# Business Regulation (GBR)

## Title 12. Secondhand Precious Metal Object Dealers and Pawnbrokers

### Subtitle 1. Definitions; General Provisions

#### Section 12-101

(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b)

  (1) "Dealer" means:

    (i) an individual who acquires commercially from the public or trades commercially with the public in secondhand precious metal objects;

    (ii) an individual who for compensation arranges for the sale or delivery of a secondhand precious metal object on behalf of a person that does not hold a license under this title; or

    (iii) unless otherwise provided, a pawnbroker.

  (2) "Dealer" includes a retail jeweler as to transactions in which the retail jeweler acquires commercially from the public or trades commercially with the public in secondhand precious metal objects.

(c) "Employee" means an individual who is employed by a dealer or pawnbroker to buy, sell, or supervise directly the buying or selling of secondhand precious metal objects.

(d) "Fixed business address" means a single physical location in Maryland where a licensee regularly conducts business and at which the licensee or an employee of the licensee is physically present:

  (1) during normal business hours; or

  (2) other hours as provided in the application for the license which are sufficient to provide an authorized law enforcement officer or agent access to the licensee's place of business as provided in Sec. 12-306 of this title.

(e) "License" means a license issued by the Secretary to do business as a dealer.

(f) "Local law enforcement unit" means the Maryland Department of State Police, a Maryland police department, or Maryland sheriff, as designated by resolution of the county or municipal governing body, with jurisdiction over any place where a dealer transacts business other than the dealer's fixed business address.

(g) "Pawnbroker" means a person who engages in pawn transactions.

(h) "Pawn transaction" means a loan of money by a dealer on deposit or pledge of personal property or other valuable thing other than securities or printed evidences of indebtedness, or a purchase by a dealer of personal property or other valuable things on condition of selling the same back at a stipulated price.

(i) "Precious metal object" means:

  (1) a precious metal that is:

    (i) gold;

    (ii) iridium;

    (iii) palladium;

    (iv) platinum; or

    (v) silver;

  (2) a precious or semiprecious stone, or a pearl, that is or appears to have been attached to or inlaid in a precious metal listed in item (1) of this subsection or any alloy of a precious metal; or

  (3) an object that is composed of a precious metal listed in item (1) of this subsection or any alloy of a precious metal if:

    (i) the market value of the metal in the object lies principally in its precious metal component; or

    (ii) at least 25% of the weight of the object is precious metal.

(j) "Primary law enforcement unit" means the Department of State Police, a police department, or sheriff, as designated by resolution of the county or municipal governing body in the county in which the license is held.

(k) "Remount sale" means a transaction between a retailer and an existing customer to upgrade the customer's precious or semiprecious stone or pearl by removing from an existing mounting and placing in a new mounting from the retailer and crediting the value of the existing mounting toward the cost of the new mounting.

#### Section 12-102

(a) This title does not apply to a transaction that involves:

  (1) merchandise acquired from an established manufacturer or dealer who holds a license under this title, other than a pawnbroker, if the dealer who acquires the merchandise keeps an invoice or other customary proof of origin for the merchandise;

  (2) a metal acquired for use in dentistry by a dentist licensed to practice dentistry under Title 4 of the Health Occupations Article;

  (3) coins; or

  (4) the purchase of junk or scrap metal that is subject to the record keeping and reporting requirements under Sec. 17-1011 of this article.

(b) If a retail jeweler has a fixed business address in the State, this title does not apply to a transaction in which the retail jeweler:

  (1) accepts, in accordance with a posted return policy, the return of an item that the jeweler originally sold;

  (2) accepts, in accordance with a published trade-in policy, merchandise in trade that the jeweler originally sold;

  (3) repossesses merchandise that the jeweler originally sold, if the original buyer has defaulted;

  (4) retains merchandise that the jeweler originally accepted for repair as a bailee for hire, if the customer who deposited the merchandise:

    (i) defaulted; or

    (ii) failed to reclaim the merchandise within the time agreed on with the jeweler;

  (5) accumulates pieces of precious metals in the course of performing repairs, remountings, fabrications, or custom orders; or

  (6) participates in a remount sale.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this title, this title does not apply to a pawnbroker located in a county that regulates pawnbrokers unless the pawnbroker does business as a dealer.

(d)

  (1) A county or municipal corporation may not enact a law to regulate dealers or coins.

  (2) This title supersedes any existing law of a county or municipal corporation that regulates dealers or coins.

#### Section 12-103

The Secretary may adopt and enforce regulations to carry out this title.

#### Section 12-104

The Secretary shall pay all money collected under this title into the General Fund of the State.

### Subtitle 2. Secondhand Precious Metal Object Dealers

#### Section 12-201

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this title or Sec.Sec. 10-14A-03 and 10-14B-03 of the State Government Article, an individual shall have a license before the individual does business as a dealer in the State.

(b) Except those pawnbrokers who are exempt from State licensing under Sec. 12-102(c) of this title or Sec.Sec. 10-14A-03 and 10-14B-03 of the State Government Article, all pawnbrokers must be licensed as dealers.

#### Section 12-202

(a)

  (1) An applicant for a license shall:

    (i) submit to the Secretary an application on the form that the Secretary provides; and

    (ii) pay to the Secretary an application fee of $300.

  (2) The application fee is nonrefundable.

(b) The applicant shall sign the application under oath.

(c) In addition to any other information that the Secretary requires, the application shall state:

  (1) the name, date of birth, and residence address of the applicant;

  (2) the fixed business address of the applicant;

  (3) the fixed address in the State where precious metal objects will be stored, if different from the fixed business address, provided, however, that a bank or safe deposit box is not an acceptable storage location unless written consent by the applicant and a bank official authorizing access to the storage facility and examination of its contents by law enforcement officers or agents accompany the application;

  (4) a telephone number at which the applicant can be reached during normal business hours;

  (5) each address where the applicant has conducted any business during the 36 months before application;

  (6) the driver's license number, if any, of the applicant; and

  (7) the name and permanent address of each employee who will work with the applicant in the business of the applicant.

(d) The application form shall contain, immediately above the signature line, the following:

"If issued a license, I agree to allow a municipal, county, or State police officer or agent acting in the course of a stolen property investigation or an investigation of a violation of this title to inspect and photograph all precious metal objects and records at my business or storage locations."

#### Section 12-203

Before an individual may begin work for a dealer as an employee:

(1) the dealer shall submit to the Secretary, on the form that the Secretary provides, the name of the individual; and

(2) the individual shall apply for a national and State criminal history records check required under Sec. 12-204(b) of this subtitle.

#### Section 12-204

(a) In this section, "Central Repository" means the Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

(b) Applicants for licenses under Sec. 12-201 of this subtitle and individuals whose names must be submitted to the Secretary under Sec. 12-203 of this subtitle shall apply to the Central Repository for a national and State criminal history records check on a form approved by the Director of the Central Repository.

(c) The Central Repository shall provide to the Secretary:

  (1) the national and State criminal history records of each individual requiring a criminal history records check under subsection (b) of this section and issue a printed statement listing any convictions and pleas of guilty or nolo contendere to any criminal charge;

  (2) an update of the initial criminal history records check for an individual requiring a criminal history records check and issue a revised printed statement listing any convictions and pleas of guilty or nolo contendere to any criminal charge occurring in the State after the date of the initial criminal history records check; and

  (3) an acknowledged receipt of the application for a criminal history records check by an individual requiring a criminal history records check.

(d) An individual requiring a criminal history records check shall submit a complete set of legible fingerprints taken at any designated State or local law enforcement office in the State or other agency or location approved by the Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to the Central Repository.

(e) An individual requiring a criminal history records check under subsection (b) of this section shall pay:

  (1) the mandatory processing fee required by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history records check; and

  (2) the fee authorized under Sec. 10-221(b)(7) of the Criminal Procedure Article for access to Maryland criminal history records.

(f) A dealer or an applicant may pay for the costs borne by the employee or other individual requiring a criminal history records check under subsection (b) of this section.

(g)

  (1) Information obtained by the Secretary from the Central Repository under this title shall be confidential and may be disseminated only to the individual who is the subject of the criminal history records check.

  (2) Nothing in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall preclude the Secretary from notifying a dealer or an applicant of the approval or disqualification of the employee for employment based on information obtained by the Secretary under this section.

(h) The Secretary shall verify periodically the continued employment or licensure of individuals requiring criminal history records checks in accordance with regulations adopted by the Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

#### Section 12-205

(a) Upon receipt of a complete national and State criminal record report from the Central Repository in accordance with Sec. 12-204 of this subtitle, the Secretary shall issue a license to each applicant who meets the requirements of this subtitle.

(b) The Secretary:

  (1) may issue a license only for a fixed business address; but

  (2) may not issue a license for an address that is:

    (i) a hotel or motel room;

    (ii) a motor vehicle;

    (iii) a post office box; or

    (iv) a location which does not meet the qualifications as defined in Sec. 12-101(d) of this title.

(c) The Secretary may not issue more than 1 license for any single business location unless the dealers at that location are in partnership.

(d) The Secretary may not issue a license to a minor.

(e) Whenever a license is suspended or revoked, another license may not be issued to a dealer for the same business location unless the applicant provides the documentation and information, which the Secretary establishes by regulation, is necessary to demonstrate that the applicant will be engaging in a business which is separate and independent from the business of the revoked or suspended license.

#### Section 12-206

(a) A license authorizes the licensee to do business as a dealer only at the address for which the license is issued.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a dealer who holds a license under this subtitle may:

  (1) make purchases at an estate and judicial sale; and

  (2) transact business at the residence of the owner of a precious metal object or a place where the owner keeps a precious metal object:

    (i) on request of the owner; and

    (ii) after giving written notice of the proposed transaction and its location to the local law enforcement unit with jurisdiction over that location.

#### Section 12-207

(a) Unless a license is renewed for a 2-year term as provided in this section, the license expires on the first April 30 that comes:

  (1) after the effective date of the license; and

  (2) in an even-numbered year.

(b)

  (1) At least 1 month before a license expires, the Secretary shall mail or electronically transmit to the licensee:

    (i) a renewal application form; and

    (ii) a notice that states:

      (1) the date on which the current license expires; and

      (2) the amount of the renewal fee.

  (2) If an electronic transmission under paragraph (1) of this subsection is returned to the Secretary as undeliverable, the Secretary shall mail to the licensee, at the last known address of the licensee, the materials required under paragraph (1) of this subsection within 10 business days of the date the Secretary received the notice that the electronic transmission was undeliverable.

(c) Before a license expires, the licensee periodically may renew it for an additional 2-year term, if the licensee:

  (1) submits to the Secretary a renewal application on the form that the Secretary provides;

  (2) signs the renewal application under oath;

  (3) updates the information submitted in the original application and states that the information is current;

  (4) except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, agrees to comply with each requirement applicable to the original application;

  (5) states that the licensee:

    (i) has not violated this title;

    (ii) has not been convicted of an offense specified in Sec. 12-209 of this subtitle; and

    (iii) has not had a similar license denied, suspended, or revoked in another jurisdiction;

  (6) otherwise is entitled to be licensed; and

  (7) pays to the Secretary a renewal fee of $265.

(d) The Secretary may require a licensee to submit a national and State criminal history records check with the renewal application.

(e) The Secretary shall renew the license of each licensee who meets the requirements of this section.

(f) A license is not transferable and may be used only to benefit the licensee.

(g)

  (1) A licensee may change the place of business for which a license is issued only if the licensee:

    (i) submits to the Secretary an application to transfer the license to a new business location on a form that the Secretary provides; and

    (ii) receives the written approval of the Secretary.

  (2) Within 45 days after the application is filed with the Secretary, the Secretary shall approve or disapprove the application and notify the licensee of the approval or disapproval, in writing.

  (3) If the Secretary approves a proposed change of place of business, the licensee shall:

    (i) submit to the Secretary a current list of names of each employee to be employed at the new location; and

    (ii) attach the written approval of the Secretary to the license until an amended license is received by the licensee.

(h) The Secretary may determine that licenses issued under this subtitle shall expire on a staggered basis.

#### Section 12-208

(a) Each licensee shall display the license conspicuously in the place of business of the licensee.

(b)

  (1) Only a licensed dealer may advertise for the commercial trading with the public or acquiring from the public in secondhand precious metal objects.

  (2) An advertisement for the commercial trading with the public or acquiring from the public in secondhand precious metal objects shall include the name and license number of the licensee, in compliance with applicable regulations adopted by the Department.

#### Section 12-209

(a)

  (1) Except as otherwise provided, in this subsection, a dealer's or applicant's agents, employees, management personnel, or partners include only those individuals who are directly involved in pawn transactions or the acquisition or sale of secondhand precious metals on behalf of the dealer or applicant.

  (2) Subject to the hearing provisions of Sec. 12-210 of this subtitle, the Secretary may deny a license to an applicant, reprimand a licensee, or suspend or revoke a license if the applicant or licensee or an agent, employee, manager, or partner of the applicant or licensee:

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

    (ii) fraudulently or deceptively uses a license;

    (iii) has a similar license denied, suspended, or revoked in another jurisdiction;

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

      (1) felony; or

      (2) misdemeanor that is directly related to the fitness and qualification of the applicant or licensee to be involved in a pawn transaction or the sale or acquisition of secondhand precious metals;

    (v) knowingly employs or knowingly continues to employ, after being notified by the Secretary, an individual who, under the laws of the United States or of any state, is convicted of:

      (1) a felony; or

      (2) a misdemeanor that is directly related to the fitness and qualification of the employee to be involved in a pawn transaction or the sale or acquisition of secondhand precious metals;

    (vi) knowingly employs or knowingly continues to employ in any capacity, after being notified by the Secretary, an individual whose precious metals dealer's license has been revoked;

    (vii) willfully fails to provide or willfully misrepresents any information required to be provided under this title;

    (viii) violates this title; or

    (ix) violates a regulation adopted under this title.

  (3)

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

    (ii) To determine the amount of the penalty imposed under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider:

      (1) the seriousness of the violation;

      (2) the harm caused by the violation;

      (3) the good faith of the licensee; and

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

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

  (5) The Secretary shall distribute periodically to all dealers a list of individuals whose licenses have been revoked in the State.

(b)

  (1) If a licensee is charged with a violation of this title that could result in suspension or revocation of the license, or if the Secretary has probable cause to believe that this title has been, or will be, violated through transactions likely to occur pursuant to Sec. 12-206 of this subtitle, the Secretary may seek from a circuit court an immediate restraining order to prohibit the licensee from:

    (i) buying or selling a secondhand precious metal object;

    (ii) disposing of a secondhand precious metal object; or

    (iii) disposing of a record about a secondhand precious metal object.

  (2) The restraining order is in effect until:

    (i) the court lifts the order;

    (ii) the charges are adjudicated or dismissed; or

    (iii) in the case of an event held in accordance with Sec. 12-206 of this subtitle, arrangements are made by the licensee which will ensure compliance with the provisions of this title.

(c) The Secretary 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)(2)(iv) 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 act as a pawnbroker or a secondhand precious metal object dealer;

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

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

#### Section 12-210

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Sec. 10-226 of the State Government Article, before the Secretary takes any final action under Sec. 12-209 of this subtitle, the Secretary shall give the individual against whom the action is contemplated an opportunity for a hearing before the Secretary.

(b) The Secretary shall give notice and hold the hearing in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article.

(c) The Secretary may administer oaths in a proceeding under this section.

(d) If, after due notice, the individual against whom the action is contemplated does not appear, nevertheless the Secretary may hear and determine the matter.

#### Section 12-211

A party to a proceeding under this title who is aggrieved by a final decision of the Secretary in a contested case, as defined in Sec. 10-202 of the State Government Article, may take an appeal as allowed in Sec.Sec. 10-222 and 10-223 of the State Government Article.

#### Section 12-212

The Secretary shall inform each primary law enforcement unit of each license that is issued, renewed, changed to a new business location, denied, suspended, or revoked.

#### Section 12-213

A dealer may not acquire a precious metal object, or take any merchandise in a pawn transaction, from an individual who is a minor.

### Subtitle 3. Precious Metal Objects -- Records; Holding Period; Inspection

#### Section 12-301

(a)

  (1) Each dealer shall make a written record, on a form provided by the Secretary, of each business transaction that involves the acquisition of a secondhand precious metal object when the transaction is made.

  (2) Each dealer shall retain the original copy of the written record required to be made under paragraph (1) of this subsection at the dealer's place of business.

(b) Each pawnbroker shall make a written record, on a form provided by the Secretary, of each business transaction that involves:

  (1) lending money on pledge of personal property, other than a security or printed evidence of indebtedness;

  (2) buying personal property on condition of selling it back at a stipulated price; or

  (3) buying the following items for the purpose of resale:

    (i) binoculars;

    (ii) cameras;

    (iii) firearms;

    (iv) furs;

    (v) household appliances;

    (vi) musical instruments;

    (vii) office machines or equipment;

    (viii) radios, televisions, videodisc machines, videocassette recorders, and stereo equipment;

    (ix) personal computers, tapes, and disc recorders;

    (x) watches;

    (xi) bicycles; and

    (xii) tangible personal property pledged as collateral.

(c) Each pawnbroker shall make a written record, on a form provided by the Secretary, of each transaction that involves the acquisition of an item described in subsection (b)(3) of this section for the purpose of resale.

(d)

  (1) A separate record entry shall be made for each item involved in a transaction.

  (2) Items in a matching set may be recorded as a set if acquired in a single transaction.

(e) During the holding period required under Sec. 12-305 of this subtitle, a dealer may place all of the items acquired in a single transaction in a secure container that has been approved by the primary law enforcement unit, if:

  (1) each item in the transaction has a separate record entry in the written record required under this section; and

  (2) the secure container is tagged by the dealer with the number that corresponds to the transaction under which the items were acquired and the written record listing the items obtained in the transaction.

(f)

  (1) When a dealer places items into the dealer's inventory, the dealer shall tag each item individually with a number that corresponds to the transaction under which it was acquired. However, items acquired in a matching set may be tagged as a set.

  (2) Each item tagged by a dealer under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall remain tagged for the entire period the item is stored in the dealer's inventory.

(g) For the purposes of this subtitle, there is a presumption that an object is a precious metal object if:

  (1) it reasonably appears to be a precious metal object; and

  (2) it was received by a dealer in the course of business or is found in the place of business or storage facility of a dealer.

#### Section 12-302

(a) In addition to any other information required by the Secretary, the records of a dealer shall include:

  (1) the date, place, and time of each transaction that involves the acquisition of a precious metal object;

  (2) the name and address of the principal, if the transaction is by an agent;

  (3) a description of the precious metal object, including:

    (i) its approximate metallic composition;

    (ii) any jewels, stones, or glass parts;

    (iii) any mark, number, word, or other identification on the precious metal object;

    (iv) its weight, if payment is based on weight;

    (v) a statement whether it appears to have been altered by any means, including:

      (1) obscuring a serial number or identifying feature;

      (2) melting; or

      (3) recutting a gem; and

    (vi) the amount paid or other consideration;

  (4) for each individual from whom the dealer acquires a precious metal object:

    (i) the name, date of birth, and driver's license number of the individual; or

    (ii) identification information about the individual that:

      (1) positively identifies the individual from at least 2 forms of identification, which may include an age of majority card, uniformed services identification, or passport; and

      (2) provides a physical description of the individual, including the sex, race, any distinguishing features, and approximate age, height, and weight of the individual;

  (5) a statement indicating whether or not the person making the transaction is personally known to the dealer; and

  (6) the signature of the person from whom the precious metal object or personal property is acquired and the dealer or employee who accepted the precious metal object.

(b) In addition to any other information required by the Secretary, the records of a pawnbroker shall include, for each item pawned:

  (1) the type of item;

  (2) its manufacturer, model number, year of manufacture if known, and serial number if known; and

  (3) its color and size.

#### Section 12-303

Unless otherwise authorized by the Secretary, a dealer shall keep the records required by this subtitle, at a location within the State, for 3 years after the date of the transaction.

#### Section 12-304

(a)

  (1) A dealer shall submit the required information from each record to the primary law enforcement unit in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.

  (2) If the dealer transacts business in accordance with Sec. 12-206(b) of this title, the dealer also shall submit the required information from the records to the local law enforcement unit in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.

  (3) On the request of a dealer, the Secretary shall provide to the dealer a list of local law enforcement units.

(b)

  (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the dealer shall submit the records by transmitting the required information from the records electronically, in a format acceptable to the receiving law enforcement unit, by noon of the next business day.

  (2) A dealer may request an extension of up to 48 hours to submit the records required under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(c) Each record, submitted to the primary law enforcement unit and, if applicable, local law enforcement unit, shall include:

  (1) the license number of the dealer;

  (2) the location of each item listed in the record; and

  (3) the information required under Sec. 12-302 of this subtitle.

(d) The required information from a record submitted under this section:

  (1) shall be kept confidential;

  (2) is not a public record; and

  (3) is not subject to Title 4 of the General Provisions Article.

(e) The primary law enforcement unit shall adopt a procedure for a dealer to amend a record required to be submitted under this section.

(f) A law enforcement unit may cease to maintain a record submitted under this section after 1 year from the date the law enforcement unit receives the copy.

#### Section 12-305

(a)

  (1)

    (i)

      (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a dealer who acquires a precious metal object shall keep it in the county where the dealer holds a license from the time of acquisition until at least 18 days after submitting a copy of a record of its acquisition under Sec. 12-304 of this subtitle.

      (2) Notwithstanding subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the 18-day holding period established under this subparagraph applies to a precious metal object that:

      (A) a dealer licensed in Prince George's County acquired in a pawn transaction; and

      (B) an individual seeks to redeem by presenting the original ticket issued as part of the pawn transaction.

    (ii) A dealer who holds a license in Prince George's County and who acquires a precious metal object, other than a pawned precious metal object described in subparagraph (i)2 of this paragraph, shall keep it in Prince George's County from the time of acquisition until at least 30 days after submitting a copy of a record of its acquisition under Sec. 12-304 of this subtitle.

  (2) A dealer who acquires a precious metal object at an event which takes place at a location other than the dealer's fixed business address shall place the object and a record of its acquisition at a location in accordance with subsection (d)(1) or (2) of this section by the next business day after acquiring the object.

  (3) In partial compliance with the 18-day holding requirement under this subsection, a dealer may maintain an object and the record of its acquisition at a location other than the dealer's fixed business address, if the local law enforcement unit in the jurisdiction where the item was acquired provides written approval.

(b)

  (1) A dealer may submit to the primary law enforcement unit a written request for a shorter holding period for a specific precious metal object.

  (2) Within 48 hours after the primary law enforcement unit receives a request, the primary law enforcement unit shall approve or deny the request.

  (3) After inspecting the precious metal object, the primary law enforcement unit may authorize in writing a shorter holding period.

  (4) If the primary law enforcement unit denies the request, the primary law enforcement unit shall state the reasons in writing.

(c)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a dealer may not alter a precious metal object before or during the holding period.

  (2) During the holding period, a dealer may chemically test a precious metal object to determine its metal content or value if the dealer does not alter the precious metal object so as to affect its identification or value.

(d) During the holding period for a precious metal object, a dealer shall keep the precious metal object and the record of its acquisition in:

  (1) the place of business of the dealer; or

  (2) a storage facility specified in the license application of the dealer.

#### Section 12-306

(a) A dealer shall allow an authorized law enforcement officer or agent, on request, to enter the place of business or storage premises of the dealer during business hours to inspect a record required to be maintained under this title or precious metal object as part of a stolen property investigation or an investigation of a violation of this title.

(b)

  (1) On request of the dealer, the officer or agent shall make the inspection in the presence of the dealer or an agent of the dealer.

  (2) If the dealer refuses to allow access or produce the record or precious metal object for inspection, the officer or agent shall seek a search warrant.

  (3) A warrant authorizing an administrative inspection for possible regulatory violations shall be issued if the officer or agent establishes probable cause for the selection of the place of business in question for inspection and that the inspection will be reasonably limited in time, place, and scope.

(c) A dealer who refuses to allow access or to produce records or precious metal objects for inspection on request, shall be subject to the provisions of Sec. 12-209 of this title and, in addition, may be assessed a civil penalty as provided in subsection (d) of this section.

(d)

  (1) The Secretary may impose on a licensee who violates this section a civil penalty not exceeding $500 for each violation.

  (2) In setting the amount of a civil penalty under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider:

    (i) the seriousness of the violation;

    (ii) the good faith of the violator;

    (iii) any previous violations;

    (iv) the harmful effect of the violation on the complainant, the public, and the business of the dealer or pawnbroker; and

    (v) any other relevant factors.

### Subtitle 4. Miscellaneous Provision

#### Section 12-401

(a) This section applies to all dealers and all pawnbrokers wherever located in the State.

(b) A dealer or pawnbroker shall release to the primary law enforcement unit an item of personal property, other than a security or printed evidence of indebtedness, located at the place of business of the dealer or pawnbroker if:

  (1) the item is established to have been stolen;

  (2) the owner of the item or victim of the theft has positively identified the item;

  (3) the owner of the item or the agent or designee of the owner has provided an affidavit of ownership;

  (4) the stolen property report describes the item by:

    (i) a date;

    (ii) initials;

    (iii) an insurance record;

    (iv) a photograph;

    (v) a sales receipt;

    (vi) a serial number;

    (vii) specific damage;

    (viii) a statement of the facts that show that the item is one of a kind; or

    (ix) a unique engraving; and

  (5) the primary law enforcement unit provides to the dealer or pawnbroker a receipt that describes the item and that notifies the dealer or pawnbroker of the dealer's or pawnbroker's right to file an application for a statement of charges against the individual who sold the item to the dealer or pawnbroker, or other alleged thief for theft under Sec. 7-104 of the Criminal Law Article.

(c)

  (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a dealer shall retain in the dealer's place of business, for an additional period of 12 days, any item of personal property or other valuable thing, other than securities or printed evidence of indebtedness, if:

    (i) the primary law enforcement unit requests that the dealer retain the item;

    (ii) the primary law enforcement unit has reasonable cause to believe the item has been stolen; and

    (iii) the item has not been identified under subsection (b)(2) of this section.

  (2) A dealer shall retain in the dealer's place of business, for an additional 45 days following the holding period required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, an item of personal property or other valuable thing, other than securities or printed evidence of indebtedness, if the primary law enforcement unit:

    (i) requests that the dealer retain the item in the dealer's place of business;

    (ii) has a continuous active investigation of an item initially held under paragraph (1) of this subsection based on a reasonable cause to believe the item was stolen; and

    (iii) has documentation of progress in the investigation as long as the investigation has not been closed.

  (3) A primary law enforcement unit may renew a request to hold an item under paragraph (2) of this subsection as many times as necessary.

(d) When a primary law enforcement unit no longer needs an item for evidence, the primary law enforcement unit shall give the item to its owner.

(e) A dealer or pawnbroker who is required to release an item under this section is not entitled to reimbursement for any pledge or purchase price paid for the item from:

  (1) the primary law enforcement unit to which the dealer released the item;

  (2) the owner of the item; or

  (3) the victim of the theft.

(f) If the owner of the item or the victim of the theft chooses to participate in the prosecution of the alleged identified thief, then the charges of theft from the owner or the victim of the theft and the charges of theft from the dealer or pawnbroker may be heard in a joint trial.

(g) The Secretary shall distribute to licensed dealers or post on the Department's Web site the name of the primary law enforcement unit responsible for enforcing this title in each jurisdiction, including municipalities.

#### Section 12-402

A person that sells an item to a dealer shall sign a statement, under the penalties of perjury, that the person is the owner of the item.

#### Section 12-403

(a) If there is probable cause to believe that a violation of this title has occurred, the Secretary shall have the authority to issue subpoenas for records, reports, or articles in connection with any investigation or administrative proceeding under this title.

(b) If a licensee or a licensee's employee fails to comply with a subpoena issued under this section, on petition of the Secretary, a circuit court may compel compliance with the subpoena.

### Subtitle 5. Prohibited Acts; Penalties

#### Section 12-501

Except as otherwise provided in this title, a person may not do business as a dealer in the State unless the person has a license.

#### Section 12-502

(a)

  (1) A person who willfully or knowingly violates this title is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or both.

  (2) Each associate, employee, manager, or partner who participates in or consents to a violation of this title is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both.

  (3) Each violation of this title is a separate offense.

(b)

  (1) The Secretary may impose on a person who violates any provision of this title a penalty not exceeding $5,000 for each violation.

  (2) In setting the amount of the penalty, the Secretary shall consider:

    (i) the seriousness of the violation;

    (ii) the harm caused by the violation;

    (iii) the good faith of the violator;

    (iv) any history of previous violations by the violator; and

    (v) any other relevant factors.

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

### Subtitle 6. Short Title

#### Section 12-601

This title is the Maryland Secondhand Precious Metal Object Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act.

---

Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)