ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                              Ch. 94

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
July 1, 2004. It shall remain effective for a period of 6 months.l years and 7 months
and, at the end of December 31, 2004 January 31, 2006, with no further action
required by the General Assembly, this Act shall be abrogated and of no further force
and effect.

Approved April 27, 2004.

CHAPTER 94
(House Bill 845)

AN ACT concerning

Health Insurance—Small Group Market—Premium Rates
Maryland Health Care Commission and Maryland Insurance Administration
- Affordability of Health Insurance in Maryland - Study and

Recommendations

FOR the purpose of altering the factors a carrier may use to adjust the community
rate for certain health benefit plans offered in the small group market to include
health status and tobacco use; establishing certain limitations on the use of age,
health status, and tobacco use in adjusting the community rate; repealing a
certain limit on the rate a carrier may charge based on adjustments to the
community rate; authorizing a carrier to use certain standardized health
statements, health screenings, and prior claims history to establish or modify
certain premium rates; prohibiting a carrier from limiting coverage or refusing
to issue a health benefit plan to a certain small employer based on a health
statue related factor; prohibiting a carrier from knowingly providing coverage
to a small employer that discriminates against certain individuals under certain
circumstances; providing for the application of this Act; and generally relating to
health benefit plans offered in the small group market.

FOR the purpose of requiring the Maryland Health Care Commission and the
Maryland Insurance Administration to conduct certain studies; requiring the
Commission and the Administration to develop recommendations on ways to
make private health insurance more affordable for Maryland residents;
requiring the Commission and the Administration to submit certain reports to
the General Assembly on or before certain dates; providing for the termination
of this Act; and generally relating to a study and recommendations about the
affordability of health insurance in Maryland.                                         

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article—Insurance
Section 15-1205
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2002 Replacement Volume and 2003 Supplement)

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