reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 4A - Vehicle Protection Products Act › Section 14-4A-07 - Insurance

(a)    A warrantor of a vehicle protection product sold or offered for sale in the State shall:
(1)    Be insured under a warranty reimbursement insurance policy; or
(2)    Maintain a net worth or stockholders’ equity of not less than $50,000,000.
(b)    A warrantor that meets its financial obligation in accordance with subsection (a) of this section is not required to meet any other financial requirement or financial standard.
(c)    If a warrantor elects to carry warranty reimbursement insurance under subsection (a)(1) of this section, the warranty reimbursement insurance policy purchased by the warrantor shall provide:
(1)    That the insurer will pay to, or on behalf of, the warrantor all sums that the warrantor is legally obligated to pay a warranty holder under the warrantor’s vehicle protection product warranty;
(2)    That, in the event payment due under the terms of the vehicle protection product warranty is not provided by the warrantor within 60 days after proof of loss has been filed by the  warranty holder in accordance with the terms of the vehicle protection product warranty, the warranty holder may file a claim for reimbursement directly with the insurer;
(3)    That the insurer shall be deemed to have received payment of the premium if the warranty holder paid the warrantor for the vehicle protection product warranty;
(4)    That the insurer’s liability under the warranty reimbursement insurance policy may not be reduced or relieved by a failure of the warrantor, for any reason, to report the issuance of a vehicle protection product warranty to the insurer; and
(5)    That, with regard to cancellation of the warranty reimbursement insurance policy:
(i)    The insurer may not cancel the warranty reimbursement insurance policy until a written notice of cancellation has been mailed or delivered to the insured warrantor;
(ii)    The cancellation of a warranty reimbursement insurance policy may not reduce the insurer’s responsibility for vehicle protection products sold before the date of cancellation; and
(iii)    In the event an insurer cancels a warranty reimbursement insurance policy, the warrantor shall:
1.    Discontinue offering vehicle protection product warranties as of the termination date of the warranty reimbursement insurance policy until a new warranty reimbursement insurance policy becomes effective; and
2.    On obtaining a new warranty reimbursement insurance policy, file a copy of the new warranty reimbursement insurance policy with the Division.
(d)    If a warrantor elects to meet its financial obligation in accordance with subsection (a)(2) of this section, the warrantor’s  parent company shall guarantee the obligations of the warrantor for the vehicle protection product warranties issued by the warrantor in the State.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 4A - Vehicle Protection Products Act › Section 14-4A-09 - Usage of Certain Terms

(a)    Unless authorized by the Maryland Insurance Commissioner to engage in the insurance business in the State, a warrantor may not use the following words in its name, contracts, or literature:
(1)    “Insurance”;
(2)    “Casualty”;
(3)    “Surety”;
(4)    “Mutual”; or
(5)    Any other words that are:
(i)    Descriptive of the insurance, casualty, or surety business; or
(ii)    Deceptively similar to the name or description of an insurer, a surety corporation, or another warrantor.
(b)    A warrantor may use the term “guaranty” or a similar word in the warrantor’s name.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 4A - Vehicle Protection Products Act › Section 14-4A-12 - Liabilities and Duties

A warrantor is:
(1)    Liable to the warranty holder for any wrongful breach of a vehicle protection product warranty; and
(2)    Under a duty to:
(i)    Comply with the requirements of this subtitle; and
(ii)    Compensate the warranty holder for all reasonable incidental expenses incurred as a result of the breach.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 4A - Vehicle Protection Products Act › Section 14-4A-13 - Violations of Subtitle

(a)    A violation of this subtitle:
(1)    Is an unfair or deceptive trade practice within the meaning of Title 13 of this article; and
(2)    Except for § 13–410 of this article, is subject to the enforcement and penalty provisions contained in Title 13 of this article.
(b)    A warrantor that violates the provisions of this subtitle is subject to a fine of $500 for each violation, not exceeding $10,000 for all violations.
(c)    For purposes of this section, each individual failure to comply with the requirements of this subtitle is a separate violation.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 5 - Fine Prints › Section 14-501 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Artist” means any person who conceived or created:
(1)    The master image for a fine print; or
(2)    The master image which served as the model for a fine print.
(c)    (1)    “Fine print” means a printed image on paper or any other suitable substance which has been taken off a plate by printing, stamping, casting, or any other process commonly used in the graphic arts.
(2)    “Fine print” includes an engraving, etching, woodcut, lithograph, or serigraph.
(d)    “Person” includes an individual, corporation, business trust, statutory trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, two or more persons having a joint or common interest, or any other legal or commercial entity.
(e)    “Plate” means a plate, stone, block, or other material used to create a fine print or from which a fine print is taken.
(f)    “Print” means a fine print.
(g)    “Signed print” means a fine print autographed by the artist, whether it was signed or unsigned in the plate.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 5 - Fine Prints › Section 14-502 - Exceptions

This subtitle does not apply to:
(1)    A fine print printed before July 2, 1974; or
(2)    A fine print offered for sale or sold at retail or wholesale for:
(i)    $25 or less, if unframed; or
(ii)    $40 or less, if framed.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 5 - Fine Prints › Section 14-503 - When Disclosure Required

(a)    A person may not knowingly publish or distribute any catalog, prospectus, or circular which offers for sale a fine print unless it clearly and conspicuously discloses all information required by § 14-504 of this subtitle.
(b)    A person may not knowingly sell at retail or wholesale any fine print unless a written invoice, receipt for the purchase price, or certificate furnished to the purchaser clearly and conspicuously discloses all information required by § 14-504 of this subtitle.
(c)    If a fine print is described as a “reproduction”, the information required by § 14-504 of this subtitle is not required to be disclosed, unless the print allegedly was published in a limited edition, an edition of numbered or signed prints, or any combination of them.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 5 - Fine Prints › Section 14-504 - Information to Be Disclosed

(a)    A person who sells or offers to sell a fine print shall disclose the following information:
(1)    The year when printed and the name of the artist;
(2)    Whether the print is a part of a limited edition and, if it is:
(i)    The authorized maximum number of numbered or signed prints, or both, in the edition;
(ii)    The authorized maximum number of unnumbered or unsigned prints, or both, in the edition;
(iii)    Any authorized maximum number of artist’s, publisher’s, printer’s or other proofs, exclusive of trial proofs, outside the regular edition; and
(iv)    The total size of the edition;
(3)    Whether the plate has been destroyed, effaced, altered, defaced, or canceled after the current edition;
(4)    If there were any prior plates of the same master image:
(i)    The total number of plates; and
(ii)    A designation of the plate from which the print was taken;
(5)    If there were any prior or later editions from the same plate:
(i)    The series number of the edition of which the print is a part; and
(ii)    The aggregate size of all other editions;
(6)    Whether the edition is a posthumous edition or restrike and, if it is, whether the plate has been reworked; and
(7)    The name of any workshop where the edition was printed.
(b)    If the person lacks knowledge as to any information required to be disclosed by this section, he shall disclaim that knowledge specifically with regard to each of these items of information so that the purchaser is able to judge the degree of uniqueness or scarcity of each print.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 5 - Fine Prints › Section 14-505 - Remedies

(a)    A person who sells a fine print in violation of this subtitle is liable to the purchaser, on tender by the purchaser of the print, for its purchase price, with interest from the date of payment of the purchase price.
(b)    A person who sells a fine print in willfull violation of this subtitle is liable to the purchaser, on tender by the purchaser of the print, for an amount equal to three times the sum of the purchase price and interest from the date of payment of the purchase price.
(c)    An action may not be maintained under this section unless brought within one year after discovery of the violation on which it is based and, in no event, more than three years after the print was sold.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 6 - Gold and Silver › Section 14-601 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Package” includes a box, cover, or wrapper.
(c)    “Person” means an individual, corporation, business trust, statutory trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, two or more persons having a joint or common interest, or any other legal or commercial entity.
(d)    “Sell” includes offer to sell.
(e)    “Stamped” includes branded, engraved, or imprinted.
(f)    “Tag” includes a card or label.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 6 - Gold and Silver › Section 14-602 - Gold Merchandise in General

(a)    A person may not sell, manufacture for sale, or possess with intent to sell any item of merchandise made in whole or in part of gold or a gold alloy, which has stamped on it, on a tag attached to it, or on a package in which it is contained, any mark which indicates or is designed or intended to indicate that the gold or gold alloy in the item is greater than its actual degree of fineness, unless the actual fineness of the gold or gold alloy:
(1)    In the case of flatware or a watch case, is not less than the fineness indicated by the mark by more than 0.003 parts; or
(2)    In the case of any other article, is not less than the fineness indicated by the mark by more than one-half karat.
(b)    For purposes of this section, in any assay or test undertaken to ascertain the fineness of gold or gold alloy in any item, the part of the gold or gold alloy used may not contain or have attached to it any solder or alloy of inferior fineness used to braze or unite the parts of the item.
(c)    With respect to any item other than flatware or a watch case, in addition to the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the actual fineness of all gold, gold alloy, and solder or alloy of inferior fineness used to braze or unite the parts of the item shall be assayed as one piece and may not be less than the fineness indicated by the mark by more than one karat.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 6 - Gold and Silver › Section 14-603 - "Gold Plate" and Similar Gold Content Merchandise

A person may not sell, manufacture for sale, or possess with intent to sell any item of merchandise made in whole or in part of inferior metal which has deposited or plated on it or brazed or otherwise affixed to it a plate, plating, covering, or sheet of gold or gold alloy, and which has stamped on it, on a tag attached to it, or on a package in which it is contained, any word or mark usually employed to indicate the fineness of gold, unless the word or mark is accompanied by other words which plainly indicate that the item or some part of it is made of rolled gold plate, gold plate, or gold electroplate or is gold filled, as the case may be.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 6 - Gold and Silver › Section 14-604 - Silver Merchandise -- in General

(a)    A person may not sell, manufacture for sale, or possess with intent to sell any item of merchandise made in whole or in part of silver or a silver alloy, which has stamped on it, on a tag attached to it, or on a package in which it is contained, any mark or word, other than the word “sterling” or “coin”, which indicates or is designed or intended to indicate that the silver or silver alloy in the item is greater than its actual degree of fineness, unless the actual fineness of the silver or silver alloy is not less than the fineness indicated by the mark or word by more than 0.004 parts.
(b)    For purposes of this section, in any assay or test undertaken to ascertain the fineness of the silver or silver alloy in an item, the part of the silver or silver alloy used may not contain or have attached to it any solder or alloy of inferior fineness used to braze or unite the parts of the item.
(c)    In addition to the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the actual fineness of all silver, silver alloy, and solder or alloy of inferior fineness used to braze or unite the parts of the item shall be assayed as one piece and may not be less than the fineness indicated by the mark by more than 0.010 parts.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 6 - Gold and Silver › Section 14-605 - Silver Merchandise -- "Sterling Silver"

(a)    A person may not sell, manufacture for sale, or possess with intent to sell any item of merchandise made in whole or in part of silver or a silver alloy, which has stamped on it, on a tag attached to it, or on a package in which it is contained, the words “sterling silver”, “sterling”, or any colorable imitation of them, unless at least 0.925 of the component parts of the metal which appear or purport to be silver and of which the item is manufactured are pure silver.
(b)    A divergence of 0.004 parts from the standard required by subsection (a) of this section is permitted.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 6 - Gold and Silver › Section 14-606 - Silver Merchandise -- "Coin Silver"

(a)    A person may not sell, manufacture for sale, or possess with intent to sell any item of merchandise made in whole or in part of silver or a silver alloy, which has stamped on it, on a tag attached to it, or on a package in which it is contained, the words “coin silver”, “coin”, or any colorable imitation of them, unless at least 0.900 of the component parts of the metal which appear or purport to be silver and of which the item is manufactured are pure silver.
(b)    A divergence of 0.004 parts from the standard required by subsection (a) of this section is permitted.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 6 - Gold and Silver › Section 14-607 - "Silver Plate" and Similar Silver Content Merchandise

A person may not sell, manufacture for sale, or possess with intent to sell any item of merchandise made in whole or in part of inferior metal which has deposited or plated on it or brazed or otherwise affixed to it a plate, plating, covering, or sheet of silver or silver alloy, and which has stamped on it, on a tag attached to it, or on a package in which it is contained, the word “sterling” or “coin”, alone or in conjunction with any other word or mark.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 6 - Gold and Silver › Section 14-608 - Penalty; Exception

(a)    Any person who violates any provision of this subtitle, and each of his managers, managing agents, directors, or officers who directly participates in a violation or consents to a violation, is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding three months or both.
(b)    It is a defense to any prosecution brought under this subtitle that the item concerning which the prosecution is brought was manufactured before July 1, 1912.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 7 - Secondhand Watches › Section 14-701 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Consumer” means a person who buys for his own use or for the use of another but not for resale.
(c)    “County” includes Baltimore City.
(d)    “Person” includes an individual, corporation, business trust, statutory trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, two or more persons having a joint or common interest, or any other legal or commercial entity.
(e)    “Secondhand watch” means:
(1)    A watch or the case or movement of a watch which has been sold previously to a consumer; or
(2)    Any watch of which the case or movement serial number or other distinguishing number or identification mark has been erased, defaced, removed, altered, or covered.
(f)    “Sell” includes exchange or offer or display for sale or exchange.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 7 - Secondhand Watches › Section 14-702 - Applicability of Subtitle

(a)    This subtitle does not apply to a secondhand watch which has been sold previously to a consumer and is returned to the seller within 30 calendar days for a refund, credit, or exchange in an amount equal to the full amount of the purchase price, if the seller keeps a written record which sets forth:
(1)    The name and address of the consumer;
(2)    The dates of the sale to and the return by the consumer;
(3)    The name of the watch or its maker; and
(4)    The serial number or, if none, any other distinguishing number or identification mark on the case and on the movement of the watch.
(b)    The seller shall keep the record on file for at least three years from the date of the sale of the watch. The file shall be open for inspection during all business hours by the State’s Attorney of the county in which the seller engages in business.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 7 - Secondhand Watches › Section 14-703 - Tag Required on Secondhand Watch

Any person, his agent, or employee who sells or possesses with intent to sell a secondhand watch shall affix and keep affixed to it a tag with the word “secondhand” legibly written on it in the English language.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 7 - Secondhand Watches › Section 14-704 - Invoice Required; Record

(a)    Any person, his agent, or employee who sells or possesses with intent to sell a secondhand watch shall deliver to the buyer a written invoice which sets forth:
(1)    The name and address of the seller;
(2)    The name and address of the buyer;
(3)    The date of the sale;
(4)    The name of the watch or its maker;
(5)    The serial number or, if none, any other distinguishing number or identification mark on the case and the movement of the watch; and
(6)    Whether any serial number or any other distinguishing number or identification mark has been erased, defaced, removed, altered, or covered.
(b)    The seller of a secondhand watch shall keep a duplicate of the invoice on file for at least one year from the date of the sale of the watch. The file shall be open for inspection during all business hours by the State’s Attorney of the county in which the seller engages in business.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 8 - Used Radio and Television Sets › Section 14-801 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Person” includes an individual, corporation, business trust, statutory trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, two or more persons having a joint or common interest, or any other legal or commercial entity.
(c)    (1)    “Used radio or television set” means any radio set or television set which is used, rebuilt, reconditioned, or repossessed.
(2)    “Used radio or television set” does not include any set which is:
(i)    Advertised or described and sold as antique goods; or
(ii)    Returned by a retail customer if the sale price is canceled, refunded, or fully credited.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 8 - Used Radio and Television Sets › Section 14-802 - Advertising and Sales

Any person, his agent, employee, or sales representative who offers for sale to the public any used radio or television set shall:
(1)    State clearly in any advertisement of the set that it is “used”, “rebuilt”, “reconditioned”, “repossessed”, or “rebranded and used”, as the case may be; and
(2)    Affix to the set a tag or sticker which states that it is “used”, “rebuilt”, “reconditioned”, “repossessed”, or “rebranded and used”, as the case may be.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 8 - Used Radio and Television Sets › Section 14-803 - Penalty; Presumption

(a)    Any person who, with the intent to deceive a potential purchaser, violates any provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000.
(b)    A person is presumed to have the requisite intent to deceive if he fails to comply with any provision of this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 9 - Kosher Products › Part I - Definitions › Section 14-901 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Advertisement” has the meaning stated in § 13-101(b) of this article.
(c)    “Disclosure statement” means the form provided by the Attorney General for the purpose of disclosing to consumers practices relating to the preparation, handling, and sale of any unpackaged food represented to be kosher, kosher for Passover, or prepared or maintained under rabbinical or other kosher supervision.
(d)    “Division” means the Division of Consumer Protection of the Office of the Attorney General.
(e)    (1)    “Food” or “food product” means any food, food product, or food preparation, whether:
(i)    Raw, solid or liquid; or
(ii)    Prepared for human consumption.
(2)    “Food” or “food product” includes:
(i)    Any meat, meat product, or meat preparation;
(ii)    Any milk, milk product, or milk preparation;
(iii)    Any poultry or poultry product; and
(iv)    Any alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverage.
(f)    “Kosher” includes foods prepared for the festival of Passover and termed as “kosher for Passover”.
(g)    “Meat” includes any meat product or meat preparation.
(h)    (1)    “Mezuzah” means the Jewish religious article that, according to Jewish law, is designed to be attached to the doorpost of a room in a home.
(2)    “Mezuzah” includes:
(i)    The parchment or other material on which passages from the Bible are to be written; and
(ii)    The writing on that parchment or other material.
(i)    “Person” includes an individual, corporation, business trust, statutory trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, two or more persons having a joint or common interest, or any other legal or commercial entity.
(j)    “Poultry” includes any poultry product or poultry preparation.
(k)    (1)    “Represents to the public” means any direct or indirect statement, orally or written, and any letter, word, sign, emblem, insignia, or mark which could reasonably lead a consumer to believe that a representation is being made that the final food product sold to the consumer is kosher, kosher for Passover, or prepared or maintained under rabbinical or other kosher supervision.
(2)    “Represents to the public” includes any advertisement.
(l)    (1)    “Tefillin” means the Jewish religious article, also known as “phylacteries”, that, according to Jewish law, is designed to be worn on the upper arm and head during morning prayers.
(2)    “Tefillin” includes:
(i)    The parchment or other material on which passages from the Bible are to be written;
(ii)    The writing on that parchment or other material;
(iii)    The capsules in which the parchment or other material is contained; and
(iv)    The straps attached to the capsules.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 9 - Kosher Products › Part II - Food Products › Section 14-903 - Advertisement of Place of Business or Food Products

A person may not advertise any food for sale or any place of business as being under rabbinical or other kosher supervision unless the advertisement identifies the name of the rabbi or other person that supervises or otherwise certifies the product or place of business as kosher.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 9 - Kosher Products › Part II - Food Products › Section 14-904 - Identification of Packaged Food Products

(a)    In this section, “packaged food product” means a food product that:
(1)    In advance of sale, is put up or packaged, in any manner, in units suitable for retail sale; and
(2)    Is not intended for consumption at its point of manufacture.
(b)    A person may not sell or offer for sale, as kosher, kosher for Passover, or as being under rabbinical or other kosher supervision any packaged food product unless:
(1)    It has a kosher identification securely attached to the outside of the package; and
(2)    This identification was attached to the package by the producer or packer of the product at his place of business.
(c)    Subsection (b) of this section applies to any packaged food product that is marked or identified with:
(1)    In any language, the words “kosher”, “parve”, “glatt”, or “rabbinical supervision”;
(2)    Any other word or symbol representing to the public that the product is kosher, kosher for Passover, or under rabbinical or other kosher supervision; or
(3)    The English letters “K”, “KP”, “KD”, “KM”, “KF”, “KOS”, or “RS”, except as part of a registered trademark.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 9 - Kosher Products › Part III - Mezuzahs and Tefillin › Section 14-905 - Identification

(a)    The manufacturer or importer of any mezuzah or tefillin represented as kosher or as produced under rabbinical or other supervision may not sell the product or offer it for sale unless the following information is printed legibly on the package of the product or on a label securely attached to the product:
(1)    The name and address of the manufacturer or importer; and
(2)    If the mezuzah or tefillin, in the form reasonably expected to be sold at retail, is not intended to be represented as kosher, the word “nonkosher”.
(b)    A person may not sell or offer for sale at retail any mezuzah or tefillin represented to the public as kosher or as produced under rabbinical supervision that does not have on or attached to it the information required by subsection (a) of this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 10 - Automotive Repair Facilities › Section 14-1001 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Automotive repair facility” means any person who diagnoses or corrects malfunctions of a motor vehicle for financial profit.
(c)    “Motor vehicle” has the meaning stated in Title 11 of the Transportation Article.
(d)    “Person” includes an individual, corporation, business trust, statutory trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, two or more persons having a joint or common interest, or any other legal or commercial entity.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 10 - Automotive Repair Facilities › Section 14-1002 - Written Estimate for Repair Work

(a)    (1)    Before beginning any repair work on a motor vehicle for which a customer is charged more than $50, an automotive repair facility shall give the customer on the customer’s request a written statement which contains:
(i)    The estimated completion date;
(ii)    The estimated price for labor and parts necessary to complete the work;
(iii)    A clear statement that while the customer’s motor vehicle is on the premises of the automotive repair facility, the automotive repair facility may not be responsible for damage to the customer’s motor vehicle under certain circumstances, and that the customer should ask a representative of the automotive repair facility about the extent of its responsibility, including the extent of the insurance coverage of the automotive repair facility; and
(iv)    The estimated surcharge, if any.
(2)    If the fee is disclosed to the customer before the estimate is made, the automotive repair facility may charge a reasonable fee for making the estimate.
(b)    An automotive repair facility may not charge a customer without his consent any amount which exceeds the written estimate by 10 percent.
(c)    An automotive repair facility is not liable for breach of the written estimated completion date for a repair if the delay is caused by:
(1)    An act of God;
(2)    Strike;
(3)    Unexpected illness; or
(4)    Unexpected shortage of labor or parts.
(d)    This section does not require an automotive repair facility to give a written estimate if the facility does not agree to perform the requested repair work.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 10 - Automotive Repair Facilities › Section 14-1003 - Required Invoice

(a)    An automotive repair facility shall prepare an invoice which describes:
(1)    All work done by it, including all warranty work; and
(2)    All parts supplied by it.
(b)    The invoice shall state clearly:
(1)    If any used, rebuilt, or reconditioned parts have been supplied or if a part of a component system supplied is composed of used, rebuilt, or reconditioned parts; and
(2)    That while a customer’s motor vehicle is on the premises of the automotive repair facility, the automotive repair facility may not be responsible for damage to the customer’s motor vehicle under certain circumstances, and that the customer should ask a representative of the automotive repair facility about the extent of its responsibility, including the extent of the insurance coverage of the automotive repair facility.
(c)    The invoice shall include the following notice:
“Manufacturer Special Policy Adjustment Programs
Federal law requires manufacturers to furnish the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (N.H.T.S.A.) with bulletins describing any defects in their vehicles. You may obtain copies of these bulletins from either the manufacturer or N.H.T.S.A. In addition, certain consumer publications or organizations publish this information, which may be available for a fee or for free.”
(d)    After the customer signs the invoice, the automotive repair facility shall give the customer a copy of it and retain a copy.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 10 - Automotive Repair Facilities › Section 14-1004 - Replaced Parts to Be Returned to Customer

(a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, an automotive repair facility shall tender return of all replaced parts to the customer.
(b)    Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to replaced parts which are required to be returned to the manufacturer or distributor under a warranty agreement.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 10 - Automotive Repair Facilities › Section 14-1008 - Repair Authorizations

(a)    Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, before beginning any repair work on a motor vehicle, an automotive repair facility shall give the customer a copy of a form used for authorization of repairs which shall inform the customer of the following rights:
(1)    That a customer:
(i)    May request a written estimate for repairs which cost in excess of $50; and
(ii)    May not be charged any amount ten percent in excess of the written estimate without the customer’s consent;
(2)    That the customer is entitled to the return of any replaced parts except when parts are required to be returned to the manufacturer under a warranty agreement; and
(3)    That repairs not originally authorized by the customer may not be charged to the customer without the customer’s consent.
(b)    The customer’s rights provided in subsection (a) of this section shall be:
(1)    Displayed immediately before the space for the signature of the customer conspicuously in easily readable type;
(2)    Physically separated from the other terms of the form used for authorization of repairs; and
(3)    Listed under the printed heading “Customer’s Rights”.
(c)    (1)    An automotive repair facility may inform the customer orally of the customer’s rights if:
(i)    The customer’s motor vehicle is towed to the automotive repair facility for repair; or
(ii)    The customer leaves the vehicle for repair at the repair facility when the facility is not open.
(2)    Under this subsection, if any automotive repair facility informs a customer orally of the customer’s rights, the facility shall record in writing:
(i)    The name of the person notified;
(ii)    The date and time of the notification; and
(iii)    The signature of the person who made the notification.
(d)    The authorization form shall include the following notice:
“Manufacturer Special Policy Adjustment Programs
Federal law requires manufacturers to furnish the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (N.H.T.S.A.) with bulletins describing any defects in their vehicles. You may obtain copies of these bulletins from either the manufacturer or N.H.T.S.A. In addition, certain consumer publications or organizations publish this information, which may be available for a fee or for free.”
(e)    The authorization form shall include a clear statement that while the customer’s motor vehicle is on the premises of the automotive repair facility, the automotive repair facility may not be responsible for damage to the customer’s motor vehicle under certain circumstances, and that the customer should ask a representative of the automotive repair facility about the extent of its responsibility, including the extent of the insurance coverage of the automotive repair facility.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 11 - Layaway Sales › Section 14-1103 - Contents of Agreement

(a)    A layaway agreement shall include:
(1)    The full name, place of residence, and post office address of each party to it;
(2)    The date when signed by the buyer;
(3)    A clear description of the consumer goods sold sufficient to identify them readily;
(4)    The cash price of the consumer goods sold;
(5)    All charges for delivery, installation, or repair of or other services to the consumer goods which, separate from the cash price, are included in the layaway agreement;
(6)    The sum of the cash price in item (4) of this subsection and the charges for services in item (5) of this subsection;
(7)    The amount of the buyer’s down payment, together with:
(i)    A statement of the respective amounts credited for cash, credits, and the agreed value of any goods traded in; and
(ii)    A description of all goods traded sufficient to identify them;
(8)    The unpaid balance of the cash price payable by the buyer to the seller, which is the sum specified in item (6) of this subsection less the amount in item (7) of this subsection;
(9)    The service charge;
(10)    The total of payments owed by the buyer to the seller, which is the sum of items (8) and (9) of this subsection, the number of installment payments required to pay it, and the amount and time of each payment;
(11)    The layaway price, which is the sum of items (6) and (9) of this subsection; and
(12)    A clear and concise statement of all consequences of buyer’s default.
(b)    Subsection (a)(4) through (12) of this section does not apply to any layaway sale subject to the disclosure provisions of the federal Truth in Lending Act if the seller complies with the applicable disclosure provisions of the federal act and its regulation.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 11 - Layaway Sales › Section 14-1104 - Duties of Seller

(a)    At or before the time the buyer signs a layaway agreement, the seller shall give him an exact copy signed by the seller.
(b)    Upon execution of a layaway agreement, the seller shall hold for the buyer or agree to deliver to the buyer on a date mutually acceptable to both parties, the consumer goods or consumer goods that are identical to those originally selected by the buyer, as long as the buyer complies with all of the terms of the layaway agreement.
(c)    (1)    The seller shall permit the buyer to cancel a layaway agreement, without any penalty or obligation, within 7 calendar days from the date of the layaway agreement.
(2)    If the buyer cancels the layaway agreement as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the seller shall:
(i)    Refund all payments made under the layaway agreement; and
(ii)    Return, in substantially as good condition as when received by the seller, any goods or property traded in.
(d)    (1)    If a payment is made on account of a layaway agreement, the seller shall give the buyer on his request, or, if payment is made in cash, without request, a complete written receipt for the payment; and
(2)    If the buyer requests information on the status of his account, the seller, within 10 days after the request at the place of business where the layaway sale was made, shall give the buyer a written statement setting forth:
(i)    The layaway price;
(ii)    The total amount paid by the buyer to date; and
(iii)    The total amount remaining due to the seller.
(e)    After the buyer has made all payments to the seller in accordance with the layaway agreement, the seller shall deliver to the buyer the consumer goods or consumer goods that are identical to those originally selected by the buyer.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 11 - Layaway Sales › Section 14-1105 - Increasing or Reducing Price

(a)    The seller may not increase the layaway price of the consumer goods sold under a layaway agreement.
(b)    If, within 10 calendar days after the execution of a layaway agreement, the seller reduces the selling price of existing items in his stock or inventory identical to those being held for a buyer, the seller shall credit the buyer for the difference between the original layaway price and the reduced price.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 11 - Layaway Sales › Section 14-1106 - Default by Buyer; Cancellation of Agreement Before Default

(a)    The buyer is in default under a layaway agreement whenever 15 days has lapsed from the scheduled date on which the buyer failed to make a required payment.
(b)    If the buyer defaults under subsection (a) of this section, the seller may immediately cancel the layaway agreement and recover from the buyer liquidated damages under subsection (c) of this section or § 14–1107 of this subtitle, as applicable.
(c)    If the buyer defaults under a layaway agreement 8 or more calendar days after the date of its execution, the seller may retain as liquidated damages an amount not to exceed 10 percent of the layaway price or the total amount paid by the buyer to the date of default, whichever is less.
(d)    Unless otherwise provided in the layaway agreement, subsection (c) of this section does not apply if the buyer defaults under a special order transaction.
(e)    Except as provided in § 14–1104(c) of this subtitle, at any time before delivery or tender of delivery, and before default by the buyer, the layaway agreement may be canceled by the buyer. However, the seller may retain from the refund due the buyer liquidated damages in an amount which is the lesser of 10 percent of the layaway price or the total amount paid by the buyer to the date of cancellation.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 11 - Layaway Sales › Section 14-1107 - Rights and Remedies of Seller Upon Default Under Special Order Transaction

If the buyer defaults under a special order transaction, the seller may exercise all rights and remedies available at either law or equity, including those rights and remedies as provided in the Uniform Commercial Code, Title 2 “Sales,” Subtitle 7 “Remedies,” of this article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 11 - Layaway Sales › Section 14-1109 - Noncompliance or Violations by Seller

(a)    If the seller fails to comply with § 14-1102, § 14-1103, or § 14-1104 of this subtitle, the buyer, before delivery by the seller and acceptance by the buyer of consumer goods purchased under a layaway agreement, may cancel the layaway agreement and receive from the seller a refund of all payments made under the layaway agreement and the return of any goods or property traded in.
(b)    Any seller who makes a layaway sale in violation of this subtitle is liable to the buyer for a penalty amount equal to three times the amount paid by the buyer under the layaway agreement, plus reasonable attorney’s fees. Any seller who demonstrates that a violation was nonwillful is not liable for the penalty or attorney’s fees. The penalty provided in this subsection is in addition to that provided in subsection (a) of this section.
(c)    If the Division of Consumer Protection, Office of the Attorney General has reason to believe that any seller has violated any provision of this subtitle, the Division may institute a proceeding under Title 13 of this article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 12 - Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies › Part I - General Provisions › Section 14-1202 - Permissible Purposes of Consumer Reports; Restrictions on Sale or Transfer

(a)    Subject to subsection (b) of this section and § 14-1205 of this subtitle, a consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report under the following circumstances and no other:
(1)    In response to the order of a court having jurisdiction to issue the order;
(2)    In accordance with the written instructions of the consumer to whom it relates; or
(3)    To a person which the agency has reason to believe:
(i)    Intends to use the information in connection with a credit transaction involving the consumer on whom the information is to be furnished and involving the extension of credit to, or review or collection of an account of, the consumer;
(ii)    Intends to use the information for employment purposes;
(iii)    Intends to use the information in connection with the underwriting of insurance involving the consumer;
(iv)    Intends to use the information in connection with a determination of the consumer’s eligibility for a license or other benefit granted by a governmental instrumentality required by law to consider an applicant’s financial responsibility or status; or
(v)    Otherwise has a legitimate business need for the information in connection with a business transaction involving the consumer.
(b)    If the consumer reporting agency receives written notice from the consumer restricting the sale or other transfer of information in the consumer’s file, the consumer reporting agency may not sell, offer to sell, or furnish information in the consumer’s file to:
(1)    A mail-service organization;
(2)    A marketing firm; or
(3)    Any other similar organization that obtains information about a consumer for marketing purposes.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Commercial Law › Title 14 - Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions › Subtitle 12 - Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies › Part I - General Provisions › Section 14-1203 - Reporting of Obsolete Information Prohibited

(a)    Except as authorized under subsection (b) of this section, no consumer reporting agency may make any consumer report containing any of the following items of information:
(1)    Bankruptcies which, from date of adjudication of the most recent bankruptcy, antedate the report by more than 10 years;
(2)    Suits and judgments which, from date of entry, antedate the report by more than seven years or until the governing statute of limitations has expired, whichever is the longer period;
(3)    Paid tax liens which, from date of payment, antedate the report by more than seven years;
(4)    Accounts placed for collection or charged to profit and loss which antedate the report by more than seven years;
(5)    Records of arrest, indictment, or conviction of crime which, from date of disposition, release, or parole, antedate the report by more than seven years; or
(6)    Any other adverse item of information which antedates the report by more than seven years.
(b)    The provisions of subsection (a) of this section are not applicable in the case of any consumer credit report to be used in connection with:
(1)    A credit transaction involving, or which may reasonably be expected to involve, a principal amount of $50,000 or more;
(2)    The underwriting of life insurance involving, or which may reasonably be expected to involve, a face amount of $50,000 or more; or
(3)    The employment of any individual at an annual salary which equals, or which may reasonably be expected to equal, $20,000 or more.