Ch. 267

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

working days during its first year the employer employs at least two but not more than 50
eligible employees and otherwise satisfies the conditions of paragraph (1)(i) of this
subsection; and

(ii) if the Federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act
(ERISA) is amended to exclude employee groups under a specific size, this subtitle shall
apply to any employee group size that is excluded from that Act.

(3) In determining the group size specified under paragraph (l)(i) of this

subsection:

(i) companies that are affiliated companies or that are eligible to file
a consolidated federal income tax return shall be considered one employer; and

(ii) an employee may not be counted who is:

1. otherwise covered under a public or private health insurance
plan or other health benefit arrangement; or

2. a part-time employee as described in § 15-1210(a)(1)(ii) of

this subtitle.

(4) NOTWITHSTANDING PARAGRAPH (1)(I) OF THIS SUBSECTION, A
PERSON IS CONSIDERED TO CONTINUE TO BE A SMALL EMPLOYER UNDER THIS
SUBTITLE IF THE PERSON MET THE CONDITIONS OF PARAGRAPH (1)(I) OF THIS
SUBSECTION AND PURCHASED A HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS
SUBTITLE, AND SUBSEQUENTLY ELIMINATED ALL BUT ONE EMPLOYEE.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 1997.

Approved April 29, 1997.

CHAPTER 267
(House Bill 1003)

AN ACT concerning

Creation of a State Debt - Baltimore City - U.S.S. Constellation and the U.S.S.

Constellation Loans of 1995 and 1996

FOR the purpose of authorizing the creation of a State Debt not to exceed $2,000,000
$500,000 $350,000, the proceeds to be used as a grant to the Board of Directors of
the Constellation Foundation, Inc. for certain acquisition, development, or
improvement purposes; providing for disbursement of the loan proceeds, subject to
a requirement that the grantee provide and expend a matching fund; requiring the
grantee to petition the Secretary of the United States Navy to grant and convey to
the Maryland Historical Trust certain easements or covenants; and providing
generally for the issuance and sale of bonds evidencing the loan; amending Chapter
287 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 1995, the Baltimore City - U.S.S.

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