Ch. 35

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(5) A LICENSE AS A RATING ORGANIZATION ISSUED UNDER THIS
SECTION EXPIRES 3 YEARS AFTER ITS EFFECTIVE DATE.

(6) THE FEE FOR A LICENSE AS A RATING ORGANIZATION IS $25.

(7) IF A RATING ORGANIZATION CEASES TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS
OF THIS SUBSECTION, THE COMMISSIONER, AFTER NOTICE AND A HEARING, MAY
SUSPEND OR REVOKE ITS LICENSE.

(8) A RATING ORGANIZATION SHALL NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER
PROMPTLY OF ANY CHANGE IN THE INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS PROVIDED TO
THE COMMISSIONER UNDER PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION.

(B) SUBSCRIBERS TO RATING ORGANIZATIONS.

(1) SUBJECT TO RULES ADOPTED BY THE RATING ORGANIZATION THAT
THE COMMISSIONER HAS APPROVED AS REASONABLE, EACH RATING
ORGANIZATION SHALL ALLOW AN INSURER THAT IS NOT A MEMBER TO BE A
SUBSCRIBER TO ITS RATING SERVICES FOR A KIND OF INSURANCE, SUBDIVISION OF
KINDS OF INSURANCE, OR CLASS OF RISK OR PART OR COMBINATION OF KINDS OF
INSURANCE OR CLASSES OF RISK FOR WHICH IT IS AUTHORIZED TO ACT AS A
RATING ORGANIZATION.

(2) EACH RATING ORGANIZATION SHALL GIVE NOTICE TO
SUBSCRIBERS OF PROPOSED CHANGES IN ITS RULES.

(3) EACH RATING ORGANIZATION SHALL PROVIDE ITS RATING
SERVICES WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION TO ITS MEMBERS AND SUBSCRIBERS.

(4) (I) 1. AT THE REQUEST OF A SUBSCRIBER OR AN INSURER
THAT HAS BEEN REFUSED ADMISSION AS A SUBSCRIBER TO A RATING
ORGANIZATION, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL REVIEW THE REASONABLENESS OF
THE APPLICATION OF A RULE TO SUBSCRIBERS OR THE REFUSAL OF THE RATING
ORGANIZATION TO ADMIT THE INSURER AS A SUBSCRIBER.

2. IF A RATING ORGANIZATION FAILS TO GRANT OR REJECT
THE APPLICATION OF AN INSURER FOR ADMISSION AS A SUBSCRIBER WITHIN 30
DAYS AFTER THE APPLICATION WAS MADE, THE INSURER MAY REQUEST A REVIEW
OF THE ACTION BY THE COMMISSIONER AS IF THE APPLICATION HAD BEEN
REJECTED.

(II) 1. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL REVIEW THE CHALLENGED
RULE OR ACTION OF THE RATING ORGANIZATION AT A HEARING.

2. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL GIVE WRITTEN NOTICE OF
THE HEARING TO THE RATING ORGANIZATION AND SUBSCRIBER OR INSURER AT
LEAST 10 DAYS BEFORE THE HEARING.

(III) IF THE COMMISSIONER FINDS THAT THE CHALLENGED RULE IS
UNREASONABLE IN ITS APPLICATION TO SUBSCRIBERS, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL
ISSUE AN ORDER THAT THE RULE IS NOT APPLICABLE TO SUBSCRIBERS.

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