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LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 647

CHAPTER 647

(House Bill 723)

AN ACT concerning

Debt Collection Agencies

FOR the purpose of redefining what attorneys are and are not debt
collection agencies.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 56 - Licenses
Section 323

Annotated Code of Maryland
(1983 Replacement Volume)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 56 - Licenses

323.

(a)   In this subtitle, the following words have the meanings
indicated.

(b)   "Collection agency" means all persons directly or
indirectly engaged in the business of soliciting from, or
collecting for others any claim due or asserted to be owed or
due, to a seller, lender, holder, or creditor, arising from
transactions involving a Maryland resident seeking or acquiring
real or personal property, services, money, or credit for
personal, family, or household purposes.

(1)   "Collection agency" includes any person who gives
away, sells, or attempts to give away or sell to others, any
system or series of letters or forms used in the collection of
claims which assert or indicate, directly or indirectly that the
claim is being asserted or collected by any person other than the
creditor or owner of the claim.

(2)   "Collection agency" does not include any:

(i) Regular employee of a creditor acting under
the general direction and control of that creditor in the
collection of a claim owned by that creditor;

(ii) Regular employee of a collection agency
licensed under this subtitle;