3092                                        LAWS OF MARYLAND                     [Ch. 681

[(b)](C) Violation of this section is a
misdemeanor.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1975.

Approved May 15, 1975.

CHAPTER 682
(House Bill 433)

AN ACT concerning

Insurance — Full Maternity Benefits

FOR the purpose of providing certain health insurance
benefits for certain pregnancy costs; and relating
generally to health insurance for maternity care.

BY adding to

Article 48A — Insurance Code

Section 354E, 470F and 477G

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1972 Replacement Volume and 1974 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That new Sections 354E, 470F and 477G be and
they are hereby added to Article 48A — Insurance Code, of
the Annotated Code of Maryland (1972 Replacement Volume
and 1974 Supplement) to read as follows:

Article 48A — Insurance Code

354E.

EVERY NONPROFIT HEALTH INSURER WHO ISSUES OR
DELIVERS A HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY TO ANY PERSON IN THIS
STATE UNDER WHICH ANY HOSPITALIZATION BENEFITS ARE
PROVIDED FOR NORMAL PREGNANCY SHALL PROVIDE THOSE
BENEFITS FOR THE COST OF HOSPITALIZATION FOR CHILDBIRTH
TO THE SAME EXTENT AS THE HOSPITALIZATION BENEFIT
PROVIDED IN THE POLICY FOR ANY COVERED ILLNESS. THIS
PROVISION MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED, HOWEVER, TO REQUIRE ANY
INSURER TO PROVIDE BENEFITS FOR PREGNANCY OR CHILDBIRTH
IN ANY POLICY.