2492                                          LAWS OF MARYLAND                                Ch. 908

(1972 Replacement Volume and 1975 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That new Section 24A be and it is hereby added
to Article 48A — Insurance Code, of the Annotated Code of
Maryland (1972 Replacement Volume and 1975 Supplement) to
read as follows:

Article 48A — Insurance Code

24A.

(A)   UPON ADVANCE WRITTEN NOTICE TO AN INSURER, THE
COMMISSIONER MAY EXTEND THE GRACE PERIOD ON LIFE AND
ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES IF THERE EXISTS AN
EMERGENCY SITUATION THAT MOULD DELAY OR PREVENT PAYMENT
OF THE [[PREMIUM]] PREMIUMS DUE BY [[THE INSURED]] ALL OR
A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF THE INSUREDS OF A COMPANY OR
COMPANIES , AND THE EMERGENCY EXISTING IS NOT THE FAULT
OF THE [[INSURED]] INSUREDS. THE TERM "EMERGENCY" FOR
THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED
TO FIRE, EARTHQUAKE, FLOOD, POSTAL STRIKES, INSURANCE
AGENT STRIKES, OR ANY OTHER SITUATION NOT UNDER THE
CONTROL OF THE INSURED THAT MOULD PREVENT THE PROMPT AND
ORDERLY PAYMENT OF PREMIUMS.

(B)    THE EXTENSION OF THE GRACE PERIOD BY THE
COMMISSIONER MAY NOT EXCEED [[90]] 60 DAYS.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1976.

Approved May 17, 1976.

CHAPTER 909

(House Bill 1868)

AN ACT concerning

Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund

FOR the purpose of providing that failure to comply with
certain procedural requirements may not result in a
bar to recovery against the Fund.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 48A — Insurance Code

Section 243H(b)

Annotated Code of Maryland