EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0996*
HOUSE BILL 996
I3 4lr3329
By: Delegate White Holland
Introduced and read first time: February 5, 2024
Assigned to: Economic Matters
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Consumer Protection – Consumer Council – Name Change and Other 2
Modifications 3
FOR the purpose of changing the name of the Consumer Council in the Division of 4
Consumer Protection in the Office of the Attorney General to the Consumer 5
Protection Commission; authorizing the members of the Commission to receive 6
certain per diem compensation; and generally relating to consumer protection. 7
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 8
Article – Commercial Law 9
Section 13–201 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2013 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 12
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 13
Article – Commercial Law 14
Section 13–202 and 13–205(a)(1) 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2013 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 17
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 18
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 19
Article – Commercial Law 20
13–201. 21
(a) There is a Division of Consumer Protection in the Office of the Attorney 22
General. 23
(b) The Division shall administer this subtitle. 24 2 HOUSE BILL 996
13–202. 1
(a) (1) There is a Consumer [Council] PROTECTION COMMISSION in the 2
Division. 3
(2) The [Council] COMMISSION shall advise the Division on general goals 4
for the development of programs, undertake studies and issue reports, and foster 5
cooperation among federal, State, and local agencies and private groups. 6
(b) (1) The [Council] COMMISSION consists of: 7
(i) The Division Chief; and 8
(ii) Nine members appointed by the Governor with the advice and 9
consent of the Senate. 10
(2) The members appointed by the Governor shall be divided into three 11
categories, as follows: 12
(i) Three members to represent consumer groups or interests; 13
(ii) Three members to represent business groups or interests; and 14
(iii) Three members to represent the public sector. 15
(3) (I) The term of membership is six years, except that, of the original 16
appointees, one of each category shall serve a six–year term, one of each category shall 17
serve a four–year term, and one of each category shall serve a two–year term. 18
(II) A member serves until his successor is appointed and qualified. 19
(III) An appointment to a vacancy in an unexpired term is limited to 20
the remainder of that term. 21
(4) The members [shall serve without compensation] MAY RECEIVE PER 22
DIEM COMPENSATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE BUDGET , but shall be 23
reimbursed for all expenses reasonably incurred. 24
(5) The [Council] COMMISSION shall elect annually a [chairman] CHAIR 25
from among its members and appoint a secretary. 26
13–205. 27
(a) (1) After obtaining the advice of the Consumer [Council] PROTECTION 28
COMMISSION and holding a public hearing, the Division may adopt reasonable rules, 29 HOUSE BILL 996 3
regulations, and standards appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this subtitle, including 1
rules, regulations, or standards which further define specific unfair or deceptive trade 2
practices. 3
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 4
October 1, 2024. 5