1. (a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 7-309 of this subtitle, the Board may reprimand a licensee or suspend or revoke a license if the licensee or any owner, director, officer, member, partner, or agent of the licensee:

   1. (1) makes any material misstatement in an application for a license;

   2. (2) is convicted under the laws of the United States or of any state of:

      1. (i) a felony; or
      2. (ii) a misdemeanor that is directly related to the fitness and qualification of the person to engage in the collection agency business;

   3. (3) in connection with the collection of any consumer claim:

      1. (i) commits any fraud; or
      2. (ii) engages in any illegal or dishonest activities;
   4. (4) knowingly or negligently violates the Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act; or
   5. (5) fails to comply with a lawful order that the Board passes under this title.

2. (b) In determining whether to reprimand a licensee or to suspend or revoke a license for a reason described in subsection (a)(2) of this section, the Board shall consider:

   1. (1) the nature of the crime;
   2. (2) the relationship of the crime to the activities authorized by the license;
   3. (3) with respect to a felony, the relevance of the conviction to the fitness and qualification of the licensee to engage in the collection agency business;
   4. (4) the length of time since the conviction; and
   5. (5) the behavior and activities of the licensee since the conviction.

Added by Acts 1992, c. 4, § 2. Amended by Acts 2007, c. 472, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2007; Acts 2023, c. 567, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023.

Formerly Art. 56, §§ 325, 329.