2054                                          LAWS OF MARYLAND                      [Ch. 609

CHAPTER 609
(Senate Bill 392)
AM ACT concerning

Consumer Protection — Division of Consumer Protection

FOR the purpose of establishing certain legislative
purposes for changes in the consumer protection law
contained in this Act; adding certain term
definitions; eliminating certain provisions relating
to unlawful consumer practices; providing for the
liberal construction of consumer protection
provisions; providing for the creation of a Consumer
Council and the appointment, powers, goals and terms
of the Council and members; establishing certain
powers for the Division of Consumer Protection;
prescribing certain standards defining unfair or
deceptive [[or unconscionable]] trade practices;
providing certain rulemaking and regulatory powers
for the Division of Consumer Protection; providing
certain complaint, investigative, agreement and
related procedures concerning certain violations;
prescribing certain penalties and remedies for
violations under the "Consumer Protection"
subheading; providing for certain hearing
procedures; restricting application, to certain
persons, of "Consumer Protection" provisions;
providing for the enforcement of certain provisions
by state agencies; providing [[that certain
provisions enacted by local subdivisions have
preemptive effect over certain laws; and generally
relating to powers and functions of the Division of
Consumer Protection and laws of consumer
protection.]] that local subdivisions may adopt more

strigent provisions not inconsistent with the

provisions in this Act; to correct language; and
generally relating to powers and functions.

BY adding to

Article 83 — Sales and Notices

Section 19A

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1969 Replacement Volume and 1973 Supplement)

BY repealing and re—enacting, with amendments.