PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 58

(4) EMPLOYS THE SERVICES OF AN INDIVIDUAL OR BUSINESS TO
SOLICIT OR SELL A COLLECTION SYSTEM TO BE USED FOR COLLECTION OF A
CONSUMER CLAIM.

(d)     "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Consumer Credit.

(e)     "Consumer claim" means a claim that:

(1)     is for money owed or said to be owed by a resident of the State; and

(2)     arises from a transaction in which, for a family, household, or personal
purpose, the resident sought or got credit, money, personal property, real property, or
services.

(f)     "License" means a license issued by the Board to do business as a collection
agency.

(g)     "Licensed collection agency" means a person who is licensed by the Board to
do business as a collection agency.

7-205.

(a) To carry out this title, the Board may. SUBJECT TO § 7-103(B) OF THIS TITLE:

(1)     receive a written complaint and hold a hearing on an alleged violation by
a collection agency of the Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act, THIS TITLE, OR THE
FEDERAL FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT: and OR THIS TITLE;

[(2) mediate a dispute between a consumer and a collection agency and
suggest monetary compensation of the consumer in an amount agreeable to the consumer
and collection agency or other appropriate resolution or both.; AND]

(2)     (3) ISSUE ORDERS:

(I) TO CEASE AND DESIST FROM THE VIOLATION AND ANY
FURTHER SIMILAR VIOLATIONS; OR

(II) REQUIRING THE VIOLATOR TO TAKE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
TO CORRECT THE VIOLATION, INCLUDING THE RESTITUTION OF MONEY OR
PROPERTY TO ANY PERSON AGGRIEVED BY THE VIOLATION.

[ (b) (1) If the Board concludes that conduct alleged to be a continuing violation
of this title will result in irreparable harm or that a person is doing business as a collection
agency without a license, the Board may sue for injunctive relief.

(2) The Board may sue under this subsection in the circuit court for the
county where:

(i) the alleged violation is occurring; or

(ii) the principal place of business of the alleged violator is located.]

(B) IF A VIOLATOR FAILS TO COMPLY WITH A LAWFUL ORDER ISSUED BY
THE BOARD, THE BOARD MAY IMPOSE A PENALTY OF UP TO $500 FOR EACH
VIOLATION CITED IN THE ORDER, NOT TO EXCEED $5.000. FROM WHICH THE

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