(a) A person may not offer, provide, or attempt to provide debt settlement services unless the person:
(1) Is registered with the Commissioner under this subtitle; or
(2) Is exempt from registration under this subtitle.
(b) During the time period established by the Commissioner under subsection (c) of this section, each registrant shall:
(1) Obtain and maintain a valid unique identifier issued by NMLS when an account is created with NMLS; and
(2) Transfer registration information to NMLS.
(c) (1) The Commissioner shall establish a time period that is not less than 2 months within which a registrant must transfer registration information to NMLS.
(2) The time period that the Commissioner establishes under this subsection shall begin on or after July 1, 2019.
(3) At least 30 days before the transfer period begins, the Commissioner shall:
(i) Notify registrants of the transfer period; and
(ii) Provide instructions for the transfer of registration information to NMLS.
(d) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, an applicant for the issuance of a registration or a renewal of a registration shall apply for the initial registration or the renewal of the registration through NMLS:
(1) On or after July 1, 2019; or
(2) If the Commissioner has not joined NMLS with respect to persons required to be registered under this subtitle as of July 1, 2019, on or after the date that the Commissioner joins, as specified by the Commissioner by public notice.
Structure Maryland Statutes
Title 12 - Miscellaneous Institutions and Activities
Subtitle 10 - Maryland Debt Settlement Services Act
Section 12-1002 - Scope of Provisions; Providing Debt Management Services
Section 12-1003 - Applicability of Subtitle
Section 12-1004 - Registration Required
Section 12-1005 - Implementation of Subtitle
Section 12-1007 - Use of Fees; Fines and Penalties Paid to General Fund
Section 12-1009 - Registration -- Expiration and Renewal
Section 12-1010 - Debt Settlement Services Fee
Section 12-1011 - Material Representation Prohibited
Section 12-1012 - Debt Settlement Services Agreement
Section 12-1013 - Advertisement
Section 12-1015 - Annual Report