<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="7-503" title_number="7" title_name="Farm Labor Contractors" subtitle_number="5">
  <level label="a">
    <text>Except as otherwise provided in this title, a person may not use a farm labor contractor to perform a farm labor contracting service unless the person ascertains that the farm labor contractor is licensed by:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>requesting confirmation from the Commissioner that the farm labor contractor is licensed; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>examining the license.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Whenever a person makes a request under subsection (a)(1) of this section, the Commissioner shall inform the person whether the farm labor contractor is licensed.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Within 5 working days after a person makes a request under subsection (a)(1) of this section, the Commissioner shall respond in writing.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>If the status changes during the term of the license, the Commissioner shall give the person who made the request written notice of the change.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>If the Commissioner fails to provide the notice required under this subsection, a person is not liable for hiring a person who is not authorized to perform farm labor contracting services in the State.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>Notwithstanding subsection (b)(4) of this section, a person may not hire or continue to use a farm labor contractor to perform a farm labor contracting service after the person receives notice from the Commissioner or otherwise learns that the farm labor contractor is not licensed.</text>
  </level>
</section>
