2013 Maryland Code
COMMERCIAL LAW
§ 14-2603 - Door-to-door solicitation

§14-2603.

(a) (1) When making a door-to-door solicitation, a solicitor may not accept or receive, at the time the solicitation is made, any money, check, or other negotiable instrument, or any other consideration.

(2) This section does not apply to any door-to-door solicitation resulting in the acceptance or receipt by the solicitor, at the time the solicitation is made, of less than $200 in any money or any other consideration, including the amount of a pledge or promise of subsequent contribution of any money or any other consideration.

(b) When making a door-to-door solicitation, the solicitor shall:

(1) Give the consumer a pledge form;

(2) Inform the consumer of the consumer’s right to rescind a pledge made pursuant to a door-to-door solicitation at any time after the door-to-door solicitation and that a pledge to contribute is not an enforceable contract;

(3) Notify the consumer that the solicitor may not accept or receive, at the time the door-to-door solicitation is made, any money, or any other consideration, including the amount of a pledge or promise of subsequent contribution of any money or other consideration, that equals or exceeds $200;

(4) Inform the consumer of the consumer’s right to a refund or return of any contribution made pursuant to a door-to-door solicitation if requested within 30 days after the contribution is made;

(5) Provide a disclosure statement to the consumer prior to accepting a door-to-door solicitation; and

(6) Mail within 30 days of a request by a consumer pursuant to a door-to-door solicitation a current financial statement of the individual or organization on whose behalf the solicitation is made at no charge to the person who requested it.

(c) The pledge form given to the consumer shall contain the following information:

(1) The name of the solicitor;

(2) The name and address of the individual or organization on whose behalf the solicitor has made the door-to-door solicitation;

(3) A statement of the general purpose or purposes for which the contribution will be used;

(4) A disclosure statement, as specified in § 14-2601(c) of this subtitle;

(5) The date and amount of the door-to-door solicitation;

(6) The name and address of the consumer;

(7) A statement that the consumer has a right to rescind the pledge at any time after the date of the door-to-door solicitation and that the pledge to contribute is not an enforceable contract; and

(8) A statement that the consumer has a right to a refund or return of any contribution made pursuant to a door-to-door solicitation, if a request for a refund or return is made in writing within 30 days after the contribution is made, and is delivered by certified mail, return receipt requested.

(d) Within 30 days after receiving a request, a solicitor shall mail a current financial statement at no charge to the person who requested it. The financial statement shall include:

(1) The name, address, and telephone number of the individual or organization on whose behalf the solicitation is made;

(2) (i) The amount of gross revenue received from contributions and the amount and percentage of gross revenue used by the individual or organization on whose behalf the solicitation is made for its management and general expenses, fund-raising expenses, and program service expenses during the preceding fiscal year; or

(ii) If the organization on whose behalf the solicitation is made is newly organized, the estimated percentage of contributions being sought that will be used for its management and general expenses, fund-raising expenses, and program service expenses.

(e) A pledge to contribute under this section is not an enforceable contract.

(f) (1) (i) To receive a refund or return of a contribution made pursuant to a door-to-door solicitation, the consumer must request the refund or return in writing within 30 days after the contribution is made.

(ii) The request must be delivered by certified mail, return receipt requested.

(2) The consumer’s contribution shall be refunded or returned to the consumer within 10 days after receipt of a request for a refund or return of the consumer’s contribution.