Sec. 20.62.05.16. Agent Qualifications and Standards

A. A subscriber organization shall develop standards and qualifications for individuals it chooses to hire as its agents. A subscriber organization may not hire an individual that fails to meet its standards.

B. A subscriber organization may not permit a person to conduct door-to-door activities until it has obtained and reviewed a criminal history record in the same manner as provided in COMAR 20.53.08.

C. When a subscriber organization contracts with an independent contractor or vendor to perform door-to-door activities, the subscriber organization shall document that the contractor or vendor has performed criminal background investigations on an agent in accordance with this regulation and with the standards set by the subscriber organization. A subscriber organization may satisfy this requirement by obtaining from the independent contractor or vendor a written statement affirming that the criminal background check was performed by them or under their supervision in accordance with this regulation and with standards set by the subscriber organization and presented in writing.

D. A subscriber organization shall periodically audit whether the background checks completed by its independent contractor or vendor have been completed in accordance with this regulation.