The Commissioner shall administer and enforce this title. The proposed budget of the Division of Labor and Industry shall include an appropriation from the Workers’ Compensation Commission to cover the cost of administering and enforcing this title. The Workers’ Compensation Commission shall pay the cost of administering and enforcing this title from money that the Commission receives under § 9-316 of the Labor and Employment Article.

The Commissioner may delegate any power or duty of the Commissioner under this title.

The Commissioner may make an agreement with a municipal corporation or political subdivision of the State or unit of the State government to delegate the power of inspection. If a political subdivision satisfies the Commissioner that the political subdivision can make the inspections required under this title, the Commissioner shall make an agreement with the political subdivision to delegate the power of inspection. The Commissioner may retain the right to monitor an inspection by a municipal corporation or political subdivision of the State or unit of the State government. The Commissioner may revoke the agreement.

The Commissioner may administer oaths, depose witnesses, and certify to official acts. The Commissioner may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses to testify or to produce evidence. In addition to any duties set forth elsewhere, the Commissioner shall establish procedures necessary for reporting and keeping records to carry out the duties of the Commissioner under this title.

Whenever an individual who is authorized to inspect property in the State under this title is denied access to the property after making a proper request for access of the owner, tenant, or other person in charge of the property, the individual may apply to the District Court for an administrative search warrant. The application shall: state the nature, purpose, and scope of the inspection; and show that: the applicant: is authorized by law to make the inspection; and made a proper request for access at a reasonable time; access was denied; and the inspection is for a purpose related to safety or health. An application may not be submitted to the District Court unless approved by the Attorney General. On application in accordance with this section, the District Court may issue an administrative search warrant.

A person who is adversely affected or aggrieved by an order passed or regulation adopted by the Commissioner under this title may appeal to a court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with the Maryland Rules. The filing of an appeal does not stay an order or regulation of the Commissioner. However, after giving the Commissioner notice and an opportunity for a hearing, the court in which the appeal is pending may stay an order or regulation of the Commissioner on the conditions that the court considers proper. The conditions may include a requirement to post security. A court shall hear the appeal promptly. A regulation that the Commissioner adopts under this subtitle: is prima facie lawful and reasonable; and may not be held invalid because of a technical defect, if there is substantial compliance with this title.

The Commissioner may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enforce an order passed or regulation adopted under this subtitle. Subject to § 3-302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, on request of the Commissioner, the Attorney General may proceed in a State or federal court or before any other federal unit to enforce a decision or order of the Commissioner under this title. A court shall hear the action promptly. A regulation that the Commissioner adopts under this subtitle: is prima facie lawful and reasonable; and may not be held invalid because of a technical defect, if there is substantial compliance with this title.