<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gcl" article_name="Commercial Law" number="12-1509" title_number="12" title_name="Credit Regulations" subtitle_number="15" subtitle_name="Earned Wage Access">
  <level label="a">
    <text>A licensee or a person exempt from licensing under this subtitle is not subject to a penalty for a violation that arises because the licensee or person exempt from licensing in good faith:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Performed or omitted to perform an act in conformity with or in reliance on:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>A written opinion of the Attorney General of Maryland or a regulation adopted by the Commissioner;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>A written opinion by the Commissioner given on request of the licensee or person exempt from licensing; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>An interpretation by the Commissioner in a written notice or examination report; or</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Used a form or procedure that has been approved in writing by the Commissioner and the Attorney General.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The provisions of subsection (a) of this section do not apply to an act or omission to act that occurs after:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>The opinion, regulation, or interpretation relied on is amended, repealed, or determined to be invalid for any reason by any judicial or other authority; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Approval for a form or procedure is amended, rescinded, or determined to be invalid for any reason by any judicial or other authority.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>This section may not be construed to:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Limit the imposition of any civil or criminal penalty for a knowing or willful violation of this subtitle; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Limit the power of the Commissioner or the courts to order a refund to a consumer of money collected in violation of this subtitle.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
