Marvin Mandel, Governor

1699

(b) The Administrator of Loan Laws COMMISSIONER OF
SMALL LOANS shall have the power to investigate any complaint
arising out of a retail credit account transaction pursuant to Section
162 of this article.

(c) The Administrator of Loan Laws shall have, in addition to

all other powers conferred upon him by this subtitle, the power to

issue orders directed to holders, sellers of financial institution to
cease and desist from a course of conduct if he shall find, after notice
and hearing, that the course of conduct of the holder, seller or financial

institution results in an evasion or violation of any provisions of

this subtitle IF, AFTER A HEARING HELD IN ACCORDANCE
WITH SECTION 162 OF THIS ARTICLE SUBSEQUENT TO AT
LEAST TEN DAYS' WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE COMPLAINT
AND THE TIME AND PLACE OF THE HEARING TO THE PER-
SONS BY REGISTERED MAIL TO HIS PRINCIPAL PLACE OF
BUSINESS, THE COMMISSIONER FINDS THAT THE PERSON
HAS ENGAGED OR IS ENGAGING IN ANY ACT OR PRACTICE
PROHIBITED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE, THE COMMISSIONER
SHALL ORDER THE PERSON TO CEASE AND DESIST FROM
THE ACTS OR PRACTICES.

(d) Any buyer having reason to believe that this subtitle, or

any other law regulating retail credit accounts, has been violated

by any person may file with the Administrator a written complaint

setting forth the details of such alleged violation. Upon receipt

of such complaint, the Administrator, or any person duly designated

by him, may inspect the pertinent books, records, letters and con-

tracts of any holder, seller, or financial or other person

involved, relating to such specific written complaint THE CEASE
AND DESIST ORDER SHALL COMPLY WITH SECTION 254
OF ARTICLE 41 OF THIS CODE. THE ORDER SHALL BE-
COME FINAL UPON EXPIRATION OF THE TIME ALLOWED
FOR APPEALS FROM THE COMMISSIONER'S ORDERS PUR-
SUANT TO SECTIONS 255 AND 256 OF ARTICLE 41 IF NO
APPEAL IS TAKEN, OR, IN EVENT OF AN APPEAL, UPON
FINAL DECISION OF THE COURT IF THE COURT AFFIRMS
THE COMMISSIONER'S ORDER OR DISMISSES THE APPEAL.

   (e) The Administrator, or any deputy designated by him, shall

have the power to hold hearings upon such complaints and to deter-

mine the time and place in this State, reasonably convenient to the

parties involved, where they shall be held; to subpoena witnesses;

to take depositions of witnesses residing without the State, in the

manner provided for in civil actions in courts of record; to pay such

witnesses the fees and mileage for their attendance provided for

witnesses in civil actions in courts of record; and to administer

oaths. In case of failure of any person to comply with any lawful

order or subpoena of the Administrator, or upon the refusal of any

witness to appear and testify to any matter regarding which he

may be lawfully interrogated, upon petition of the Administrator
setting forth the facts, it shall be the duty of the circuit court of any

county or any civil court of Baltimore City, or any judge thereof in

vacation, to compel obedience to the requirements of such subpoena
or order and to compel the production of necessary and proper books,
accounts, papers, records, contracts, forms, files, and other evidence.

In case of failure, refusal, or neglect of any person to comply with

the order of said court or judge, such person shall be punished as