Ch. 378                                    1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(N) AFTER NOTICE AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A HEARING, A CARRIER THAT
VIOLATES THIS SECTION IS SUBJECT TO A CIVIL FINE OF $10,000 FOR A FIRST
VIOLATION AND $25,000 FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION.

(O) THE COMMISSIONER MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS TO CARRY OUT THIS
SECTION.

(a) The Governor shall convene a Task Force on Emerging Medical and Surgical
Treatments to:

(1) Study insurance coverage of emerging medical and surgical treatments;

(2) Examine the processes by which health insurance carriers evaluate
emerging medical and surgical treatments for coverage;

(3)     Determine whether and what form of State intervention in health
insurers' processes is appropriate;

(4)    Determine appropriate disclosure of processes for evaluating emerging
medical and surgical treatments for health insurance coverage;

(5)     Evaluate the need for State intervention in communications between
health care providers and consumers regarding emerging medical and surgical treatments;
and

(6) Review any other issues the Task Force considers appropriate pertaining
to insurance coverage of emerging medical and surgical treatments.

(b) The Task Force shall consist of the following members:

(1) Two members of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of
the Senate;

(2) Two members of the House of Delegates of Maryland, appointed by the
Speaker of the House;

(3) One representative of the University of Maryland Medical School,
appointed by the Governor;

(4) One representative of The Johns Hopkins University Medical School,
appointed by the Governor;

(5) One representative of the National Institutes of Health, appointed by
the Governor;

(6) One representative of the health insurance industry, appointed by the
Governor;

(7) One representative of a national nonprofit health maintenance
organization, appointed by the Governor;

(8) The Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene, or the Secretary's
designee;

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