Ch. 648

LAWS OF MARYLAND

(f) "Person" includes an individual, corporation, business
trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, two or more
persons having a joint or common interest, or any other legal or
commercial entity.

12-702.

(a)  The General Assembly finds that there is a need to
insure that the various financial institutions and other persons
and firms engaged in the extension of credit exercise their
responsibility to make credit available with fairness,
impartiality, and without discrimination on the basis of sex or
marital status. Economic stabilization would be enhanced, and
competition among the various financial institutions and other
persons and firms engaged in the extension of credit would be
strengthened by an absence of discrimination on the basis of sex
[or], marital status, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, OR
AGE (PROVIDED THE APPLICANT HAS CAPACITY TO CONTRACT) , OR
PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HANDICAP.

(b)  It is the purpose of this subtitle to require that
financial institutions and other persons and firms engaged in the
extension of credit do not deny credit [solely] on the basis of
sex [or], marital status, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN,
OR AGE (PROVIDED THE APPLICANT HAS CAPACITY TO CONTRACT), OR
PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HANDICAP.

12-703.

(a)  If a complaint for violation of any provisions of this
subtitle is filed with the Commissioner, [he may] THE
COMMISSIONER SHALL investigate the complaint and MAY hold a
hearing on it in accordance with the Administrative Procedure
Act.

(b)  The Commissioner shall give to the creditor complained
against at least 10 days written notice of the complaint and the
time and place of any hearing. The notice shall be in writing and
sent by registered or certified mail to his principal place of
business.

(c)  (1) If, after the hearing, the Commissioner finds that
the creditor has engaged or is engaging in any act or practice
prohibited by this subtitle, he shall order the creditor to cease
and desist from the act or practice.

(2) The order of the Commissioner shall comply with
the Administrative Procedure Act of the Code.

(d)  (1) If no appeal is filed, the order becomes final
after expiration of the time allowed by the Administrative
Procedure Act for appeals from the Commissioner's orders.

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