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<section article="gbr" article_name="Business Regulation" number="8-408" title_number="8" title_name="Home Improvement" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Home Improvement Guaranty Fund">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Commission may join a proceeding on a claim against the Fund with a disciplinary proceeding against a licensed contractor under Subtitle 3 of this title, if the disciplinary hearing is based on the same facts alleged in the claim.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>In a consolidated proceeding, the claimant is a party and may participate in the hearing to the extent necessary to establish the claim.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Notwithstanding § 8-402(2) of this subtitle, a claimant may not concurrently submit a claim to recover from the Fund and bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction against a contractor based on the same facts alleged in the claim.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>If the claimant brings an action in a court of competent jurisdiction based on the same facts alleged in a pending claim, the Commission shall stay its proceedings on the claim until there is a final judgment and all rights to appeal are exhausted.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <level label="i">
        <text>To the extent that a final judgment or final award in arbitration is decided in favor of the claimant, the Commission shall approve the claim against the Fund.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>If a final judgment or final award in arbitration is decided in favor of the defendant, the Commission shall dismiss the claim against the Fund.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
