(a) The Commissioner may:
(1) Make public or private investigations as the Commissioner considers necessary to:
(i) Determine whether a person has violated a provision of law, regulation, rule, or order over which the Commissioner has jurisdiction; or
(ii) Aid in the enforcement of a law or in the prescribing of regulations, rules, and orders over which the Commissioner has jurisdiction;
(2) Require or permit a person to file a statement in writing, under oath or otherwise as the Commissioner determines, as to all the facts and circumstances concerning the matter to be investigated; and
(3) Subject to the provisions of Title 4 of the General Provisions Article:
(i) Deny records of an investigation; or
(ii) Publish information concerning a violation of a law, regulation, rule, or order over which the Commissioner has jurisdiction.
(b) For the purpose of an investigation or proceeding, the Commissioner or an officer designated by the Commissioner may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel witness attendance, take evidence, and require the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, agreements, or other documents or records that the Commissioner considers relevant or material to the inquiry.
(c) (1) In case of contumacy by or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to a person, the circuit court of the county in which the person resides or transacts business, on application by the Commissioner, may issue to the person an order requiring the person to appear before the Commissioner or the officer designated by the Commissioner to produce documentary evidence if so ordered or to give evidence touching the matter under investigation or in question.
(2) Failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt of court.
Structure Maryland Statutes
Title 2 - Commissioner and Boards
Subtitle 1 - Commissioner of Financial Regulation
Section 2-101 - Office Established
Section 2-102 - Appointment; Responsibility to Secretary; Qualifications; Compensation
Section 2-103 - Deputy Commissioner
Section 2-104.1 - Student Loan Ombudsman
Section 2-105 - Authority of Secretary
Section 2-105.1 - Regulations; Multistate Automated Licensing Systems
Section 2-108 - Collection of Nonrefundable Fees
Section 2-109 - Payment of Money to General Fund
Section 2-110 - Full-Time Duties of Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner
Section 2-111 - Conflicts of Interest -- Ownership of Certain Stock Prohibited
Section 2-112 - Conflicts of Interest -- Other Prohibited Activities
Section 2-113 - Investigative and Enforcement Powers -- in General
Section 2-116 - Investigative and Enforcement Powers -- Circuit Court Action
Section 2-117 - Disclosure of Information -- in General
Section 2-117.1 - Disclosure of Information -- Examinations of Banking Institutions or Credit Unions
Section 2-118 - Banking Institution and Credit Union Regulation Fund