1584                                         LAWS OF MARYLAND                                     Ch. 116

(C) THE LICENSE OF A CONTRACTOR SHALL AUTOMATICALLY BE
SUSPENDED UNLESS PAYMENT OF AN ASSESSMENT IS MADE WITHIN 60 DAYS
OF NOTICE OF THE ASSESSMENT. THE SUSPENSION SHALL CONTINUE UNTIL
PAYMENT OF THE ASSESSMENT IS RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSION.

257D.

(A)  THE FUND IS ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL AND
CUMULATIVE REMEDY FOR CLAIMANTS AGGRIEVED UNDER § 257A OF THIS
SUBTITLE AND MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED TO LIMIT THE AVAILABILITY OF
OTHER LEGAL OR EQUITABLE REMEDIES OR TO REQUIRE EXHAUSTION OF
ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES BEFORE THE COMMISSION PRIOR TO FILING AN
ACTION AT LAW OR EQUITY.

(B)  (1) TO INITIATE AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING BEFORE THE
COMMISSION TO RECOVER MONEYS FROM THE FUND, A CLAIMANT SHALL FILE
A VERIFIED CLAIM, UNDER OATH OR AFFIRMATION, STATING:

(I)  THE AMOUNT CLAIMED BASED ON ACTUAL LOSS;

(II)  THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES GIVING RISE TO
THE CLAIM; AND

(III)  ANY OTHER EVIDENCE SUPPORTING THE CLAIM
OR INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE COMMISSION.

(2) A CLAIMANT MAY NOT BE:

(I)  A SPOUSE OR OTHER IMMEDIATE RELATIVE OF AN
INDIVIDUAL LICENSEE ALLEGED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CLAIM; OR

(II)  A PARTNER, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE OF A
LICENSEE, OR IMMEDIATE RELATIVE OF THEM IF THE CLAIM IS A RESULT
OF CONDUCT ALLEGED OF THE LICENSEE.

(C)  UPON RECEIPT OF A CLAIM, THE COMMISSION SHALL FORWARD A
COPY OF THE CLAIM TO THE LICENSED CONTRACTOR ALLEGED TO BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MONETARY LOSS OF THE CLAIMANT AND SHALL
REQUIRE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE ALLEGATIONS SET FORTH IN THE
CLAIM WITHIN 10 DAYS. AFTER REVIEW OF BOTH THE CLAIM AND ANY
RESPONSE RECEIVED AND ANY INVESTIGATION, THE COMMISSION MAY
EITHER SCHEDULE THE MATTER FOR HEARING OR DISMISS THE CLAIM IF IT
IS FRIVOLOUS, MADE IN BAD FAITH, OR LEGALLY INSUFFICIENT. NOTICE
TO APPEAR AT A HEARING SHALL BE GIVEN TO ANY SUBCONTRACTOR OR
SALESMAN, IF NECESSARY, TO FAIRLY ADJUDICATE A CLAIM.

(D)  (1) PROCEDURES AS TO NOTICE, HEARINGS, AND JUDICIAL
REVIEW OF THE COMMISSION'S PROCEEDINGS ADJUDICATING A CLAIM
AGAINST THE FUND SHALL BE AS SPECIFIED IN § 260 OF THIS SUBTITLE.

(2) THE COMMISSION MAY CONSOLIDATE PROCEEDINGS ON
CLAIMS BROUGHT UNDER THIS SECTION WITH ANY DISCIPLINARY
PROCEEDING AGAINST A LICENSEE UNDER § 258 OF THIS SUBTITLE
ARISING FROM THE SAME FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES ALLEGED IN THE