§ 14–219.1
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. § 14-219.1 (2026)
Title 14. Business Opportunities, Franchises, and Multilevel Distribution Companies
Subtitle 2. Franchises
§ 14–219.1LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this section, “Program” means the Maryland Franchise Disclosure Document Renewal Fast–Track Review Pilot Program.
(b)
(1)
There is a Maryland Franchise Disclosure Document Renewal Fast–Track Review Pilot Program.
(2)
The Commissioner shall administer the Program.
(c)
(1)
The Commissioner shall establish a standard for the review and approval of incomplete franchise disclosure documents, including franchise disclosure documents that were not submitted for participation in the Program.
(2)
The Commissioner may use a technology system to assist the review of documents as required under this section.
(d)
The Commissioner shall adopt regulations to carry out this section, including regulations establishing requirements and procedures for the submission and approval of franchise disclosure documents.
(e)
On or before September 30, 2031, the Commissioner shall, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, submit to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Economic Matters Committee and post on the website of the Office of the Attorney General a report that includes:
(1)
the number of franchise disclosure documents submitted by franchisors under the Program;
(2)
the number of franchisors that participated in the Program;
(3)
the amount of time required to administer the Program;
(4)
an analysis of whether there was any impact on franchise disclosure documents submitted outside the Program, including the amount of time required for the analysis of franchise disclosure documents that were rejected;
(5)
a description of programs in other states that address exemptions for established franchisors, including the eligibility standards by which the appropriate authority makes determinations regarding established franchisors;
(6)
an analysis of whether, and the extent to which, the Program maintains or enhances the protections afforded to prospective franchisees under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law, including:
(i)
an evaluation of whether the expedited review of franchisor registration applications under the Program diminishes the efficacy of the disclosure requirements and review standards; and
(ii)
a description of any franchisee protection benefits that may result from a more timely and efficient registration process; and
(7)
information regarding the efficiency of the review of franchise disclosure documents submitted for participation in the Program and franchise disclosure documents that were not submitted for participation in the Program, including information concerning:
(i)
commentary periods;
(ii)
amendment periods;
(iii)
the time for completion of submission and review of franchise disclosure documents;
(iv)
the number of reviewers; and
(v)
the average number of franchise disclosure documents submitted each year.