Ch. 148                                    LAWS OF MARYLAND

Approved April 29, 1987.

CHAPTER 148

(Senate Bill 177)

AN ACT concerning

Consumer Protection - Preneed Burial Contracts

FOR the purpose of authorizing the Secretary of State to adopt
rules and regulations for certain purposes; authorizing the
Secretary of State to refer violations of certain provisions
of law or regulation applicable to preneed burial contracts
to the Attorney General or appropriate State's Attorney for
enforcement; authorizing the Attorney General to bring an
action for injunctive or other equitable relief and the
imposition of a civil penalty up to a certain amount; and
generally relating to the regulation of preneed burial
contracts.

BY adding to

Article 23 - Miscellaneous Companies

Section 165C

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1981 Replacement Volume and 1986 Supplement)

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

Article 23 - Miscellaneous Companies

165C.

(A)  THE SECRETARY OF STATE MAY ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS
FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF ITS DUTIES UNDER § 165B(D) OF THIS
SUBTITLE AND TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER A SELLER OF PRENEED GOODS AND
SERVICES IS COMPLYING WITH THAT SECTION OF LAW.

(B)  (1) IF THE SECRETARY OF STATE DETERMINES THAT A SELLER
OF PRENEED GOODS AND SERVICES HAS VIOLATED § 165B OF THIS
SUBTITLE OR RULES AND REGULATIONS ADOPTED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF
THIS SECTION, THE SECRETARY MAY REFER THE MATTER TO THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL FOR CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OR TO THE APPROPRIATE' STATE'S
ATTORNEY FOR CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

(2) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY INSTITUTE A CIVIL ACTION
FOR:

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