Angela Harkness

The workgroup met to discuss and conduct final voting on various proposals regarding financial licensing and registration systems. Topics included the potential licensure of property management companies as collection agencies, licensing requirements for automobile dealers acting as creditors, the repeal of exemptions for passive trusts, the merger of consumer and installment loan license categories, and revisions to the authority of the licensing board. The group established a process for finalizing a draft report and noted that dissenting perspectives would be included in the final submission.

This annual report details the progress of the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) for Federal Fiscal Year 2025, which represents the third year of its ongoing five-year Strategic Plan. The strategic plan is designed to improve workplace safety and health through a multi-faceted approach including compliance assistance, enforcement, outreach, training, and education. Key initiatives highlighted include the enforcement of the Maryland Heat Stress Standards and the implementation of the Davis Martinez Public Employee Safety and Health Act, which enhances protections for public sector employees. The overarching goals are to significantly reduce fatality rates and occupational injuries and illnesses across both private and public sectors in Maryland, fostering a robust culture of safety and health.

This one-year Performance Plan outlines key objectives for improving workplace safety and health across Maryland's private and public sectors. The plan focuses on three strategic goals: enhancing workplace safety and health through compliance assistance and enforcement, fostering a safety and health culture via partnerships, training, and outreach, and building public confidence through efficient delivery of programs and services. Key initiatives include reducing fatality and injury rates, increasing recognition programs and cooperative partnerships, ensuring outreach and training events, and maintaining timely initiation of inspections and investigations.

This strategic plan outlines the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) approach to support federal and state management plans for the 2023-2027 timeframe. It aims to reduce workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses through three primary strategic areas: exercising strong enforcement, expanding partnerships and voluntary programs, and increasing outreach, education, and compliance assistance. The plan is guided by goals to improve workplace safety via compliance assistance and enforcement, promote a safety and health culture through cooperative programs and leadership, and secure public confidence by delivering excellent programs and services. Its vision is to provide excellent customer service and ensure occupational safety and health is recognized as adding value across Maryland workplaces.

The workgroup discussed the licensing of auto dealers that provide dealer financing, specifically focusing on the statutory interpretation of dealer responsibilities as creditors. Discussions included the current oversight gap regarding financial licensing for auto dealers, the distinction between retail installment sales contracts and other types of financing, and the jurisdictional authority of the Office of Financial Regulation. Participants also explored potential needs for further research into retail installment sales acts and the applicability of existing credit lending licensing requirements.