IIAM's 2004

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Legislative Bulletin

Bill Number	Bill Title	Bill Sponsor	Synopsis	Committee & Status
SJR6	National Flood Insurance Program	Stone, Astle, Brochin, Colburn, Conway, DeGrange, Della, Dyson, Green, Grosfeld, Harris, Jacobs, Jimeno, Kasemeyer, Klausmeier, Miller, and Teitelbaum	Urging the Congress of the United States to review the National Flood Insurance Program and consider changes to the Program that would improve the handling of claims and other aspects of the Program.	Finance Crossfiled HJR10 Hearing: 3-9-04 1PM Favorable w/Amendments Third Reading Passed 47-0
SB29	Nonprofit Health Service Plans-Compensation of Officers and Executives-Authority of Insurance Commissioner	Middleton	Making changes to conform specified provisions of the Insurance Article relating to nonprofit health service plans to the Order and Consent Judgment rendered by the US District Court for the District of Maryland in the case of the State of Maryland v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association and Care First, Inc.; altering the authority of the Maryland Insurance Commissioner for the review and approval of compensation guidelines for officers and executives of nonprofit health service plans, making the Act an emergency measure, etc.	Finance Crossfiled HB350 Hearing 3-3-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 34-13 House Action Health & Government Operations Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 113-24
SB70	District Court-Small Claim Action-Member of Employee of Limited Liability Company	Greenip	Exempting a member or an employee of a limited liablity company appearing on behalf of the company in a small claims action in the District Court from the requirement of admission to the Bar of Maryland and other specified req uirements	Judicial Proceedings Hearing 1-27-04 - 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading: Passed 45-0 House Action Judicial Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 138-0
SB74	Annual Corrective Bill	The President	Correcting specified errors and omissions in various articles of the Annotated Code and in specified uncodified laws; establishing that the Act is not intended to affect any law other than to correct technical errors; ratifying and validing specified corrections made by the publisher of the Annotated Code; applying and constuing the Act; etc.	Senate Rules Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 42-0 House Action House Rules & Executive Nominations Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 133-1
SB75	Code Revision-Miscellaneous Provision	The President	Revising without substantive change, specified provisions of the Annotated Code of Maryland in order to effectuate the purposes of the Code Revision process; and repealing specified provisions that are obsolete or redundant SIGNED BY GOVERNOR EHRLICH 4/13/2004 CHAPTER 26	Senate Rules Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 44-0 House Action House Rules & Executive Nominations Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 134-0
SB79	Income Tax-Credit for Long-Term Care Premiums	Haines	Removing limitations on the income tax credit for eligible long-term care premiums; and applying the Act to tax years after 2003.	Budget and Taxation Hearing 1-28-04 2PM Unfavorable Report
SB82	Ethics-Prohibition on Acceptance of Gifts by Legislators-Repeal of Exception	Brochin, Della, Grosfeld and Pinsky	Repealing an exception to the general gift acceptance prohibition that allows legislators to accept food or beverages received at the time and geographic location of ameeting of a legislative organization for which the member's presiding officer has approved the member's attendance at State expense; etc.	Education Health and Environmental Affairs Hearing 3-12-04 1PM Cancelled WITHDRAWN
SB88	Commercial Law-Maryland Telephone Consumer Protection Act	Frosh, Ruben and Hooper	Prohibiting a person from violating the federal Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act or the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act; providing that a violation of the Act is an unfair or deceoptive trade practice and is subject to specified enforcement and penalty provisions, etc.	Finance Hearing 2-5-04 1PM Favorable Report w/amendments Third Reading Passed 45-0 House Action Economic Matters Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 134-6
SB101 SUPPORT	Private Passenger Motor Vehicle Insurance-Use of Credit History- Repeal of Sunset	Astle and Middleton	For the purpose of repealing a provision that terminates, as of a certain date, a provision that authorizes an insurer that rates a new private passenger motor vehicle insurance policy based on the credit history of the applicant to provide a certain discount or impose a certain surcharge under certain circumstances; and generally relating to the use of credit history in rating private passenger motor vehicle insurance policies.	Finance Hearing 2-17-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 44-0 House Action Economic Matters Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 133-2
SB108	Motor Vehicle Law- Driving Without Authorization-Penalties	Green	Increasing the penalties for a violation of driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle on a highway in the State without holding a driver's license or otherwise without authorization to drive a motor vehicle in the State to include a maximum term of imprisonment of 2 months.	Judicial Proceedings Hearing 1-29-04 2PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 47-0
SB113	Worker's Compensation-Accidental Injury- Unusual Activity	Astle	Altering the definition of 'Accidental personal injur' as it pertains to workers' compensation laws, to include an injury that arises out of unusual activity.	Finance Hearing 3-2-04 1PM Unfavorable Report Crossfiled with HB13
SB117	Consumer Protection- Privacy of Social Security Numbers	Dyson	Prohibiting a person from publicly posting or displaying an individual's Social Security number under specified circumstances, or from printing an individual's Social Security number on specified cards under specified circumstances; requiring an individual to transmit the individual's Social Security number over the Internet under specified circumstances, etc.	Finance Hearing 2-10-04 1PM Favorable with Amendments Third Reading Passed 44-0 House Action Economic Matters Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 137-0 Filed: 2003-HB392
SB129	Life Insurers- Funding Agreements- Priority in Liquidation Proceedings	Astle	Stating expressly the priority of specified claims made by holders of specified funding agreements in liquidation proceedings against specified insurers	Finance Hearing 2-11-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 45-0 House Action Health & Government Operations Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 140-0
SB131	Task Force to Compare the Maryland Health Insurance Market to Adjacent States	Teitelbaum, Astle, Della, Exum, Garagiola, Hafer, Hooper, Kelley, Klausmeier, and Middleton	Establishing a Task Force to compare the Maryland Health Insurance Market to adjacent states; establishing the membership of the Task Force; designating the chairman of the Task Force; providing that the Task Force shall be staffed by the Maryalnd Health Care Commission within existing budgeted resources; establishing duties of the Task Force; requiring the Task Force to report its findings and recommendations by December 1, 2004; etc.	Finance Hearing 2-11-04 1PM Favorable Report w/amendments Third Reading Passed 47-0 House Action Health & Government Operations Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 138-0
SB147 MONITOR	Insurance-Regulation of Insurance Producers- Written Documentation of Appointment	Astle	Altering the condition under which an insurance producer may act on behalf of an insurer; and prohibiting an insurance producer from acting on behalf of an insurer unless the insurance producer has received written documentation of the appointment from the insurer.	Finance Hearing 2-17-04 1PM Favorable Report w/amendments Third Reading Passed 46-0 House Action Economic Matters Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 139-0
SB148	Health Insurance- Small Group Market- Cost Sharing Arrangements	Astle	Requiring the Maryland Health Care Commission, in establishing cost-sharing as part of the Comprehensive Standard Health Benefit Plan offered in the small group market, to allow a cost-sharing arrangement that has been filed with and approved by the Maryland Insurance Commissioner in connection with a health benefit plan covering residents of the State; etc.	Finance Hearing: 3-3-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
SB157	Motor Vehicle Administration- Driver Licensing- Examination of Applicants	Chairman, Judicial Proceedings (By Request- Transportation Department	Authorizing the MVA to adopt regulations allowing a third party contractor to conduct driver's license examinations and to charge fees; authorizing the Administration to waive portions of a driver's license examination under specified circumstances; etc.	Judicial Proceedings Hearing 2-4-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
SB168	Motor Vehicle Administration - Driver's License Provisions- Safe Driving Credit System	Haines	Requiring the MVA to maintain a safe driving credit system for all licensees; requiring the Administration to award a safe driving credit, up to a specified limit, to licensees who met specified safe driving standards; requiring the Administration to apply safe driving credits in a specified manner to offset specified points assessed against a licensee; and providing for the invalidation of a safe driving credit under specified circumstances.	Judicial Proceedings Hearing 2-4-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 45-0 House Action Environmental Matters Unfavorable Report Filed 2002-SB54
SB172	Consumer Protection- Late Fee Requirements in Consumer Contracts-Repeal of Sunset	Middleton, Brinkley, DeGrange, Gladden, Hafer, Haines, Kelley and Teitelbaum	Repealing a provision that, as of October 1, 2005, would have repealed specified provisions relating to the inclusion in a consumer contract of a requirement to pay specified late fees.	Finance Hearing 2-10-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 44-0 House Action Economic Matters Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 140-1
SB186	Brownfields Redevelopment Reform Act	The President & Astle, Brinkley, Brochin, Currie, Della, Dyson, Greenip, Hafer, Harris, Hollinger, Looper, Jacobs, Jimeno, Kittleman, Klausmeier, Lawlah, Middleton, Munson, Schrader, Stoltzfus and Stone	Allowing specified applicants and properties to participate in the Voluntary Cleanup Program in the Maryland Department of the Environment; providing for application procedures and fees; allowing public participation; ;making some persons and properties eligible for money from the Brownfields Redevelopment Incentive Program, creating a work group to make recommendations; etc.	Education Health and Environmental Affairs Hearing 2-25-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 47-0 House Action Environmental Matters Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 139-0 Crossfiled HB294
SB193	Maryland Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act	The President & Astle, Brinkley, Dyson, Greenip, Hafer, Harris, Hooper, Jacobs, Kittleman, Pipkin and Schrader	Setting a limit of $500,000 on noneconomic damages in medical malpractice injuries; specifying what may be included in a claim for noneconomic damages; creating procedures relating to offers of judgment; apportioning specified costs; etc.	Judicial Proceedings Hearing 3-4-02 1PM Unfavorable Report Crossfiled HB 287
SB205 MONITOR	Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance - Rate Making	Brochin, Forehand, Frosh and Hollinger	Prohibiting an insurer under a motor vehicle liability policy from considering an accident in which an insured was not at fault in determining whether to classify the insured in a classification that entails a higher premium; etc.	Finance Hearing 2-17-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
SB233	Vehicle Laws- Provision Driver's License Restriction for a Minor - Prohibition against Minors as Passengers	Dyson, Middleton, Forehand, Lawlah, Schrader, Ruben, Kelley, Frosh, Hooper, Della and DeGrange	Requiring the MVA to impose a restriction on the original provisional driver's license of a minor that prohibits the minor from transporting individuals under a specified age; requiring the restriction to be in effect for a specified time period; exempting specified passengers from the provisions of the Act; authorizing a police officer to enforce the Act only as a secondary violation, etc.	Judicial Proceedings Hearing 2-4-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 38-8 House Action Environmental Matters Unfavorable Report
SB236 SUPPORT	Motor Vehicle Liability- Personal Injury Protection Coverage- Waiver	Kelley	Providing that a waiver of specified personal injury protection benefits made by a person that is insured continuously by the insurer is effective until the waiver is withdrawn in writing.	Finance Hearing 2-17-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 44-0 House Action Economic Matters Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 139-0
SB238	Insurance- Surplus Lines Brokers- Policy and Inspection Fees	Astle	Specifying a limit on the policy fee that a specified surplus lines broker may charge on a policy issued by an authorized insurer that was procured by a licensed insurance producer to whom the surplus lines broker pays a commission; requiring the policy fee to be reasonably related to the cost of underwriting, issuing, processing, and servicing the policy; authorizing a surplus lines broker to recoup from a prospective insured the actual cost of an inspection required for the placement of the insurance with an authorized insurer; etc.	Finance Hearing 2-17-04 1PM Favorable Report w/amendments Third Reading Passed 47-0 House Action Economic Matters Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 140-0
SB241 MONITOR	Insurance-Cancellation or Refusal to Renew Coverage - Claims History	Frosh	Prohibiting an insurer that considers claims history for purposes of canceling or refusing to renew coverage from considering inquiries by a policyholder or an insured under a policy that do not result in a claim in deciding whether to cancel or refuse to renew coverage; requiring an insurer that considers claims history for purposes of canceling or refusing to renew coverage to give written notice to a policyholder if another claim filed by the policyholder may cause the insurer to cancel or refuse to renew coverage; etc.	Finance Hearing 2-17-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
SB280	Vehicle Laws- Failing to Stop for a School Vehicle with Activated Flashing Lights- Penalties	Hafer, Astle, Calburn, Conway, DeGrange, Dyson, Hogan, Hollinger, Hooper, Lawlah, Munson, Schrader and Teitelbaum	Increasing from 3 to 5 the number of points required to be assessed against an individual for failing to stop or remain stopped for a school vehicle with activated alternately flashing red lights; increasing the fine that a person is subject to for failing to stop or remain stopped for a school vehicle with activated alternately flashing red lights to $1,000; etc.	Judicial Proceedings Hearing 2-19-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 47-0 House Action Environmental Matters Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 132-5
SB296	Maryland Health Care Foundation - Repeal	Della	Terminating the Maryland Health Care Foundation; codifying the provisions of law relating to the Maryland Health Care Trust; altering the trustee of the Maryland Health Care Trust to be the State Treasurer; providing for the transfer of records, furniture, equipment, and money of the Maryland Health Care Foundation; etc.	Finance Hearing 2-18-04 1PM Favorable Report w/amendments Third Reading Passed 44-0 House Action Health & Government Operations Favorable w/amendments Third Reading Passed 135-2 Crossfiled HB 351
SB325	Task Force to Study Identity Theft	Jones, Britt, Brochin, Conway, Exum, Forehand, Garagiola, Giannetti, Gladden, Green, Grosfeld, Hogan, Hughes, Kelley, Klausmeier, Kramer, McFadden, Middleton, Pinksy, Teitelbaum.	Establishing a Task Force to Study Identity Theft; specifying the membership and duties of the Task Force; providing for the appointment of a Senate co-chairman and House co-chairman of the Task Force; providing for the staffing of the Task Force; prohibiting a member of the Task Force from receiving compensation for serving on the Task Force; authorizing a member of the Task Force to receive reimbursement for specified expenses; requiring a report to the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2005; etc.	Judicial Proceedings Hearing 3-9-04 1PM Unfavorable Report Crossfiled HB191
SB386	Medicare Supplement Act	Klausmeier & Stone	Altering the applicability of the Medicare Supplement Act to exempt groups that may be eligible for group Medicare supplement policies.	Finance Hearing: 2-18-04 1PM Cancelled WITHDRAWN
SB401	Workers' Compensation- Evaluation of Permanent Impairments	Exum, Gladden and Hafer	Requiring that a licensed psychologist or a qualified physician perform an evaluation of a permanent impairment in a workers' compensation case that involves a behavioral or mental disorder; and requiring that the report of an evaluation in a case that involves a behavioral or mental disorder be submitted to the Workers' Compensation Commission in accordance with the regulations of the Commission.	Finance Hearing 3-2-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 31-15 Crossfiled: HB760
SB436	Medical Malpractice - Rates and Filings	Kelley, Britt, Conway, Della, Forehand, Frosh, Garagiola, Gladden, Grosfeld, Hogan, Hooper, Hughes, Jones, Miller and Stone.	Requiring that, in establishing rates for medical malpractice insurance, due consideration be given to total investment income; providing that, for medical malpractice insurance, a rate is excessive if the rate does not reflect the total investment income that the insurer reasonably can be expected to earn on all its assets during the period the rate will be in effect or if for any other reason the rate is unreasonably high for the insurance coverage provided; etc.	Finance Hearing 2-25-04 1PM
SB438	Medical Malpractice Insurance - Excessive Rates	Kelley, Forehand, Garagiola, Grosfeld & Miller	Providing that, for medical malpractice insurance, a rate is excessive if the rate does not reflect all dividends, rate credits, and any other form or type of refund or credit that the insurer has issued, or reasonably may be expected to issue, during the period the rate will be in effect or if for any other reason the rate is unreasonably high for the insurance provided.	Finance Hearing 2-25-04 1PM
SB439	Insurance - Viatical Settlement Providers and Viatical Settlement Brokers	Kelley	Requiring viatical settlement providers and viatical settlement brokers to register with the Maryland Insurance Commissioner under specified circumstances; providing that the Act applies only to specified contracts between viators and viatical settlement providers; establishing specified registration requirements; requiring viatical settlement providers and viatical settlement brokers to make specified disclosures in a specified manner to viators under specified circumstances; providing for renewal of registrations; etc.	Finance Hearing 2-17-04 1PM Favorable Report w/amendments Third Reading Passed 46-0 House Action Health & Government Operations Favorable w/amendments Third Reading Passed 138-1 Prior Year SB182
SB454	Health Insurance - Health Insurance Benefit Cards	Hafer	Requiring specified health insurance carriers to provide to insureds, subscribers, and enrollees a health insurance benefit card that includes specified data elements; requiring a carrier that contracts with or otherwise arranges for health insurance benefits to be administered by another person to require the benefit administrator to comply with the Act; requiring a carrier to issue a health insurance benefit card on an annual basis; etc.	Finance Hearing 2-17-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
SB460 OPPOSE	Private Passenger Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance - Coverage for Family Members	Gladden, Currie, Exum, Garagiola, Grosfeld, McFadden, Ruben & Teitelbaum	Requiring an insurer to offer to the first named insured under a policy or binder of private passenger motor vehicle liability insurance liability coverage for claims made by family members in a specified amount under specified circumstances; requiring that the offer be made on a specified form; etc.	Finance Hearing 2-17-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 44-1 House Action Economic Matters Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 129-9 Crossfiled HB486
SB464	Qualified Immunity from Civil Liability-SLAPP suits	Green	Granting qualified immunity from civil liability to a defendant in a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP suit) who, when communicating with a government body or the public at large, without constitutional malice, exercises rights under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution or specified articles of the Maryland Declaration of Rights regarding specified matters; allowing a defendant to move to dismiss the alleged SLAPP suit; etc.	Judicial Proceedings Hearing 3-4-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed38-9 House Action Judiciary Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 139-0 Prior Year HB113
SB466	Workers' Compensation- Medical Services and Treatment- Health Care Provider Panel	Astle	Providing that an employer or its insurer may require a covered employee to select a health care provider from a specified panel established by the employer or its insurer; providing that an employer or its insurer is not responsible for medical expenses under specified circumstances; providing that an employer or its insurer is responsible for medical expenses in the case of an emergency; and providing that specified obligations or rights may not be impaired or modified.	Finance Hearing 3-2-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
SB467	Workers' Compensation- Subsequent Injury Fund- Assessments	Astle	Decreasing an assessment payable to the Subsequent Injury Fund on specified awards or payments.	Finance Hearing 3-2-04 1PM WITHDRAWN Crossfiled HB753
SB468	Workers' Compensation- Accidental Personal Injury- Definition	Astle	Altering the definition of "accidental personal injury" under workers' compensation law to require that an accidental injury that arises out of and in the course of employment must result from a specified cause or from a specified condition of employment; and providing for the application of the Act.	Finance Hearing 3-2-04 1PM Unfavorable Report Crossfiled HB749
SB531	Insurance-Cancellation of Policy for Nonpayment of Premium- Notice	Astle	Authorizing specified insurers to send a notice of intention to cancel for nonpayment of premium to an insured by certificate of bulk mailing	Finance WITHDRAWN Crossfiled: HB696
SB533	Homeowner's Insurance - Cancellation	Astle	Authorizing an insurer to cancel a specified policy of homeowner's insurance under specified circumstances; and generally relating to the cancellation of a policy of homeowner's insurance.	Finance Hearing 3-16-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 46-0 House Action Economic Matters Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 132-8 Crossfiled: HB833 Prior Year: HB966
SB534	Insurance- Termination of Agency Agreement- Cancellation of Policies	Astle	Authorizing specified insurers to cancel specified insurance policies of specified insurance producers under specified circumstances.	Finance Hearing 3-16-04 1PM WITHDRAWN Crossfiled: HB781
SB537	Health Insurance -Small Group Market- Premium Rates	Astle	Altering the factors a carrier may use to adjust the community rate for health benefit plans offered in the small group market to include health status and tobacco use; establishing limitations on the use of age, health status, and tobacco use in adjusting the community rate; repealing a specified limit on the rate a carrier may charge based on adjustments to the community rate; authorizing a carrier to use specified health statements, screenings, and claims history to establish or modify premium rates; etc.	Finance Hearing 3-2-04 1PM Unfavorable Report Crossfiled: HB845
SB544	Medical Malpractice Reform - Tax Credit for Malpractice Insurance	Frosh	Allowing a tax credit against the State income tax for medical malpractice insurance premiums under specified circumstances; and providing for the application of the Act.	Budget and Taxation Hearing 3-24-04 1PM WITHDRAWN
SB545	Medical Malpractice Insurance - Base Rates	Miller, Britt, Currie, Frosh, Giannette, Grosfeld, Hollinger, Kelley, Klausmeier, McFadden, Middleton, Pinksy and Stone	Providing that if an insurer charges different rates for different medical specialties or combinations of medical specialties, the base rate paid by the highest-rated medical specialty or combination of medical specialties may not be greater than 600% of the base rate paid by the lowest-rated medical specialty or combination of medical specialties.	Finance Hearing 2-25-04 1PM
SB546	Insurance - People's Insurance Counsel	Miller, Astle, Britt, Currie, Della, Forehand, Frosh, Garagiola, Giannetti, Gladden, Grosfeld, Hogan, Hollinger, Kelley, Klausmeier, McFadden, Middleton, Pinsky, Stone and Teitelbaum	Providing for the appointment, term of office, qualifications, and salary of the People's Insurance Counsel; requiring the People's Insurance Counsel to take a specified oath; requiring the State budget to provide sufficient money for the Office of People's Insurance Counsel to hire necessary staff; authorizing the Office of People's Insurance Counsel to retain or hire experts; requiring the People's Insurance Counsel to administer and operate the Office of People's Insurance Counsel; etc.	Finance Hearing 3-9-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 39-6 House Action Economic Matters Hearing: 3-30-04 1PM
SB551	Insurance - Premium Financing- Electronic Payment Fee	Exum	Authorizing a premium finance agreement to require the insured to pay an electronic payment fee if the insured elects to pay the premium finance company by means of an electronic payment; limiting the amount to be charged as an electronic payment fee to $8.	Finance Hearing 3-16-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 40-6 House Action Economic Matters Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 112-14 Crossfiled HB941
SB557	Workers' Compensation -Presumptions	Astle	Providing that the presumption of compensability of specified occupational diseases under workers' compensation law is rebuttable; limiting the application of specified presumptions of compensability to an individual who has been retired for a specified period of time; and stating the intent of the General Assembly regarding the ability of an expert witness to provide specified testimony.	Finance Hearing 3-2-04 1PM Crossfiled HB1070
SB566 MONITOR	Civil Actions - Liability of Insurer for Expenses, Litigation Costs, and Interest	Grosfeld	Authorizing the recovery by an insured, in specified civil actions between an insured and an insurer, of expenses, litigation costs, and interest; providing that the interest be computed at a specified rate and from the date that the insured's claim was submitted to the insurer; providing for the application of the Act; etc.	Judicial Proceedings Hearing 3-4-04 1PM Unfavorable Report Prior Year: HB1328
SB576	Health Insurance-Coverage of Groups of Mandated Health Insurance Services	Teitelbaum	Authorizing insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations to divide mandated health insurance services into groups for purposes of offering coverage; authorizing insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations to offer coverage for groups of mandated health insurance services; and providing for the construction of the Act.	Finance Hearing 3-10-04 1PM WITHDRAWN
SB579 MONITOR	Homeowner's Insurance and National Flood Insurance Program - Single Adjuster	Stone, Della, Dyson, Hughes, and Jacobs	Requiring an insurer that issues or delivers federal flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program to a consumer for whom the insurer has or will issue or deliver homeowner's insurance to use, to the extent possible, a single adjuster for the determination of the property damage pertaining to, for the same event and the same property, a claim under a homeowner's insurance policy and a claim under the National Flood Insurance Program.	Finance Hearing 3-9-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
SB581 MONITOR	Homeowner's Insurance- Underwriting, Cancellation and Refusal to Renew	Stone, Della, Dyson, Grosfeld, Hughes and Jacobs	Prohibiting an insurer, with respect to homeowner's insurance, from refusing to underwrite a risk or canceling or refusing to renew coverage based in whole or in part on claims filed by a previous owner of the property to be insured or that is insured or on inquiries by a policyholder or an insured that do not result in the payment of a claim.	Finance Hearing 3-9-04 1PM Unfavorable Report Crossfiled: HB245
SB582 MONITOR	Homeowner's Insurance - Mediation -Valuation of Property	Stone, Della, Dyson, Grosfeld, Hughes and Jacobs	Requiring the Maryland Insurance Commissioner to adopt regulations that establish a mediation process in the Maryland Insurance Administration between a consumer and an insurer that issues or delivers a homeowner's insurance policy for the settlement of claims involving property damage and the determination of the loss value of the property; allowing the Commissioner to establish qualifications for persons requesting mediation services and for individuals applying to serve as mediators; etc.	Finance Hearing 3-9-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
SB583	Maryland Insurance Administration -Report - Events Involving Direct Flood and Flood-Related Damages	Stone, Della, Dyson, Grosfeld, Harris, Hughes, and Jacobs	Requiring the Insurance Commissioner to prepare a report following an event for which the Governor declared a state of emergency and which involves direct flood and flood-related damages; specifying information to be included in the report; allowing the report to be prepared with the Commissioner's annual report; requiring the report to be submitted to the Governor and the General Assembly; and requiring the report to be submitted to the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration in the Federal Emergency Management Agency.	Finance Hearing 3-9-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
SB584 SUPPORT WITH CLARIFICATION	Insurance Producers - Continuing Education Requirements	Stone, Dyson, Grosfeld, Harris, Hughes, and Jacobs	Requiring specified insurance producers to receive continuing education directly relating to flood insurance.	Finance Hearing 3-9-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 47-0 House Action Economic Matters Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 140-0 Crossfiled: HB177
SB585	Homeowner's Insurance ~~Policyholder Bill of Rights~~ - Notice Concerning Flood Insurance	Stone, Della, Grosfeld, Hughes, and Jacobs	Requiring specified insurers to provide policyholders with written statements that summarize coverages and exclusions; requiring the statement to be sufficiently clear so that an individual of average intelligence can identify the coverages and exclusions without further inquiry; describing the information that must be included in the statement; requiring specified insurers to promptly notify claimants of specified information; etc.	Finance Hearing 3-9-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 45-0 House Action Referred to Economic Matters 4-12-2004
SB586	Insurance - Public Adjusters- Regulation	Stone, Della, Grosfeld, Hughes, and Jacobs	Establishing a criminal penalty for a person who fails to obtain a license from the Insurance Commissioner before acting as a public adjuster; requiring specified entities to obtain a license from the Commissioner before acting as a public adjuster; establishing specified qualifications for licensure as a public adjuster; establishing examination requirements; etc.	Finance Hearing 3-9-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 47-0 House Action Economic Matters Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 140-0 Crossfiled: HB15 Prior Year: HB494
SB593	Health Insurance Carriers - Required Disclosures	Gladden, Exum, Grosfeld, Hafer, Kelley, and Lawlah	Requiring health insurance carriers to provide disclosures regarding reimbursement for copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, and health care services when the coverage the carrier is obligated to provide is secondary to the coverage provided by another carrier.	Finance Hearing 3-10-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
SB630	Vehicle Laws- Use of Mobile Telephone by Driver Who Is a Minor - Prohibition	Hooper, Colburn, Della, Dyson and Teitelbaum	Prohibiting a driver of a motor vehicle who is a minor from using a mobile telephone while the vehicle is in motion; providing an exception; providing a penalty for the use of a mobile telephone under prohibited circumstances; including hand-held and hands-free mobile telephones in the prohibition; and generally relating to prohibiting a specified driver of a motor vehicle from using a mobile telephone while the vehicle is in motion.	Judicial Proceedings Hearing 2-19-04 1PM Unfavorable Report Prior Year: SB220
SB638	Workers' Compensation - Accidental Personal Injury- Definition	Astle	Altering the definition of "accidental personal injury" under workers' compensation law to require that a compensable accidental injury must arise on a specific date and at a specific time; requiring that a compensable accidental injury must result from a risk that is causally connected to the conditions of employment and not as the result of a risk that is purely personal in nature; and providing for the application of the Act; etc.	Finance Hearing 3-2-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
SB639	Workers' Compensation Benefits - Fraud	Astle	Requiring the Workers' Compensation Commission, if a good faith belief exists that a person has knowingly obtained specified 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; etc.	Finance Hearing 3-2-04 1PM Favorable w/Amendments Third Reading Passed 44-3 House Action House Rules & Executive Nominations Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 136-0 Crossfiled: HB837
SB641	Life Insurance - Insurable Interests	Astle	Authorizing an organization to which charitable contributions may be made under specified provisions of federal law, and a trust, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or similar entity approved in writing by the organization, to procure or cause to be procured an insurance policy on the life of an individual under specified circumstances; providing that specified institutions, organizations, and entities have an insurable interest in the life of the insured; etc.	Finance Hearing 3-10-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
SB644	Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance - Hearings on Proposed Actions by Insurers - Attorney Fees	Astle	Altering specified information an insurer must include in a specified notice to an insured under a policy of motor vehicle liability insurance; etc.	Finance Hearing 3-16-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 47-0 House Action Economic Matters Unfavorable Report
SB655	Voluntary Cleanup Program and Brownfields Revitalization Incentive Program	Frosh	Providing that applicants and properties may be eligible to participate in the Voluntary Cleanup Program within the Department of the Environment; establishing fees under specified circumstances; altering procedures for applications to the Voluntary Cleanup Program and for public participation in the Department's process of approving response action plans; establishing liability protection for specified program participants; authorizing the State to commence a civil action to recover specified punitive damages; etc.	Education Health and Environmental Affairs Hearing 2-25-04 1PM
SB691	Automobile Insurance - Alternative Rating Plan Pilot Program	Gladden	Authorizing specified credits against taxes under specified circumstances; providing for calculation of the credit; authorizing specified insurers that deliver, issue for delivery, or renew a policy of automobile insurance to offer specified persons the choice between mile-based rating plans and time-based rating plans; etc.	Finance Hearing 3-16-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
SB708	Medical Malpractice Insurance - Policies with Deductibles	Brochin	Requiring insurers that offer policies of medical malpractice insurance in the State to offer specified additional policies with deductibles in specified amounts; requiring the Maryland Insurance Administration to make a specified report on or before a specified date; etc.	Finance Hearing 2-25-04 1PM
SB714	Health Insurance - Small Group Market - Modifications and Clarifications	Middleton	Repealing a requirement that the Maryland Health Care Commission develop a modified health benefit plan for medical savings accounts; repealing a requirement that the Commission adopt regulations that specify a modified health benefit plan for medical savings accounts that meet specified federal qualifications; providing that the rate cap on the Comprehensive Standard Health Benefit Plan in the small group market does not apply from July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2006; etc.	Finance Hearing 3-3-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 47-0 House Action Health & Government Operations Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 138-0
SB735	Motor Vehicle Insurance - Valuation of Motor Vehicles - Disclosure	Stone	Requiring that specified regulations require each insurer to file with the Insurance Commissioner the condition inspection guidelines that the insurer uses in the settlement of claims involving a determination of the total loss of a private passenger motor vehicle; requiring the regulations to require an insurer to disclose to a claimant specified guidelines and valuation concerning a claim involving the total loss of a vehicle; etc.	Finance Hearing 3-16-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
SB805	Homeowner's Insurance Premiums -Escrow- Substantial Property Damage	Klausmeier, Middleton, and Stone	Authorizing a consumer to request the Insurance Commissioner to review the amount of a premium that the consumer has paid or will pay for residential real property under a homeowner's insurance policy; requiring the Commissioner to determine if the premium may need to be decreased to reflect the loss of value of the property; requiring the Commissioner to consider if certain claims have been denied or approved for an amount that is less than the amount needed to return the property to the condition it was in prior to the event; etc.	Finance Hearing 3-9-04 1PM Unfavorable Report Crossfiled: HB1326
SB834	Insurance- Unfair Claim Settlement Practices- Flood Insurance Policies	Stone	Providing that flood insurance policies adopted under federal law or regulation and issued by a licensed private insurer in the State are subject to the Unfair Claim Settlement Practices Act; making the Act an emergency measure; etc.	Finance Hearing 3-9-04 1PM Unfavorable Report EMERGENCY BILL
SB854	Credit Regulation - Escrow Accounts - Homeowners and Flood Insurance Premiums	Stone	Requiring a specified lender or credit grantor to pay disbursements for specified homeowners insurance and flood insurance, as long as a specified payment is not more than 30 days overdue, on or before the deadline to avoid a payee from not issuing, not renewing, or cancelling an insurance policy for nonpayment; requiring a lender or credit grantor to advance funds to make disbursements in accordance with a specified provision; allowing a lender or credit grantor to seek repayment from the borrower for a deficiency; etc.	Finance Hearing 3-9-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
SB923	Motor Vehicle Registration - Required Security- Evidence	Hooper	Requiring applications for motor vehicle registration to include the name of the insurance company, the name of the authorized agent, if any, the policy number, and the binder number as evidence that the required security for the motor vehicle is in effect; etc.	Judicial Proceedings
SB932	Consumer Protection- Consumer Reporting Agencies- Restriction on Furnishing Information	Gladden	Prohibiting a consumer reporting agency from furnishing information in a consumer's file to a specified person for a period of 6 months if the consumer reporting agency receives specified written notice from the consumer; authorizing the consumer, at any time during the 6-month period, to authorize the consumer agency to furnish information in the consumer's file to a specified person by providing written notice to the consumer reporting agency; etc.	Finance Hearing: 3-30-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HJR2	Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996-Privacy Rule	Morhaim, Elliott, Goldwater and Nathan-Pulliam	Urging the President, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Maryland Congressional Delegation to take appropriate measures to cease enforcement of the Privacy Rule established under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996	House Rules & Executive Nominations
HJR10	National Flood Insurance Program -Tropical Storm/ HurricaneIsabel	Minnick and Weir	Urging the Congress of the United States to review the National Flood Insurance Program and consider changes to the Program that would improve the handling of claims and other aspects of the Program.	House Rules and Executive Nominations
HB5	Motor Vehicles-Learners' Permits and Provisional Licenses-Restriction of Use of a Wireless Communications Device	Bronrott, Mandel & Holmes	For the purpose of requiring the MVA to impose a restriction on learners' instructional permits and provisional drivers' licenses that prohibits permit holders or licensees from using certain types of wireless communication devices while operating a motor vehicle;	Environmental Matters Hearing 2-4-04 1PM WITHDRAWN
HB13	Workers' Compensation-Accidental Injury-Unusual Activity	Arnick	For the purpose of altering the definition of 'accidental personal injury' as it pertains to workers' compensation laws, to include an injury that arises out of unusual activity under certain circumstances; providing for the application of this Act; and generally relating to the definition of 'accidental injury' under the workers' compensation laws.	Economic Matters Hearing 3-4-04 1PM Unfavorable Report Crossfiled SB113
HB15	Insurance-Public Adjusters-Regulation	Feldman	Establishing certain criminal penalty for a person who fails to obtain a license from the Commissioner before acting as a public adjuster, etc.	Economic Matters Hearing 2-3-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 138-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 47-0
HB29	Vehicle Laws-Use of Hand-Held Telephone While Driving-Prohibition	Arnick & Mandel	For the purpose of prohibiting the driver of a motor vehicle that is in motion from using a telephone that is held by the driver; providing certain exceptions; providing that the provisions of this Act may be enforced only as a secondary action when a police officer detains a driver of a motor vehicle for a suspended violation of another provision of the Code; etc.	Environmental Matters Hearing 2-4-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB40	Motor Vehicles-Prohibition against Permitting Person Not Lawfuly Present in the US to Drive	Impallaria & McDonough	For the purpose of prohibiting a person from knowingly permitting a motor vehicle owned by the person to be driven by an individual that the person knows is not lawfully admitted into or otherwise lawfully present in the US; establishing penalties for violation of this Act, including forfeiture of the motor vehicle used in the violation under certain circumstances; requiring the MVA to suspend the driver's license of a person convicted under this Act for a certain period, etc.	Judiciary Hearing: 2-18-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB41	Vehicle Laws-Driver's Licensing of Illegal Aliens-Prohibition	McMillan, Parker, Burns, Sossi, Impallaria, Kach, McConkey, Boschert, Dwyer, Cluster, Boteler, Leopold, Shank, Miller, Krebs, Parrott, Gilleland, McDonough, Edwards, and Kelly	For the purpose of prohibiting the Motor Vehicle Administration from issuing a driver's license to an individual who is not lawfully present in the United States in accordance with federal law and regulations; and generally relating todrivers' licenses and individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.	Judiciary Hearing: 2-18-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB69	Task Force to Study Identity Theft	Lee	For the purpose of establishing a Task Force to Study Identity Theft; specifying themembership and duties of the Task Force; providing for the appointment of aSenate co-chairman and House co-chairman of the Task Force; providing for thestaffing of the Task Force; prohibiting a member of the Task Force from receiving compensation for serving on the Task Force; authorizing a member of the Task Force to receive reimbursement for certain expenses; requiring a certain report on or before a certain date; providing for the termination of the Task Force; and generally relating to the Task Force to Study Identity Theft.	Judiciary Hearing 1-28-04 Cancelled WITHDRAWN
HB71	Unemployment Insurance-Earned Rating Record-State of Emergency	Minnick	For the purpose of prohibiting unemployment benefits paid to a claimant from beingcharged against the earned rating record of an employer if the claimant becomesunemployed as a direct result of the consequences of any event for which theGovernor has declared a state of emergency; and generally relating to the charging provisions of unemployment benefits.	Economic Matters Hearing 2-26-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB74 MONITOR	Consumer Protection-Privacy of Social Security Numbers	Pendergrass, Barve, DeBoy, Howard, Hubbard, Minnick, Petzold, F. Turner, Sossi, and Barkley	For the purpose of prohibiting the public posting or displaying of an individual's Social Security number under certain circumstances; prohibiting the printing of an individual's Social Security number on certain cards under certain circumstances; requiring an individual to transmit the individual's Social Security number over the Internet under certain circumstances; prohibiting a person from requiring an individual to use the individual's Social Security number to access an Internet website under certain circumstances; prohibiting the printing of an individual's Social Security number on materials mailed to the individual under certain circumstances;	Economic Matters Hearing 2-11-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 138-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 42-0
HB102	Sales & Use Tax-Rate	Simmons	Proposing an amendment to the Maryland Constitution that sets the sales and use tax rate at 6 percent; and submitting this amendment to the qualified voters of the State of Maryland for their adoption or rejection.	Ways & Means Hearing 2-18-04 1PM
HB103	Sales & use Tax-Rate-Education Trust Fund	Simmons	Altering the rate of the sales and use tax from 5% to 6%; establishing an Education Trust Fund; requiring specified distributions from the sales and use tax revenue to the Education Trust Fund to be used for a specified purpose	Ways & Means Hearing 2-18-04 1PM
HB115	Health Insurance-Coverage for Parents of Insured or Spouse of Insured	Costa and Dwyer	Requiring health insurance policies or contracts that provide coverage for family members to provide coverage for parents under specified circumstances; establishing conditions that the parent must meet to be eligible for family members' coverage under the policy or contract; authorizing an insurer or nonprofit service plan to require proof of the relationship; and providing for termination of the Act.	Health and Government Operations Hearing 1-27-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB116	Health Insurance-Small Group Market-Comprehensive Standard Health Benefit Plan	Costa and Dwyer	Requiring the Maryland Health Commission to require that a pharmacy discount card option be included in the minimum benefits in the Comprehensive Standard Health Benefit Plan offered in the small group insurance market; and establishing the amount of specified co-payments and deductibles under the Standard Plan.	Health and Government Operations Hearing 2-10-04 2PM WITHDRAWN
HB122	Health Insurance-Coverage for Children	Morhaim, Elliott, Hammen and Nathan-Pulliam	Requiring specified health insurance policies and contracts that provide coverage for family members to provide coverage for a child of the insured, subscriber, employee, or member until the child is 30 years of age; establishing conditions that a child must meet to be eligible for coverage; authorizing an insurer, nonprofit health service plan, or health maintenance organization to impose specified cost sharing requirements and to price specified coverage in a specified manner; providing for the application of the Act, etc.	Health and Government Operations Hearing 1-27-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 139-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 46-0
HB123	Health Insurance-Prompt Payment of Claims	Morhaim, Elliott, and Hammen	Requiring an insurer, nonprofit health service plan, and health maintenance organization to mail or otherwise transmit payment of a claim, or undisputed portion of a claim, for reimbursement from specified persons within 30 days after receipt of the claim or specified information relating to the claim.	Health and Government Operations Hearing 1-27-04 Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 140-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 44-0
HB125	Health Insurance-Medicare Supplement Policies-Individuals Transferred to the Maryland Health Insurance	Godlwater and Hammen	Requiring health insurance carriers that issue Medicare Supplemental policies to issue a Medicare supplement policy to an individual who transferred from a substantial, available, and affordable coverage plan to the Maryland Health Insurance Plan on July 1, 2003 and who applies for the Medicare supplement policy by July 1, 2004; requiring the MIA to issue notice of specified requirements to affected carriers, etc.	Health and Government Operations Hearing 2-10-04 2PM Favorable Report w/amendments Third Reading Passed 137-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 46-0
HB126	Maryland Health Insurance Plan	Hammen	Authorizing the Board of Directors for the Maryland Health Insurance Plan to adjust the premium rate for Plan coverage on the basis of geographic region of the State.	Health and Government Operations Hearing 2-10-04 2PM
HB127	Nonprofit Health Service Plans and Health Maintenance Organizations- Underwriting Standards	Hammen	Requiring a nonprofit health service plan and a health maintenance organization to file with the Insurance Commissioner a copy of their underwriting standards; and authorizing a nonprofit health service plan and a health maintenance organization to request a finding by the Commissioner that the underwriting standards to be considered confidential commercial information.	Health and Goverment Operations Hearing 1-27-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 140-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 46-0
HB132 MONITOR	Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance- Rate Making	Bromwell, Boteler, Burns, Cardin, Cluster, DeBoy, Frush, Fulton, Goodwin, Harrison, Haynes, Hogan, Impallaria, Jameson, Kirk, McDonough, Minnick, Moe, Myers, Parrott, Taylor, F. Turner, Vaughn, WEdon and Zirkin	Prohibiting an insurer under a motor vehicle liability insurance policy from considering an accident in which an insured was not at fault in determining whether to classify the insured in a classification that entails a higher premium, etc.	Economic Matters Hearing 2-3-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB163	Commercial Driver's License- Standards, Requirements, and Penalties	Chairman, Environmental Matters Committee	Requiring a clerk of court to establish specified reporting procedures; expanding the requirements for driving specified motor vehicles; adding disqualifying offenses for commercial drivers; establishing new violations; adding to the list of persons who may receive information in a specified driving record, etc.	Environmental Matters Hearing 3-18-04 1PM
HB173	Homicide by Aggresive Driving	Menes, Barkley, Bobo, Boutin, Conroy, Goldwater, Hubbard, Mandel, McHale, Nathan-Pulliam, Rudolph, Hennessy, Petzold and Sophocleus	Establishing the crime of homicide by aggressive driving for a person who causes the death of another as the result of committing at least three specified violations of the Maryland Vehicle Law; providing for specified penalties and assessment of points for a conviction of homicide by aggressive driving; providing for specified procedures in a prosecution for homicide by aggressive driving; and requiring a clerk of the court to notify the MVA of a conviction for homicide by aggressive driving.	Judiciary Hearing 2-5-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB177 SUPPORT WITH CLARIFICATION	Insurance Producers- Continuing Education Requirements	Chairman Economic Matters Committee (by Request of the MIA)	Requiring specified insurance producers to receive continuing education directly relating to flood insurance.	Economic Matters Hearing 1-28-04 (Briefing) Favorable Report w/amendments Third Reading Passed 133-1 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 47-0
HB185	Computerized Records that Contain Personal Information-Unauthorized Access-Notice	Menes, Barkley and Petzold	Requiring a person that owns, licenses, or maintains a specified computerized record for a commercial purpose to notify specified individuals of an unauthorized access to the computerized record; providing that a person who violates the requirement is liable for attorney's fees and specified damages; requiring the custodian of a computerized public record to notify specified individuals of an unauthorized access to the computerized public record, etc.	Economic Matters Hearing 2-11-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB191	Task Force to Study Identity Theft	Lee, Stern, Goldwater, Barkley, Bobo, Conroy, Dumais, Dwyer, Feldman, Gaines, Gutierrez, Hennessy, Kaiser, Kelley, King, Madaleno, McComas, Menes, Montgomery, Niemann, Pendergrass, Quinter, Ramirex, Shank and V. Turner	Establishing a Task Force to Study Identity Theft; specifying the membership and duties of the Task Force; providing for the appointment of a Senate co-chairman and House co-chairman of the Task Force; providing for the staffing of the Task Force; prohibiting a member of the Task Force from receiving compensation for serving on the Task Force; authorizing a member of the Task Force to receive reimbursement for specified expenses; requiring a report to the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2005, etc.	Judiciary Hearing 1-28-04 1PM Favorable Report w/amendments Third Reading Passed 136-1 Senate Action Judicial Proceedings Unfavorable Report Crossfiled SB325
HB231	Life Insurers- Funding Arrangements- Priority in Liquidation Proceedings	Hammen	Stating expressly the priority of specified claims made by holders of specified funding agreements in liquidation proceedings against specified insurers.	Health and Government Operations Hearing: 2-11-04 1PM Favorable Report w/amendments Third Reading Passed 137-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 47-0
HB245 MONITOR	Homeowner's Insurance- Underwriting, Cancellation, and Refusal to Renew	Holmes	Prohibiting an insurer, with respect to homeowner's insurance, from refusing to underwrite a risk or canceling or refusing to renew coverage based in whole or in part on claims filed by a previous owner of the property to be insured or that is insured or on inquiries by a policyholder or an insured that do not result in the payment of a claim.	Economic Matters Hearing 2-3-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB255	Idenity Fraud Victims Act of 2004	Ramirez, G. Clagett, Conroy, DeBoy, Feldman, Healey, Hixson, Hubbard, Kaiser, Lee, Madaleno, Mandel, Parker, Parrott, Pendergrass and Stern	Allowing a person to file a petition for expungement of specified records if the person's name or other identification has been used without consent or authorization by another who has been charged with identity fraud; authorizing the Attorney General to issue an identity fraud passport to a person who meets specified requirements; authorizing a consumer to request a consumer reporting agency to block permanently the reporting of specified information, etc.	Judiciary Hearing 2-17-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB270	Insurance Premiums Tax- Health Maintenance Organizations and Managed Care Organizations	Hixson, Bozman, C.Davis, Healey, Howard, Marriott, and Patterson	Imposing the insurance premiums tax on health maintenance organizations and managed care organizations; providing that premiums to be taxed include specified amounts paid to a health maintenance organization and a managed care organization, etc.	Ways & Means Hearing 2-25-04 1PM
HB275	Courts- Negligence Actions- Evidence of Motor Vehicle Driver's Operation of Hand Held Telephone	Arnick	Providing that evidence of a motor vehicle driver's operation of a hand-held telephone may be considered by the trier of fact in determining whether the driver was negligent under specified circumstances; and providing for specified exceptions.	Judiciary Hearing 3-11-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB276	Vehicle Laws- Accidents- Police Reports	Heller & Bozman	Requiring the police to go to a scene of a specified vehicle accident, investigate, and file a specified report with the appropriate State or local law enforcement agency, if a person involved in the vehicle accident requests that the accident be investigated.	Environmental Matters Hearing 2-10-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB287	Maryland Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act	The Speaker & Minority Leader & Edwards, Amedori, Arnick, Aumann, Bartlett, Boschert, Boteler, Boutin, Bozman, Burns, Cane, Cryor, DeBoy, Donoghue, Eckardt, Elliott, Elmore, Frank, Glassman, Haddaway, Impallaria, Jenning, Kelly, Krebs, Leopold, McComas, McConkey, McKee, McMillan, Miller, Minnick, Morhaim, O'Donnell, Parrott, Shank, Sophocleus, Stocksdale, Walkup, Weldon and Zirkin.	Setting a limit of $500,000 on noneconomic damages in medical malpractice injuries; specifying what may be included in a claim for noneconomic damages; creating procedures relating to offers of judgment; apportioning specified costs; etc.	Judiciary Hearing: 3-2-04 1PM Unfavorable Report Crossfiled SB193
HB294	Brownfields Redevelopment Reform Act	The Speaker & Minority Leader and Edwards, Aumann, Bartlett, Barve, Bates, Boschert, Boteler, Boutin, Burns, Cane, V. Clagett, Costa, Cryor, Eckardt, Elmore, Frank, Frush, Glassman, Goldwater, Hammen, Hogan, Holmes, Hubbard, Kelly, Krebs, Leopold, Malone, Marriott, McComas, McConkey, McHale, McIntosh, Miller, Mitchell, Moe, Morhaim, Nathan-Pulliam, Oaks, O'Donnell, Owings, Parker, Parrott, Ross, Rudolph, Sossi, Stern, Stocksdale, Stull, Walkup, Weir, Weldon and Wood	Allowing specified applicants and properties to participate in the Voluntary Cleanup Program in the Maryland Department of the Environment; providing for application procedures and fees; allowing public participation; making some persons and properties eligible for money from the Brownfields Redevelopment Incentive Program, creating a work group to make recommendations; etc.	Environmental Matters Hearing 2-19-04 1PM Favorable Report w/amendments Third Reading Passed 137-0 Senate Action Health & Environmental Affairs Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 45-0 Crossfiled SB186
HB327	Health Insurance-Association Health Benefit Plan	Costa	Establishing an Association Health Benefit Plan to provide health insurance to specified entities; altering the purposes of the Maryland Health Care Commission; requiring the Commission to adopt regulations that specify the Plan; specifying the persons to whom an association may offer the Plan; establishing specified requirements for carriers that offer the Plan; etc.	Health and Government Operations Hearing 2-17-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB350	Nonprofit Health Service Plans- Compensation of Officers and Executives- Authority of the Insurance Commissioner	Hurson	Making changes to conform specified provisions of the Insurance Article relating to nonprofit health service plans to the Order and Consent Judgment rendered by U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in the case of State of Maryland vs. Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association and Care First, Inc.; altering the authority of the Maryland Insurance Commissioner for the review and approval of compensation guidelines for officers and executives of nonprofit health service plans; making the Act an emergency measure, etc.	Health and Government Operations Hearing 2-17-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 122-16 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 39-7
HB369	Workers' Compensation- Benefits for Partial Dependency	Kach, Krysiak and Love	Extending workers' compensation benefits to a spouse who was wholly dependent at the time of death but becomes partly dependent after a specified date, provided specified conditions are met; and providing for the application of the Act.	Economic Matters Hearing 3-4-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB378	Vehicle Laws- MVA Records- Disclosure of Personal Information	Kach, Conroy and Donoghue	Requiring the MVA to request applicants for special vehicle registration available to recipients of specified combat-related medals to consent to limited disclosure of the applicant's name and mailing address to specified organizations; prohibiting the MVA from requiring applicants to consent; prohibiting the MVA from refusing to issue special registration solely because the applicant's refusal to consent; etc.	Environmental Matters Hearing 2-17-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB422	Insurance- Surplus Lines Brokers- Policy and Inspection Fees	Moe	Specifying a limit on the policy fee that a specified surplus lines broker may charge on a policy issued by an authorized insurer that was procured by a licensed insurance producer to whom the surplus lines broker pays a commission; requiring the policy fee to be reasonably related to the cost of underwriting, issuing, processing, and servicing the policy; authorizing a surplus lines broker to recoup from a prospective insured the actual cost of an inspection required for the placement of the insurance with an authorized insurer; etc.	Economic Matters Hearing 2-10-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 137-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 47-0
HB462	Vehicle Laws- Provisional Driver's License Restriction for a Minor- Prohibition against Minors as Passengers	Mandel, Barkley, Barve, Benson, Bobo, Bromwell, Bronrott, G.Clagett, V. Clagett, Conroy, Conway, Dumais, Feldman, Franchot, Frush, Goldwater, Gutierrez, Holmes, Hubbard, Hurson, Jones, Kach, King, Madaleno, McHale, Menes, Minnick, Montgomery, Murray, Nathan-Pulliam, Niemann, Parker, Patterson, Petzold, Ramirez, Simmons, Sossi, Taylor, F. Turner and V. Turner	Requiring the Motor Vehicle Administration to impose a restriction on the provisional driver's license of a minor that prohibits the minor from transporting individuals under the age of 18 years as passengers; requiring the restriction to be in effect for a specified period of time; exempting specified passengers from the provisions of the Act; providing for secondary enforcement of a violation of the restriction and making the violation a moving violation; etc.	Environmental Matters Hearing 2-17-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB486 OPPOSE	Private Passenger Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance - Coverage for Claims of Family Members	Krysiak and Feldman	Requiring an insurer to offer to the first named insured under a policy or binder of private passenger motor vehicle liability insurance liability coverage for claims made by family members in a specified amount under specified circumstances; requiring that the offer be made on a specified form; etc.	Economic Matters Hearing 2-17-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 134-2 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 34-11
HB487	Commercial Law- Telephone Solicitations- Maryland- Do Not Call Registry	V. Clagett	Adopting the do-not-call registry established and maintained by the Federal Trade Commission as the State do-not-call registry; prohibiting a telephone solicitor from initiating a telephone solicitation to a residential subscriber if the residential subscriber's telephone number has been listed on the registry for 3 months before the initiation of the telephone solicitation; etc.	Economic Matters Hearing 2-25-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB504 SUPPORT	Private Passenger Motor Vehicle Insurance- Use of Credit History- Repeal of Sunset	Chairman, Economic Matters, by Request MIA	Repealing a provision that terminates, at the end of September 30, 2004, a provision that authorizes an insurer that rates a new private passenger motor vehicle insurance policy based on the credit history of the applicant to provide a discount of up to 40% or impose a surcharge of up to 40% if actuarially justified.	Economic Matters Hearing 2-10-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 131-1 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 42-0
HB531	Insurance - Fraud Reporting and Prevention - Expansion	Chairman, Economic Matters, by Request MIA	Requiring health maintenance organizations to comply with insurance fraud reporting and prevention laws; extending the application of the Fraudulent Insurance Act to the State, including the Uninsured Employers' Fund and specified self-insurers; requiring registered premium finance companies to comply with specified insurance fraud reporting requirements; etc.	Economic Matters Hearing 2-10-04 1PM
HB533	Insurance - Impaired Insurers	Chairman, Economic Matters, by Request MIA	Altering the definition of impaired insurer, as it applies to stock insurers and mutual insurers, so as to provide that an impaired insurer is a stock or mutual insurer the assets of which, less all liabilities and required reserves, do not equal or exceed the minimum surplus required under the law for authority to engage in the business of a stock or mutual insurer. SIGNED BY GOVERNOR EHRLICH 4/13/2004 CHAPTER 49	Economic Matters Hearing 2-17-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 135-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 47-0
HB535	Insurance - Premium Finance Companies- Penalties	Chairman, Economic Matters, by Request MIA	Increasing the minimum and maximum monetary penalties that may be imposed on premium finance companies for specified violations of the insurance laws.	Economic Matters Hearing 2-10-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB574	Health Insurance- Medicare Supplement- Repeal of Prohibited Solicitation	Chairman, Health & Government Operations (Request of MIA)	Repealing a specified prohibition against selling a Medicare supplement policy to an individual eligible for Medicaid benefits. SIGNED BY GOVERNOR EHRLICH 4/13/2004 CHAPTER 54	Health & Government Operations Hearing 2-24-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 138-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 46-0
HB628	Local Governments- Regulation of Residential Property for Rent of Lease- Lead Risk Reduction Requirements	McIntosh	Requiring the owner of residential property that is rented or leased to certify to the local government that regulates the property that the property is exempt from or complies with statutory requirements regarding lead risk reduction; applying the Act to the regulation in any manner by a local government of residential property that is rented or leased; and authorizing a local government to forward to the Department of the Environment any information obtained under the Act.	Environmental Matters Hearing 3-4-04 2:30 PM Unfavorable Report
HB644	Disability Retirement Benefits- Reduction for Workers' Compensation Benefits- Occupational Disease	James	Repealing the requirement that the Board of Trustees for the State Retirement and Pension System reduce a disability retirement benefit by any related workers' compensation benefits, if the disability retirement benefit is received for an occupational disease.	Appropriations Hearing 2-24-04 11AM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 133-0 Senate Action Budget & Taxation Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 35-12
HB658	Workers' Compensation -Uninsured Employers- Penalties	Simmons	Increasing specified penalties for an employer who fails to pay, or secure payment of, specified compensation under workers' compensation law; and requiring the Uninsured Employers' Fund to file a statement of charges in District Court against an employer for an allegation of specified violations.	Economic Matters Hearing 3-4-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB669	Health Insurance - HIPAA- Maryland Health Insurance Plan- Alternative Mechanism	Chairman, Health and Government Operations (Request of MIA)	Establishing the Maryland Health Insurance Plan as the alternative to the standard coverage for eligible individuals under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; requiring carriers to continue to cover specified individuals; deleting specified provisions; etc. SIGNED BY GOVERNOR EHRLICH 4/13/2004 CHAPTER 60	Health & Government Operations Hearing 2-24-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 140-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 45-0
HB670	Health Insurance- Inducements	Chairman, Health & Government Operations (Request of MIA)	Making the prohibitions on the making of payments, promises, offers, favors, agreements, or other inducements with respect to contracts of health insurance applicable to health maintenance organizations.	Health & Government Operations Hearing 2-24-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 139-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 46-0
HB692 SUPPORT	Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance - Personal Injury Protection Coverage - Waiver	Feldman	Providing that a waiver of specified personal injury protection benefits made by a person that is insured continuously by the insurer is effective until the waiver is withdrawn in writing.	Economic Matters Hearing 2-24-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 140-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 47-0 Crossfiled: SB236
HB696	Insurance - Cancellation of Policy for Nonpayment of Premium- Notice	Feldman & Taylor	Authorizing specified insurers to send a notice of intention to cancel for nonpayment of premium to an insured by certificate of bulk mailing.	Economic Matters WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR Hearing 2-24-04 1PM
HB749	Workers' Compensation - Accidental Personal Injury- Definition	Wood, Elmore and Mitchell	Altering the definition of "accidental personal injury" under workers' compensation law to require that an accidental injury that arises out of and in the course of employment must result from a specified cause or from a specified condition of employment; and providing for the application of the Act.	Economic Matters Hearing 3-4-04 1PM Unfavorable Report Crossfiled: SB468
HB753	Workers' Compensation - Subsequent Injury Fund - Assessments	Wood & Elmore	Decreasing an assessment payable to the Subsequent Injury Fund on specified awards or payments.	Economic Matters Hearing 3-4-04 1PM WITHDRAWN Crossfiled: SB467
HB760	Workers' Compensation - Evaluation of Permanent Impairments	Wood, Elmore, Moe & Owings	Requiring that a licensed psychologist or a qualified physician perform an evaluation of a permanent impairment in a workers' compensation case that involves a behavioral or mental disorder; and requiring that the report of an evaluation in a case that involves a behavioral or mental disorder be submitted to the Workers' Compensation Commission in accordance with the regulations of the Commission.	Economic Matters Hearing 3-4-04 1PM Crossfiled: SB401
HB781	Insurance - Termination of Agency Agreement- Cancellation of Policies	Taylor & Feldman	Authorizing specified insurers to cancel specified insurance policies of specified insurance producers under specified circumstances.	Economic Matters Hearing 2-17-04 1PM WITHDRAWN Crossfiled: SB534
HB816	Homeowner's Insurance - Mold	F. Turner, Barkley, Boutin, Bronrott, Cane, Carter, G. Glaggett, Conroy, Fulton, James, Madaleno, McComas, Murray, Stern, and Vaughn	Requiring an insurer that issues or delivers a homeowner's insurance policy in the State to offer to provide coverage for loss that is caused by or results from mold under specified circumstances; etc.	Economic Matters Hearing: 2-17-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB819 MONITOR	Insurance - Regulation of Insurance Producers - Written Documentation of Appointment	Love, Conroy, Doory, Harrison, Jameson, Kirk, Krysiak, Minnick, Moe, and Taylor	Altering the condition under which an insurance producer may act on behalf of an insurer; and prohibiting an insurance producer from acting on behalf of an insurer unless the insurance producer has received written documentation of the appointment from the insurer.	Economic Matters Crossfiled: SB147 Hearing: 2-17-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 138-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 47-0
HB833	Homeowner's Insurance - Cancellation	McHale	Authorizing an insurer to cancel a specified policy of homeowner's insurance under specified circumstances; and generally relating to the cancellation of a policy of homeowner's insurance.	Economic Matters Crossfiled: SB533 Prior Year: HB966 Hearing: 2-17-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 135-1 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 47-0
HB837	Workers' Compensation Benefits - Fraud	Feldman	Requiring the Workers' Compensation Commission, if a good faith belief exists that a person has knowingly obtained specified 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; etc.	Economic Matters Hearing 3-4-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 140-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 43-3 Crossfiled: SB639
HB845	RENAMED: ~~Health Insurance - Small Group Market - Premium Rates~~ Maryland Health Care Commission and Maryland Insurance Administration Affordability of Health Insurance in Maryland - Study and Recommendations	Delegates Kach, Boteler, Donoghue, Frank, Rudolph, V. Turner, Weldon, Benson, Boutin, Bromwell, Costa, Elliott, Goldwater,Hammen, Hubbard, Hurson, Mandel, McDonough, Morhaim, Murray, Nathan-Pulliam, Oaks, Pendergrass, Rosenberg, and Smigiel	Altering the factors a carrier may use to adjust the community rate for health benefit plans offered in the small group market to include health status and tobacco use; establishing limitations on the use of age, health status, and tobacco use in adjusting the community rate; repealing a specified limit on the rate a carrier may charge based on adjustments to the community rate; authorizing a carrier to use specified health statements, screenings, and claims history to establish or modify premium rates; etc.	Health and Government Operations Hearing 2-24-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 138-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 45-0 Crossfiled: SB537
HB930	Qualified Immunity from civil Liability - SLAPP Suits	Rosenberg, Bobo, Cardin, McIntosh, Oaks, and Zirkin	Granting qualified immunity from civil liability to a defendant in a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP suit) who, when communicating with a government body or the public at large, without constitutional malice, exercises rights under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution or specified articles of the Maryland Declaration of Rights regarding specified matters; allowing a defendant to move to dismiss the alleged SLAPP suit; etc.	Judiciary Hearing 3-5-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 139-0 Senate Action Judicial Proceedings Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 39-7 Crossfiled: SB464
HB933	RENAMED: Health Insurance - Small Group Market - ~~Modifications and Clarifications~~ Modified Health Benefit Plan for Medical Savings Accounts	~~Delegate Hammen~~ Delegates Hammen, Benson, Boteler, Boutin, Bromwell, Costa, Donoghue, Elliott, Goldwater, Hubbard, Hurson, Kach, Mandel, McDonough, Morhaim, Murray, Nathan-Pulliam, Oaks, Pendergrass, Rosenberg, Rudolph, Smigiel, V. Turner, and Weldon	Repealing a requirement that the Maryland Health Care Commission develop a modified health benefit plan for medical savings accounts; repealing a requirement that the Commission adopt regulations that specify a modified health benefit plan for medical savings accounts that meet specified federal qualifications; providing that the rate cap on the Comprehensive Standard Health Benefit Plan in the small group market does not apply from July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2006; etc.	Health and Government Operations Hearing 3-9-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 139-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 46-0 Crossfiled: SB714
HB941	Insurance- Premium Financing - Electronic Payment Fee	Harrison, Kirk, and Krysiak	Authorizing a premium finance agreement to require the insured to pay an electronic payment fee if the insured elects to pay the premium finance company by means of an electronic payment; limiting the amount to be charged as an electronic payment fee to $8.	Economic Matters Hearing 2-24-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 120-19 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 37-7 Crossfiled: SB551
HB999	Homeowner's Insurance - Premium Increases - Notice	Menes, Conroy, and Owings	Requiring insurers of homeowner's insurance policies to provide written notice to an insured regarding policy premium increases, policy reductions, policy cancellations, and nonrenewals under specified circumstances; requiring the notice to be on a specified form; requiring the notice to include specified information; requiring the reason for an insurer proposing to take an action to be sufficiently clear and specific; authorizing an insured to protest an action of an insurer under specified circumstances; etc.	Economic Matters Hearing 2-24-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 105-35 Senate Action Finance Unfavorable Report
HB1032	Health Insurance Carriers - Required Disclosure	Donoghue, Mandel, Nathan-Pulliam, and Stern	Requiring health insurance carriers to provide disclosures regarding reimbursement for copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, and health care services when the coverage the carrier is obligated to provide is secondary to the coverage provided by another carrier.	Health and Government Operations Hearing 3-9-04 1PM Crossfiled: SB593
HB1034	Health Insurance - Small Employers - Individual Coverage	Donoghue	Excluding a specified health benefit plan treated by specified entities as part of a specified plan or program under the United States Internal Revenue Code from provisions of law governing the small group insurance market; authorizing a person to offer individual health insurance coverage through a small employer on a pretax, list billing basis under specified circumstances; requiring a person offering specified individual health insurance coverage to require specified certification; etc.	Health and Government Operations Hearing 3-9-04 1PM
HB1054	Maryland Securities Act - Broker-Dealers and Agents - Fiduciary Duty	Barve and Kach	Providing that a broker-dealer is a fiduciary and has a duty to act primarily for the benefit of its clients; prohibiting a broker-dealer from engaging in dishonest or unethical practices; providing that an agent is a fiduciary and has a duty to act primarily for the benefit of its clients; prohibiting an agent from engaging in dishonest or unethical practices; etc.	Economic Matters Hearing 3-10-04 1PM
HB1058	Health Insurance - Health Insurance Benefit Card	Kach and Elliott	Requiring specified health insurance carriers to provide to insureds, subscribers, and enrollees a health insurance benefit card that includes specified data elements; requiring a carrier that contracts with or otherwise arranges for health insurance benefits to be administered by another person to require the benefit administrator to comply with the Act; requiring a carrier to issue a health insurance benefit card on an annual basis; etc.	Health and Government Operations Hearing 3-9-04 1PM WITHDRAWN Crossfiled: SB454
HB1069	Workers' Compensation -Accidental Personal Injury - Definition	Wood	Altering the definition of "accidental personal injury" under workers' compensation law to require that a compensable accidental injury must arise on a specific date and at a specific time; requiring that a compensable accidental injury must result from a risk that is causally connected to the conditions of employment and not as the result of a risk that is personal in nature; providing for the application of the Act; etc.	Economic Matters Hearing 3-4-04 1PM Unfavorable Report Crossfiled: SB638
HB1070	Workers' Compensation - Presumptions	Wood, Krebs, and Mitchell	Providing that the presumption of compensability of specified occupational diseases under workers' compensation law is rebuttable; limiting the application of specified presumptions of compensability to an individual who has been retired for a specified period of time; and stating the intent of the General Assembly regarding the ability of an expert witness to provide specified testimony.	Economic Matters Hearing 3-4-04 1PM Crossfiled: SB537
HB1071	RENAMED: Homeowner's Insurance ~~Policyholder Bill of Rights~~ - Offer and Summary of Coverage	Delegates Minnick ~~and Trueschler~~, Trueschler, Burns, Conroy, D. Davis,Feldman, Fulton, Haddaway, Harrison, Impallaria, Krebs, Krysiak,McHale, Moe, and Vaughn	Requiring specified insurers to provide specified policyholders with written statements that summarize coverages and exclusions; requiring the statement to be sufficiently clear so that an individual of average intelligence can identify the coverages and exclusions without further inquiry; describing the information that must be included in the statement; requiring specified insurers to promptly notify specified claimants of specified information; etc.	Economic Matters Hearing 2-24-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 137-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 46-0 Crossfiled: SB585
HB1102	Insurance - Examination Requirements - Accredited Entities	Barve	Requiring the Insurance Commissioner to consider the accreditation status of authorized insurers, authorized health maintenance organizations, and specified other entities when deciding to conduct specified examinations; and requiring the Insurance Commissioner to give priority to the examination of insurers, health maintenance organizations, and other entities not accredited by a nationally recognized organization.	Economic Matters Hearing 2-24-04 1PM WITHDRAWN
HB1108	Medical Injury Recoveries - Attorney's Fees	Hammen	Prohibiting an attorney from contracting for or collecting a contingency fee in excess of specified limits for representing a person having a claim against a health care provider for damages due to a medical injury occurring on or after June 1, 2004; limiting the circumstances under which a division of fees may be made between a referring attorney and an attorney who contracts for or collects a contingency fee; etc.	Judiciary Hearing 3-2-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB1109	Life Insurance -Insurable Interests	Hammen	Authorizing an organization to which charitable contributions may be made under specified provisions of federal law, and a trust, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or similar entity approved in writing by the organization, to procure or cause to be procured an insurance policy on the life of an individual under specified circumstances; providing that specified institutions, organizations, and entities have an insurable interest in the life of the insured; etc.	Health and Government Operations Hearing 3-9-04 1PM REFERRED TO INTERIM STUDY HEALTH & GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS Crossfiled: SB641
HB1123	Income Tax Credit for Malpractice Insurance Premium Increases	Trueschler, Dwyer, Frank, Gilleland, Kach, McComas, and McDonough	Allowing a State income tax credit in an amount equal to 50% of the increase for the taxable year in medical malpractice insurance premiums paid by a licensed physician to the extent the increase over the prior taxable year is greater than 10% but does not exceed 50%; applying the Act to tax years after 2003 but before 2007; and terminating the Act after 3 years.	Ways and Means Hearing: 3-25-04 1PM
HB1124	Insurance - Auto Body Repair Facilities - Regulation	Impallaria, Conroy, Feldman, Fulton, Haddaway, Krebs, McDonough, McHale, Miller, Minnick, Moe, Parrott, Taylor, Trueschler, and Vaughn	Authorizing the Insurance Commissioner to have authority over the business practices of specified auto body repair facilities; requiring an employee of specified facilities to provide specified policyholders with a specified notice; prohibiting the notice from being part of an estimate or other form; requiring the policyholder to sign the notice; requiring specified facilities to keep a copy of the notice with specified repair records; etc.	Economic Matters Hearing 3-16-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB1127	Workers' Compensation -Volunteer Fire and Rescue Companies	Glassman, Barkley, Boutin, Cluster, Conroy, Conway, Donoghue, Elmore, Frank, Heller, Impallaria, James, Jennings, Kach, Kaiser, Leopold, Malone, Mandel, McDonough, Moe, Parrott, Quinter, Rudolph, Smigiel, Stern, Stull, Weir, Weldon, and Wood	Providing that a member of a volunteer fire and rescue company is a covered employee while on duty; repealing specified provisions relating to the status of members of volunteer fire and rescue companies in individual counties under the Maryland Workers' Compensation Act; and providing for a delayed effective date.	Economic Matters Hearing 3-4-04 1PM
HB1144	Task Force to Study the Insurance Industry Response to Tropical Storm Isabel	McDonough	Establishing a Task Force to Study the Insurance Industry Response to Tropical Storm Isabel; providing for the membership of the Task Force; prohibiting a member of the Task Force from receiving compensation; authorizing a member of the Task Force to receive reimbursement for specified expenses; requiring the Task Force to study specified issues; requiring the Task Force to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before a December 1, 2004; etc.	Economic Matters Hearing 3-9-04 1PM WITHDRAWN
HB1206	Corporate Income Tax Reform	Ross	Requiring specified corporations to compute Maryland taxable income using a specified method; providing that, except as provided by and subject to regulations of the Comptroller, specified groups of corporations shall file a combined income tax return reflecting the aggregate income tax liability of all of the members of the group; requiring the Comptroller to adopt regulations; applying the Act to tax years after 2003; etc.	Ways & Means Hearing 2-25-04 1PM
HB1222	Private Passenger Motor Vehicle Insurance - Use of Credit History- Prohibition	Krysiak, Kirk, Love, McHale, Moe, Taylor, and Vaughn	Prohibiting an insurer, with respect to private passenger motor vehicle insurance, from rating a risk based on the credit history of an applicant or insured; repealing provisions of law that authorize an insurer to use the credit history of an applicant to rate a new policy of private passenger motor vehicle insurance; etc.	Economic Matters Hearing 2-24-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB1224	Insurance Producers - License Appliants - Denial Based on Fraud Conviction	Murray	Requiring the Insurance Commissioner to deny a license to act as an insurance producer in the State to an applicant who was an employee of a business entity or insurance producer licensed by the Commissioner and who was convicted of insurance fraud.	Economic Matters Hearing 3-9-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB1237	Health Care - Malpractice - Mandatory Mediation or Other Alternative Dispute Resolution Process	Vallario, Amedori, Anderson, Dumais, Gutierrez, Hennessy, Kelley, Kelly, Lee, Menes, Petzold, Quinter, Shank, and Simmons	Requiring that a claim for medical injury be subject to mediation or another alternative dispute resolution process under specified circumstances; requiring specified qualifications for a mediator or neutral provider in a health care malpractice claim; and prohibiting the filing of a claim for health care malpractice in a court until a mediator or neutral provider files a specified notice.	Judiciary Hearing 3-2-04 1PM WITHDRAWN
HB1245	Real Property - Repossession by Landlord - Compliance with Lead Poisoning Prevention Requirements	Oaks, Malone, Carter, Rosenberg, Bobo, Bromwell, Cane, Cardin, C. Davis, Frush, Hammen, Hubbard, Marriott, McHale, McIntosh, Murray, and Quinter	Requiring a landlord's written complaint in an action to repossess specified property to state that the landlord has satisfied the requirements of specified provisions on the Environment Article relating to lead paint and to include, under specified circumstances, a specified inspection number.	Environmental Matters Hearing 3-12-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 137-0 Senate Action Judicial Proceedings Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 45-0
HB1246	Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing - Qualified Offer - Housing Subsidy	Oaks, Carter, Rosenberg, C. Davis, Hammen, McHale and Murray	Providing that a qualified offer made to persons at risk for lead poisoning may include a housing subsidy and other relocation expenses for the permanent relocation of the household; requiring a person who intends to use funds from a qualified offer to purchase a house to first complete counseling in budgeting, credit issues, and housing affordability; and imposing a specified limit on a housing subsidy in a qualified offer.	Environmental Matters Hearing 3-10-04 1PM Unfavorable Report Prior Year: HB714
HB1299	Task Force on Medical Malpractice	Vallario, Anderson, Carter, Dumais, Gutierrez, Hennessy, Kelley, Kelly, Lee, Menes, Quinter, and Simmons	Establishing a Task Force on Medical Malpractice; providing for the composition, chairman, and staff of the Task Force; providing for the duties of the Task Force; requiring the Task Force to report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 15, 2004; and terminating the Act on December 31, 2004.	Economic Matters and Judiciary Hearing 3-2-04 11AM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 136-1 Senate Action Hearing: 4-8-2004 1PM
HB1300	Medical Malpractice Insurance - Base Rates	Hurson	Providing that if an insurer charges different rates for different medical specialties or combinations of medical specialties, the base rate paid by the highest-rated medical specialty or combination of medical specialties may not be greater than 600% of the base rate paid by the lowest-rated medical specialty or combination of medical specialties.	Economic Matters Hearing 3-2-04 11AM WITHDRAWN
HB1301	Medical Malpractice Insurance - Rates and Rate Filings	Hurson	Requiring that, in establishing rates for medical malpractice insurance, due consideration be given to total investment income; providing that, for medical malpractice insurance, a rate is excessive if the rate does not reflect the total investment income that the insurer reasonably can be expected to earn on all its assets during the period the rate will be in effect or if for any other reason the rate is unreasonably high for the insurance coverage provided; etc.	Economic Matters Hearing 3-2-04 11AM WITHDRAWN Crossfiled: SB436
HB1324	Real Property - Residential Dwellings -Notice and Opportunity to Repair Construction Defects	Kach, G. Clagett, Cluster, Frush, Glassman, Hogan, Holmes, Krysiak, Love, Malone, McConkey, Mitchell, Montgomery, Owings, Parker, Sossi, and Stull	Requiring a homeowner or an association of homeowners, council of condominium unit owners, or cooperative housing association, to first comply with specified procedures before filing an action against a contractor or construction professional for a construction defect in a residential dwelling; requiring a court to dismiss an action not complying with requirements of the Act; establishing procedures for notice, inspection, and opportunity to repair the defect or settle the claim; etc.	Economic Matters Hearing 3-9-04 1PM
HB1326	Homeowner's Insurance Premiums - Escrow- Substantial Property Damage	Doory, Bozman, Cadden, Cane, V. Clagett, Conway, D. Davis, Hammen, Krysiak, Love, McHale, Minnick, Walkup, and Weir	Authorizing a consumer to request the Insurance Commissioner to review the amount of a premium that the consumer has paid or will pay for residential real property under a homeowner's insurance policy; requiring the Commissioner to determine if the premium may need to be decreased to reflect the loss of value of the property; requiring the Commissioner to consider if specified claims have been denied or approved for an amount that is less than the amount needed to return the property to the condition it was in prior to the event; etc.	Economic Matters Hearing: 3-16-04 1PM WITHDRAWN
HB1336	Workers' Compensation - Initial Award of Compensation	Arnick	Requiring a party who seeks an initial award of compensation under the Maryland Workers' Compensation Act to file an application within 5 years after the latter of the date of the accident, the date of disablement, or the last compensation payment; requiring a party who seeks an award of compensation to file an application within 1 year after a specified date if it is established that the party failed to file the application because of fraud or facts and circumstances amounting to an estoppel; etc.	Economic Matters Hearing: 3-11-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB1337	Workers' Compensation - Medical Services and Treatment -Health Care Provider Panel	Wood and Jameson	Providing that an employer or its insurer may require a covered employee to select a health care provider from a specified panel established by the employer or its insurer; providing that an employer or its insurer is not responsible for medical expenses under specified circumstances; providing that an employer or its insurer is responsible for medical expenses in the case of an emergency; and providing that other obligations or rights may not be impaired or modified.	Economic Matters Hearing: 3-11-04 1PM Unfavorable Report
HB1346	Civil Actions- Limitations on Awards for Noneconomic Damages- Latent Diseases or Injuries	Mitchell	Establishing that, for purposes of a limitation on an award for noneconomic damages, a cause of action for personal injury in a latent disease or latent injury case arises on the earlier of a diagnosis or a manifestation of symptoms of a legally compensable injury or disease; and providing for the application of the Act.	Judiciary Hearing: 3-23-04 1PM
HB1361	Health Insurance - Appeals and Grievances	Chairman, Health and Government Operations Committee (By Request - Departmental - Insurance Administration, Maryland)	Altering specified provisions governing the submission of a claim by a health care provider to an insurance carrier for payment; requiring insurance carriers to accept the filing of an appeal from specified individuals; requiring carriers and private review agents to make specified determinations within a specified time period; etc.	Health and Government Operations Hearing: 3-9-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 141-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 46-0
HB1381	Vehicle Laws-Lapsed or Terminated Security - Penalties	Delegates Leopold, Kach, Feldman, Jameson, Taylor, Simmons, Sophocleus, and Walkup	Altering the penalty that may be assessed for a vehicle that is without the security required for the vehicle for 1 to 15 days; increasing the penalty that may be assessed for a vehicle that continues to be in violation of security requirements for 16 to 30 days; increasing the amount of the daily penalty that may be assessed for violating vehicle security requirements after 30 days; increasing the maximum penalty that may be assessed for each violation of vehicle security requirements occurring within 1 year; etc.	Environmental Matters Hearing: 3-19-01 1PM
HB1412	Environment- Lead -Based Paint- Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing	Owings and Hubbard	Exempting an affected property from specified provisions if the affected property is certified as lead-based paint free housing or has a specified classification and meets specified requirements; providing that certificates of lead-based paint free housing are effective from a specified date; requiring an owner of an affected property to perform specified lead hazard reduction treatments related to presumed lead-based paint or lead-based paint; etc.	House Rules and Executive Nominations
HB1423	Workers' Compensation - Standards of Care - Accessibility and Schedule of Treatment	Wood	Requiring the Workers' Compensation Commission to evaluate, on an annual basis, injured workers' access to health care and to include specified information in a specified report; requiring the Commission, by a specified date, to adopt regulations setting a specified treatment schedule; providing that a specified treatment schedule shall be presumptively correct as to the extent and scope of medical treatment; providing that a specified presumption is rebuttable and may be overcome under specified conditions; etc.	Economic Matters Hearing: 3-18-04 1PM WITHDRAWN
HB1520	Liability Insurance - Minors - Settlement of Claims	Brown	Clarifying that a parent of a minor or person in loco parentis of the minor may settle a claim under a liability insurance policy brought by the parent or person in loco parentis for the benefit of the minor; and requiring payment of the settlement to comply with specified provisions of the Estates and Trusts Article.	Economic Matters Hearing: 3-23-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 136-2 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 47-0
HB1528	Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Corporation - Actions for Claims Information of Insolvent Insurers	Harrison	Authorizing the Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Corporation to bring an action against specified representatives of an insolvent insurer to obtain custody and control of claims information; providing that the Corporation has an absolute right to obtain claims information in a specified manner; providing that the Corporation is not subject to specified defenses or other grounds that might be asserted for refusal to surrender claims information; etc.	Economic Matters Hearing: 3-23-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 139-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 47-0
HB1529	Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Corporation - Definition of "Covered Claim"	Harrison	Altering the definition of "covered claim" to exclude claims filed with the Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Corporation after the earlier of 18 months after the date of the order of liquidation or the final date set by a court for filing claims against the liquidator or receiver; and altering the definition of "covered claim" to exclude specified claims filed with the Corporation or a liquidator.	Economic Matters Hearing: 3-23-04 1PM Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 139-0 Senate Action Finance Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 46-0

IIAM's 2004

Legislative Bulletin

Bill Number

Bill Title

Bill Sponsor

Synopsis

Committee & Status

SJR6

National Flood Insurance Program

Stone, Astle, Brochin, Colburn, Conway, DeGrange, Della, Dyson, Green, Grosfeld, Harris, Jacobs, Jimeno, Kasemeyer, Klausmeier, Miller, and Teitelbaum

Urging the Congress of the United States to review the National Flood Insurance Program and consider changes to the Program that would improve the handling of claims and other aspects of the Program.

Finance

Crossfiled HJR10

Hearing: 3-9-04 1PM Favorable w/Amendments Third Reading Passed 47-0

SB29

Nonprofit Health Service Plans-Compensation of Officers and Executives-Authority of Insurance Commissioner

Middleton

Finance

Crossfiled HB350

Hearing 3-3-04 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 34-13 House Action Health & Government Operations Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 113-24

SB70

District Court-Small Claim Action-Member of Employee of Limited Liability Company

Greenip

Exempting a member or an employee of a limited liablity company appearing on behalf of the company in a small claims action in the District Court from the requirement of admission to the Bar of Maryland and other specified req uirements

Judicial Proceedings

Hearing 1-27-04 - 1PM Favorable Report Third Reading: Passed 45-0 House Action Judicial Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 138-0

SB74

Annual Corrective Bill

The President

Senate Rules

Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 42-0 House Action House Rules & Executive Nominations Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 133-1

SB75

Code Revision-Miscellaneous Provision

The President

Revising without substantive change, specified provisions of the Annotated Code of Maryland in order to effectuate the purposes of the Code Revision process; and repealing specified provisions that are obsolete or redundant

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR EHRLICH 4/13/2004 CHAPTER 26

Senate Rules

Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 44-0 House Action House Rules & Executive Nominations Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 134-0

SB79

Income Tax-Credit for Long-Term Care Premiums

Haines

Removing limitations on the income tax credit for eligible long-term care premiums; and applying the Act to tax years after 2003.

Budget and Taxation

Hearing 1-28-04 2PM

Unfavorable Report

SB82

Ethics-Prohibition on Acceptance of Gifts by Legislators-Repeal of Exception

Brochin, Della, Grosfeld and Pinsky

Education Health and Environmental Affairs

Hearing 3-12-04 1PM Cancelled WITHDRAWN

SB88

Commercial Law-Maryland Telephone Consumer Protection Act

Frosh, Ruben and Hooper

Finance

Hearing 2-5-04 1PM

Favorable Report w/amendments Third Reading Passed 45-0 House Action Economic Matters Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 134-6

SB101

Private Passenger Motor Vehicle Insurance-Use of Credit History- Repeal of Sunset

Astle and Middleton

Finance

Hearing 2-17-04 1PM

Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 44-0 House Action Economic Matters Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 133-2

SB108

Motor Vehicle Law- Driving Without Authorization-Penalties

Green

Increasing the penalties for a violation of driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle on a highway in the State without holding a driver's license or otherwise without authorization to drive a motor vehicle in the State to include a maximum term of imprisonment of 2 months.

Judicial Proceedings

Hearing 1-29-04 2PM Favorable Report Third Reading Passed 47-0

SB113

Worker's Compensation-Accidental Injury- Unusual Activity

Astle

Altering the definition of 'Accidental personal injur' as it pertains to workers' compensation laws, to include an injury that arises out of unusual activity.

Finance

Hearing 3-2-04 1PM Unfavorable Report

Crossfiled with HB13

SB117

Consumer Protection- Privacy of Social Security Numbers

Dyson

Finance

Hearing 2-10-04 1PM Favorable with Amendments Third Reading Passed 44-0 House Action Economic Matters Favorable w/ amendments Third Reading Passed 137-0

Bill
Number

Bill
Title

Bill
Sponsor

Committee &
Status

Crossfiled
HJR10

Hearing:
3-9-04 1PM
Favorable w/Amendments
Third Reading Passed 47-0

Crossfiled
HB350

Hearing
3-3-04 1PM
Favorable Report
Third Reading
Passed 34-13
House Action
Health & Government Operations
Favorable Report
Third Reading Passed 113-24

Hearing
1-27-04 - 1PM
Favorable Report
Third Reading:
Passed 45-0
House Action
Judicial
Favorable Report
Third Reading
Passed 138-0

Favorable Report
Third Reading
Passed 42-0
House Action
House Rules & Executive Nominations
Favorable Report
Third Reading Passed 133-1

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR EHRLICH 4/13/2004
CHAPTER 26

Favorable Report
Third Reading
Passed 44-0
House Action
House Rules & Executive Nominations
Favorable Report
Third Reading Passed 134-0

Hearing
1-28-04 2PM

Hearing
3-12-04 1PM
Cancelled
WITHDRAWN

Hearing
2-5-04 1PM

Favorable Report
w/amendments
Third Reading
Passed 45-0
House Action
Economic Matters
Favorable w/ amendments
Third Reading Passed 134-6

Hearing
2-17-04 1PM

Favorable Report
Third Reading
Passed 44-0
House Action
Economic Matters
Favorable w/ amendments
Third Reading Passed 133-2

Hearing
1-29-04 2PM
Favorable Report
Third Reading Passed 47-0

Hearing
3-2-04 1PM
Unfavorable Report

Hearing
2-10-04 1PM
Favorable with
Amendments
Third Reading
Passed 44-0
House Action
Economic Matters
Favorable w/ amendments
Third Reading Passed 137-0

Hearing
2-11-04 1PM
Favorable Report
Third Reading
Passed 45-0
House Action
Health & Government Operations
Favorable Report
Third Reading Passed 140-0

Hearing
2-11-04 1PM
Favorable Report
w/amendments
Third Reading
Passed 47-0
House Action
Health & Government Operations
Favorable Report
Third Reading Passed 138-0

Hearing
2-17-04 1PM
Favorable Report
w/amendments
Third Reading
Passed 46-0
House Action
Economic Matters
Favorable Report
Third Reading Passed 139-0

Hearing:
3-3-04 1PM
Unfavorable Report

Hearing
2-4-04 1PM
Unfavorable Report

Judicial Proceedings
Hearing
2-4-04 1PM
Favorable Report
Third Reading
Passed 45-0
House Action
Environmental Matters
Unfavorable Report

Hearing
2-10-04 1PM
Favorable w/
amendments
Third Reading
Passed 44-0
House Action
Economic Matters
Favorable w/ amendments
Third Reading Passed 140-1

Hearing
2-25-04 1PM
Favorable w/
amendments
Third Reading Passed 47-0
House Action
Environmental Matters
Favorable Report
Third Reading Passed 139-0

Crossfiled
HB294

Hearing
3-4-02 1PM
Unfavorable Report

Crossfiled
HB 287

Hearing
2-17-04 1PM
Unfavorable Report