reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  12.5-506 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 12.5 - Locksmiths|Subtitle 5 - Prohibited Acts; Penalties|Section 12.5-506 - Civil Administrative Action

    (a)    Subject to the notice and hearing provisions of Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article, the Secretary may bring a civil administrative action against a person that violates § 12.5–505(a) of this subtitle.    (b)    After a hearing, if the Secretary finds that a person has violated § 12.5–505(a) of this subtitle, the Secretary may:        (1)    order the person to cease and desist from unlawful practice; and        (2)    impose a civil penalty not exceeding $100 for each day of unlawful practice.    (c)    Any person aggrieved by a decision and order of the Secretary under this section may take an appeal as allowed in Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  12.5-507 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 12.5 - Locksmiths|Subtitle 5 - Prohibited Acts; Penalties|Section 12.5-507 - Repeated Violations

    (a)    This section applies only if there is no greater criminal penalty provided under this title or other applicable law.    (b)    A person that engages in repeated violations of the provisions of this title is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  12.5-601 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 12.5 - Locksmiths|Subtitle 6 - Short Title|Section 12.5-601 - Short Title

    This title may be cited as the “Maryland Locksmiths Act”.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-101 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-101 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Business opportunity” means an arrangement between a buyer and seller in which:        (1)    the seller or a person recommended or referred by the seller provides to the buyer products, equipment, supplies, or services that enable the buyer to start a business;        (2)    the buyer is required to pay the seller or a person recommended or referred by the seller $300 or more during the period beginning any time before commencing operations and ending 6 months after commencing operations of the business; and        (3)    the seller represents, directly or indirectly, orally or in writing, that:            (i)    the seller or a person recommended or referred by the seller will help the buyer in finding locations for the use or operation of vending machines, racks, display cases, or other similar devices on premises that are not owned or leased by the buyer or seller;            (ii)    the seller or a person recommended or referred by the seller will help the buyer in finding outlets or accounts for the buyer’s products or services;            (iii)    the seller or a person specified by the seller will buy products made, produced, fabricated, grown, bred, or modified by the buyer;            (iv)    the seller guarantees that the buyer will receive from the business income an amount that exceeds the price paid to the seller;            (v)    if the buyer is not satisfied with the business, the seller will refund all or part of the price paid to the seller, or repurchase any of the products, equipment, or supplies provided by the seller or a person recommended or referred by the seller; or            (vi)    the seller will provide a marketing plan.    (c)    “Buyer” means a person who buys or leases products, equipment, supplies, or services in connection with a business opportunity.    (d)    “Commissioner” means the Securities Commissioner in the Office of the Attorney General.    (e)    “Marketing plan” means advice or training that a seller or a person recommended or referred by the seller provides to the buyer, relating to the sale of any products, equipment, supplies, or services, and the advice or training includes preparing or providing:        (1)    promotional literature, brochures, pamphlets, or advertising materials;        (2)    training regarding the promotion, operation, or management of the business opportunity; or        (3)    operational, managerial, or financial guidelines or assistance.    (f)    “Seller” means a person who sells or leases products, equipment, supplies, or services in connection with a business opportunity.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-102 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-102 - Legislative Policy

    The General Assembly finds that:         (1)    the sale of business opportunities is a field in which investment problems and deceptive practices are common; and        (2)    this subtitle is needed to regulate this field adequately and prevent these deceptive practices.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-103 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-103 - Scope of Subtitle

    (a)    This subtitle applies to an offer to sell or sale of a business opportunity if:        (1)    the offeree or buyer is a resident of the State;        (2)    the business opportunity will be or is operated in the State;        (3)    the offer to sell is made in the State; or        (4)    the offer to buy is accepted in the State.    (b)    (1)    For purposes of this section, an offer to sell is made in the State, whether or not either party is then present in the State, if the offer:            (i)    originates from the State; or            (ii)    is directed by the offeror to the State and is received at:                1.    the place to which it is directed; or                2.    a post office in the State.        (2)    For purposes of this section, an offer to sell is not made in the State only because the publisher circulates or there is circulated on the publisher’s behalf in the State:            (i)    a newspaper or other publication of general, regular, and paid circulation that:                1.    is not published in the State; or                2.    is published in the State but has had more than two-thirds of its circulation outside the State during the past 12 months; or            (ii)    a radio or television program that originates outside the State and is received in the State.        (3)    For purposes of this section, an offer to buy is accepted in the State if acceptance:            (i)    is communicated to the offeror in the State; and            (ii)    has not been communicated previously to the offeror, orally or in writing, outside the State.        (4)    For purposes of this section, acceptance is communicated to the offeror in the State, whether or not either party is then present in the State, if:            (i)    the offeree directs acceptance to the offeror in the State reasonably believing the offeror to be in the State; and            (ii)    the acceptance is received at:                1.    the place to which it is directed; or                2.    a post office in the State.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-104 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-104 - Exclusions

    (a)    This subtitle does not apply to:        (1)    a sale of an ongoing business if the owner of the business sells and intends to sell only that one business opportunity;        (2)    a not-for-profit sale, for less than $500, of sales demonstration equipment, materials, or samples;        (3)    an offer to sell or sale of a franchise registered or exempt from registration under Subtitle 2 of this title;        (4)    an offer to sell or sale of a business if the offer or sale is regulated under the Maryland Gasohol and Gasoline Products Marketing Act or the federal Petroleum Marketing Practices Act;        (5)    an offer to sell or sale of a business opportunity with a marketing plan made in conjunction with the licensing of a federally registered trademark or service mark, provided that the seller has a minimum net worth of $1,000,000 as determined on the basis of the seller’s most recent audited financial statement prepared within 13 months of the first offer that the seller makes in the State; or        (6)    any other sale or transaction if the Commissioner:            (i)    exempts the sale or transaction, by regulation or order, as not being within the purposes of this subtitle; and            (ii)    finds the registration of the sale or transaction to be unnecessary, inappropriate, not in the public interest, or not for the protection of investors.    (b)    Net worth may be determined on a consolidated basis if:        (1)    at least 80% of the seller is owned by one person; and        (2)    the person that owns at least 80% of the seller expressly guarantees the obligations of the seller with regard to the offer or sale of a business opportunity that the seller seeks to exclude under this paragraph.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-105 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-105 - Delegation

    The Commissioner may delegate any power or duty of the Commissioner under this subtitle.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-106 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-106 - Orders, Regulations, and Forms

    To enforce this subtitle, the Commissioner may pass orders and adopt regulations and forms.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-107 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-107 - Publication of Information

    The Commissioner may:         (1)    publish information about violations of this subtitle and of regulations adopted and orders passed under it;        (2)    report to the appropriate law enforcement officer information about violations of this subtitle; and        (3)    help, develop, and hold programs of public education and information about this subtitle.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-108 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-108 - Investigations

    The Commissioner may investigate in or outside the State to:         (1)    determine if a person has violated this subtitle;        (2)    adopt regulations or forms under this subtitle; or        (3)    enforce this subtitle.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-109 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-109 - Hearings

    (a)    The Commissioner may hold public hearings in connection with an investigation under this subtitle.    (b)    Unless otherwise provided in this subtitle or in regulations adopted under it, the Commissioner shall hold hearings authorized by this subtitle in accordance with Title 10 of the State Government Article.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-110 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-110 - Civil Enforcement of Subtitle

    (a)    (1)    Whenever the Commissioner determines that a person has engaged or is about to engage in an act or practice that constitutes a violation of this subtitle or a violation of a regulation adopted or order passed under this subtitle, the Commissioner may, without a prior hearing, pass a summary order directing the person to cease and desist from engaging in the activity that constitutes a violation.        (2)    The summary order shall provide:            (i)    notice of the opportunity for a hearing before the Commissioner to determine whether the cease and desist order should be vacated, modified, or entered as final; and            (ii)    notice that the Commissioner shall enter the order as final if the person subject to the cease and desist order fails to request a hearing within 15 days after the receipt of the cease and desist order.        (3)    Whenever the Commissioner determines after notice and a hearing that a person has engaged in any act or practice constituting a violation of this subtitle, the Commissioner may in the discretion of the Commissioner and in addition to taking any other action authorized under this subtitle:            (i)    pass a final cease and desist order against the person;            (ii)    bar the person from engaging in the offer and sale of business opportunities in the State; or            (iii)    take any combination of the actions specified in this section.    (b)    (1)    The person subject to the cease and desist order may waive the right to a hearing.        (2)    If a person subject to a cease and desist order waives the right to a hearing, the Commissioner is not required to hold a hearing to take any action under subsection (a)(3) of this section.    (c)    (1)    Whenever the Commissioner determines that any person has engaged in or is about to engage in an act or practice constituting a violation of this subtitle or a violation of a regulation or order under this subtitle, the Commissioner may sue in the circuit court to obtain one or more of the following remedies:            (i)    a temporary restraining order;            (ii)    a temporary or permanent injunction;            (iii)    a declaratory judgment;            (iv)    the appointment of a receiver or conservator for the defendant or the defendant’s assets;            (v)    a freeze of the defendant’s assets;            (vi)    a civil penalty up to a maximum amount of $5,000 for any single violation of this subtitle;            (vii)    restitution;            (viii)    rescission; or            (ix)    any other relief as the court finds just.        (2)    The Commissioner may not be required to post a bond in any action under this section.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-111 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-111 - Miscellaneous Powers

    In connection with a hearing, investigation, or other proceeding under this subtitle, the Commissioner may:         (1)    administer oaths;        (2)    receive evidence; and        (3)    issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses to testify or to produce evidence.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-112 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-112 - Privilege Against Self-Incrimination

    (a)    A person is not excused from attending, testifying, or producing evidence before the Commissioner, in a proceeding brought by the Commissioner, or in obedience to a subpoena of the Commissioner on the ground that the testimony or evidence may:        (1)    tend to incriminate the person; or        (2)    subject the person to a penalty or forfeiture.    (b)    (1)    If a person claims the privilege against self-incrimination as to a specific subject, and is then compelled to testify or produce evidence on that subject, the person may not be prosecuted or subjected to a penalty or forfeiture in connection with that subject.        (2)    A person who testifies is not exempt from prosecution and punishment for perjury or contempt committed while testifying.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-113 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-113 - Registration of Business Opportunity Required

    A person may not sell or offer to sell any business opportunity in the State or to any prospective buyer in the State unless the business opportunity is registered under this subtitle.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-115 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-115 - Bond or Trust Account

    (a)    If a seller guarantees that a buyer will derive from a business opportunity income that will exceed the price paid for the business opportunity or represents that the seller will refund all or part of the price paid or repurchase the products, equipment, or supplies sold or leased by the seller if the buyer is not satisfied with the business opportunity, the seller shall:        (1)    get a surety bond in favor of the State from a surety company authorized to do business in the State; or        (2)    establish a trust account in favor of the State with an insured bank or savings institution in the State.    (b)    The amount of the bond or trust account shall be at least $50,000.    (c)    (1)    A person may bring an action against the bond or trust account to recover damages resulting from:            (i)    a violation of this subtitle; or            (ii)    the seller’s breach of the contract for the sale of a business opportunity.        (2)    The surety or trustee is liable only for actual damages up to the amount of the bond or trust account.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-116 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-116 - Amendments to Documents

    The seller shall:         (1)    file with the Commissioner an amendment to the documents previously submitted to the Commissioner whenever a material change in the required information occurs; and        (2)    pay a fee of $50 for filing the amendment.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-117 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-117 - Renewal

    (a)    Unless the registration of a business opportunity is renewed for a 1-year term as provided in this section, the registration expires on the first anniversary of its effective date.    (b)    Before the registration expires, the registrant periodically may renew it for an additional 1-year term, if the registrant:        (1)    files with the Commissioner:            (i)    a renewal application on the form that the Commissioner provides;            (ii)    a current disclosure document along with any other documents or information that the Commissioner may require by order or regulation; and            (iii)    proof that the seller has satisfied the bond and trust account requirements under § 14-115 of this subtitle; and        (2)    pays a renewal fee of $100.    (c)    The Commissioner shall renew the registration of a business opportunity if the registrant complies with the requirements of this section.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-118 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-118 - Contracts for the Sale of Business Opportunities

    (a)    Each contract for the sale of a business opportunity shall be in writing.    (b)    The contract shall include:        (1)    the terms and conditions of payment;        (2)    a full and detailed description of the acts or services that the seller agrees to perform for the buyer;        (3)    the address of the seller’s principal office;        (4)    the name and address of the seller’s resident agent; and        (5)    the approximate date that the seller will deliver to the buyer any products, equipment, or supplies.    (c)    When a buyer signs a contract for the sale of a business opportunity, the seller shall give the buyer a copy of the contract.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-120 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-120 - Untrue Statements or Omissions of Material Facts

    In connection with an offer to sell or sale of a business opportunity, a person may not make any 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.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-121 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-121 - Fraud or Deceit

    In connection with an offer to sell or sale of a business opportunity, a person may not engage in any act, practice, or course of business or employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on another person.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-122 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-122 - Representations of Income or Earning Potential

    In connection with an offer to sell or sale of a business opportunity, a person may not represent that the business opportunity provides income or earning potential of any kind unless:         (1)    the seller has documentation to substantiate the representation; and        (2)    the person discloses the documentation to the prospective buyer when the representation is made.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-123 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-123 - Use of Commercial Symbol

    In connection with an offer to sell or sale of a business opportunity, a person may not use the trademark, service mark, trade name, logotype, advertising, or other commercial symbol of a business unless:         (1)    the business controls the ownership interest in the seller;        (2)    the business accepts responsibility for each representation that the seller makes about the business opportunity; or        (3)    it is clear from the circumstances that the owner of the commercial symbol is not involved in the sale of the business opportunity.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  14-124 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 14 - Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies|Subtitle 1 - Business Opportunities|Section 14-124 - Reference to Compliance

    In connection with an offer to sell or sale of a business opportunity, a person may not make or authorize making a reference to compliance with this subtitle in an advertisement or other contact with prospective buyers other than by use of the disclosure statement or other disclosure documents required by this subtitle.