§ 7-202. Membership

   (a) Composition; appointment of members. --

   (1) The Board consists of the following 5 members:

      (i) as an ex officio member, the Commissioner; and

      (ii) 4 members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.

   (2) Of the 4 appointed members:

      (i) 2 shall represent collection agencies; and

      (ii) 2 shall be consumer members.

(b) Qualifications of consumer members. --

   (1) Each consumer member of the Board:

      (i) shall be a member of the general public; and

      (ii) shall be:

         1. an officer or member of the board of a recognized consumer group in the State; or

         2. an employee of a local consumer protection unit in the State.

   (2) A consumer member of the Board may not:

      (i) be a licensee or otherwise be subject to regulation by the Board; or

      (ii) within 1 year before appointment, have had a financial interest in or have received compensation from a person regulated by the Board.

(c) Restrictions on consumer members. -- While a member of the Board, a consumer member may not have a financial interest in or receive compensation from a person regulated by the Board.

(d) Oath. -- Before taking office, each appointee to the Board shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.

(e) Tenure; vacancies. --

   (1) The term of an appointed member is 4 years and begins on July 1.

   (2) At the end of a term, an appointed member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

   (3) A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

(f) Removal. -- The Governor may remove an appointed member for incompetence or misconduct.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 41, § 8-102; art. 56, § 325; 1992, ch. 4, § 2; 2004, ch. 25, § 6.