§ 7-308

(a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 7–309 of this subtitle, the Board may reprimand a licensee or suspend or revoke a license if the licensee or any owner, director, officer, member, partner, or agent of the licensee:

(1) makes any material misstatement in an application for a license;

(2) is convicted under the laws of the United States or of any state of:

(i) a felony; or

(ii) a misdemeanor that is directly related to the fitness and qualification of the person to engage in the collection agency business;

(3) in connection with the collection of any consumer claim:

(i) commits any fraud; or

(ii) engages in any illegal or dishonest activities;

(4) knowingly or negligently violates the Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act; or

(5) fails to comply with a lawful order that the Board passes under this title.

(b) In determining whether to reprimand a licensee or to suspend or revoke a license for a reason described in subsection (a)(2) of this section, the Board shall consider:

(1) the nature of the crime;

(2) the relationship of the crime to the activities authorized by the license;

(3) with respect to a felony, the relevance of the conviction to the fitness and qualification of the licensee to engage in the collection agency business;

(4) the length of time since the conviction; and

(5) the behavior and activities of the licensee since the conviction.