Maryland § 8-311

§ 8-311.

    (a)    Subject to the hearing provisions of § 8–312 of this subtitle, the Commission may deny a license to an applicant, reprimand a licensee, or suspend or revoke a license if the applicant or licensee or the management personnel of the applicant or licensee:

        (1)    fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a license for the applicant or licensee or for another person;

        (2)    fraudulently or deceptively uses a license;

        (3)    fails to give the Commission information required by this subtitle about an application for a license;

        (4)    fails to pass an examination required by this subtitle;

        (5)    under the laws of the United States or of any state, is convicted of a:

            (i)    felony; or

            (ii)    misdemeanor that is directly related to the fitness and qualification of the applicant or licensee to engage in home improvement services;

        (6)    often fails to perform home improvement contracts;

        (7)    falsifies an account;

        (8)    engages in fraud;

        (9)    as a contractor fails to show financial solvency, based on the intended scope and size of the business in relation to total assets, liabilities, credit rating, and net worth;

        (10)    as a contractor lacks competence, as shown by the performance of an unworkmanlike, inadequate, or incomplete home improvement;

        (11)    violates this title;

        (12)    attempts to violate this title;

        (13)    violates a regulation adopted under this title; or

        (14)    in the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area, as defined under § 8–1802 of the Natural Resources Article, fails to comply with:

            (i)    the terms of a State or local permit, license, or approval issued for home improvement; or

            (ii)    any State or local law, an approved plan, or other legal requirement.

    (b)    Subject to the hearing provisions of § 8–312 of this subtitle, the Commission may reprimand a contractor or suspend or revoke the license of a contractor for a violation of this title by an agent, director, employee, manager, officer, partner, or salesperson of the contractor, unless the Commission finds that the contractor or management personnel of the contractor:

        (1)    had no knowledge of the wrongful conduct; or

        (2)    could not prevent the violation.

    (c)    Instead of or in addition to reprimanding a licensee or suspending or revoking a license, the Commission may impose a civil penalty under § 8-620 of this title.

    (d)    The Commission shall consider the following facts in the granting, denial, renewal, suspension, or revocation of a license or the reprimand of a licensee when an applicant or licensee is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor described in subsection (a)(5) of this section:

        (1)    the nature of the crime;

        (2)    the relationship of the crime to the activities authorized by the license;

        (3)    with respect to a felony, the relevance of the conviction to the fitness and qualification of the applicant or licensee to provide home improvement services;

        (4)    the length of time since the conviction; and

        (5)    the behavior and activities of the applicant or licensee before and after the conviction.