reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1304 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 13 - Miscellaneous Provisions|Section 14-1304 - Unsolicited Sending of Merchandise

    (a)    (1)    A person may not offer any merchandise for sale in any manner or by any means if the offer includes the voluntary and unsolicited sending of merchandise not actually ordered or requested by the recipient orally or in writing.        (2)    If a person receives any merchandise offered for sale in violation of this subsection, it is an unconditional gift to him for all purposes. He may use or dispose of the merchandise in any manner without any obligation on his part to the sender.    (b)    (1)    If a member of an organization making retail sales of merchandise to its members notifies the organization by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, of his termination of membership, any unordered merchandise sent to the member after 30 days following execution of the return receipt by the organization is an unconditional gift to him for all purposes. He may use or dispose of the merchandise in any manner without any obligation on his part to the organization.        (2)    This subsection does not relieve a person from liability for damages to which he might otherwise be subject if his termination of membership breaches any agreement with the organization. However, he may not be subject to any damages with respect to the merchandise considered under this subsection to be an unconditional gift to him.    (c)    After the receipt of any merchandise considered to be an unconditional gift under this section, if the sender continues to send any bill, statement of account, or request for payment with respect to the merchandise, the recipient may bring an action to enjoin the sender’s conduct. In that action, the court may award reasonable attorney’s fees and costs to the prevailing party.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1305 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 13 - Miscellaneous Provisions|Section 14-1305 - Credit Card Issued Without Request

    (a)    Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, if a credit card or card of identification for credit is issued to a person without his prior request or application, the card is not considered accepted until he signifies acceptance in writing or uses it to obtain credit.    (b)    Until an unrequested card is accepted, the issuer of the card:        (1)    Assumes the risk of its loss, theft, or unauthorized use; and        (2)    Is barred from any recovery against the person to whom the card is issued for any damages occasioned by that loss, theft, or unauthorized use.    (c)    This section does not apply if the card is issued for the purpose of renewal or replacement of an existing card originally applied for or accepted by the cardholder.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1306 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 13 - Miscellaneous Provisions|Section 14-1306 - Extension of Appliance Service Contract

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.        (2)    “Appliance” means any device used for a specific purpose, including any device run by electrical or mechanical means.        (3)    “Service contract” means a contract between the owner of an appliance and another person under which the owner agrees to pay a specified amount of money in exchange for any necessary upkeep or repair to the appliance over a specified period.        (4)    “Service contractor” means the person obligated to perform any upkeep or repair under a service contract.    (b)    The duration of a service contract is extended automatically for each day an appliance is in the custody of a service contractor for upkeep or repair under a service contract, if it is in his custody:        (1)    For 15 or more consecutive days; or        (2)    For a total of 15 or more days in any 30-day period for the same upkeep or repairs.    (c)    For purposes of this section, the number of days during which the service contractor has custody of an appliance does not include any day:        (1)    During which the owner has possession of the appliance; or        (2)    After the day on which the owner receives notice that the service is completed and, without fault of the service contractor, fails to take possession of the appliance.    (d)    This section applies to a service contract executed after June 30, 1974.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1307 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 13 - Miscellaneous Provisions|Section 14-1307 - Ladders Capable of Conducting Electricity

    A person may not sell any ladder manufactured after July 1, 1976 which is made with material capable of conducting an electrical current unless:         (1)    A warning is affixed in a prominent place on the ladder which indicates that the ladder is a conductor of electricity; or        (2)    The ladder is made in a manner to prevent the conduction of an electrical current.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1308 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 13 - Miscellaneous Provisions|Section 14-1308 - Processing Instructions on Certain Photographic Film

    A person may not sell any photographic film manufactured after July 1, 1977, except black and white film, unless the cartridge or roll of film is marked with sufficient processing instructions so that a commercial photographic processor can identify the required chemical and developing procedures.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1309 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 13 - Miscellaneous Provisions|Section 14-1309 - Stoves and Freestanding Fireplaces

    (a)    A person may not sell, distribute, or install any new hand-fired heating stove or freestanding fireplace that is intended ultimately for installation in a permanent or temporary residence unless the stove or fireplace is accompanied with complete instructions on the safe installation and operation of the appliance, including information on:        (1)    The safe clearance of structural members, as established by the National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet 89M, “Clearances for Heat Producing Appliances”;        (2)    The type of fuel to be burned in the appliance;        (3)    Proper starting instructions;        (4)    Proper storage of fuel;        (5)    Safe disposal of ashes; and        (6)    Proper chimney maintenance.    (b)    (1)    The Attorney General and the State Fire Marshal shall each enforce this section under the enforcement powers provided in this title and in the Public Safety Article.        (2)    The fire department of Baltimore City shall report any violation of this section to the Division of Consumer Protection.    (c)    Any person who knowingly and willfully violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine of not more than $500.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1310 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 13 - Miscellaneous Provisions|Section 14-1310 - Unvented Portable Kerosene-Fired Heaters

    (a)    With the written consent of the property owner, a person may use unvented portable kerosene-fired heaters in single family dwelling units and in commercial establishments in this State if the heaters otherwise comply with the State Fire Prevention Code regulations in effect on January 1, 1982.    (b)    (1)    “Commercial establishment” does not include:            (i)    Places of public assembly capable of accommodating more than 50 persons;            (ii)    Child care centers;            (iii)    Educational occupancies;            (iv)    Health care occupancies;            (v)    Hotels and motels; or            (vi)    Buildings (other than office facilities) where open flame devices would readily ignite flammable liquid vapor, explosives, or dust, or buildings over 3 stories in height.        (2)    In commercial establishments, portable kerosene heaters may not be located in such a manner as to obstruct exits.        (3)    This section shall not be construed to prohibit or allow the prohibition of the demonstration or repair of unvented portable kerosene–fired heaters in any commercial establishment.    (c)    The manufacturer shall affix to each portable kerosene heater, in a safe and prominent place, a nondetachable warning label which states:WARNING.    1. This unit must be used in an area which has proper ventilation. Consult owner’s manual for details and instructions.    2. Use of this heater may possibly be dangerous to persons with respiratory or circulatory disorders.    3. Only “water-clear” kerosene meeting 1-K (ASTM) specifications should be used in this heater.    (d)    In Baltimore City, this section does not affect or supersede any local law or ordinance which is more stringent or imposes a higher standard regarding the use or sale of portable kerosene heaters.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1311 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 13 - Miscellaneous Provisions|Section 14-1311 - Extended Warranties

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following terms have the meanings indicated.        (2)    “Consumer goods” means any new goods used for personal, family, or household purposes where:            (i)    The purchaser of the goods has entered into an agreement to purchase an extended warranty on the goods purchased; and            (ii)    The actual cash sales price of the goods paid by the purchaser is in excess of $50.        (3)    “Consumer goods” includes household appliances.        (4)    “Extended warranty” means a written warranty that:            (i)    Covers consumer goods offered for sale by a guarantor or manufacturer;            (ii)    Includes terms or conditions beyond those offered in any express warranty originally included as part of the contract of sale for the consumer goods; and            (iii)    Is purchased at the time of the sale of the consumer goods.        (5)    “Guarantor” means a person who:            (i)    Is engaged in the business of making consumer products available to consumers; and            (ii)    Makes a warranty.        (6)    “Manufacturer” includes a manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer.    (b)    Any extended warranty sold by a guarantor or manufacturer to a purchaser of consumer goods may not supersede any original express warranty and shall be offered in addition to the original express warranty.    (c)    This section applies only to an agreement to purchase an extended warranty which is executed on or after July 1, 1984.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1312 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 13 - Miscellaneous Provisions|Section 14-1312 - Return of Checks

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following terms have the meanings indicated.        (2)    “Acceptor” means a seller, lender, or credit grantor to whom a discharged check was originally issued.        (3)    “Discharged check” means a check or other instrument that has been:            (i)    Issued to a seller, lender, or credit grantor by a buyer or borrower in full or partial satisfaction of an underlying obligation; and            (ii)    Reacquired by the buyer or borrower in his own right.    (b)    (1)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, if an acceptor requires a buyer or borrower to submit to the acceptor a discharged check, rather than a facsimile thereof, for the purpose of verifying the full or partial payment of the obligation for which the check was issued, the acceptor shall return the discharged check directly to the buyer or borrower when payment or nonpayment has been verified.        (2)    An acceptor may not return the discharged check directly to the financial institution on which the discharged check was drawn if the check was submitted to the acceptor under the circumstances outlined in paragraph (1) of this subsection.    (c)    The failure of an acceptor to return a discharged check directly to a buyer or borrower as provided in subsection (b) of this section shall make the acceptor liable to the buyer or borrower for:        (1)    The amount of the check; and        (2)    Any charges made against the buyer’s or borrower’s account by the financial institution on which the check was drawn if those charges are a direct result of the acceptor’s noncompliance with subsection (b) of this section.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1313 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 13 - Miscellaneous Provisions|Section 14-1313 - Unsolicited Facsimile Transmissions

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.        (2)    (i)    “Commercial solicitation” means the unsolicited electronic or telephonic transmission in the State to a facsimile device to encourage a person to purchase goods, realty, or services.            (ii)    “Commercial solicitation” does not include:                1.    An electronic or telephonic transmission made in the course of prior negotiations; or                2.    An electronic or telephonic transmission made in the course of a preexisting business relationship with the person receiving the transmission.        (3)    “Facsimile device” means a machine that receives and copies reproductions or facsimiles of documents or photographs that have been transmitted electronically or telephonically over telecommunications lines.    (b)    A person may not make intentionally an electronic or telephonic transmission to a facsimile device for the purpose of commercial solicitation.    (c)    (1)    The Attorney General may initiate a civil action against any person who violates this section to recover for the State a penalty not to exceed $1,000 for each violation.        (2)    For the purposes of this section, each prohibited commercial solicitation is a separate violation.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1314 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 13 - Miscellaneous Provisions|Section 14-1314 - Security Systems

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.        (2)    “Law enforcement agency” means a police department of the State or of a county or municipal corporation of the State.        (3)    “Response time” means the period of time from the moment an alarm from a security system is activated to the moment a law enforcement agency responds to the alarm sounding.        (4)    (i)    “Security system” means any burglary alarm system or robbery alarm system.            (ii)    “Security system” includes the service of monitoring the property to which a security system is attached in case of an alarm sounding.        (5)    “Seller” means a person who sells or offers for sale a security system.    (b)    In connection with a sale or offer for sale of a security system, a seller may not state that the seller can or will provide, as part of the security system, a response time by a law enforcement agency to an alarm sounding that is shorter in time than the response time by the law enforcement agency to a general distress call.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1316 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 13 - Miscellaneous Provisions|Section 14-1316 - Limitation on Recovering of Bedding

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.        (2)    “Bedding” means a mattress or box spring that:            (i)    Is stuffed or filled wholly or partly with concealed matter; and            (ii)    Can be used by an individual for sleeping or reclining.        (3)    “Consumer” means an actual or a prospective purchaser of goods that are primarily for personal, household, or family purposes.        (4)    “Used” means preowned or having a component that was used previously for any purpose.    (b)    A person may not recover bedding that is intended to be sold or offered for sale to a consumer in the State unless the person clearly marks the bedding as used.    (c)    A person who violates subsection (b) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1317 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 13 - Miscellaneous Provisions|Section 14-1317 - Receiving Consigned Goods From Transporter

    (a)    A person may not purchase or fraudulently receive from any person engaged in transporting coal, iron, lumber, merchandise, or property consigned to another:        (1)    Without the consent of the owner of the property; and        (2)    With knowledge that the property is consigned.    (b)    (1)    A person who violates subsection (a) of this section is liable to the owner of the property in a civil action for damages equal to double the value of the property.        (2)    An action brought under this section may be brought in the name of either the consignor or consignee of the property.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1318 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 13 - Miscellaneous Provisions|Section 14-1318 - Printing Payment Device Numbers on Receipts

    (a)    (1)    In this section, “payment device number” means any code, account number, or other means of account access, other than a check, draft, or similar paper instrument, that can be used to obtain money, goods, services, or anything of value, or for purposes of initiating a transfer of funds.        (2)    “Payment device number” includes a credit card number and a debit card number.    (b)    (1)    This section applies only to receipts that are electronically printed in connection with the purchase of consumer goods or consumer services.        (2)    This section does not apply to receipts where the sole means of recording the payment device number is by handwriting, imprinting, or copying the payment device.    (c)    A person that accepts a payment device number for the transaction of business may not print more than five digits of the payment device number or the expiration date of the payment device on a receipt that is provided to the holder of the payment device at the point of sale or transaction or retained by the person.    (d)    (1)    The Attorney General may initiate a civil action against a person that violates this section to recover for the State a civil penalty not exceeding $25 for each violation.        (2)    For the purposes of this section, each instance in which a payment device number or expiration date is printed when prohibited by this section is a separate violation.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1319 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 13 - Miscellaneous Provisions|Section 14-1319 - Gift Certificates

    (a)    (1)    In this section, “gift certificate” means a device constructed of paper, plastic, or any other material that is:            (i)    Sold or issued by a person for a cash value that can be used to purchase goods or services; or            (ii)    Issued as a store credit for returned goods.        (2)    “Gift certificate” does not include:            (i)    A prepaid telephone calling card;            (ii)    A prepaid technical support card;            (iii)    A prepaid card for Internet services;            (iv)    A coupon for discounted goods or services;            (v)    A gift certificate that is distributed to an individual under an awards, loyalty, or promotional program in which the recipient does not give money or value for the gift certificate; or            (vi)    A gift card that:                1.    Is processed through a national credit or debit card service; and                2.    May be used to purchase goods or services from multiple unaffiliated sellers of goods or services.    (b)    A person may not sell or issue a gift certificate that, within 4 years after the date of purchase, is subject to expiration or a fee or charge of any kind.    (c)    Any term or condition concerning expiration or a fee or charge that takes effect more than 4 years after the date of purchase must be printed clearly in at least 10 point type in a visible place on:        (1)    The front or back of the gift certificate;        (2)    A sticker permanently affixed to the gift certificate; or        (3)    An envelope containing the gift certificate.    (d)    Unless the change benefits the consumer, a term or condition disclosed under subsection (c) of this section may not be changed after the date of purchase or issuance.    (e)    A gift certificate that is sold or issued in violation of this section shall be considered valid and may not be subject to expiration or any fee or charge.    (f)    A violation of any provision of this section:        (1)    Is an unfair or deceptive trade practice within the meaning of Title 13 of this article; and        (2)    Is subject to the enforcement and penalty provisions contained in Title 13 of this article, except § 13-411 of this article.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1320 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 13 - Miscellaneous Provisions|Section 14-1320 - Gift Card

    (a)    This section applies to a gift card that:        (1)    Is processed through a national credit or debit card service; and        (2)    May be used to purchase goods or services from multiple unaffiliated sellers of goods and services.    (b)    A gift card may be subject to expiration or a postsale fee, including a service fee, dormancy fee, account maintenance fee, cash-out fee, gift card replacement fee, activation fee, or reactivation fee, if the following disclosures are printed clearly in a visible place on the front or back of the gift card in at least 10 point type:        (1)    With respect to the expiration date, the date on which the gift card expires; and        (2)    With respect to a postsale fee:            (i)    The amount of the fee;            (ii)    The circumstances under which the fee will be imposed;            (iii)    The frequency with which the fee will be imposed; and            (iv)    Whether the fee is triggered by inactivity.    (c)    If the disclosures required under subsection (b) of this section are hidden by the packaging of the gift card, the seller or issuer shall give the purchaser a written statement of the disclosures before the gift card is sold or issued.    (d)    In addition to printing the information required under subsection (b) of this section on a gift card:        (1)    If a gift card is sold or issued by electronic means, the seller or issuer shall include a conspicuous written statement of the information in the electronic message offering the gift card; and        (2)    If a gift card is sold or issued by telephonic means, the seller or issuer, before the gift card is sold, shall state the information to the purchaser.    (e)    Unless the change benefits the consumer, a term or condition disclosed under subsection (b) of this section may not be changed after the date of purchase or issuance.    (f)    A violation of any provision of this section:        (1)    Is an unfair or deceptive trade practice within the meaning of Title 13 of this article; and        (2)    Is subject to the enforcement and penalty provisions contained in Title 13 of this article, except § 13-411 of this article.