Unfair Trade Practices
Maryland 2019 Regular Session
Financial Institutions - Student Loan Servicers - Unfair, Abusive, or Deceptive Trade Practices [HB-594]
Prohibiting a student loan servicer from employing any scheme, device, or artifice to mislead a student loan borrower; prohibiting a student loan servicer from engaging in any unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice; prohibiting a student loan servicer from knowingly misapplying or refusing to correct a misapplication of payments; requiring a student loan servicer to respond to an inquiry within 30 days of receiving the inquiry or complaint; authorizing the Commissioner of Financial Regulation to enforce the Act; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. Kumar Barve
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 546 on 05/13/2019
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Gettr Maryland 2019 Regular Session
Civil Actions - Unfair, Abusive, or Deceptive Trade Practices by Mortgage Servicer - Statute of Limitations [HB-425]
Extending the statute of limitations applicable to certain civil actions relating to unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices filed against a mortgage servicer; limiting the application of the Act to claims relating to certain residential property; and providing for the prospective application of the Act.
Sponsored by: Rep. Joseline Pena-Melnyk
Enacted Under Article Ii, Section 17(c) Of The Maryland Constitution - Chapter 650 on 05/25/2019
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Maryland 2019 Regular Session
Commercial Law - Consumer Protection - Ticket Website Domain [HB-1415]
Authorizing a person who owns, operates, or controls a ticket website and is operating on behalf of a venue or an entertainment event to use the word "official" in a certain lower-level domain name in the URL; and requiring a person who owns, operates, or controls a ticket website and is not acting on behalf of a venue or an entertainment event to use the word "reseller" in the lower-level domain name in the URL of a ticket website.
Sponsored by: Rep. Christopher Adams
First Reading House Rules And Executive Nominations on 03/04/2019
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Maryland 2016 Regular Session
Commercial Daily Fantasy Sports - Authorization and Regulation [SB-976]
Requiring the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission, with the assistance of the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, to regulate the operation of Internet fantasy sports games; requiring a person to have a license in order to offer Internet fantasy sports games to the public; requiring that a licensed operator conduct Internet fantasy sports games in a specified manner; requiring an Internet fantasy sports player to register with a licensed operator and to be at least 21 years of age; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Douglas Peters
Favorable With Amendments Report By Ways And Means on 04/11/2016
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Maryland 2016 Regular Session
Courts and Judicial Proceedings - Structured Settlements - Transfers and Registration of Structured Settlement Transferees [SB-734]
Making legislative findings and declarations that it is necessary to regulate transfers of structured settlement payment rights to ensure that the transfers are effectuated on fair and reasonable terms and are in the best interest of payees, and to protect payees against deceptive practices; establishing specified requirements on a proposed transfer of structured settlement payment rights if the settlement was established in resolution of a tort claim seeking compensation for cognitive injuries arising from childhood exposure to lead paint; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Susan Lee
Enacted Under Article Ii, Section 17(c) Of The Maryland Constitution - Chapter 722 on 05/28/2016
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Maryland 2016 Regular Session
Vehicle Laws - Manufacturers and Dealers [SB-666]
Authorizing a motor vehicle dealer to disclose to a consumer the terms and conditions of any motor vehicle manufacturer warranty adjustment program of which the dealer has knowledge and to make any necessary repairs under the adjustment program; prohibiting a manufacturer from retaliating against specified persons because the persons exercise specified rights or assert specified protections, and making a violation an unfair or deceptive trade practice subject to specified penalty and enforcement provisions; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. James Rosapepe
Hearing 3/10 At 1:00 P.m. (judicial Proceedings) on 03/10/2016
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Maryland 2016 Regular Session
Commercial Sale of Dogs and Cats - Prohibited Acts (Companion Animal Welfare Act) [SB-663]
Prohibiting the sale, transfer, offer to sell or transfer, barter, trade, or auction of dogs and cats at specified locations; authorizing animal control officers and officers of specified humane organizations to enforce specified provisions of the Act; providing that a retail pet store may only offer for sale a dog or cat obtained from specified persons; requiring a retail pet store to post on each dog's cage specified information and maintain a record that includes information about the breeder or dealer, if applicable; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Delores Kelley
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 572 on 05/19/2016
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Maryland 2016 Regular Session
Vehicle Laws - Mechanical Repair Contracts [SB-414]
Altering the definition of "mechanical repair contract"; authorizing an agent and a registered obligor under a mechanical repair contract to offer, sell, or negotiate a mechanical repair contract; establishing that an obligor or a vehicle dealer is liable for the actions of its agent under specified circumstances; requiring an obligor or a licensed vehicle dealer that uses an agent to sell a mechanical repair contract to maintain a specified list and, on request, make the list available to the Insurance Commissioner; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. James Brochin
Favorable With Amendments Report By Economic Matters on 04/06/2016
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Maryland 2016 Regular Session
Health Insurance - Access to Accurate Provider Directories [SB-334]
Prohibiting a carrier from issuing or delivering a health benefit plan in the State before a provider directory for the health benefit plan is submitted to and approved by the Maryland Insurance Commissioner; requiring a carrier to submit a specified provider directory on a specified basis for review and reapproval by the Commissioner; establishing specified requirements for a specified provider directory; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Delores Kelley
Hearing 2/10 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/10/2016
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Maryland 2016 Regular Session
Criminal Procedure - Expungement [SB-328]
Authorizing a person to file a petition for expungement of specified misdemeanor convictions; requiring a person to file a petition for expungement in a specified court; providing that a petition for expungement of specified misdemeanor convictions may not be filed earlier than 10 years after the person satisfied the specified sentence or sentences imposed for all convictions for which expungement is requested; requiring the court to provided written notice of the petition to all victims listed in the case; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Joan Conway
Third Reading Passed (46-0) on 04/05/2016
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Maryland 2016 Regular Session
Environment - Paint Stewardship Program [SB-201]
Requiring specified producers or a representative organization to submit a plan for the establishment of a Paint Stewardship Program to the Department of the Environment on or before April 1, 2017, and in accordance with specified requirements; requiring the Department to review and approve specified plans, including a specified assessment, submitted in accordance with the Paint Stewardship Program; prohibiting the sale of specified architectural paint under specified circumstances beginning October 1, 2017; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Joan Conway
Hearing 2/16 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/16/2016
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Maryland 2016 Regular Session
Vehicle Laws - Manufacturers and Dealers [HB-982]
Authorizing a motor vehicle dealer to disclose to a consumer the terms and conditions of any motor vehicle manufacturer warranty adjustment program of which the dealer has knowledge and to make any necessary repairs under the adjustment program; prohibiting a manufacturer from retaliating against specified persons because the persons exercise specified rights or assert specified protections, and making a violation an unfair or deceptive trade practice subject to specified penalty and enforcement provisions; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. Dana Stein
Unfavorable Report By Environment And Transportation on 03/28/2016
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Maryland 2016 Regular Session
Vehicle Laws - Mechanical Repair Contracts [HB-675]
Altering the definition of "mechanical repair contract"; authorizing an agent and a registered obligor under a mechanical repair contract to offer, sell, or negotiate a mechanical repair contract; establishing that an obligor or a vehicle dealer is liable for the actions of its agent under specified circumstances; requiring an obligor or a licensed vehicle dealer that uses an agent to sell a mechanical repair contract to maintain a specified list and, on request, make the list available to the Insurance Commissioner; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. Talmadge Branch
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 494 on 05/10/2016
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Maryland 2016 Regular Session
Courts and Judicial Proceedings - Structured Settlements - Transfers and Registration of Structured Settlement Transferees [HB-535]
Making legislative findings and declarations that it is necessary to regulate transfers of structured settlement payment rights to ensure that the transfers are effectuated on fair and reasonable terms and are in the best interest of payees, and to protect payees against deceptive practices; establishing specified requirements on a proposed transfer of structured settlement payment rights if the settlement was established in resolution of a tort claim seeking compensation for cognitive injuries arising from childhood exposure to lead paint; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. Samuel Rosenberg
Enacted Under Article Ii, Section 17(c) Of The Maryland Constitution - Chapter 721 on 05/28/2016
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Maryland 2016 Regular Session
Consumer Protection - Required Disclosure of Social Security Number - Prohibition [HB-529]
Prohibiting a person from requiring a consumer to disclose the consumer's Social Security number to the person as a condition for the purchase or lease of consumer goods or consumer services; providing that the Act does not prohibit a person from requesting or requiring a consumer to disclose the consumer's Social Security number to apply for or obtain an extension of consumer credit; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. Glen Glass
Unfavorable Report By Economic Matters; Withdrawn on 02/16/2016
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Maryland 2016 Regular Session
Commercial Law - Consumer Protection - Door-to-Door Sales [HB-439]
Altering the circumstances under which it is an unfair or deceptive trade practice for a seller in a door-to-door sale to fail to furnish a specified statement that specifies the time period in which a buyer has the right to cancel a transaction; requiring the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation, in collaboration with the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General to convene a workgroup to review specified consumer complaints and laws governing home improvement contracts; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. David Fraser-hidalgo
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 485 on 05/10/2016
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Maryland 2016 Regular Session
Environment - Paint Stewardship Program [HB-332]
Requiring specified producers or a representative organization to submit a plan for the establishment of a Paint Stewardship Program to the Department of the Environment on or before April 1, 2017, in accordance with specified requirements; requiring the Department to review and approve specified plans, including a specified assessment; prohibiting the sale of specified architectural paint under specified circumstances beginning October 1, 2017; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Clarence Lam
Hearing 2/17 At 1:00 P.m. (environment And Transportation) on 02/17/2016
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Maryland 2016 Regular Session
Consumer Protection - Monitoring Consumer Behavior and Shopping Habits - Required Notice [HB-305]
Prohibiting a merchant from using specified technology to monitor the behavior or shopping habits of a consumer unless the merchant provides a specified notice in a specified manner; providing that a violation of the Act is an unfair or deceptive trade practice under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act and is subject to specified enforcement and penalty provisions; and providing for the application of the Act.
Sponsored by: Sen. William Smith
Unfavorable Report By Finance on 04/01/2016
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Maryland 2016 Regular Session
Commercial Law - Nondisparagement Clauses in Consumer Contracts - Prohibition [HB-131]
Prohibiting a contract or a proposed contract for the sale or lease of consumer goods or services from including a provision waiving the consumer's right to make a specified statement; prohibiting a person from threatening or seeking enforcement of a specified contract provision; prohibiting a person from penalizing a consumer for making a specified statement; providing that the Act does not limit a person from including in a specified contract a provision prohibiting a consumer from making specified disclosures; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Jeff Waldstreicher
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 96 on 04/12/2016
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Maryland 2016 Regular Session
Gas and Electric Companies - Retail Choice Customer Education and Protection Fund [HB-1144]
Establishing the Retail Choice Customer Education and Protection Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund; specifying the purpose of the Fund; requiring the Public Service Commission to administer the Fund; requiring the State Treasurer to hold the Fund and the Comptroller to account for the Fund; specifying the contents of the Fund; specifying the purpose for which the Fund may be used; providing for the investment of money in and expenditures from the Fund; requiring that specified civil penalties be paid into the Fund; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. Warren Miller
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 134 on 04/12/2016