Ch. 113

1994 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(b) Except as provided in subsection [(c)] (D) of this section, for all child support
orders that are initially issued in the State on or after January 1, 1994, regardless of whether
child support payments are in arrears, a court shall immediately authorize service of an
earnings withholding order on the effective date of the order.

(C) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION, WHEN A
COURT ORDERS IMMEDIATE SERVICE OF AN EARNINGS WITHHOLDING ORDER ON OR
AFTER JULY 1, 1994, THE COURT SHALL ORDER PAYMENTS:

(I) THROUGH A SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AGENCY; OR

(II)     DIRECTLY TO THE OBLIGEE'S BANK ACCOUNT.

(2) A PARTY MAY REQUEST AND THE COURT MAY ORDER THAT AN
EMPLOYER SEND PAYMENTS DIRECTLY TO THE OBLIGEE.

[(c)](D) A court may not authorize the immediate service of an earnings withholding
order if:

(1)      any party demonstrates, and the court finds, that there is good cause to not
require immediate earnings withholding; or

(2)      the court approves of the terms of a written agreement of the parties
providing for an alternative method of payment.

[(d)](E) If the court authorizes the immediate service of an earnings withholding
order, the court shall immediately cause a copy of the earnings withholding order to be served
on any employer of the obligor.

12-102.

(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(2) "HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE" MEANS ANY TYPE OF HEALTH CARE
COVERAGE UNDER WHICH MEDICAL CARE SERVICES CAN BE PROVIDED TO THE CHILD
THROUGH AN INSURER.

(3) "INSURER" MEANS:

(I) A COMMERCIAL INSURER, A NONPROFIT HEALTH SERVICE
ORGANIZATION, OR A HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION OPERATING IN THIS
STATE UNDER A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY ISSUED BY THE MARYLAND INSURANCE
COMMISSIONER;

(II) A GROUP HEALTH PLAN, AS DEFINED IN § 607(1) OF THE
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974; OR

(III)   AN ENTITY OFFERING A SERVICE BENEFIT PLAN AS DEFINED BY
FEDERAL LAW.

(B) The court may include in any support order a provision requiring either parent to
include the child [on] IN the parent's health insurance [policy] COVERAGE if:

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