Part I – Department Established

In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

“Board” means the Baltimore City Board of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing.

“Business” means any person engaged in an enterprise for profit that operates in Baltimore City.

“Complainant” means the person who initiated a complaint to the Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing under this subtitle.

“Department” means the Baltimore City Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing.

“Director” means the Director of the Baltimore City Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing or the Director’s designee.

“Respondent” means a business that is the subject of a complaint under this subtitle.

“Unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices” has the meaning stated in Title 13 of the State Commercial Law Article.

to centralize the administration of City business licenses, permits, and practices specified in subsection § 42-9 {“Business practices under oversight of the Department – Listing”} of this subtitle;

to ensure compliance with City licensing requirements;

to ensure City businesses are properly licensed and operating in accordance with City law;

to investigate claims of unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices; and

to enforce business licensing and consumer protection provisions of the City Code.

administer, oversee, and enforce City business licenses, permits, and practices, including business processes and related licenses created by the subtitles specified in § 42-9 {“Business practices under oversight of the Department – Listing”} of this subtitle;

receive complaints and take action to investigate complaints of:

set licensing fees, with the approval of the Board of Estimates;

bring enforcement actions against a business for violating City law, including initiating a hearing before the Board of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing;

issue summonses and subpoenas during an investigation under this subtitle;

issue environmental citations, as described under subtitle 40 of this article;

issue civil citations, as described under subtitle 41 of this article;

report to any appropriate government agency with jurisdiction any information concerning violation of any consumer protection law; and

advise the Mayor and City Council on issues relevant to City business licensing and consumer protection.

The Director is responsible for the administration and oversight of the Department.

The Director is appointed by the Mayor in accordance with <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="IV|§6">Article IV, § 6 of the City Charter</cite>.

The Director shall receive such salary as may be provided for in the Ordinance of Estimates.

The Department may employ staff in accordance with the Ordinance of Estimates.

The Department may expend funds authorized in the Ordinance of Estimates or any supplemental appropriations.

the activities of the Department; and

complaints received by the Department, including the following information:

recommendations for additional legislation and policy to regulate business licensing and protect consumers.

Subtitle 1. Auctions Subtitle 4. Unfair, Abusive, or Deceptive Trade Practices Subtitle 6. “Going Out of Business” Sales Subtitle 7. Scrap Collectors and Scavengers Subtitle 8. Scrap Metal Dealers Subtitle 10. Motor Fuel Sales Subtitle 11. Pawnbrokers Subtitle 12. Second-Hand Property, Antiques, and Consignment Goods

Subtitle 13. Licensing of Peep Show Establishments

Subtitle 2. Amusements Subtitle 3. Amusement Device Location Permits Subtitle 6. Carriages, Wagons, Boats, and Scows Subtitle 7. Employment Agencies Subtitle 9. Late-Night Commercial Operations Subtitle 11. Massage Establishments Subtitle 12. Commercial Parking Facilities Subtitle 13. Special-Event Parking Lots Subtitle 15. Street Entertainers Subtitle 17. Street Vendors Subtitle 18. Itinerant Wholesale Produce Dealers Subtitle 20. Transient Merchants Subtitle 22. Towing Services – Trespass Towing