Ch. 35

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(3) WITHIN 14 DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF A REQUEST FOR AN ELECTION
NOTIFICATION FORM, THE EMPLOYER SHALL DELIVER OR SEND BY FIRST CLASS
MAIL THE ELECTION NOTIFICATION FORM TO THE INSURED OR AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE.

(F) STATEMENT IN CERTIFICATE ISSUED TO INSURED.

EACH CERTIFICATE ISSUED TO AN INSURED UNDER A GROUP CONTRACT
SHALL INCLUDE A STATEMENT, IN A MANNER AND FORM APPROVED BY THE
COMMISSIONER, THAT ADVISES THE INSURED OF THE FOLLOWING:

(1) THE AVAILABILITY OF CONTINUATION COVERAGE UNDER THIS

SECTION;

(2) A SUMMARY OF THE ELIGIBILITY FOR AND DURATION OF THE
CONTINUATION COVERAGE; AND

(3) THE PROCEDURE FOR MAKING AN ELECTION TO RECEIVE
CONTINUATION COVERAGE IF A CHANGE IN STATUS OCCURS.

(G) DUTIES OF COMMISSIONER.
THE COMMISSIONER SHALL:

(1) PUBLISH AT LEAST ANNUALLY IN THE MARYLAND REGISTER AND
IN A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION IN EACH COUNTY NOTICE THAT
DESCRIBES THE CONTINUATION COVERAGE REQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION;

(2) PRESCRIBE BY REGULATION THE FORM AND CONTENT OF THE
ELECTION NOTIFICATION FORM; AND

(3) MAKE ELECTION NOTIFICATION FORMS AVAILABLE TO EACH
EMPLOYER WHOSE EMPLOYEES ARE COVERED BY A GROUP CONTRACT.

(H) NOTICE OF CONTINUATION COVERAGE.

NOTICE OF THE AVAILABILITY OF CONTINUATION COVERAGE UNDER THIS
SECTION SHALL BE PROVIDED BY:

(1) THE EMPLOYER; AND

(2) THE SECRETARY OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AS
SPECIFIED IN § 8-805(C) OF THE LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT ARTICLE.

(I) FAILURE OF EMPLOYER TO PROVIDE NOTICE OR ELECTION
NOTIFICATION FORM.

AN EMPLOYER THAT FAILS TO PROVIDE NOTICE OR AN ELECTION
NOTIFICATION FORM UNDER THIS SECTION IS NOT LIABLE TO THE INSURED OR ANY
OTHER COVERED INDIVIDUAL FOR BENEFITS THAT OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE
BEEN PAYABLE OR FOR OTHER DAMAGES THAT RESULT FROM THE FAILURE TO
PROVIDE THE NOTICE OR FORM.

(J) LIABILITY FOR TERMINATION OF COVERAGE.

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