<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".17" citation="COMAR 20.62.05.17" title_num="20" subtitle_num="62" chapter_num="05" heading="Agent Training.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A subscriber organization or subscription coordinator shall ensure the training of its agents on the following subjects:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Local, State and federal laws and regulations that govern marketing, telemarketing, consumer protection, and door-to-door sales as applicable to the types of marketing and jurisdiction in which the agent shall engage or operate;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Responsible and ethical sales practices;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The subscriber organization’s products and services;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The subscriber organization’s or subscription coordinator’s rates, rate structures, and payment options;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The customer’s right to rescind and cancel contracts;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>The applicability of an early termination fee for contract cancellation when the subscriber organization has one;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>The necessity of adhering to the script and knowledge of the contents of the script if one is used;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>The proper completion of transaction documents;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>The subscriber organization’s or subscription coordinator’s Contract Summary Disclosure;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>Information about how customers may contact the subscriber organization or subscription coordinator to obtain information about billing, disputes, and complaints; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>The confidentiality and protection of customer information.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A subscriber organization or subscription coordinator shall document the training of an agent and maintain a record of the training for 3 years from the date the training was completed.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A subscriber organization or subscription coordinator shall make training materials and training records available to the Commission and the Office of People’s Counsel upon request. Any such material shall be treated as confidential.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>When a subscriber organization or subscription coordinator contracts with an independent contractor to perform marketing or sales activities on the subscriber organization’s or subscription coordinator’s behalf, the subscriber organization or subscription coordinator shall confirm that the contractor or vendor has provided subscriber organization-approved training to agents and independent contractors in accordance with this section.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>The subscriber organization or subscription coordinator shall monitor telephonic and door-to-door marketing and sales calls to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Evaluate the subscriber organization’s or subscription coordinator’s training program; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Ensure that agents are providing accurate and complete information, complying with applicable rules and regulations and providing courteous service to customers.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>