H.B. 837                                                 VETOES

(c) The court may reduce to a judgment any monetary award made under this
section, to the extent that any part of the award is due and owing.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall be
construed to apply only prospectively to cases for annulment or divorce filed on after
the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 2004.

May 26, 2004

The Honorable Michael E. Busch
Speaker of the House
State House
Annapolis, MD 21401

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, I have today
vetoed House Bill 837 — Workers' Compensation Benefits - Fraud.

This bill requires the Maryland Insurance Commissioner to include specified
information in an annual report; requires the Insurance Fraud Division to notify the
Workers' Compensation Commission of specified suspected cases of insurance fraud;
requires the Commission to refer specified persons to the Insurance Fraud Division
under specified circumstances; requires the Commission, in consultation with the
Insurance Fraud Division and in collaboration with specified persons and
organizations, to conduct a study.

Senate Bill 639, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me on May
26, 2004, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign
House Bill 837.

Very truly yours,
Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Governor

House Bill No. 837

AN ACT concerning

Workers' Compensation Benefits - Fraud

FOR the purpose of requiring the Workers' Compensation Commission, if a good faith
belief exists that a person has knowingly obtained certain benefits to which the
person is not entitled, to refer the person to the Insurance Fraud Division in the
Maryland Insurance Administration; requiring the Commission to compile and
abstract information that includes the number and the type of confirmed acts of
insurance fraud; requiring the Commission to refer a person that knowingly
affects or knowingly attempts to affect the payment of certain compensation,
fees, or expenses by means of a fraudulent representation to the Insurance

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