3094

LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 683

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That new Sections 354E, 354F, 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 GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY DELIVERED OR
ISSUED FOR DELIVERY IN THIS STATE BY A NONPROFIT HEALTH
SERVICE PLAN UNDER WHICH MATERNITY BENEFITS ARE PROVIDED
FOR PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH OF EMPLOYEES OR MEMBERS, OR
OF COVERED DEPENDENTS OF EMPLOYEES OR MEMBERS, WHETHER
THE BENEFITS ARE IN THE FORM OF DISABILITY BENEFITS OR OF
BENEFITS FOR MEDICAL AND SURGICAL CARE OR FOR
HOSPITALIZATION, SHALL PROVIDE IDENTICAL BENEFITS,
REGARDLESS OF MARITAL STATUS TO: (1) ALL COVERED
EMPLOYEES OR MEMBERS, OR (2) ALL COVERED EMPLOYEES OR
MEMBERS AND ALL COVERED DEPENDENTS OF EMPLOYEES OR
MEMBERS, RESPECTIVELY.

354F.

EVERY NONPROFIT HEALTH SERVICE PLAN WHICH PROVIDES
MATERNITY BENEFITS IN ANY POLICY FORM CUSTOMARILY ISSUED
ON AN INDIVIDUAL OR A FAMILY BASIS SHALL OFFER THE
BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS REGARDLESS OF MARITAL STATUS.

470F.

EVERY INSURER WHICH PROVIDES MATERNITY BENEFITS IN
ANY POLICY FORM CUSTOMARILY ISSUED ON AN INDIVIDUAL OR
FAMILY BASIS SHALL OFFER THE BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS
REGARDLESS OF MARITAL STATUS.

477G.

EVERY GROUP OR BLANKET HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY
DELIVERED OR ISSUED FOR DELIVERY IN THIS STATE UNDER
WHICH MATERNITY BENEFITS ARE PROVIDED FOR PREGNANCY AND
CHILDBIRTH OF EMPLOYEES OR MEMBERS, OR OF COVERED
DEPENDENTS OF EMPLOYEES OR MEMBERS, WHETHER THE BENEFITS
ARE IN THE FORM OF DISABILITY BENEFITS OR OF BENEFITS FOR
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL CARE OR FOR HOSPITALIZATION, SHALL
PROVIDE IDENTICAL BENEFITS, REGARDLESS OF MARITAL STATUS
TO: (1) ALL COVERED EMPLOYEES OR MEMBERS, OR (2) ALL
COVERED EMPLOYEES OR MEMBERS AND ALL COVERED DEPENDENTS
OF EMPLOYEES OR MEMBERS, RESPECTIVELY.

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