Mayor Scott broadens consumer protection law in Baltimore

Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott Wednesday signed into law consumer protection legislation that broadens the Baltimore City Law Department’s ability to hold businesses who harm city residents through unfair, deceptive and abusive practices accountable for their actions. Maryland currently provides local governments the ability to regulate consumer protection issues. Previously, Baltimore has been operating under a consumer protection ordinance provision dating back to the 1970s which only provides criminal penalties for false advertising and limited the city’s ability to pursue legal action against companies that directly harm the city.