3016                                          LAWS OF MARYLAND                                      Ch. 649

customer a copy of an authorization of repairs form which
states certain information; requiring that customer's rights
be displayed immediately before the space for a customer's
signature; requiring an automotive repair facility to orally
inform a customer of the customer's rights when a vehicle is
towed; requiring the repair facility to record in writing
certain information; providing for a certain effective date
for this Act; and generally relating to automotive repair
facilities.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Commercial Law

Section 14-1002(a) and 14-1008

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1983 Replacement Volume and 1984 Supplement)

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

Article - Commercial Law

14-1002.

(a) (1) Before beginning any repair work on a motor vehicle
for which a customer is charged more than $50, an automotive
repair facility shall give the customer on his request a written
statement which contains:

(i) The estimated completion date; and

(ii) The estimated price for labor and parts
necessary to complete the work; and

(iii) The estimated surcharge, if any.

(2) [The] IF THE FEE IS DISCLOSED TO THE CUSTOMER
BEFORE THE ESTIMATE IS MADE, THE automotive repair facility may
charge a reasonable fee for making the estimate.

14-1008.

(a) [In addition to the provisions of § 14-1003 of this
subtitle, if the customer is charged more than $50, the invoice]
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION, BEFORE
BEGINNING ANY REPAIR WORK ON A MOTOR VEHICLE, AN AUTOMOTIVE
REPAIR FACILITY SHALL GIVE THE CUSTOMER A COPY OF A FORM USED FOR
AUTHORIZATION OF REPAIRS WHICH shall inform the customer of the
following rights:

(1) That a customer:

(i) May request a written estimate for repairs
which cost in excess of $50; and