Ch. 526                                    1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

that a suspension is effective only under certain circumstances and after a certain
time period; providing for an opportunity to be given to the licensee applicant for
license issuance or renewal to respond to the notice; and providing for the effect of
a suspension on a guaranty fund claim; and generally relating to business
occupations and professions.

BY adding to

Article - Business Occupations and Professions

Section 1-207

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1995 Replacement Volume and 1995 Supplement)

BY adding to

Article - Business Regulation

Section 1-208

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1992 Volume and 1995 Supplement)

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

Article - Business Occupations and Professions

1-207.

(A)     IF PAYMENT OF THE FEE FOR THE ISSUANCE OR RENEWAL OF A LICENSE,
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR BY A UNIT WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT, IS MADE BY
A CHECK OR OTHER NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENT THAT IS DISHONORED, THE LICENSE
FOR WHICH THE FEE WAS PAID SHALL BE SUSPENDED BY OPERATION OF LAW FROM
THE DATE THE LICENSE WAS ISSUED OR RENEWED. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN
SUBSECTIONS (B) AND (C) OF THIS SECTION. THE SUSPENSION IS EFFECTIVE
BEGINNING ON THE TENTH BUSINESS DAY AFTER THE DAY ON WHICH NOTICE IS
SENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION UNTIL THE DATE
THAT PAYMENT OF THE FEE, AND ANY LATE CHARGE PROVIDED FOR IN THIS
ARTICLE, HAS BEEN MADE.

(B)     (1) WHEN THE DEPARTMENT OR A UNIT WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT
RECEIVES NOTICE THAT A CHECK OR OTHER NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENT, GIVEN BY
AN APPLICANT IN PAYMENT OF A LICENSE ISSUANCE OR RENEWAL FEE, HAS BEEN
DISHONORED, IT SHALL INFORM THE APPLICANT BY REGULAR MAIL SENT TO THE
APPLICANTS LAST KNOWN BUSINESS ADDRESS, THAT THE LICENSE HAS BEEN WILL
BE SUSPENDED BY OPERATION OF LAW. IF WITHIN 10 BUSINESS DAYS FROM THE
DATE OF THE NOTICE THE APPLICANT FAILS TO MAKE PAYMENT OF THE FEE, AND
ANY LATE CHARGE, OR FAILS TO PRESENT EVIDENCE TO THE DEPARTMENT OR
UNIT THAT THE NOTICE OF DISHONOR WAS IN ERROR

(2) AN APPLICANT SHALL BE GIVEN A PROMPT OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE
PAYMENT OF THE FEE, AND ANY LATE CHARGE, OR TO PRESENT EVIDENCE TO THE
DEPARTMENT OR UNIT THAT THE NOTICE OF DISHONOR WAS IN ERROR.

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