1942                                                LAWS OF MARYLAND                            [Ch. 573

PROMOTE THE INTEREST OF THE CONSUMER PUBLIC.

(5)    TO ASSIST, DEVELOP AND CONDUCT PROGRAMS
OF CONSUMER EDUCATION AND INFORMATION THROUGH PUBLIC
HEARINGS, MEETINGS, PUBLICATIONS OR OTHER MATERIALS
PREPARED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE CONSUMER PUBLIC OF THE
TRI-COUNTY AREA.

(6)    TO UNDERTAKE ACTIVITIES TO ENCOURAGE
LOCAL BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY TO MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARDS OF
HONESTY, FAIR BUSINESS PRACTICES AMD PUBLIC
RESPONSIBILITY IN THE PRODUCTION, PROMOTION AND SALE OF
CONSUMER GOODS AND SERVICES AND IN THE EXTENSION OF
CREDIT.

(7)    TO EXERCISE AND PERFORM SUCH OTHER
FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES CONSISTENT WITH THE PURPOSES OR
PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE WHICH MAY BE DEEMED NECESSARY
OR APPROPRIATE TO PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF
COUNTY CONSUMERS.

(8)    TO RENDER ANNUAL REPORTS AS TO THE
NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FILED, THE NATURE THEREOF AND THE
DISPOSITION THEREOF AND THE OTHER RELEVANT ACTIVITIES OF
THE BOARD UNDERTAKEN DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR TO THE
TRI-COUNTY COUNCIL.

(Q) ANY CONSUMER SUBJECTED TO AN UNLAWFUL, UNFAIR
OR DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE HAY FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE
BOARD IN WRITING STATING THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE
PERSON ALLEGED TO HAVE COMMITTED THE PARTICULAR TRADE
PRACTICE AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE BOARD.

(R) (1) UPON THE FILING OF A COMPLAINT THE BOARD
SHALL MAKE ANY INVESTIGATION IT DEEMS APPROPRIATE TO
ASCERTAIN FACTS AND ISSUES. WHENEVER APPROPRIATE THE
BOARD SHALL REFER A COMPLAINT TO THE STATE CONSUMER
PROTECTION DIVISION OF THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S
OFFICE OR TO THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. IF THE BOARD
DETERMINES THERE ARE REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE AN
UNLAWFUL, UNFAIR OR DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE HAS OCCURRED,
IT SHALL ATTEMPT TO CONCILIATE THE MATTER BY METHODS OF
INITIAL CONFERENCE AND PERSUASION WITH ALL INTERESTED
PARTIES AND ANY REPRESENTATIVES AS THE PARTIES MAY CHOOSE
TO ASSIST THEM. CONCILIATION CONFERENCES SHALL BE
INFORMAL AND NOT PUBLIC.

(2) THE TERMS OF CONCILIATION AGREED TO BY
THE PARTIES MAY BE REDUCED TO WRITING AND INCORPORATED
INTO A WRITTEN ASSURANCE OF DISCONTINUANCE OR SETTLEMENT
AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED BY THE PARTIES, WHICH WRITTEN
ASSURANCE OR AGREEMENT IS FOR CONCILIATION PURPOSES ONLY
AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN ADMISSION BY ANY PARTY THAT
THE LAW HAS BEEN VIOLATED. A WRITTEN ASSURANCE OF