1. (a)

   1. (1) The Board consists of the following 5 members:

      1. (i) as an ex officio member, the Commissioner; and
      2. (ii) 4 members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.

   2. (2) Of the 4 appointed members:

      1. (i) 2 shall represent collection agencies; and
      2. (ii) 2 shall be consumer members.

2. (b)

   1. (1) Each consumer member of the Board:

      1. (i) shall be a member of the general public; and

      2. (ii) shall be:

         1. 1. an officer or member of the board of a recognized consumer group in the State; or
         2. 2. an employee of a local consumer protection unit in the State.

   2. (2) A consumer member of the Board may not:

      1. (i) be a licensee or otherwise be subject to regulation by the Board; or
      2. (ii) within 1 year before appointment, have had a financial interest in or have received compensation from a person regulated by the Board.
3. (c) While a member of the Board, a consumer member may not have a financial interest in or receive compensation from a person regulated by the Board.
4. (d) Before taking office, each appointee to the Board shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.

5. (e)

   1. (1) The term of an appointed member is 4 years and begins on July 1.
   2. (2) At the end of a term, an appointed member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
   3. (3) A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

6. (f)

   1. (1) The Governor may remove an appointed member for incompetence or misconduct.
   2. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection and subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, a member shall be considered to have resigned who has been appointed to the Board by the Governor if the member did not attend at least two-thirds of the Board meetings held during any consecutive 12-month period while the member was serving on the Board.
   3. (3) The Governor may waive a member's resignation and allow the member to continue serving if the member has been unable to attend meetings for reasons satisfactory to the Governor and the reasons are made public.
   4. (4) In accordance with § 8-501 of the State Government Article, the chairman shall provide notice to the Governor and the Governor shall appoint a successor.

Added by Acts 1992, c. 4, § 2. Amended by Acts 2014, c. 588, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2014.

Formerly Art. 41, § 8-102; Art. 56, § 325.