reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1602.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 16 - Video Movie Sales and Rentals|Section 14-1602.1 - Membership Contracts in Video Clubs

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.        (2)    “Member” means a person who has a membership in a video club.        (3)    (i)    “Membership” means an agreement between a video club and a member that enables the member to buy or rent a video or video equipment from the video club under circumstances specified in a membership contract.            (ii)    “Membership” does not include sales by mail.        (4)    (i)    “Video” means a videotape or video disc copy of a motion picture film, television show, or recording of a live event.            (ii)    “Video” includes a video movie as defined in § 14–1601(d) of this subtitle.        (5)    “Video club” means a person, corporation, partnership, or any commercial entity that is in the business of selling at retail or renting videos or video equipment.        (6)    “Video equipment” includes a videotape or video disc player or recorder.    (b)    Any agreement or contract for membership in a video club that requires a member to leave a signed credit card authorization with the video club shall include provisions that:        (1)    Specify the maximum amount and type of fees that the video club may charge to a member on the member’s signed credit card authorization without the member’s approval, as each fee is charged; and        (2)    State the maximum length of time, which may be no longer than 6 months, that the video club may charge fees to a member under paragraph (1) of this subsection before the video club shall renew the member’s credit card authorization.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1603 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 16 - Video Movie Sales and Rentals|Section 14-1603 - Penalty

    Any person who sells or rents, or attempts to sell or rent, a video movie in violation of this subtitle shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine not to exceed $25 for each violation.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1701 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 17 - Denial of Credit -- Disclosure|Section 14-1701 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following terms have the meanings indicated.    (b)    (1)    “Adverse action” means a denial or revocation of credit, a change in the terms of an existing credit arrangement, or a refusal to grant credit in substantially the amount or on substantially the terms requested.        (2)    “Adverse action” does not include a refusal to extend additional credit under an existing credit arrangement where the applicant is delinquent or otherwise in default, or where such additional credit would exceed a previously established credit limit.    (c)    “File” means file as defined in § 14–1201(h) of this title.    (d)    “Lender” or “credit grantor” means:        (1)    Any lender or credit grantor regulated under Title 12 of this article; or        (2)    A credit union making a loan under § 6–601(e) of the Financial Institutions Article.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1702 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 17 - Denial of Credit -- Disclosure|Section 14-1702 - Notice of Action Upon Application for Credit

    (a)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, within 30 days after receipt of a completed application for credit, a lender or credit grantor shall notify the applicant of its action on the application.    (b)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, if the lender or credit grantor has acted adversely against or denied an application for credit by a consumer, that lender must furnish the consumer with a written statement.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1703 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 17 - Denial of Credit -- Disclosure|Section 14-1703 - Contents of Statement -- in General

    The written statement required by § 14-1702 of this subtitle shall disclose to the applicant:         (1)    The applicant’s right to a statement of reasons within 30 days after receipt by the lender or credit grantor of a request made within 60 days after notification, made under § 14-1702(a) of this subtitle;        (2)    The identity of the person or office from which the statement of reasons may be obtained; and        (3)    The right of the applicant to have the statement of reasons confirmed in writing on written request.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1704 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 17 - Denial of Credit -- Disclosure|Section 14-1704 - Contents of Statement -- Specific Reasons for Adverse Action

    The written statement of reasons only meets the requirements of this subtitle if it contains the specific reasons for any adverse action taken.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1705 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 17 - Denial of Credit -- Disclosure|Section 14-1705 - Effect of Compliance With Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act

    Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subtitle, compliance with Subchapter IV of the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act and regulations promulgated thereunder shall constitute compliance with this subtitle.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1706 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 17 - Denial of Credit -- Disclosure|Section 14-1706 - Complaint; Investigation and Hearing; Cease and Desist Order

    (a)    If a written complaint for violation of any provision of this subtitle or any other law of this State regulating loans or other extensions of credit is filed with the Commissioner of Financial Regulation, the Commissioner may investigate the complaint and hold a hearing on it in accordance with § 11-413 of the Financial Institutions Article.    (b)    (1)    The Commissioner shall give to the credit grantor against whom a complaint is filed written notice of the complaint and the time and place of any hearing.        (2)    The notice shall:            (i)    Be in writing; and            (ii)    Be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the credit grantor’s principal place of business at least 10 days prior to the date of the hearing.    (c)    (1)    If, after the hearing, the Commissioner finds that the credit grantor has engaged or is engaging in any act or practice prohibited by this subtitle, the Commissioner shall order the person to cease and desist from the act or practice.        (2)    The order of the Commissioner shall comply with the Administrative Procedure Act.    (d)    (1)    If no appeal is filed, the order becomes final after expiration of the time allowed by the Administrative Procedure Act for appeals from the Commissioner’s orders.        (2)    If an appeal is filed, the order becomes final after a final decision of a court affirming the order or dismissing the appeal.    (e)    For the purposes of this section, the Commissioner’s order may not apply to any:        (1)    Incorporated bank, savings institution, or trust company;        (2)    Savings and loan association; or        (3)    Federal or State credit union.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1801 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 18 - Merchandise Delivery|Section 14-1801 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Consumer” has the same meaning as that term has in Title 13 of this article.    (c)    “Dealer” means a person who engages in the business of selling or leasing household goods to consumers residing in Maryland.    (d)    “Estimated delivery date” means the date established under § 14-1802 or § 14-1803 of this subtitle on which the dealer reasonably anticipates to deliver the ordered household good to the consumer.    (e)    (1)    “Household good” means any article or set of articles used to furnish or supply a residential dwelling such as a sofa, cabinet, rug, carpeting, washing machine, refrigerator, television, dining room set, or range.        (2)    “Household good” does not include:            (i)    Any article taken by the consumer on the date the article was ordered;            (ii)    Any article ordered by mail; or            (iii)    Any permanent fixture.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1802 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 18 - Merchandise Delivery|Section 14-1802 - Information Provided Consumer by Dealer

    (a)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, when a consumer orders a household good, the dealer shall provide to the consumer:        (1)    An estimated delivery date written clearly and conspicuously on any document evidencing the agreement of sale or lease for the household good; and        (2)    A statement that is part of or accompanies the document evidencing the agreement of sale or lease for the household good and is in boldface type of a minimum size of 10 points which is in substantially the following form:    If the dealer fails to provide you, the buyer, with an estimated delivery date or fails to deliver the ordered household good within 2 weeks of the estimated delivery date, you may (1) cancel the contract and receive a full refund or credit equal to your deposit, (2) modify the contract by selecting another household good, or (3) negotiate with the dealer a new delivery date. The dealer is not required to allow you to exercise these rights if the dealer cannot cancel the order with the manufacturer or supplier.    (b)    The estimated delivery date shall take into account the manufacturer’s or supplier’s instructions, recent delivery experience with the manufacturer or supplier, and the dealer’s own delivery schedules.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1803 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 18 - Merchandise Delivery|Section 14-1803 - Noncompliance by Dealer

    (a)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, if the dealer fails to provide the consumer with any estimated date required by this subtitle or fails to deliver the household good to the consumer within 2 weeks of the latest estimated delivery date properly established under this subtitle, the consumer may:        (1)    Cancel the contract and receive a full refund;        (2)    Cancel the contract and receive a credit equal to the deposit;        (3)    Negotiate with the dealer a new delivery date; or        (4)    Modify the contract by selecting other household goods.    (b)    (1)    If a consumer cancels a contract and requests a full refund or credit, the dealer shall provide to the consumer the full refund or credit within 2 weeks of the consumer’s request.        (2)    At the dealer’s option, the dealer may, immediately following the consumer’s request for a full refund or credit, require the consumer to sign a written request for the full refund or credit on a dealer’s self-addressed postcard or a form which shall include a dealer’s self-addressed envelope, to be supplied to the consumer by the dealer.    (c)    The provisions of this section do not apply if:        (1)    Due primarily to the conduct of the consumer, a delivery prearranged between the dealer and the consumer was unsuccessful and, following the unsuccessful attempt to deliver, the dealer provided written or oral notice of the attempted delivery to the consumer;        (2)    The delay in delivery is caused by a work stoppage or an act of God; or        (3)    The dealer’s inability to deliver by the estimated date is due to the manufacturer’s or supplier’s failure to deliver to the dealer in a timely manner the household goods as ordered, and where:            (i)    Despite good faith efforts to cancel the contract with the manufacturer, the dealer is liable to the manufacturer or supplier to complete the purchase under applicable law; and            (ii)    The dealer’s liability to the manufacturer or supplier is not caused by the dealer’s delay in canceling the order when requested by the consumer.    (d)    (1)    If oral notice is given under subsection (c)(1) of this section, the dealer shall record in writing, the date and time of the notification and the signature of the person who made the notification.        (2)    In the event that paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (c) of this section is applicable, the dealer shall promptly inform the consumer of the delay and provide the consumer written notice of a new estimated delivery date which may not exceed any delay caused by a work stoppage, act of God, or manufacturer’s delay.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1804 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 18 - Merchandise Delivery|Section 14-1804 - Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices

    It shall be an unfair or deceptive trade practice under Title 13 of this article if a dealer:        (1)    Fails to comply with the requirements of § 14–1802 of this subtitle; or        (2)    Denies a consumer the remedies provided by § 14–1803 of this subtitle.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1805 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 18 - Merchandise Delivery|Section 14-1805 - Attorney's Fees

    (a)    In any action brought to enforce this subtitle, a court may award reasonable attorney’s fees to a prevailing plaintiff, other than the Attorney General.    (b)    If it appears to the satisfaction of the court that an action is brought in bad faith or is of a frivolous nature, the court may order the offending plaintiff to pay to the defendant reasonable attorney’s fees.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1806 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 18 - Merchandise Delivery|Section 14-1806 - Other Remedies Not Limited

    Nothing in this subtitle shall limit any remedies otherwise available under Maryland law.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1902 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 19 - Maryland Credit Services Businesses Act|Section 14-1902 - Duties

    A credit services business, its employees, and independent contractors who sell or attempt to sell the services of a credit services business shall not:        (1)    Receive any money or other valuable consideration from the consumer, unless the credit services business has secured from the Commissioner a license under Title 11, Subtitle 3 of the Financial Institutions Article;        (2)    Receive any money or other valuable consideration solely for referral of the consumer to a retail seller or to any other credit grantor who will or may extend credit to the consumer, if the credit extended to the consumer is substantially the same terms as those available to the general public;        (3)    Make, or assist or advise any consumer to make, any statement or other representation that is false or misleading, or which by the exercise of reasonable care should be known to be false or misleading, to a consumer reporting agency, government agency, or person to whom the consumer applies or intends to apply for an extension of credit, regarding a consumer’s creditworthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, or true identity;        (4)    Make or use any false or misleading representations in the offer or sale of the services of a credit services business;        (5)    Engage, directly or indirectly, in any act, practice, or course of business which operates as a fraud or deception on any person in connection with the offer or sale of the services of a credit services business;        (6)    Charge or receive any money or other valuable consideration prior to full and complete performance of the services that the credit services business has agreed to perform for or on behalf of the consumer;        (7)    Charge or receive any money or other valuable consideration in connection with an extension of credit that, when combined with any interest charged on the extension of credit, would exceed the interest rate permitted for the extension of credit under the applicable title of this article;        (8)    Create, assist a consumer to create, or provide a consumer with information on how to create, a new consumer report, credit file, or credit record by obtaining and using a different name, address, telephone number, Social Security number, or employer tax identification number; or        (9)    Assist a consumer to obtain an extension of credit at a rate of interest which, except for federal preemption of State law, would be prohibited under Title 12 of this article.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1903 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 19 - Maryland Credit Services Businesses Act|Section 14-1903 - Application of Subtitle; Licenses

    (a)    Notwithstanding any election of law or designation of situs in any contract, this subtitle applies to any contract for credit services if:        (1)    The credit services business offers or agrees to sell, provide, or perform any services to a resident of this State;        (2)    A resident of this State accepts or makes the offer in this State to purchase the services of the credit services business; or        (3)    The credit services business makes any verbal or written solicitation or communication that originates either inside or outside of this State but is received in the State by a resident of this State.    (b)    A credit services business is required to be licensed under this subtitle and is subject to the licensing, investigatory, enforcement, and penalty provisions of this subtitle and Title 11, Subtitle 3 of the Financial Institutions Article.    (c)    A license required by this subtitle shall be issued by the Commissioner.    (d)    A person not included within the definition of a credit services business as provided in § 14-1901(e)(3) of this subtitle is exempt from licensure requirements under this subtitle.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1903.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 19 - Maryland Credit Services Businesses Act|Section 14-1903.1 - Advertisements of Credit Services Business

    A person who advertises a service described in § 14-1901(e)(1) of this subtitle, whether or not a credit services business, shall clearly and conspicuously state in each advertisement the number of:         (1)    The license issued under § 14-1903 of this subtitle; or        (2)    If not required to be licensed, the exemption provided by the Commissioner.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1904 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 19 - Maryland Credit Services Businesses Act|Section 14-1904 - Information Statement

    (a)    This section does not apply to a credit services business providing the services described in § 14–1901(e)(1)(ii) of this subtitle.    (b)    Before either the execution of a contract or agreement between a consumer and a credit services business or the receipt by the credit services business of any money or other valuable consideration, the credit services business shall provide the consumer with a written information statement containing all of the information required under § 14–1905 of this subtitle.    (c)    The credit services business shall maintain on file for a period of 2 years from the date of the consumer’s acknowledgment a copy of the information statement signed by the consumer acknowledging receipt of the information statement.
MD. Commercial Law Code Ann. §  14-1905 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Commercial Law|Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions|Subtitle 19 - Maryland Credit Services Businesses Act|Section 14-1905 - Information to Be Included in Information Statement

    (a)    The information statement required under § 14-1904 of this subtitle shall include:        (1)    An accurate statement of the consumer’s right to review any file on the consumer maintained by any consumer reporting agency, and the right of the consumer to receive a copy of a consumer report containing all information in that file as provided under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681g) and under § 14-1206 of this title;        (2)    A statement that a copy of the consumer report containing all information in the consumer’s file will be furnished free of charge by the consumer reporting agency if requested by the consumer within 30 days of receiving a notice of a denial of credit as provided under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681j) and under § 14-1209 of this title;        (3)    A statement that a nominal charge not to exceed $5 may be imposed on the consumer by the consumer reporting agency for a copy of the consumer report containing all the information in the consumer’s file, if the consumer has not been denied credit within 30 days from receipt of the consumer’s request;        (4)    A complete and accurate statement of the consumer’s right to dispute the completeness or accuracy of any item on the consumer contained in any file that is maintained by any consumer reporting agency, as provided under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681i) and under § 14-1208 of this title;        (5)    A complete and detailed description of the services to be performed by the credit services business for or on behalf of the consumer, and the total amount the consumer will have to pay for the services; and        (6)    A statement that accurately reported information may not be permanently removed from the file of a consumer reporting agency.    (b)    A credit services business required to obtain a license pursuant to § 14-1902 of this subtitle shall include in the information statement required under § 14-1904 of this subtitle:        (1)    A statement of the consumer’s right to file a complaint pursuant to § 14-1911 of this subtitle;        (2)    The address of the Commissioner where such complaints should be filed; and        (3)    A statement that a bond exists and the consumer’s right to proceed against the bond under the circumstances and in the manner set forth in § 14-1910 of this subtitle.