in an application for registration, to amend registration, or for renewal or in a notice or report filed with the Commissioner under this subtitle.    (b)    A person who willfully sells a franchise knowingly violating this section is guilty of a felony and, on conviction, is subject for each violation to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or both.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-232 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 2 - Franchises|Section 14-232 - Failure to Notify Commissioner of Material Change

    (a)    A person may not fail to notify the Commissioner promptly of a material change as required by § 14-220 of this subtitle.    (b)    A person who willfully sells a franchise knowingly violating this section is guilty of a felony and, on conviction, is subject for each violation to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or both.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-233 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 2 - Franchises|Section 14-233 - Short Title

    This subtitle is the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-301 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 3 - Multilevel Distribution Companies|Section 14-301 - "Multilevel Distribution Company" Defined

    In this subtitle, “multilevel distribution company” means a person who, for consideration, distributes goods or services through independent agents, contractors, or distributors at different levels of distribution with rates of pricing or discounting that differ from 1 level to another.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-302 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 3 - Multilevel Distribution Companies|Section 14-302 - Repurchases Required

    (a)    A multilevel distribution company may not require a participant in its marketing program to buy goods or services or pay any other consideration to participate in the marketing program unless the multilevel distribution company agrees to repurchase the goods:        (1)    that are in resalable condition; and        (2)    that the participant has been unable to sell 3 months after receipt of the goods first ordered.    (b)    A multilevel distribution company shall state in writing in each contract of participation in its marketing program that:        (1)    a participant may cancel the contract for any reason within 3 months after the date of receipt of goods or services first ordered by written notice to the multilevel distribution company; and        (2)    on cancellation, the multilevel distribution company shall repurchase the goods.    (c)    The repurchase price shall be at least 90% of the original price paid by the participant.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-303 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 3 - Multilevel Distribution Companies|Section 14-303 - Representations of Earnings

    A multilevel distribution company may not represent directly or indirectly that participants in its marketing program may or will earn a stated gross or net amount or represent in any way the past earnings of participants unless the stated gross amount, net amount, or past earnings:         (1)    are those of a substantial number of participants in the community or geographic area where the representation is made; and        (2)    accurately reflect the average earnings of participants under circumstances similar to those of the participant or prospective participant to whom the representation is made.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-304 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 3 - Multilevel Distribution Companies|Section 14-304 - Injunctive Relief

    (a)    The Attorney General or a State’s Attorney may sue to enjoin, wholly or partly, the activities of a multilevel distribution company that violate this subtitle.    (b)    At least 10 days before seeking injunctive relief, the Attorney General or State’s Attorney shall send written notice of the alleged violation by certified mail to the principal place of business of the multilevel distribution company.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-305 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 3 - Multilevel Distribution Companies|Section 14-305 - Penalties

    (a)    A person who violates this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine not exceeding $10,000.    (b)    Each officer and each director of a corporation that violates this subtitle, each partner of a partnership that violates this subtitle, and the owner of a sole proprietorship that violates this subtitle is also subject to the penalty under this section.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  15-101 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 15 - Lodging Establishments|Subtitle 1 - Hotel Liability for Valuables|Section 15-101 - "Valuable" Defined

    In this subtitle, “valuable” means money, jewelry, securities, or plate.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  15-102 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 15 - Lodging Establishments|Subtitle 1 - Hotel Liability for Valuables|Section 15-102 - Scope of Subtitle

    Except for § 15-105 of this subtitle, this subtitle applies only to those hotels that display in each guest room a notice of the provisions of this subtitle.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  15-103 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 15 - Lodging Establishments|Subtitle 1 - Hotel Liability for Valuables|Section 15-103 - General Liability for Loss of Valuables

    (a)    A hotel is not liable for the loss, by robbery or otherwise, of a valuable belonging to a guest if:        (1)    the hotel provides a safe or other secure depository for keeping valuables of guests;        (2)    the guest does not deposit the valuable with the hotel for safekeeping; and        (3)    the loss does not result from the collusion or negligence of the hotel or its agent.    (b)    (1)    A hotel is not liable for more than $300 for the loss of valuables that a guest deposits with the hotel for safekeeping unless, at the time of deposit, the guest shows the valuables to an agent of the hotel and declares a greater value to the agent.        (2)    A hotel need not accept for safekeeping valuables with a declared value of more than $1,000.    (c)    A hotel is not liable for more than $1,000 for the loss of or damage to valuables belonging to a guest, whether or not the valuables were offered to or accepted by the hotel for safekeeping.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  15-104 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 15 - Lodging Establishments|Subtitle 1 - Hotel Liability for Valuables|Section 15-104 - Loss of Property -- From Guest Rooms

    A hotel is not liable for more than $300 for the loss of property other than valuables of a registered guest from the room of the registered guest.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  15-105 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 15 - Lodging Establishments|Subtitle 1 - Hotel Liability for Valuables|Section 15-105 - Loss of Property -- From Checkrooms

    A hotel is not liable for more than $75 for the loss of property that a guest leaves with an agent or employee of the hotel at a checkroom or other similar place if:         (1)    the hotel has posted conspicuously at each such place a notice that states the limitation on liability under this section;        (2)    the agent or employee gives to the guest an identification ticket that:            (i)    states on its face, in 10 point or larger type, the limitation on liability under this section; and            (ii)    provides a space for declaring a greater value; and        (3)    the guest does not declare a value greater than $75 on the duplicate of the identification ticket that the hotel keeps.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  15-106 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 15 - Lodging Establishments|Subtitle 1 - Hotel Liability for Valuables|Section 15-106 - Loss of Property -- From Baggage Rooms

    A hotel is not liable for more than $300 for the loss of property that a guest leaves with an agent or employee of the hotel at a baggage room or other similar storage area.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  15-107 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 15 - Lodging Establishments|Subtitle 1 - Hotel Liability for Valuables|Section 15-107 - Loss of Property -- Fire Losses

    A hotel is not liable for the loss of property of a guest or other person as a result of a fire that is proved to have occurred without the negligence of the hotel or its agents or employees.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  15-201 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 15 - Lodging Establishments|Subtitle 2 - Rights and Responsibilities of Innkeepers|Section 15-201 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Innkeeper” means the owner, operator, manager, or keeper of a lodging establishment, or the agent of an owner, operator, manager, or keeper of a lodging establishment.    (c)    “Lodging establishment” means an inn, hotel, motel, or other establishment that has at least four rooms available for a fee to transient guests for lodging or sleeping purposes.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  15-202 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 15 - Lodging Establishments|Subtitle 2 - Rights and Responsibilities of Innkeepers|Section 15-202 - Application

    Except as provided in this subtitle for an individual who is under the age of 21 years, this subtitle may not be construed to alter the prohibition against discrimination by an innkeeper or lodging establishment under Title 20, Subtitle 3 of the State Government Article.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  15-203 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 15 - Lodging Establishments|Subtitle 2 - Rights and Responsibilities of Innkeepers|Section 15-203 - Providing of Lodging and Services

    (a)    An innkeeper may refuse to provide lodging or services to or may remove from a lodging establishment an individual who:        (1)    refuses to pay or is unable to pay for lodging or services;        (2)    while on the premises of the lodging establishment is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substance so as to create a public nuisance;        (3)    while on the premises is disorderly so as to create a public nuisance;        (4)    destroys, damages, or defaces property of the lodging establishment or its guests, or threatens to do so;        (5)    the innkeeper reasonably believes is using the lodging establishment for the unlawful possession or use of a controlled dangerous substance in violation of Title 5 of the Criminal Law Article or for the consumption of alcohol by an individual under the age of 21 years in violation of § 6–304, § 6–307, § 6–308, or § 6–309 of the Alcoholic Beverages Article;        (6)    the innkeeper reasonably believes possesses property that may be dangerous to other individuals, such as firearms or explosives; or        (7)    refuses to abide by any conspicuously posted rule or policy of the lodging establishment.    (b)    (1)    If an innkeeper seeks to remove an individual from a lodging establishment as provided under this section, the innkeeper shall:            (i)    notify the individual, either orally or in writing, that the lodging establishment refuses to provide further lodging or services to the individual and that the individual should immediately leave the lodging establishment; and            (ii)    if the individual has paid for lodging or services in advance, refund any unused portion of the advance payment, but the lodging establishment may withhold payment for a full day’s lodging if the individual was lodged for a portion of a day.        (2)    If an individual attempts to remain in a lodging establishment after having been requested to leave under the provisions of this section, an innkeeper may:            (i)    if the individual is a guest, lock the door of the individual’s room;            (ii)    remove the individual’s baggage and other personal property; and            (iii)    using no more force than necessary, eject the individual from the lodging establishment.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  15-204 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 15 - Lodging Establishments|Subtitle 2 - Rights and Responsibilities of Innkeepers|Section 15-204 - Payment, Registration and Limitation of Guests

    (a)    An innkeeper may require a prospective guest to demonstrate an ability to pay by cash or valid credit card.    (b)    An innkeeper may require each guest at a lodging establishment to register and may require the guest to produce:        (1)    a valid driver’s license;        (2)    a valid military identification card;        (3)    a valid passport; or        (4)    any valid government issued identification card.    (c)    An innkeeper may limit the number of individuals who may occupy a particular guest room in a lodging establishment.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  15-205 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 15 - Lodging Establishments|Subtitle 2 - Rights and Responsibilities of Innkeepers|Section 15-205 - When the Guest Is a Minor

    (a)    For an individual who is under the age of 18 years, an innkeeper may require a parent or guardian of the individual to:        (1)    accept liability for the charges for the individual’s lodging and any damages to the lodging establishment caused by the individual; and        (2)    provide a valid credit card or make an advance cash damage deposit of not more than $500 to cover any charges incurred or damages caused by the individual.    (b)    If an innkeeper requires an advance deposit under subsection (a) of this section, the innkeeper shall, following a room inspection at the time of checkout, refund any amount of the deposit not needed to cover reasonable charges for damages.