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<section article="gbr" article_name="Business Regulation" number="14-210" title_number="14" title_name="Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Franchises">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Whenever the Commissioner finds that a person has violated or is about to violate this subtitle or a regulation adopted or order passed under it, the Commissioner may order the person to cease and desist from the further offer to sell or sale of the franchise until the offer or sale complies with this subtitle.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>After passage of a cease and desist order, the alleged violator may submit to the Commissioner a written request for a hearing.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The hearing shall begin:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>within 15 business days after the Commissioner receives the request for a hearing; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>at a later date, with the consent of the alleged violator.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Unless there is a timely hearing, the cease and desist order is rescinded.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Whenever the Commissioner finds that a person has violated or is about to violate this subtitle or a regulation adopted or order passed under it, the Commissioner may sue in the circuit court to enjoin the violation or enforce this subtitle or the regulation or order.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The court shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>determine if a violation of this subtitle has been or is about to be committed; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>if so, pass any order the court considers necessary to prevent the violation or remove the effects of the violation and prevent it from continuing or being renewed in the future.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The court may exercise all equitable powers necessary for this purpose, including:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>injunction;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>revocation, forfeiture, or suspension of the charter authority or privileges of a business organization operating under the laws of the State;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>dissolution of a corporation or association organized under the laws of the State;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>suspension or termination of the right of a corporation or association organized under the laws of another state or country to do business in the State;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>restitution;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>restraining order;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>award of damages to be paid by a franchisor or subfranchisor to a person injured by a violation of this subtitle; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="viii">
        <text>appointment of a receiver or conservator.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>The court may not require the Commissioner to post bond.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The Commissioner may not exercise a power under this section more than 5 years after the violation occurs.</text>
  </level>
</section>
