1386                            JOINT RESOLUTIONS

Recent disclosures of possible abuses in the field of second mort-
gage financing have served to point up the need for some type of
overall consumer protection in Maryland.

Maryland, of course, now does a great deal to protect the consumer.
Through the Peoples' Counsel, for example, the consumer's interest is
protected in public utility matters; the Department of Weights and
Measures provides protection from short weights for the marketing
housewife; the Securities Commission guards against the sale of
spurious stocks to the public; the Home Improvement Commission
has eliminated much fraudulent practice in this area; the Savings
and Loan Industry is now closely regulated, and there is excellent
work accomplished by private agencies such as the Better Business
Bureau and other consumer organizations.

There still, however, is no governmental agency suitably empow-
ered to investigate and deal with many instances in which the public,
as consumers, are defrauded of their money or have undue advantage
taken of them.

An Office of Consumer Protection would be helpful not only to the
buying public, but also to reputable retailers, service institutions,
and lending firms, by helping to keep out of our State that small
element of business seeking gain by shady and illegal practices.

The functions of the Office of Consumer Protection would be:

(1)    To educate the public as to nefarious schemes which may
from time to time be foisted upon the public.

(2)    To recommend to the Governor and the General Assembly
legislation to protect the public from fraudulent promoters and the
schemes which they propose.

(3)    To study consumer problems generally from the standpoint
of value received by the consumer and report periodically to the
public.

(4)    To make specific investigations concerning alleged fraudulent
practices and offer assistance to the Office of the State's Attorneys or
information to Grand Juries concerning such matters.

In order to function effectively, the office must be endowed with
subpoena powers so that it can call witnesses and question them under
oath. This would be essential to any effective operation.

Accordingly, the General Assembly is requesting that all these
matters be studied during the year 1966, and that the Office of the
Attorney General be requested to give such assistance and help as
possible; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the Legis-
lative Council is requesting during the year 1966, to add to its agenda
for study the proposal from the Attorney General of Maryland to
establish in some form or other an Office of Consumer Protection in
this State; and be it further

Resolved,, That the Legislative Council is requested to submit the
results of its study together with any recommendations it may deem
pertinent to the General Assembly of 1967.

Approved May 6, 1966.