§ 12-612. Denials, reprimands, suspensions, and revocations

   (a) Grounds. -- Subject to the hearing provisions of § 12-613 of this subtitle, the State Fire Marshal may deny a certificate to an applicant, refuse to renew a certificate, reprimand a certificate holder, suspend or revoke a certificate, or impose a civil penalty not exceeding $ 1,000 if the applicant or certificate holder:

   (1) fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a certificate for the applicant or another;

   (2) fraudulently or deceptively uses the certificate;

   (3) engages in an unfair or deceptive trade practice, as defined in § 13-301 of the Commercial Law Article;

   (4) willfully or deliberately disregards or violates a building code, electrical code, or law of the State or a local jurisdiction;

   (5) while not certified, solicits to engage in or willfully engages in providing electrical inspection services;

   (6) while not certified, willfully advertises as a certified nongovernmental electrical inspector;

   (7) willfully makes a false statement or misrepresentation in any renewal application or in any other document that the State Fire Marshal requires to be submitted; or

   (8) violates any other provision of this subtitle or any regulation adopted by the State Fire Marshal under this subtitle.

(b) Penalty; considerations. -- In determining the appropriate penalty to be imposed under subsection (a) of this section, the State Fire Marshal shall consider:

   (1) the gravity of the violation;

   (2) the good faith of the violator;

   (3) the number and gravity of previous violations by the same violator;

   (4) the harm caused to the complainant, the public, and the electrical inspector profession;

   (5) the assets of the violator; and

   (6) any other factors that the State Fire Marshal considers relevant.

HISTORY: 2010, ch. 127.