MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                              495

CHAPTER 235

(Senate Bill 436)

AN ACT concerning

Medical Malpractice Claims - Arbitration

FOR the purpose of providing for a mandatory arbitration
system for all medical malpractice claims in excess
of a certain amount; providing for the creation of a
Health Claims Arbitration Office under the Executive
Department; providing for the selection of an
arbitration panel by the parties from a list of
certain qualified persons chosen by the Director of
the Health Claims Arbitration Office; providing for
the elimination of a specific dollar amount in
pleadings with a certain exception; providing for
the panel to determine liability and award damages;
providing for an appeal to the Courts from the
decision of the arbitrators; providing for approval
of attorney fees and generally relating to claims
filed with the Health Claims Arbitration Office;
providing that insurers may settle claims without
restriction and authorizing insurers to prepay
certain costs of claimants without prejudice; and
providing for a change in the statute of limitations
for minors relating to medical malpractice claims.

BY adding to

Article — Courts and Judicial Proceedings

Section 3—2A01 through 3—2A09, inclusive, to be

under the new subtitle, "Subtitle 2A. Health

Care Malpractice Claims"
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1974 Volume and 1975 Supplement)

BY adding to

Article 48A — Insurance Code

Section 482A

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1972 Replacement Volume and 1975 Supplement)

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article — Courts and Judicial Proceedings

Section 5-109

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1974 Volume and 1975 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That new Sections 3-2A01 through 3-2A09,
inclusive, to be under the new subtitle "Subtitle 2A.