SPIRO T. AGNEW, Governor                        771

CHAPTER 388
(Senate Bill 34)

ACT to add new Sections 19 to 28, 29, 27, inclusive, to Article 83
of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1965 Replacement Volume),
title "Sales and Notices", to follow immediately after Section 18
thereof, and to be under the new subtitle "Consumer Protection",
Office", creating a Consumer Protection Office DIVISION OF CON-
SUMER PROTECTION under the discretion and control of the
Attorney General of Maryland and generally providing its func-
tions and powers, GENERALLY RELATING TO CONTROL AND
REGULATION OF FRAUD AND FALSE ADVERTISING TO
CONSUMERS and providing for certain civil and criminal liabili-
ties for persons violating the provisions of this Act.

Whereas, there has been mounting concern over the increased
incidences of deceptive practices in connection with the sales of goods
and services in the State of Maryland; and

Whereas, certain merchants unfairly take advantage of an un-
suspecting public and thereby reap an undeserved profit; and

Whereas, such practices undermine the public confidence in those
supplying consumer goods and services, while actually a majority
of these businessmen operate with integrity and sincere regard for
their customers; and

Whereas, the people of Maryland should be protected from the
practices of a small minority of unscrupulous individuals and to rid
the State of the individuals would work to the advantage of the
honest businessmen of the State by raising public confidence in the
business community, therefore

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That new Sections 19 to 28, 29, 27, inclusive, be and they are hereby
added to Article 83 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1965 Re-
placement Volume), title "Sales and Notices", to follow immediately
after Section 18 thereof and to be under the new subtitle "Consumer
Protection", Office", and to read as follows:

Consumer Protection Office
19.

(a) There shall be created under the authority of the Attorney
General of Maryland, a Consumer Protection Office DIVISION OF
CONSUMER PROTECTION for the purposes as set forth under the
provisions of this Act. SUBTITLE.

20.

(a) Definitions.

(1) The term "advertisement" means the publication, dissemina-
tion, or circulation of any matter, oral or written, INCLUDING
LABELING, which tends to induce, directly or indirectly, any per-
son to enter into any obligation, sign any contract, or acquire any title
or interest in any merchandise or services AND INCLUDES EVERY
WORD DEVICE TO DISGUISE ANY FORM OF BUSINESS
SOLICITATION BY USING SUCH TERMS AS "RENEWAL,"