reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
SC Code § 37-6-504 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 6 - Administration|Section 37-6-504. Bonds of Commission members.

 Each member of the Commission other than ex officio shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, give bond to the State in the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars with a sufficient surety, to be approved by the State Treasurer, for the faithful performance of all duties required of him under the law during the term of his office. The premium of such bond shall be paid by the State.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 8-800.444; 1974 (58) 2879.
SC Code § 37-6-505 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 6 - Administration|Section 37-6-505. Compensation and expenses of Commission members.

 Each member of the Commission other than ex officio shall receive such compensation and official expenses as provided by law for members of state boards and commissions.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 8-800.445; 1974 (58) 2879; 1984 Act No. 261, Section 6.
SC Code § 37-6-506 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 6 - Administration|Section 37-6-506. Powers and duties of Commission.

 (1) The Commission shall be the policymaking and governing authority of the Department of Consumer Affairs and shall appoint the administrator and be responsible for enforcement of this title.  (2) The Commission, through the administrator, shall see that the provisions of this title are faithfully administered and enforced and to that end it may adopt, amend and repeal rules and regulations, not inconsistent with law, to interpret and explain provisions of this title, carry out the purposes and policies of this title, to prevent circumvention or evasion thereof or to facilitate compliance therewith.  (3) No provision of this title or of any statute to which this title refers which imposes any penalty on any creditor shall apply to any act done, or omitted to be done, in conformity with any rule or regulation so adopted, amended or repealed or in conformity with any written order, opinion, interpretation or statement of the Commission or of the administrator, notwithstanding that such rule, regulation, order, opinion, interpretation or statement may, after such act or omission, be amended, or rescinded or be determined by judicial or other authority to be erroneous or invalid for any reason.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 8-800.446; 1974 (58) 2879; 1976 Act No. 686 Section 54.
SC Code § 37-6-507 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 6 - Administration|Section 37-6-507. Qualifications of administrator.

 The administrator shall be a person of good moral character, at least thirty years of age, a resident taxpayer of this State, and shall be thoroughly familiar with this title and the consumer transactions to which it pertains. The Commission may also require additional qualifications. The administrator, while serving as such, shall not directly or indirectly be financially interested in or associated with any other person subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission or the administrator thereof. The administrator shall serve at the pleasure of the Commission.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 8-800.447; 1974 (58) 2879.
SC Code § 37-6-508 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 6 - Administration|Section 37-6-508. Deputy administrator.

 The administrator, with the approval of the commission, may designate such deputies as he determines necessary to assist him in performing the duties he is required to perform under this title. Any deputy shall satisfy and meet the same qualifications, including bond, required for the administrator.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 8-800.448; 1974 (58) 2879; 1990 Act No. 456, Section 2.
SC Code § 37-6-509 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 6 - Administration|Section 37-6-509. Oath and bond of administrator.

 The administrator shall take the oath of office prescribed for all State officers. Before entering upon the duties of his office, he shall give bond to the State for the benefit of any person aggrieved by his unlawful or wrongful actions, and such bond shall be in the sum of fifty thousand dollars, with sufficient surety, to be approved by the State Treasurer, for the faithful performance of all the duties required of him under the law during the term of his office. The premium of the bond shall be paid by the State.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 8-800.449; 1974 (58) 2879.
SC Code § 37-6-510 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 6 - Administration|Section 37-6-510. Personnel.

 The administrator shall prepare in writing a manual of necessary employee positions for the Department, including job classifications, personnel qualifications, duties, maximum and minimum salary schedules, and other personnel information for approval by the Commission before appointing any personnel. The deputy administrator and other employees of the Department shall serve at the pleasure of the administrator.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 8-800.450; 1974 (58) 2879.
SC Code § 37-6-511 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 6 - Administration|Section 37-6-511. Department to maintain file for each creditor of rate schedules filed by creditor; certified copies; fees.

 The Department of Consumer Affairs shall maintain a file for each creditor containing the original and all revised rate schedules filed by the creditor. A certified copy of each filing showing the date and time that it was received shall be sent to the creditor making the filing at the time of its receipt. A fee of ten dollars for each rate schedule filed by a creditor shall be payable to the Department of Consumer Affairs for its services in maintaining the rate schedule files and providing one certified copy of each rate filing to the creditor. Provided, that each creditor shall be required to pay a minimum annual fee of ten dollars. Additional certified copies of a filing shall be provided at a charge of four dollars per copy.  HISTORY: 1982 Act No. 466 Part II Section 21; 1983 Act No. 151 Part II Section 16.
SC Code § 37-6-512 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 6 - Administration|Section 37-6-512. Advisory committee of persons with cognizable handicaps.

 The Administrator of the Department of Consumer Affairs acting as the Consumer Advocate may appoint an advisory committee of persons with cognizable handicaps to provide advice to the Consumer Advocate in regard to protecting the rights of consumers with these types of handicaps with particular attention to the manner in which consumers with these handicaps interact with those entities regulated by the Public Service Commission. Nothing herein shall require the Consumer Advocate to take a position or undertake an action that is contrary to his general duty to protect and represent the interests of the general public and consumers.  HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 328, Section 3.
SC Code § 37-6-601 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 6 - Administration|Section 37-6-601. Division of Consumer Advocacy created.

 There is created within the Department of Consumer Affairs the Division of Consumer Advocacy with duties and organizations as provided in this chapter.  HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 644, Part II, Section 31; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 3, eff February 18, 2004.
SC Code § 37-6-602 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 6 - Administration|Section 37-6-602. Consumer Advocate; qualifications.

 The Consumer Advocate may be the Administrator of Consumer Affairs or he may be appointed by the administrator with the approval of the Commission on Consumer Affairs. The Consumer Advocate must be an attorney qualified to practice in all courts of this State with a minimum of eight years' practice experience.  HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 644, Part II, Section 31; 1981 Act No. 178, Part II, Section 23; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 3, eff February 18, 2004; 2018 Act No. 258 (H.4375), Section 5, eff June 28, 2018.  Editor's Note  2018 Act No. 258, Section 12, provides as follows:  "SECTION 12. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies to all cases, proceedings, petitions, or matters pending before the Public Service Commission or in any other court or venue on or after the effective date of this act."  Effect of Amendment  2018 Act No. 258, Section 5, in the second sentence, substituted "eight years' practice experience" for "three years' practice experience" following "this State with a minimum of".
SC Code § 37-6-603 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 6 - Administration|Section 37-6-603. Staff and expenses.

 The Division of Consumer Advocacy must be staffed and equipped to perform the functions prescribed in Section 37-6-604. The expenses of the office must be paid from appropriations provided annually in the state General Appropriations Act.  HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 644, Part II, Section 31; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 3, eff February 18, 2004.
SC Code § 37-6-604 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 6 - Administration|Section 37-6-604. Functions and duties of division.

 (A) The functions and duties of the Division of Consumer Advocacy are:  (1) to provide legal representation of the consumer interest before the state and federal regulatory agencies which undertake to fix rates or prices for consumer products or services or to enact regulations or establish policies related thereto and to provide legal representation of the consumer interest concerning insurance matters, certificates of need for health facilities and services as required for an activity under Section 44-7-160, and other health-related provisions;  (2) to monitor existing regulations, rate structures, and policies of that agency of special interest to consumers and report to the public through the news media proposed changes therein under consideration and the effect of those changes on the lives of the citizens of the State; and  (3) to evaluate and act upon requests from consumers concerning the matters set forth in items (1) and (2), except that any proceedings initiated by the Consumer Advocate must be brought on behalf of the public at large and not for individuals; initiation or continuation of any proceedings is in the sole discretion of the Consumer Advocate.  (B) The annual report required of the Commission on Consumer Affairs must include a report on the activities of the Division of Consumer Advocacy.  (C) The Consumer Advocate shall be provided notice of any matter filed at the Public Service Commission that could impact consumers' utility rates, and may intervene as a party to advocate for the interest of consumers before the Public Service Commission and appellate courts in such matters as the Consumer Advocate deems necessary and appropriate.  HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 644, Part II, Section 31; 1989 Act No. 148, Section 15; 1992 Act No. 511, Section 19; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 3, eff January 1, 2005; 2018 Act No. 258 (H.4375), Section 6, eff June 28, 2018.  Editor's Note  2018 Act No. 258, Section 12, provides as follows:  "SECTION 12. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies to all cases, proceedings, petitions, or matters pending before the Public Service Commission or in any other court or venue on or after the effective date of this act."  Effect of Amendment  2018 Act No. 258, Section 6, rewrote (C).
SC Code § 37-6-605 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 6 - Administration|Section 37-6-605. Access to records of state agencies and insurance companies.

 In the performance of his assigned functions, the Consumer Advocate shall have reasonable access to records of all state agencies which are not classified by law as confidential, and all state agencies must cooperate with the Consumer Advocate in the performance of his duties. In addition, the Consumer Advocate must have reasonable access to confidential records and information if he enters a proprietary agreement to ensure their confidentiality. The South Carolina Department of Insurance and Consumer Advocate also shall have access to records, information, and data of the insurance companies as well as all of their sister affiliates, subsidiaries, and parent companies. During the course of a ratemaking or other proceeding initiated before the South Carolina Department of Insurance, the Consumer Advocate, as a party of record, may request in writing, in addition to all other methods of discovery as provided by law, the issuance of an order compelling a witness or company to either produce or allow inspection of documentary evidence relevant to the matter. If an order is not issued, the aggrieved party may appeal. The written request, in addition to showing a general relevance and reasonable scope of the evidence sought, must also specify with particularity the books, accounts, papers, records, or other materials of the business desired and the facts expected to be proved thereby. In lieu of a written request, the request for such an order may be made orally upon the record at the hearing, for good cause shown. Any objections to the issuance of the order must be filed within three days of being notified of the written request or the order. Any objections so filed must list the specific grounds for objection. Objections must be ruled on within ten days or the objection is denied.  HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 644, Part II, Section 31; 1983 Act No. 138 Section 17; 1989 Act No. 148, Section 16; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 527; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 3, eff January 1, 2005.
SC Code § 37-6-606 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 6 - Administration|Section 37-6-606. Petitions filed by advocate with regulatory agencies in interest of consumers.

 (A) Except as provided in Section 37-6-604(C), whenever the Consumer Advocate determines that it would be in the interest of consumers affected by regulatory agencies, he may file with the appropriate regulatory agency a petition requesting the regulatory agency to commence or complete a proceeding respecting any organization whose operations substantially affect the consumer interest.  (B) The petition must state facts which claim to establish the need for the proceeding and a brief description of the substance of the order or amendment desired as a result of the proceeding.  (C) The regulatory agency may hold a public hearing or may conduct an investigation or proceeding as the regulatory agency considers appropriate in order to determine whether or not the petition should be granted.  (D) Within sixty days after the filing of the petition described in subsection (A), the regulatory agency must either grant or deny the petition. If the agency grants the petition, it must promptly commence or complete the proceeding, as requested by the petition. If the agency denies the petition, it must publish the reasons for the denial.  (E) If the regulatory agency denies the petition made under this section or, if it fails to grant or deny the petition within sixty days, the petitioner may commence a civil action in the circuit court to compel the regulatory agency to commence or complete the proceeding as requested in the petition. The action may be filed by the petitioner thirty days after the denial of the petition or, if the agency fails to grant or deny the petition within sixty days, within thirty days after the expiration of the sixty-day period.  (F) If the petitioner demonstrates to the satisfaction of the court that the failure of the agency to commence or complete the proceeding as requested in the petition was unreasonable, the court must order the agency to commence or complete the proceeding as requested in the petition.  (G) In any action under this section, the court has no authority to compel the agency to take any action other than the commencement or completion of a proceeding.  (H) The remedies under this section are in addition to and not in lieu of other remedies provided by law.  HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 644, Part II, Section 31; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 3, eff January 1, 2005.
SC Code § 37-6-607 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 6 - Administration|Section 37-6-607. Advocate may maintain actions for judicial review.

 The Consumer Advocate is considered to have an interest sufficient to maintain actions for judicial review and may, as of right and in the manner prescribed by law, intervene or otherwise participate in any civil proceeding which involves the review or enforcement of an agency action that the Consumer Advocate determines may substantially affect the interests of consumers.  HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 644, Part II, Section 31; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 3, eff January 1, 2005; 2018 Act No. 258 (H.4375), Section 7, eff June 28, 2018.  Editor's Note  2018 Act No. 258, Section 12, provides as follows:  "SECTION 12. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies to all cases, proceedings, petitions, or matters pending before the Public Service Commission or in any other court or venue on or after the effective date of this act."  Effect of Amendment  2018 Act No. 258, Section 7, deleted "With the exception of matters arising under Title 58," at the beginning.
SC Code § 37-6-608 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 6 - Administration|Section 37-6-608. Temporary staff; compensation.

 To the extent necessary to carry out the consumer advocacy responsibilities, the Consumer Advocate may employ, in addition to a regular staff, temporary, professional, technical, or research specialists to assist in preparing and presenting cases. The compensation paid to these persons may be commensurate with compensation generally paid by the regulated industry for these specialists but must not exceed the appropriation made for such purposes.  HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 644, Part II, Section 31; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 3, eff February 18, 2004.
SC Code § 37-6-609 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 6 - Administration|Section 37-6-609. Discretion as to Consumer Advocate's decisions.

 Decisions of the Consumer Advocate respecting whether, when, or how to initiate, continue, or intervene in proceedings under Sections 37-6-601 to 37-6-608, are in the sole discretion of the Consumer Advocate, except as modified by order of a court of competent jurisdiction.  HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 644, Part II, Section 31; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 3, eff February 18, 2004.
SC Code § 37-7-102 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 7 - Consumer Credit Counseling|Section 37-7-102. Licensing requirement.

 A person may not engage in credit counseling services in South Carolina, whether or not the person has any office, facility, agent, or other physical presence in South Carolina, unless the person obtains from the department a license issued pursuant to this chapter.  HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 111, Section 1, eff 6 month after approval by the Governor (became law without the Governor's signature on June 2, 2005).
SC Code § 37-7-103 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 7 - Consumer Credit Counseling|Section 37-7-103. Surety bonds.

 (A) A credit counseling organization may not offer or agree to offer credit counseling services in this State without first filing a surety bond with the department. The amount of the surety bond must equal or exceed the total amount of South Carolina clients' funds in the applicant's or licensee's trust account at the time of application for license or renewal, as determined by the department, but the surety bond must be at least twenty-five thousand dollars. The surety bond is conditioned upon the faithful accounting of all money collected upon accounts entrusted to a credit counseling organization engaged in the business of credit counseling or its employees and agents.  (B) The surety bond must be:  (1) approved by the department;  (2) executed by a surety company authorized by the laws of this State to transact business within this State;  (3) executed to the State of South Carolina;  (4) for the use of the State and any consumers with a cause of action against the credit counseling organization; and  (5) maintained for three years after revocation, denial, or failure to renew license.  HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 111, Section 1, eff 6 month after approval by the Governor (became law without the Governor's signature on June 2, 2005).
SC Code § 37-7-104 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 37 - Consumer Protection Code|Chapter 7 - Consumer Credit Counseling|Section 37-7-104. License application as credit counseling organization and credit counselor; contents; fee.

 (A) A person required to be licensed as a credit counseling organization must submit to the department an application for a license on forms prescribed by the department. The applicant shall file an application with the department in writing, under oath:  (1) the name and address of each owner, officer, director, member, or partner of the applicant;  (2) a description of the ownership interest of any officer, director, member, partner, agent, or employee of the applicant in the affiliate or subsidiary of the applicant or in another entity that provides a service to the applicant or a consumer relating to the applicant's credit counseling organization;  (3) a description of the applicant's consumer education program;  (4) financial statements for the applicant as of the most recent fiscal year;  (5) a current copy of the applicant's standard debt management plan;  (6) the surety bond required in Section 37-7-103;  (7) consent to a criminal records check; and  (8) a list of all employees engaged in credit counseling services.  (B) Each application for a license as a credit counseling organization must be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of one hundred dollars for each business location, an investigation fee of fifty dollars, and the actual cost of obtaining criminal history record checks.  (C)(1) The application for a license as a credit counselor must include:  (a) the name and address of the applicant;  (b) the name of the employer credit counseling organization;  (c) consent to a criminal records check; and  (d) description of the applicant's general fitness and character.  (2) The nonrefundable fee for an application for licensing as a credit counselor is forty dollars in addition to the actual cost of obtaining criminal history checks.  HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 111, Section 1, eff 6 month after approval by the Governor (became law without the Governor's signature on June 2, 2005).