§ 12-112
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/md/public-utilities/12-112A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
§12–112.
(a)To enforce this subtitle, the Authority:
(1)shall accept and review complaints for violations of this subtitle; and
(2)may recommend necessary enforcement actions.
(1)The Authority shall:
(i)hear complaints for violations of this subtitle:
1. at the request of a probable violator; or
2. after notifying a probable violator that the Authority has scheduled a hearing on its own motion; and
(ii)after a hearing, assess a civil penalty under § 12–135 of this subtitle.
(2)The Authority may reach a settlement instead of assessing a civil penalty.
(3)If a probable violator fails to appear at a scheduled hearing, the Authority may vote to proceed to hear the complaint against the probable violator in the absence of the probable violator.
(1)The Authority may:
(i)establish reasonable complaint filing fees and administrative fees for complaints heard by the Authority; and
(ii)use the services of a third party to collect civil penalties.
(2)If the Authority determines that an individual cannot afford to pay a fee established under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection, the Authority may exempt the individual wholly or partly from the fee.
(d)The Authority may not assess a civil penalty against a person unless the person:
(1)receives reasonable prior notice of the complaint; and
(2)has an opportunity to be heard under § 12–113 of this subtitle.