2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 29 - Prohibited Acts; Penalties › Section 29-101.1 - License Requirement to Provide or Assist in Providing Plumbing Services or Fuel Gas Services -- Basis for Denial, Suspension, or Revocation of License

(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)    (i)    “Provide fuel gas services” means to install, maintain, alter, repair, remove, or replace propane or natural gas piping, gas utilization equipment, gas–fired equipment, appliances, or appurtenances in connection with a propane or natural gas supply system downstream of the point of delivery of the gas.
(ii)    “Provide fuel gas services” does not include the installation, maintenance, alteration, repair, removal, or replacement of any of the following with respect to a plumbing water supply and drainage system:
1.    fixtures that require additional energy sources, including clothes washers, dishwashers, food grinders, humidifiers, ice pumps, sterilizers, water coolers, and water heaters; or
2.    operational devices, including aerators, backflow preventers, expansion tanks, filters, flow controls, heat exchangers, interceptors, meters, separators, and relief valves.
(3)    (i)    “Provide plumbing services” means to install, maintain, extend, alter, or remove piping, a plumbing fixture, a plumbing appliance, a plumbing appurtenance, or other plumbing apparatus:
1.    within or adjacent to a building, structure, or property; and
2.    in connection with:
A.    a public or private disposal system, sanitary drainage facility, or storm drainage facility;
B.    a venting system; or
C.    a public or private water supply system.
(ii)    Except for the first connection to a potable water supply that is downstream of a backflow preventer and the final connection that discharges indirectly into a public or private disposal system, sanitary drainage facility, or storm drainage facility, “provide plumbing services” does not include using piping, equipment, or material only for:
1.    environmental control;
2.    the incorporation of a liquid or a gas into a product or a process, including product development, in the manufacturing or storage of a product;
3.    the installation, alteration, repair, or removal of an automatic sprinkler system, related apparatus, or standpipe that is used only for fire protection; or
4.    an overhead or underground fire line beginning from where water is used only for fire protection.
(b)    A person may not provide, attempt to provide, or offer to provide plumbing services in any area of Montgomery County or Prince George’s County under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Commission without a license from the Commission.
(c)    A person may not assist, attempt to assist, or offer to assist in providing fuel gas services in any area of Montgomery County or Prince George’s County under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Commission without a license from the Commission.
(d)    (1)    Subject to the provisions of § 10–226(c) of the State Government Article and paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Commission’s Plumbing and Fuel Gas Board may deny a license to any applicant, reprimand a licensee, or suspend or revoke a license if the licensee:
(i)    fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a license or permit for the applicant or licensee or for another;
(ii)    fraudulently or deceptively uses a license;
(iii)    is guilty of gross negligence, incompetence, or misconduct while providing plumbing or fuel gas services or assisting in providing plumbing or fuel gas services;
(iv)    is guilty of violating the Commission’s plumbing and fuel gas regulations adopted under Title 17, Subtitle 4 of this article while providing plumbing or fuel gas services or assisting in providing plumbing or fuel gas services; or
(v)    is guilty of an unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice, as defined in § 13–301 of the Commercial Law Article.
(2)    (i)    In lieu of or in addition to reprimanding a licensee or suspending or revoking a license under paragraph (1) of this subsection, and in addition to the provisions of § 29–101 of this title, the Commission’s Plumbing and Fuel Gas Board may impose a penalty not exceeding $5,000 for each violation.
(ii)    To determine the amount of the penalty imposed under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the Board shall consider:
1.    the seriousness of the violation;
2.    the harm caused by the violation;
3.    the good faith of the licensee; and
4.    any history of previous violations by the licensee.