COMMISSIONER OF CONSUMER
CREDIT

Alan T. Fell, Commissioner
George L. Raybum, Assistant Commissioner

The Brokerage, Suite 800
34 Market Place
Baltimore 21202^077 Telephone: 333-6340
Toll Free: 1-800-492-7521

The office of the Commissioner of Consumer
Credit was originally established as the Adminis-
trator of Loan Laws in 1941 (Chapter 289, Acts
of 1941), superseding a similar office established
under the jurisdiction of the Bank Commissioner
(Chapter 741, Acts of 1939). It adopted the name
of Commissioner of Small Loans by Chapter 402,
Acts of 1970, and its present name by Chapter
457, Acts of 1974. The Commissioner is ap-
pointed by the Secretary of Licensing and Regula-
tion with the approval of the Governor (Code Fi-
nancial Institutions Article, sec. 11-103).

The Commissioner is responsible for licensing
consumer loan companies, sales finance compa-
nies, installment loan lenders, and second mort-
gage lenders. The agency conducts regular investi-
gations and audits of these companies to discover
violations of the law. Following a formal hearing,
the Commissioner may suspend or revoke a li-
cense upon a finding of illegal activity (Code Fi-
nancial Institutions Article, sees. 11-101 through
11-U9).

Upon the filing of a written complaint and after
a formal hearing, the Commissioner has the au-
thority to protect the consumer (under the Retail
Credit Accounts Law, the Retail Installment Sales
Act, and the Credit Deregulation Act of 1983) by
the issuance of an order against a seller or credit
grantor to cease and desist from a practice in vio-
lation of these laws (Code Commercial Law Arti-
cle, sees. 12-514, 12-631, 12-916, 12-1016).

The office also administers the Maryland Fair
Credit Reporting Act and the Maryland Equal
Credit Opportunity Act, except that the office of
the State Bank Commissioner has sole jurisdiction
for administration of banking institutions. The Of-
fice also investigates complaints made under these
Acts (Code Commercial Law Article, sees.
12-701 through 12-708, 14-1201 through
14-1218).

Authorization for the Commissioner of Con-
sumer Credit continues until July 1, 1992 (Code
Financial Institutions Article, sec. 11-106).

Collection Agency Licensing Board

Chairperson: Alan T. Fell

Donna F. Crocker; Paul E. Hartman; James J.
Jones; Leon I. Snyder. Terms expire 1990.

The Brokerage, Suite 800
34 Market Place
Baltimore 21202-4077 Telephone: 333-6340
Toll Free: 1-800-492-7521

The Collection Agency Licensing Board, which
is part of the office of the Commissioner of Con-
sumer Credit, was created in 1977 (Chapter 319,
Acts of 1977). The Board issues, suspends, and re-
vokes licenses; reprimands licensees; and receives
and investigates written complaints from consum-
ers. It holds hearings on allegations of violations
of the Consumer Debt Collection Act by a debt
collection agency and mediates disputes between
consumers and debt collection agencies, including
suggesting monetary compensation to the consum-
er. It may subpoena witnesses for attendance and
testimony.

The Board consists of five members appointed
to four-year terms by the Governor with the ad-
vice and consent of the Senate. One member is the
Commissioner of Consumer Credit who serves as
chairperson. Two members represent debt collec-
tion agencies. Two members represent consumers
and must be either an officer or board member of
a recognized consumer group or an employee of a
county or other local consumer protection agency
of the State. The Board serves without compensa-
tion.

Authorization for the Board continues until Ju-
ly 1, 1992 (Code 1957, Art. 56, sees. 323-329C).

DIVISION OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY

Henry Koellein, Jr., Commissioner of Labor and
Industry

Nancy B. Burkheimer, Deputy Commissioner

H. Edward Vincent, Assistant Commissioner,
Maryland Occupational Safety and Health

Domenick W. DiFaIco, Assistant Commissioner,
Railroad Safety and Health

501 St. Paul Place
Baltimore 21202 Telephone: 333-4181
Toll Free: 1-800-492-6226