WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor

Ch. 385

CHAPTER 385
(House Bill 1411)

AN ACT concerning

Health Claims Arbitration Fund

FOR the purpose of establishing the Health Claims Arbitration Fund; providing that the
Fund shall consist of certain filing fees and be used to pay the fees of health claims
arbitrators; requiring the Director of the Health Claims Arbitration Office to
administer the Fund and to make a certain payment to the State Comptroller;
requiring the State Comptroller to make a certain distribution; requiring certain
parties to make a certain reimbursement to the Fund; providing for the status of the
Fund and the disposition of certain unspent portions of the Fund; requiring the
Legislative Auditor to make a certain audit; authorizing the party who is assessed
the costs of a certain arbitration to receive a certain credit for certain filing fees
paid by the party; providing for the applicability of certain provisions of law relating to
standards of practice in an action for damages under the Health Claims Arbitration
subtitle of the Courts Article; making a part of this Act contingent on another enactment
of the General Assembly; providing for the effective dates of this Act; and generally
relating to the Health Claims Arbitration Fund.

BY adding to

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings

Section 3-2A-03A

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1989 Replacement Volume and 1992 Supplement)

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings
Section 3-2A-05(f)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1989 Replacement Volume and 1992 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings

3-2A-03A.

(A)     THERE IS A HEALTH CLAIMS ARBITRATION FUND.

(B)     AT THE TIME OF THE FILING OF ANY CLAIM OR A RESPONSE TO A CLAIM,
THE DIRECTOR SHALL COLLECT A FEE OF:

(1) $40 FOR THE FILING OF THE CLAIM, INCLUDING ANY THIRD-PARTY
CLAIM; AND

- 2101 -