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(a) A merchant must not engage in any unfair trade practice in the provision of internet access service using any facility in its control that is located in a County right-of-way.
(b) An unfair trade practice includes the refusal or failure of a merchant to:
(1) provide any internet access service for which a consumer has paid;
(2) properly install any facility required to provide internet access service to a consumer; or
(3) promptly and effectively respond to a consumer complaint concerning internet access service.
(c) Internet access service means the provision of internet access to a consumer over any facility controlled by a merchant that is located in a County right-of-way.
(d) The County Executive must issue regulations under Method (2) that establish minimum internet access service standards that a merchant must comply with.
(e) (1) The Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions may receive an investigate complaints of violations of this Section. The Cable Compliance Commission may adjudicate violations of this Section, as provided in Section 8A-31.
(2) The Department may also refer any complaint received under this Section to the Office of Consumer Protection for investigation and enforcement. To enforce any complaint referred to it under this Section, the Office of Consumer Protection may pursue any remedy for violations of this Chapter. (2006 L.M.C., ch. 36, § 1; 2021 L.M.C., ch. 10, §1.)
(a) Legislative findings.
(1) Domestic workers are entitled to legal protections under State employment laws including, but not limited to:
(A) minimum wage;
(B) payment for all hours worked;
(C) payment of wages in United States dollars twice per month;
(D) overtime pay of 1.5 times the regular wage rate for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week; and
(E) worker’s compensation.
(2) The County Council Committee on Health and Human Services sponsored a study of domestic workers in the County which was released on May 10, 2006. The study found that:
(A) domestic workers in the County have limited access to information concerning the legal protections available to them;
(B) many domestic workers in the County are paid less than the minimum wage;
(C) many domestic workers in the County do not receive overtime pay for work in excess of 40 hours per week;
(D) few domestic workers in the County have written employment contracts setting forth the terms and conditions of their employment;
(E) domestic workers in the County who live in their employer’s residence are generally paid less and work longer hours than domestic workers who do not live at their employer’s residence; and
(F) domestic workers in the County are often isolated and unable to experience the peer to peer networking that is necessary for organized labor movements.
(3) The Council finds that legislation is needed to ensure that domestic workers in the County receive the legal protections they are entitled to under State law, as well as the right to a written employment contract governing the terms and conditions of employment.
(b) Definitions. In this Section, the following words have the meaning indicated:
Au pair means an individual who performs childcare services pursuant to the program administered by the State Department of the United States in a private home of the person by whom she is employed.
Disclosure statement means a document confirming that:
(1) an employer presented a written employment contract signed by the employer to a domestic worker after offering to negotiate the terms and conditions of employment; and
(2) the worker voluntarily chose not to sign the contract.
Domestic service means, when primarily performed in a home of a recipient of the service located in the County:
(1) caring for a child;
(2) serving as a companion to a sick, convalescing, disabled, or elderly individual;
(3) housekeeping;
(4) cooking;
(5) cleaning; or
(6) laundry.
Domestic worker means an individual who performs domestic service for wages in the County. Domestic worker does not include:
(1) a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or certified nursing assistant who is licensed or certified by the Maryland Board of Nursing;
(2) a child, parent, spouse, or other member of the immediate family of the employer;
(3) an au pair; or
(4) an individual who primarily serves as a companion to a disabled or elderly individual who is unable to care for himself or herself, and who is not employed by an agency.
Elderly means an individual who is 67 years old or older.
Employment contract means a written agreement signed by a domestic worker and an employer which governs the terms and conditions of employment.
Employer means a person who hires a domestic worker to perform at least 20 hours of work each week during any period that is 30 days or longer. An employer may include an agency that hires a domestic worker to perform domestic service in the home of the recipient of the service.
Hours of work means the time during any 7-day period that a domestic worker is on duty.
Paid time off means time for which a domestic worker receives wages without working, including any holiday, vacation, or sick leave.
Unpaid time off means time during the normal hours of work when the domestic worker may be absent without receiving wages.
Wages means any compensation which a domestic worker receives, including any bonus, commission, fringe benefit, or other payment.
(c) Employment Contract. In order to employ a domestic worker, the employer must obtain either a written employment contract signed by both the employer and the domestic worker or a disclosure statement signed by the domestic worker. Each employer must present a proposed written employment contract to a domestic worker and offer to negotiate the terms and conditions of employment. Once a final contract is agreed upon, the employer must sign and give the domestic worker a copy. If the domestic worker is employer by an agency, the employment contract must be between the agency and the employee. Each written employment contract must specify the following terms and conditions of employment:
(1) days and hours of work;
(2) wages;
(3) paid time off;
(4) unpaid time off;
(5) frequency of payment of wages;
(6) deductions from wages;
(7) eligibility for and calculation of overtime wages;
(8) duties;
(9) right of the employer, if any, to require the domestic worker to perform duties that are not specified in the contract;
(10) living accommodations provided by the employer, if any, including deductions for rent;
(11) meals provided by the employer, if any, including deductions for meals;
(12) time allowed for breaks and meals during work hours;
(13) required notice, if any, before the employer or domestic worker terminates the contract;
(14) severance wages, if any, if the employer terminates the contract before the end of the contract period;
(15) contract period;
(16) reimbursement for work-related expenses; and
(17) notice of employment rights under State law.
(d) Living accommodation. Any dwelling unit that includes living accommodations for a domestic worker must meet all minimum standards for a dwelling unit in Chapter 26 and the worker must have:
(1) a private room for sleeping with a door that can be locked;
(2) reasonable access to a kitchen;
(3) reasonable access to a bathroom;
(4) reasonable access to laundry facilities.
(e) Model Contract. The Director, after consulting with the Commission for Women, must draft and make available a model employment contract and a model disclosure statement which an employer may use to comply with this Section. The model contract and the model disclosure statement must be published in English, French, and Spanish.
(f) Retaliation. An employer must not retaliate against a domestic worker who:
(1) requests a written contract required under this Section;
(2) seeks to enforce the terms of a written employment contract; or
(3) files a complaint or testifies, assists, or participates in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing to enforce this Section.
(g) Complaint. If an employer does not comply with this Section, a domestic worker may file a complaint under Section 11-6. (2008 L.M.C., ch. 27, § 1.)
(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(1) Business Regulation Article means the Business Regulation Article of the Maryland Code, as amended.
(2) Credit price means the highest total amount, including any fees, payable to a gas station by a customer using a credit card or other non-cash form of payment, for one whole measurement unit of regular gasoline sold on the premises.
(3) Gasoline station means a merchant who sells motor fuel at retail under Section 10-315 of the Business Regulation Article.
(b) A gasoline station must:
(1) comply with Section 10-315 of the Business Regulation Article; and
(2) if the gas station posts a sign under Section 10-315(e) of the Business Regulation Article, include within the sign additional pricing information required under subsection (c) of this Section.
(c) A sign posted by a gas station under Section 10-315(e)(2) of the Business Regulation Article must include the credit price.
(d) If the lowest price under the Business Regulation Article and the credit price are the same, subsection (c) does not apply.
(e) Alternative method of compliance - subject to sunset.
(1) This subsection must sunset and must have no further effect 7 years after this Section takes effect.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, a gas station may satisfy the requirements of subsections (b) and (c) of this Section if it posts, on a sign visible to motorists and separate from the sign required under Section 10-315(e) of the Business Regulation Article, the credit price.
(3) If a gas station posts the credit price under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the letters and numerals on the separate sign must appear in the same size and font as those used on the sign posted under Section 10-315(e) of the Business Regulation Article. (2023 L.M.C., ch. 11, § 1.)
Editor’s note—2023 L.M.C., ch. 11
, § 3, states: Subsection (e) of Section 11-4C, added under Section 1 of this Act, must sunset and must have no further effect 7 years after this Act takes effect.
This chapter does not apply to:
(a) other than practicing or acting without a license, professional services rendered by any certified public accountants, architects, clergymen, professional engineers, lawyers, veterinarians, insurance agents and brokers licensed by the state, Christian Science practitioners, land surveyors and property line surveyors, optometrists, physical therapists, podiatrists, psychologists, and medical and dental practitioners, engaging in their respective professional activities;
(b) any television or radio broadcasting station or any publisher or printer of a newspaper, magazine, or other form of printed advertising who broadcasts, publishes, or prints an advertisement which violates this Chapter, except insofar as the station or publisher or printer engages in a deceptive or unconscionable practice in the sale or offering for sale of its own goods or services or knows that the advertising violates this Chapter;
(c) public utility companies to the extent that the company’s services and operations are regulated by the state Public Service Commission;
(d) defective tenancies or other complaints concerning any condition in rental housing which arises out of a landlord-tenant relationship and constitutes a violation of Chapter 29; and
(e) the sale of real estate, directly or indirectly, by any owner-occupant of the real estate, except as provided in Section 40-14. (1972 L.M.C., ch. 11, § 1; 1974 L.M.C., ch. 13, § 3; 2006 L.M.C., ch. 7, § 1; 2007 L.M.C., ch. 22, § 2.)
Editor's note—In Holiday Universal, Inc. v. Montgomery County, 377 Md. 305, 833 A.2d 518 (2003), the Court held that Montg. Co. Code § 11-4A did not meet the requirements for a local law and, therefore, was invalid. The above section is discussed in Fosler v. Panoramic Design, Ltd., 376 Md. 118, 829 A.2d 271 (2003).
(b) Complaint. Any consumer or domestic worker may file a written complaint with the Director.
(c) Contents. A complaint should state the name and address of the person alleged to have committed a violation of this Chapter, describe the violation, and provide any other information that the Office requires. However, the Director may act on a complaint that is not complete. The Director may investigate any violation of and enforce this Chapter without receiving a complaint.
(d) Referral to Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The Director must refer a complaint from a domestic worker alleging living accommodations that do not comply with Section 11-4B(d) to the Department of Housing and Community Affairs for investigation and enforcement.
(e) Referral to the Office of Human Rights. The Director must refer a complaint from a domestic worker alleging a discriminatory employment practice to the Office of Human Rights.
(f) Referral to the Commission for Women. The Director may refer a domestic worker to the Commission for Women Counseling and Career Center for additional assistance if the Director determines that the services offered there would benefit the worker. (1972 L.M.C., ch. 11, § 1; 1993 L.M.C., ch. 25, § 1; 1996 L.M.C., ch. 13, § 1; 2006 L.M.C., ch. 7, § 1; 2008 L.M.C., ch. 27, § 2.)
Editor’s note—The above
section is discussed in Fosler v. Panoramic Design, Ltd., 376 Md. 118, 829 A.2d 271 (2003).
2005 L.M.C., ch. 26, §§ 2 and 3, state:
Sec. 2. Regulations. A regulation which implements a function transferred to the Office of Consumer Protection by this Act continues in effect until otherwise amended or repealed, but any reference to any predecessor department or office must be treated as referring to the Office of Consumer Protection.
Sec. 3. Transition. This act does not invalidate or affect any action taken by the Department of Housing and Community Affairs before this Act took effect. Any responsibility or right granted by law, regulation, contract, or other document, and which is associated with a function transferred by this Act from the Department of Housing and Community Affairs, is transferred to the Office of Consumer Protection.
A consumer who is concerned about a potentially discriminatory, predatory, or abusive lending practice in the County may file a written request for assistance with the Officer of Consumer Protection.
(a) Within 20 business days after receiving a written request with all supporting documentation, the Office must review the request.
(b) Upon reviewing the request, the Office must either:
(i) advise the consumer to file a complaint with the Office if a potential violation of Chapter 11 or Chapter 27 exists;
(ii) assist the consumer in filing a complaint with the appropriate government office or agency that has jurisdiction; or
(iii) provide the consumer with information, education, counseling, or a referral to an appropriate outside agency, group, or organization.
(c) The Office, in assisting a consumer with filing a complaint, may consult with any appropriate federal, state, county, or quasi-governmental office or agency. If the Office assists a consumer in filing a complaint with another agency, the Office must contact the appropriate agency within 45 business days after the referral to determine the status of the complaint, and must forward this information to the consumer.
(d) The Office, in conducting activities to identify and educate consumers about discriminatory, predatory, or abusive lending practices, may work with non-government organizations. (2005 L.M.C., ch. 29, § 3.)
*Editor’s note—Section 11-6A was added by 2005 L.M.C., ch. 29, § 3 (Bill 36-04). However, in American Financial Services, et. al. v. Montgomery County, (Civil Action No. 269105), the Court declared Bill 36- 04 “null and void” by order dated 11/30/06.
(a) The Director must enforce this Chapter, and may:
(1) investigate a violation or a complaint;
(2) refer a complaint or a violation to any federal, state, or local agency with jurisdiction over the complaint;
(3) refer a complaint or a violation to a hearing officer under Section 11-10;
(4) pursue an enforcement action under Section 11-11; or
(5) attempt to conciliate a matter with the parties.
(b) The Director must attempt to conciliate a matter before taking enforcement action. However, when the Director finds that any violation is causing or will cause immediate, substantial, and irreparable injury, or it is otherwise in the public interest, the Director may take immediate enforcement action without first attempting conciliation, including issuing a cease and desist order.
(c) This Section does not prevent any person from exercising any right or seeking any remedy to which that person is otherwise entitled, or from filing any complaint with any other agency or court.
(d) This Section does not prevent the Director from following a different procedure or pursuing a different enforcement action during or after an investigation when the Director finds that doing so will serve the public interest.
(e) The Director may seek the cooperation of any licensing authority and contracting department in County government. (1972 L.M.C., ch. 11, § 1; 1974 L.M.C., ch. 13, § 4; 1993 L.M.C., ch. 25, § 1; 1996 L.M.C., ch. 13, § 1; 2005 L.M.C., ch. 24, § 1; 2005 L.M.C., ch. 26, § 1; 2006 L.M.C., ch. 7, § 1.)
Editor's note— The above section is discussed in Fosler v. Panoramic Design, Ltd., 376 Md. 118, 829 A.2d 271 (2003).
2005 L.M.C., ch. 26, §§ 2 and 3, state:
Sec. 2. Regulations. A regulation which implements a function transferred to the Office of Consumer Protection by this Act continues in effect until otherwise amended or repealed, but any reference to any predecessor department or office must be treated as referring to the Office of Consumer Protection.
Sec. 3. Transition. This act does not invalidate or affect any action taken by the Department of Housing and Community Affairs before this Act took effect. Any responsibility or right granted by law, regulation, contract, or other document, and which is associated with a function transferred by this Act from the Department of Housing and Community Affairs, is transferred to the Office of Consumer Protection.
(a) When conciliating a matter, the Director may use the services of any member of the Advisory Committee on Consumer Protection.
(b) The parties may incorporate the terms of a conciliation into a settlement agreement. A settlement agreement does not constitute an admission by any party that any law has been violated. The Director may sign a settlement agreement on behalf of the Office.
(c) Any settlement agreement may require a party to pay the costs of the Office’s investigation and related activities and restitution to a consumer of money, property, or any other thing received in apparent violation of this Chapter. A settlement agreement must not preclude the Office from using any other remedy to correct a violation of this Chapter.
(d) Each signatory must adhere to any settlement agreement. Any failure by the Office or another party to pursue a violation of any settlement agreement does not waive any provision of the agreement or any right of the Office under the agreement or this Chapter.
(e) The Director may enforce a violation of a settlement agreement under Section 11-11 as if it is a violation of this Chapter. (2006 L.M.C., ch. 7, § 1; 2006 L.M.C., ch. 33, § 1.)
Editor’s note—Former Sec. 11-8, costs, which was derived from 1872 L.M.C., ch. 11, § 1; 1996 L.M.C., ch. 13, § 1 and 2005 L.M.C., ch. 26, § 1, was repealed by 2006 L.M.C., ch. 7, § 1. That section is discussed in Fosler v. Panoramic Design, Ltd., 376 Md. 118, 829 A.2d 271 (2003).
(a) If any person does not comply with any summons or subpoena issued under this Chapter, the County may enforce the summons or subpoena by appropriate legal action.
(b) Any court with jurisdiction may grant injunctive or other appropriate relief to enforce a summons or subpoena.
(c) A person must comply with any summons or subpoena issued under this Chapter. (1976 L.M.C., ch. 28, § 1; 1996 L.M.C., ch. 13, § 1; 2005 L.M.C., ch. 26, § 1; 2006 L.M.C., ch. 7, § 1.)
Editor's note—
The above section (formerly Sec. 11-7A) is discussed in Fosler v. Panoramic Design, Ltd., 376 Md. 118, 829 A.2d 271 (2003).
2005 L.M.C., ch. 26, §§ 2 and 3, state:
Sec. 2. Regulations. A regulation which implements a function transferred to the Office of Consumer Protection by this Act continues in effect until otherwise amended or repealed, but any reference to any predecessor department or office must be treated as referring to the Office of Consumer Protection.
Sec. 3. Transition. This act does not invalidate or affect any action taken by the Department of Housing and Community Affairs before this Act took effect. Any responsibility or right granted by law, regulation, contract, or other document, and which is associated with a function transferred by this Act from the Department of Housing and Community Affairs, is transferred to the Office of Consumer Protection.
Section 11-9, formerly Sec. 11-7A, was renumbered and amended by 2006 L.M.C., ch. 7, § 1.
Editor's note—Former Sec. 11-9A, relating to the applicability of this chapter within incorporated municipalities, derived from 1974 L.M.C., ch. 6, § 1, was repealed by 1985 L.M.C., ch. 31, § 9. See § 2-96.
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