1270

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 186

(5)  In cooperation with the Department of
Licensing and Regulation, suspend or revoke the license of
any merchant who refuses to cease and desist from engaging
in an unfair or deceptive trade practice;

(6)  Report to the appropriate law enforcement
officer any information concerning violations of any
consumer protection law;

(7)  Assist, advise, and cooperate with local and
federal agencies and officials to protect and promote the
interests of consumers in the State;

(8)  Assist, develop, and conduct programs of
consumer education and information through publications and
other materials prepared for distribution to consumers;

(9)  Undertake activities to encourage business
and industry to maintain high standards of honesty, fair
business practices, and public responsibility in the
production, promotion, and sale or lease or rental of
consumer goods, consumer realty, and consumer services and
in the extension of consumer credit;

(10)  Assess against any violator of this title
the costs of investigation by the Division and damages which
flow from the improper, incomplete or untimely restitution
by the violator to the consumer of money, property, or other
thing received from the consumer in connection with a
violation of this title;

(11)  Exercise and perform any other function,
power, and duty appropriate to protect and promote the
welfare of consumers; [and]

(12)  In accordance with § 13-205 of this
subtitle, adopt rules, regulations, and standards which:

(i) Are necessary to assure the orderly
operation of the Division; and

(ii) Further define unfair or deceptive
trade practices for purposes of this title; AND

(13)  ENTER INTO RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS WITH
CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCIES OF OTHER STATES, IN WHICH EACH
STATE MUTUALLY AGREES TO RECEIVE AND INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS
FROM THE FOREIGN STATE'S CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY ON
BEHALF OF THEIR CONSUMERS AGAINST BUSINESSES IN THE
RECEIVING AND INVESTIGATING STATE.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1981.

Approved April 28, 1981.