Section 16-701.1 - Grounds for denials, reprimands, suspensions, revocations, and penalties - Home inspector. - Maryland Statutes

§ 16-701.1. Grounds for denials, reprimands, suspensions, revocations, and penalties - Home inspector.
 

(a)  In general.- Subject to the hearing provisions of § 16-602 of this title, the Commission may deny a home inspector license to any applicant, reprimand any home inspector licensee, or suspend or revoke a home inspector license if the applicant or licensee: 

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

(2) fraudulently or deceptively uses a license; 

(3) engages in conduct that demonstrates bad faith, incompetency, negligence or untrustworthiness, or that constitutes dishonest, fraudulent, or improper dealings; 

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

(i) a felony; or 

(ii) a misdemeanor that is directly related to the fitness and qualification of the applicant or licensee to provide home inspection services; 

(5) fails to maintain the insurance required under § 16-4A-04 of this title; 

(6) violates any provision of this title; 

(7) violates any regulation adopted under this title; or 

(8) aids, abets, or assists any person in violating any provision of this title or any regulation adopted under this title. 

(b)  Penalty.-  

(1) Instead of or in addition to reprimanding a licensee or suspending or revoking a license under this section, the Commission may impose a penalty not exceeding $5,000 for each violation. 

(2) To determine the amount of the penalty imposed, the Commission shall consider: 

(i) the seriousness of the violation; 

(ii) the harm caused by the violation; 

(iii) the good faith of the licensee; and 

(iv) any history of previous violations by the licensee. 

(3) The Commission shall pay any penalty collected under this subsection into the General Fund of the State. 

(c)  Facts to be considered.- 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 a misdemeanor described in subsection (a)(4) 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 inspection 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. 
 

[2001, ch. 470; 2002, ch. 19, § 1; 2008, ch. 160; 2010, ch. 153.]