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LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 753

NO INDIVIDUAL PRIOR CREDIT HISTORY OR THE CREDITOR
PERMITS THE APPLICANT TO DESIGNATE THE APPLICANT'S SPOUSE
AS AN AUTHORIZED PURCHASER ON THE ACCOUNT;

(6)       REFUSAL TO RECOGNIZE THE LEGAL NAME OF
ANY MARRIED PERSON; AND

(7)            REQUESTS FOR OR CONSIDERATION OF
INFORMATION ABOUT BIRTH CONTROL PRACTICES IN EVALUATING
ANY CREDIT APPLICATION.

12-706

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT SHALL BE ADMINISTERED BY
THE COMMISSIONER OF CONSUMER CREDIT EXCEPT THAT THE STATE
BANKING COMMISSIONER SHALL HAVE SOLE JURISDICTION FOR
ADMINISTRATION OF BANKING INSTITUTIONS AS DEFINED IN
ARTICLE 11.

[[12-706]] 12-707. CIVIL LIABILITY.

(A) NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF 12-703, ANY
CREDITOR WHO VIOLATES ANY PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE IS
LIABLE TO THE APPLICANT FOR THE GREATER OF:

(1)   ANY ACTUAL DAMAGES SUSTAINED BY [[HIM]]
THE APPLICANT; OR

(2)   $50.

(B)         A CREDITOR DOES NOT VIOLATE THIS SUBTITLE IF

THE CREDITOR SHOWS BY A PREPONDERANCE OF EVIDENCE IN ANY
ADMINISTRATIVE OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDING, THAT THE VIOLATION
WAS NOT WILLFUL OR RESULTED FROM A BONA FIDE ERROR
NOTWITHSTANDING THE MAINTENANCE OF PROCEDURES REASONABLY
ADAPTED TO AVOID ANY SUCH ERROR.

[[12-707]] 12-708. SHORT TITLE.

THIS SUBTITLE MAY BE CITED AS THE MARYLAND EQUAL
CREDIT OPPORTUNITY ACT.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1975.

Approved May 15, 1975.

CHAPTER 754
(House Bill 1124)