Baltimore City Council members advance bill allowing prosecution of consumer violations

Members of the Baltimore City Council voted Monday to advance a bill that would give the city’s law department the authority to take action against businesses that violate consumer protections. The ordinance — which covers unfair, abusive or deceptive trade practices involving goods, realty and services purchased and sold in the city — also enables the law department to impose and collect fines for civil penalties, according to a draft of the legislation.