reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  7-207 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 7 - Collection Agencies|Subtitle 2 - State Collection Agency Licensing Board|Section 7-207 - Authority of Secretary

    The Board exercises its powers, duties, and functions subject to the authority of the Secretary.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  7-301 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 7 - Collection Agencies|Subtitle 3 - Licenses|Section 7-301 - License Required; Exceptions

    (a)    Except as otherwise provided in this title, a person must have a license whenever the person does business as a collection agency in the State.    (b)    This section does not apply to:        (1)    a regular employee of a creditor while the employee is acting under the general direction and control of the creditor to collect a consumer claim that the creditor owns; or        (2)    a regular employee of a licensed collection agency while the employee is acting within the scope of employment.    (c)    A separate license is required for the principal executive office and each branch location of a person who does business as a collection agency.    (d)    During the time period established by the Commissioner under subsection (e) of this section, each licensee shall:        (1)    obtain and maintain a valid unique identifier issued by NMLS when an account is created with NMLS; and        (2)    transfer licensing information to NMLS.    (e)    (1)    The Commissioner shall establish a time period that is not less than 2 months within which a licensee must transfer licensing information to NMLS.        (2)    The time period that the Commissioner establishes under this subsection shall begin on or after July 1, 2017.        (3)    At least 30 days before the transfer period begins, the Commissioner shall:            (i)    notify all licensees of the transfer period; and            (ii)    provide instructions for the transfer of licensing information to NMLS.    (f)    Subject to subsection (d) of this section, an applicant for an initial license or a license renewal shall apply for the initial license or license renewal through NMLS:        (1)    on or after July 1, 2017; or        (2)    if the Commissioner has not joined NMLS with respect to collection agencies as of July 1, 2017, on or after the date that the Commissioner joins, as specified by the Commissioner by public notice.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  7-302 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 7 - Collection Agencies|Subtitle 3 - Licenses|Section 7-302 - Applications for Licenses; Renewals

    (a)    An applicant for a license shall:        (1)    submit a completed application in the form, and in accordance with the process, that the Board requires;        (2)    pay to the Board:            (i)    a nonrefundable application fee in the amount set by the Board; and            (ii)    a nonrefundable investigation fee in the amount set by the Board; and        (3)    provide all the information that the Board requests.    (b)    An application shall be made under oath and shall include:        (1)    the applicant’s name, principal executive office address, telephone number, e–mail address, and Web site addresses, if any;        (2)    the address of each branch location, if any;        (3)    the federal employer identification number or Social Security number of the applicant, as applicable;        (4)    the state of formation and the date of formation of the applicant if the applicant is a business entity;        (5)    the name and residence address of each control person;        (6)    the name and address of the principal contact for consumer complaints;        (7)    the name, address, and telephone number of the applicant’s resident agent; and        (8)    any other information that the Board requests.    (c)    If an applicant wishes to do business as a collection agency at a branch location, the applicant shall submit a separate application and pay a separate application fee and investigation fee for each branch location.    (d)    In addition to any other requirement for licensure under this subtitle, an applicant for a license shall file with the Board a surety bond as required under § 7–304 of this subtitle.    (e)    The Board shall issue a license to each applicant who meets the requirements of this subtitle.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  7-302.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 7 - Collection Agencies|Subtitle 3 - Licenses|Section 7-302.1 - Board to Set Fees by Regulation

    (a)    The Board shall set by regulation the fees provided for in this subtitle.    (b)    The fees established by the Board under this section shall be reasonable and set in a manner that will produce funds sufficient to cover the actual direct and indirect costs of regulating collection agencies in accordance with the provisions of this title.    (c)    The Board shall publish the fee schedule set by the Board.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  7-302.2 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 7 - Collection Agencies|Subtitle 3 - Licenses|Section 7-302.2 - Credit of Revenue From Licensing and Payment of Fines and Penalties Into Various Funds

    (a)    All revenue received for the licensing of persons under this title and any other fee or revenue received by the Board under this title shall be:        (1)    credited to the Nondepository Special Fund established under § 11–610 of the Financial Institutions Article; and        (2)    used in accordance with § 11–610(c) of the Financial Institutions Article.    (b)    Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, the Board shall pay all fines and penalties collected by the Board under this title into the General Fund of the State.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  7-303 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 7 - Collection Agencies|Subtitle 3 - Licenses|Section 7-303 - Approval or Denial of Application

    (a)    Within 60 days after an applicant submits a complete application for a license and pays the fees required by § 7–302 of this subtitle, the Board shall approve or deny the application.    (b)    To qualify for a license, an applicant shall satisfy the Board that the applicant is of good moral character and has sufficient financial responsibility, business experience, and general fitness to:        (1)    engage in business as a collection agency;        (2)    warrant the belief that the business will be conducted lawfully, honestly, fairly, and efficiently; and        (3)    command the confidence of the public.    (c)    The Board may deny an application for a license to any person who:        (1)    has committed any act that would be a ground for reprimand, suspension, or revocation of a license under this subtitle; or        (2)    otherwise fails to meet the requirements for licensure.    (d)    If an applicant does not meet the requirements of this subtitle, the Board shall:        (1)    deny the application; and        (2)    immediately notify the applicant of the denial.    (e)    (1)    The denial of an application under this section is subject to the hearing provisions of § 7–309 of this subtitle.        (2)    An applicant who seeks a hearing on a license application denial shall file a written request for a hearing within 45 days following receipt of the notice to the applicant of the applicant’s right to a hearing.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  7-305 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 7 - Collection Agencies|Subtitle 3 - Licenses|Section 7-305 - Scope of License; Multiple Licenses Authorized

    (a)    A license authorizes the licensee to do business as a collection agency at only the licensed location.    (b)    Subject to § 7–301(c) of this subtitle, a licensee may hold more than 1 license under this title.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  7-306 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 7 - Collection Agencies|Subtitle 3 - Licenses|Section 7-306 - Licenses -- Term; Renewal; Expiration

    (a)    An initial license term shall:        (1)    begin on the date the license is issued; and        (2)    expire on December 31 of the year:            (i)    in which the license is issued, if the license is issued before November 1; or            (ii)    immediately following the year in which the license is issued, if the license is issued on or after November 1.    (b)    On or after November 1 of the year in which a license expires, the license may be renewed for an additional 1–year term, if the licensee:        (1)    is otherwise entitled to be licensed;        (2)    pays to the Board a nonrefundable renewal fee set by the Board;        (3)    submits a renewal application in the form and in accordance with the process that the Board requires; and        (4)    files as part of the application a surety bond as required under § 7–304 of this subtitle.    (c)    To the extent required or permitted by NMLS, the Board may determine that licenses issued under this subtitle shall expire on a staggered basis.    (d)    A licensee may not renew a license unless, before the submission of the license renewal application, the licensee has transferred the licensee’s licensing information to NMLS in accordance with § 7–301(d) of this subtitle.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  7-307 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 7 - Collection Agencies|Subtitle 3 - Licenses|Section 7-307 - Surrender of License

    (a)    A licensee may surrender a license by sending to the Board in the form and in accordance with the process that the Board requires a statement that the license is surrendered.    (b)    If a license is surrendered voluntarily, or is suspended or revoked, the Board may not refund any part of the license fee regardless of the time remaining in the license term.    (c)    The surrender of a license does not affect any civil or criminal liability of the licensee for acts committed before the license was surrendered.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  7-307.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 7 - Collection Agencies|Subtitle 3 - Licenses|Section 7-307.1 - Confidentiality of Information

    (a)    (1)    The requirements under any federal law and Title 4, Subtitles 1 through 5 of the General Provisions Article regarding the privacy or confidentiality of information or material provided to NMLS, and any privilege arising under federal or state law, including the rules of any federal or state court with respect to that information or material, shall continue to apply to that information or material after the information or material has been disclosed to NMLS.        (2)    The information and material may be shared with all state and federal regulatory officials having authority over the debt collection industry, including the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and the Office of Foreign Assets Control, and any successor to these agencies, without the loss of privilege or the loss of confidentiality protections provided by federal law or Title 4, Subtitles 1 through 5 of the General Provisions Article.    (b)    The Board may:        (1)    enter into information sharing agreements with any federal or state regulatory agency having authority over collection agencies or with any federal or state law enforcement agency, including the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and the Office of Foreign Assets Control, and any successor to these agencies, provided that the agreements prohibit the agencies from disclosing any shared information without the prior written consent from the Board regarding disclosure of the particular information; and        (2)    exchange information about collection agencies with any federal or state regulatory agency having authority over collection agencies or with any federal or state law enforcement agency.    (c)    Information or material that is subject to a privilege or confidentiality under subsection (a) of this section may not be subject to:        (1)    disclosure under any federal or state law governing the disclosure to the public of information held by an officer or agency of the federal government or a state that has received the information or material; or        (2)    subpoena, discovery, or admission into evidence, in any private civil litigation or administrative process, unless, with respect to any privilege held by NMLS, the person to whom the information or material pertains waives, in whole or in part, that privilege.    (d)    Any provisions of Title 4, Subtitles 1 through 5 of the General Provisions Article relating to the disclosure of any information or material described in subsection (a) of this section that are inconsistent with subsection (a) of this section shall be superseded by the requirements of this section.    (e)    This section does not apply to information or material relating to publicly adjudicated disciplinary and enforcement actions against a debt collection agency that is included in NMLS and designated for access by the public.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  7-308 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 7 - Collection Agencies|Subtitle 3 - Licenses|Section 7-308 - Reprimands, Suspensions, and Revocations -- Grounds

    (a)    Subject to the hearing provisions of § 7–309 of this subtitle, the Board may reprimand a licensee or suspend or revoke a license if the licensee or any owner, director, officer, member, partner, or agent of the licensee:        (1)    makes any material misstatement in an application for a license;        (2)    is convicted under the laws of the United States or of any state of:            (i)    a felony; or            (ii)    a misdemeanor that is directly related to the fitness and qualification of the person to engage in the collection agency business;        (3)    in connection with the collection of any consumer claim:            (i)    commits any fraud; or            (ii)    engages in any illegal or dishonest activities;        (4)    knowingly or negligently violates the Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act; or        (5)    fails to comply with a lawful order that the Board passes under this title.    (b)    If the Board finds that a ground for suspension or revocation of a license applies to more than 1 place of business that the licensee operates, the Board may act against:        (1)    each license of the licensee; or        (2)    only the licenses to which the ground applies.    (c)    In determining whether to reprimand a licensee or to suspend or revoke a license for a reason described in subsection (a)(2) of this section, the Board shall consider:        (1)    the nature of the crime;        (2)    the relationship of the crime to the activities authorized by the license;        (3)    with  respect to a felony, the relevance of the conviction to the fitness and qualification of the licensee to engage in the collection agency business;        (4)    the length of time since the conviction; and        (5)    the behavior and activities of the licensee since the conviction.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  7-309 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 7 - Collection Agencies|Subtitle 3 - Licenses|Section 7-309 - Reprimands, Suspensions, and Revocations -- Hearings; Enforcement of Orders

    (a)    (1)    Except as otherwise provided in § 10-226 of the State Government Article, before the Board takes any final action under § 7-308 of this subtitle, or under § 7-205 of this title, it shall give the person against whom the action is contemplated an opportunity for a hearing before the Board.        (2)    A hearing shall be held at a time and place reasonably convenient to the parties.    (b)    The Board shall give notice and hold the hearing in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article.    (c)    The Board may administer oaths in connection with a proceeding under this section.    (d)    The Board may issue a subpoena for the attendance of a witness to testify at a hearing under this section, but not for investigative purposes.    (e)    If, after due notice, the person against whom the action is contemplated does not appear, nevertheless the Board may hear and determine the matter.    (f)    The Board may enforce a lawful order issued under this title by filing an action to enforce the order in the circuit court for the county:        (1)    where the licensee which is the subject of the order has its principal place of business; or        (2)    if the licensee has no principal place of business in the State, where the consumer aggrieved by the violation resides.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  7-310 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 7 - Collection Agencies|Subtitle 3 - Licenses|Section 7-310 - Judicial Review

    A party to a proceeding before the Board who is aggrieved by a final decision of the Board in a contested case, as defined in § 10-202 of the State Government Article, may take an appeal as allowed in §§ 10-222 and 10-223 of the State Government Article.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  7-311 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 7 - Collection Agencies|Subtitle 3 - Licenses|Section 7-311 - Effect of Revocation or Suspension

    The suspension or revocation of a license does not affect the obligation of a claim that the licensee lawfully acquired before the suspension or revocation.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  7-401 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 7 - Collection Agencies|Subtitle 4 - Prohibited Acts; Penalties|Section 7-401 - Doing Business Without License

    (a)    Except as otherwise provided in this title, a person may not knowingly and willfully do business as a collection agency in the State unless the person has a license.    (b)    A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction, is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or both.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  7-501 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 7 - Collection Agencies|Subtitle 5 - Short Title; Termination of Title|Section 7-501 - Short Title

    This title is the Maryland Collection Agency Licensing Act.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  7-502 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 7 - Collection Agencies|Subtitle 5 - Short Title; Termination of Title|Section 7-502 - Termination of Title

    Subject to the evaluation and reestablishment provisions of the Maryland Program Evaluation Act, this title and all regulations adopted under this title shall terminate on July 1, 2022.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  8-102 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 8 - Home Improvement|Subtitle 1 - Definitions; General Provisions|Section 8-102 - Scope of Title

    (a)    This title does not apply to a transaction of:        (1)    the United States or an instrumentality of the United States; or        (2)    a state or an instrumentality or political subdivision of a state.    (b)    A county or municipal corporation of the State may not:        (1)    require a person to get authorization to do business performing or selling a home improvement; or        (2)    regulate the qualifications necessary to do that business.    (c)    This title does not limit the power of a county or municipal corporation:        (1)    to regulate the character, performance, or quality of a home improvement by having a system of inspections and permits designed to:            (i)    ensure compliance with and help to enforce applicable State and local building laws; or            (ii)    enforce other laws necessary to protect the public health and safety; or        (2)    to adopt a system of inspections and permits that requires:            (i)    submission to and approval by the county or municipal corporation of plans and specifications for an installation, before construction of the installation begins; and            (ii)    inspection of work done.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  8-103 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 8 - Home Improvement|Subtitle 1 - Definitions; General Provisions|Section 8-103 - Waiver Prohibited

    The provisions of this title may not be waived.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  8-201 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 8 - Home Improvement|Subtitle 2 - Maryland Home Improvement Commission|Section 8-201 - Established

    There is a Maryland Home Improvement Commission in the Department.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  8-202 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 8 - Home Improvement|Subtitle 2 - Maryland Home Improvement Commission|Section 8-202 - Membership

    (a)    (1)    The Commission consists of 9 members, appointed by the Governor with the advice of the Secretary.        (2)    Of the 9 members of the Commission:            (i)    3 shall have experience in some phase of the business of home improvement;            (ii)    at least 1 shall have experience in the business of banking or finance;            (iii)    4 shall be consumer members; and            (iv)    1 shall have experience in some phase of the business of home improvement or shall be a consumer member.    (b)    Each member of the Commission shall have been a citizen and resident of the State for at least 5 years before appointment.    (c)    Each consumer member of the Commission:        (1)    shall be a member of the general public;        (2)    may not be a licensee or otherwise be subject to regulation by the Commission;        (3)    may not be required to meet the qualifications for the professional members of the Commission; and        (4)    may not, within 1 year before appointment, have had a financial interest in or have received compensation from a person regulated by the Commission.    (d)    While a member of the Commission, a consumer member may not:        (1)    have a financial interest in or receive compensation from a person regulated by the Commission; or        (2)    grade any examination given by or for the Commission.    (e)    Before taking office, each appointee to the Commission shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.    (f)    (1)    The term of a member is 4 years and begins on July 1.        (2)    The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms in effect for members of the Commission on October 1, 1992.        (3)    At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.        (4)    A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.    (g)    (1)    The Governor may remove a member for incompetence or misconduct.        (2)    Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection and subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, the Governor shall remove a member if the member did not attend at least two–thirds of the Commission meetings held during the prior year while the member was serving on the Commission.        (3)    The Governor may allow a member to continue serving if the member has been unable to attend meetings for reasons satisfactory to the Governor and the reasons are made public.        (4)    In accordance with § 8–501 of the State Government Article, the chairman shall provide notice to the Governor and the Governor shall appoint a successor.
MD. Business Regulation Code Ann. §  8-203 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Business Regulation|Title 8 - Home Improvement|Subtitle 2 - Maryland Home Improvement Commission|Section 8-203 - Chairman

    With the advice of the Secretary, the Governor shall designate a chairman from among the members of the Commission.