[(e)] (F) If a covered employee is awarded compensation for less than 75
weeks for a disability listed in § 9-627(b) of this subtitle, the employer or its insurer
shall pay the covered employee weekly compensation at the rate set for an award of
compensation for a period greater than or equal to 75 weeks but less than 250 weeks
under § 9-629 of this subtitle.

[(f)] (G) If a public safety employee is awarded compensation for less than 75
weeks, the employer or its insurer shall pay the public safety employee compensation
at the rate set for an award of compensation for a period greater than or equal to 75
weeks but less than 250 weeks under § 9-629 of this subtitle.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 1999.

Approved May 13, 1999.

CHAPTER 458
(House Bill 801)

AN ACT concerning

Health Care Malpractice Claims - Neutral Case Evaluation

FOR the purpose of requiring authorizing certain courts to refer certain health care
malpractice claims to the Health Claims Arbitration Office for the purpose of
neutral case evaluation if the parties mutually agree under certain
circumstances; establishing certain neutral case evaluation procedures;
providing that, during the neutral case evaluation period, certain courts shall
continue to have jurisdiction on certain matters; providing for the compensation
of evaluators; providing for the application of this Act; and generally relating to
the neutral case evaluation of certain health care malpractice claims.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings
Section 3-2A-06A and 3-2A-06B
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1998 Replacement Volume)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings

3-2A-06A.

(a) At any time before the hearing of a claim with the Health Claims
Arbitration Office, the parties may agree mutually to waive arbitration of the claim,
and the provisions of this [subsection] SECTION then shall govern all further
proceedings on the claim.