3212

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 661

paragraph of this section, unless he, at once, insures
voluntarily as provided in the second paragraph of this section.

(ii) The Commission may assess each
self-insurer or member of a group of self-insured counties or
municipalities an annual sum of not more than $250 $500 which
shall be used for actuarial studies and audits to determine the
financial solvency.

(iii) For the purpose of this paragraph
"employer" includes a group of counties, a group of
municipalities, or a group composed of both counties and
municipalities as prescribed by rules and regulations of the
Commission.

(iv) 1. The Workmen's Compensation Commission
shall develop rules and regulations prescribing requirements and
procedures for groups of counties, groups of municipalities, or
groups composed of both counties and municipalities seeking to
establish joint self-insurance coverage. HOWEVER, TO QUALIFY AS
A GROUP FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION A GROUP MUST PROVE TO THE
SATISFACTION OF THE COMMISSION THAT IT HAS AN ANNUAL GROSS
PREMIUM OF NOT LESS THAN $200,000 WOULD RECEIVE ANNUAL GROSS
PREMIUMS IN AN AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $250,000.

2. THE WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION COMMISSION
SHALL PROVIDE FOR ADVANCE PREMIUM DISCOUNTS NOT TO EXCEED 20
PERCENT OF THE STANDARD PREMIUM OF A GROUP THAT IS SELF-INSURED
UNDER THIS SECTION THAT ARE COMPETITIVE WITH PRIVATE INSURANCE
ADVANCE PREMIUM DISCOUNTS.

3. A GROUP THAT QUALIFIES UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS SUBPARAGRAPH SHALL OBTAIN EXCESS INSURANCE IN AMOUNTS
PRESCRIBED BY THE WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION COMMISSION.

(v) A group of counties, a group of
municipalities, or a group composed of both counties and
municipalities may not be self-insured without first receiving a
certificate of authority to do business issued by the Workmen's
Compensation Commission.

(vi) For the purposes of workmen's
compensation, self-insurers and groups of counties, groups of
municipalities, or groups composed of both counties and
municipalities which are self-insured pursuant to this paragraph
are not subject to the provisions of Article 48A of the Code.

(vii) For the purposes of this subsection, with
the approval of its county governing body a county board of
education shall be considered a county or municipality.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1984.