2023 Maryland Statutes › Insurance › Title 10 - Regulation of Insurance Professions › Subtitle 1 - Insurance Producers › Section 10-126 - Denials, Suspensions, Revocations, and Refusals to Renew or Reinstate; Penalties

(a)    The Commissioner may deny a license to an applicant under §§ 2–210 through 2–214 of this article, or suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew or reinstate a license after notice and opportunity for hearing under §§ 2–210 through 2–214 of this article if the applicant or holder of the license:
(1)    has willfully violated this article or another law of the State that relates to insurance;
(2)    has intentionally misrepresented or concealed a material fact in the application for a license;
(3)    has obtained or attempted to obtain a license by misrepresentation, concealment, or other fraud;
(4)    has misappropriated, converted, or unlawfully withheld money belonging to an insurer, insurance producer, beneficiary, or insured;
(5)    has willfully and materially misrepresented the provisions of a policy;
(6)    has committed fraudulent or dishonest practices in the insurance business;
(7)    has participated, with or without the knowledge of an insurer, in selling motor vehicle insurance without an actual intent to sell the insurance, as evidenced by a persistent pattern of filing certificates of insurance together with or closely followed by cancellation notices for the insurance;
(8)    has been convicted by final judgment in any state or federal court of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude;
(9)    has knowingly participated in writing or issuing substantial over–insurance of property insurance risks;
(10)    has failed an examination required by this subtitle;
(11)    has willfully failed to comply with or has willfully violated a proper order, subpoena, or regulation of the Commissioner or the insurance regulatory authority of another state;
(12)    has failed or refused to pay over on demand money that belongs to an insurer, insurance producer, or other person entitled to the money;
(13)    has otherwise shown a lack of trustworthiness or competence to act as an insurance producer;
(14)    is not or does not intend to carry on business in good faith and represent to the public that the person is an insurance producer;
(15)    has been denied a license or certificate in another state or has had a license or certificate suspended or revoked in another state;
(16)    has intentionally or willfully made or issued, or caused to be made or issued, a statement that materially misrepresents or makes incomplete comparisons about the terms or conditions of a policy or contract issued by an authorized insurer, for the purpose of inducing or attempting to induce the owner of the policy or contract to forfeit or surrender it or allow it to lapse in order to replace it with another;
(17)    has transacted insurance business that was directed to the applicant or holder for consideration by a person whose license or certificate to engage in the insurance business at the time was suspended or revoked, and the applicant or holder knew or should have known of the suspension or revocation;
(18)    has solicited, procured, or negotiated insurance contracts for an unauthorized insurer, including contracts for nonprofit health service plans, dental plan organizations, and health maintenance organizations;
(19)    has knowingly employed or knowingly continued to employ an individual acting in a fiduciary capacity who has been convicted of a felony or crime of moral turpitude within the preceding 10 years;
(20)    has forged another’s name to an application for insurance or to any document related to an insurance transaction;
(21)    has improperly used notes or any other reference material to complete an examination for a license;
(22)    has failed to pay income tax or related interest or penalty under:
(i)    an assessment under the Tax – General Article that is final and no longer subject to review by the tax court; or
(ii)    an order of the tax court that is final and no longer subject to judicial review; or
(23)    in providing information under § 10–118 of this subtitle regarding the termination of an appointment with an insurer, has made an inaccurate statement with actual malice.
(b)    (1)    The Commissioner may deny a license to an applicant business entity under §§ 2–210 through 2–214 of this article, or suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew or reinstate a license of a business entity after notice and opportunity for hearing under §§ 2–210 through 2–214 of this article, if an individual listed in paragraph (2) of this subsection has:
(i)    violated any provision of this subtitle;
(ii)    been convicted of a felony, a crime of moral turpitude, or any criminal offense involving dishonesty or breach of trust; or
(iii)    had any professional license suspended or revoked for a fraudulent or dishonest practice.
(2)    This subsection applies in any case that involves a business entity if the violation was committed by an individual who is:
(i)    an insurance producer;
(ii)    1.    in the case of a limited liability company, an officer, director, member, or manager;
2.    in the case of a partnership, a partner; and
3.    in the case of a corporation, a director, officer, or owner; or
(iii)    an individual with direct control over the fiscal management of the business entity.
(c)    Instead of or in addition to suspending or revoking the license, the Commissioner may impose on the holder of the license a penalty of not less than $100 but not exceeding $500 for each violation of this article.
(d)    Instead of or in addition to suspending or revoking the license, the Commissioner may require that restitution be made to any citizen who has suffered financial injury because of the violation of this article.
(e)    If the license is suspended under this section, the Commissioner may require the individual to pass an examination and file a new application before the suspension is lifted.
(f)    (1)    Within 30 days after the final disposition of the matter, an insurance producer shall report to the Commissioner any adverse administrative action taken against the insurance producer:
(i)    in another jurisdiction; or
(ii)    by another governmental unit in this State.
(2)    The report shall include a copy of the order, consent order, and any other relevant legal documents.
(g)    (1)    (i)    In this subsection, the term “charging document” means a written accusation alleging that a defendant has committed an offense.
(ii)    In this subsection, the term “charging document” includes:
1.    a citation;
2.    an indictment;
3.    an information; and
4.    a statement of charges.
(2)    This subsection does not apply to a misdemeanor violation of the Maryland Vehicle Law or the vehicle law of another jurisdiction.
(3)    If an insurance producer is prosecuted for a crime in any jurisdiction, the insurance producer shall report the prosecution to the Commissioner within 30 days after the insurance producer’s initial appearance before a court, including an appearance before:
(i)    a judicial officer of the District Court due to an arrest;
(ii)    the District Court in response to a summons;
(iii)    the circuit court due to execution of a warrant; or
(iv)    the circuit court in person or by written notice of counsel in response to a summons.
(4)    The report shall include a copy of:
(i)    the charging document;
(ii)    any order issued by a court; and
(iii)    any other relevant legal documents.
(h)    An individual is subject to denial or suspension of a license under § 10–119.3 of the Family Law Article if the individual:
(1)    is in arrears in the payment of child support amounting to more than 120 days under the most recent order; or
(2)    has failed to comply with a subpoena issued by the Child Support Administration under § 10–108.6 of the Family Law Article.