IIAM's LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN
2005
| BILL NUMBER | BILL TITLE | SPONSOR | SYNOPSIS | COMMITTEE | STATUS |
| SB 1 | Maryland Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act | The President (by Request-Adm.) | Establishing a limitation of $650,000 on noneconomic damages for medical injuries for causes of action arising on or after January 1, 2005, and providing for increases of $15,000, on January 1 of each year beginning January 1, 2008; establishing a People's Insurance Counsel in the Office of the Attorney General and providing for the appointment, qualifications, duties and compensation of the Counsel; establishing the Maryland Medical Professional Liability Rate Stabilization Plan; etc. | Senate Rules | Unfavorable Report by
Senate Rules 12/28/2004 |
| SB2 | Maryland Medical Professional Liability Insurance Rate Stabilization Act of 2004 | Senator Frosh; Currie; Garagiola; Gianneti; Gladden; Hughes; McFadden; Middleton; Pinsky; Hollinger; Green; Kasemeyer; Kelley and McFadden | For the purpose of requiring certain alternative dispute resolution of certain health care malpractice actions under certain circumstances; authorizing the Court of Appeals to adopt rules relating to certain and providing for certain adr procedures and costs; authorizing an arbitration panel or court to make a certain finding as to whether a certain claim or action was brought or maintained in bad faith or without substantial justification; providing for certain procedures related to attorneys who bring a claim or action in bad faith or without substantial justification; providing for certain limitations on noneconomic damages for personal injury and wrongful death actions concerning health care malpractice in which there are multiple claims, claimants, plaintiffs, or beneficiaries; providing that a certain limitation on noneconomic damages shall be increased by a certain amount on an annual basis; providing that in wrongful death actions in which there are two or more claimants or beneficiaries, the total amount of noneconomic damages may not exceed a certain percentage of the limitations on noneconomic damages; prohibiting a jury from being informed of certain limitations on noneconomic damages; requiring the court to reduce certain jury awards for noneconomic damages, etc. | Rules | First Reading
12/28/2004 Adopted w/floor amendments Second reading 12/28/2004 |
| SB13 | Vehicle Laws- Antique Motor Vehicles- Registration | Senator Haines | Altering the definition of 'historic motor vehicle'; defining the term 'antique motor vehicle'; providing for the registration of antique motor vehicles; establishing a registration fee; requiring an application for registration as an antique motor vehicle to contain specified certifications; requiring the MVA to issue a special registration plate; exempting an antique motor vehicle from specified provisions of law, etc. | Judicial Proceedings | First Reading 1-12-05 Hearing |
| SB28 | Unemployment
Insurance- Exemption from Covered Employment- Travel Agents |
Senators Brochin, Harris & Hollinger | Establishing that work performed by specified travel agents is not covered employment for the purposes of unemployment insurance; authorizing specified wages that are paid for work performed by specified travel agents through a specified date to be used in determining monetary eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits; etc. | Senate Finance | First Reading 1-12-05 Hearing: Unfavorable |
| SB29 | Medical Professional
Liability Insurance- Policies with DeductiblesBILL
|
Senator Brochin | Requiring insurers
that offer policies of medical professional liability insurance in the State to offer, in
addition to a basic policy, policies with deductibles in the amounts of $10,000; $25,000;
$50,000; and $100,000; requiring the deductibles to be applied only to damages paid by an
insurer for a claim made under a policy of medical professional liability insurance;
prohibiting deductibles from being applied to the costs of defending the claim, etc. The provisions in this bill are addressed in HB2, the Medical Malpractice bill which passed. |
Senate Finance | First Reading 1-12-05
|
| SB33 | Workers' Compensation -Temporary Partial and Temporary Total Disability Compensation- Retired Persons | Senator Kittleman | Providing that an employer is not liable for the payment of temporary partial or temporary total disability compensation under the State's workers' compensation laws in weeks when the covered employee to whom benefits otherwise would be due has sustained or aggravated an injury during retirement or during voluntary withdrawal from the labor force; etc. | Senate Finance |
First Reading
|
| SB34 | Workers' Compensation- Students in Unpaid Work-Based Learning Experiences- Waiver |
Senator Kittleman | Authorizing the parent or guardian of a student involved in unpaid work-based learning experiences to provide a specified waiver stating that the student is not to be considered a covered employee for the purposes of coverage under the State workers' compensation laws. | Senate Finance | First Reading
|
| SB38 | Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance- Notice of Intention to Cancel for Nonpayment of Premium-Method of Mailing | Senator Stone (by Request) |
Altering the method by which an insurer is required to mail to an insured under a policy of motor vehicle liability insurance notice of intention to cancel the policy for non-payment of premiums; and providing that an attempt to deliver is deemed sufficient notice under specified circumstances | Senate Finance | First Read
|
| SB43 | Task Force to Study Identity Theft | Senator Jones | 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, 2006; etc. | Judicial Proceedings | First Reading
|
| SB46 | Workers' Compensation-
Accidental Injury- Unusual Activity WITHDRAWN |
Senator Kittleman | Altering the definition of 'accidental personal injury' as it pertains to workers' compensation laws to include an accidental injury that arises out of unusual or extraordinary activity. | Senate Finance | First Reading 1-12-05 Hearing: |
| SB50 MONITOR |
Motor Vehicles- Restrictions on Use of Wireless Communication Devices While Driving | Senator Frosh | Requiring the Motor Vehicle Administration to impose a restriction on a learners' instructional permits, provisional driver's licenses, and specified driver's licenses that prohibits permit holders or licensees from using an interactive wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle; prohibiting the driver of a motor vehicle that is in motion from using an interactive wireless communication device that is held by the driver while in use; etc. | Judicial Proceedings | First Reading 1/14/2005 Hearing Favorable w/ Third Reading |
| SB57 2004: |
Vehicle Laws- Provisional Drivers; License Restriction for a Minor- Prohibition Against Minors as Passengers | Senator Dyson | Requiring the Motor Vehicle Administration to impose a restriction on the original provisional driver's license of a minor that prohibits the minor from transporting individuals under the age of 18 years; 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 | First Reading 1/14/2005 Hearing Third Reading |
| SB58 2004 |
Vehicle Laws- Widths of Boat Trailers | Senator Stone | Clarifying the width limitation for a private boat trailer traveling from a point of origin to a boating, launching, repair or fuel facility by the most practical route, etc. | Judicial Proceedings | First Reading 1/14/2005 Hearing |
| SB61 | Vehicle Laws- Trailers and Semitrailers- Registration | Senator Munson | Requiring that a nonfreight trailer or semitrailer with a maximum gross weight limit of 10, 001 to 20,000 pounds that is titled on or after October 1, 2005, be registered in a specific manner. | Judicial Proceedings | First Reading 1/17/2005 Hearing |
| SB85 | State Personnel- Maryland Tort Claims Act- Employees of MAIF | Chairman Judicial Proceedings (by Request) | Clarifying that employees of the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund are State personnel for purposes of the Maryland Tort Claims Act. | Judicial Proceedings | First Reading 1/18/2005 Hearing: |
| SB90 MONITOR 2004: |
Motor Vehicle Liability- Rate Making | Senators Brochin, Della and Klausmeier | Prohibiting an insurer under a motor vehicle liability insurance policy from considering an accident which an insured was not at fault in determining whether to classify the insured in a classification that entails a higher premium; etc. | Finance | First Reading 1/19/2005 Hearing |
| SB97 Crossfiled MONITOR 2004: |
Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance- Hearings on Proposed Actions by Insurers- Attorney Fees | Senator Astle | Altering specified information an insurer under a policy of motor vehicle liability insurance must include in a notice to the insured; and clarifying the circumstances under which the Maryland Insurance Commissioner may order an insurer under a policy of motor vehicle liability insurance to pay reasonable attorney fees to the insured after a specified hearing. | Finance | First Reading 1/19/2004 Hearing Favorable w/ |
| SB113 MONITOR |
Homeowner's Insurance
-Rating- Claims History WITHDRAWN |
Senator Klausmeier | Prohibiting homeowner's insurance providers that consider the claims history of an insured or applicant for homeowner's insurance from considering claims that arose out of losses proximately caused by third persons when rating specified risk; and providing for the application of the Act. | Finance | First Reading 1/19/2005 Hearing |
| SB128 MONITOR |
Insurance- Workers' Compensation - Cancellation and Nonrenewal of Policies | Chairman, Finance By Request-MIA |
Clarifying specified provisions relating to the nonrenewal of workers' compensation policies; requiring an insurer to provide notice to an employer at least 10 days before cancellation of a workers' compensation policy for nonpayment of premium; and requiring an insurer to file a copy of the notice with the State Workers' Compensation Commission. | Finance | First Reading 1/19/2005 Hearing: Favorable w/ |
| SB143 | Courts- Certificate of Merit- Employer of Licensed Professional | Senators Haines, Forehand and Jacobs | Applying the requirement of filing a certificate of merit in malpractice claims against licensed professionals to a claim against the employer of a licensed professional; and providing for the construction and application of the Act. | Judicial Proceedings | First Reading 1/19/2005 Hearing: |
| SB161 | Maryland Insurance Administration- Enforcement of Subpoenas | Chairman, Finance By Request-MIA |
Altering the procedures for enforcing a subpoena issued by the Maryland Insurance Commissioner; authorizing the Commissioner to commence an enforcement action in a specified court; requiring the Commissioner to commence an enforcement action in a specified manner; requiring the circuit court to take specified action within a specified time period; and prohibiting the circuit court from failing to enforce a subpoena issued by the Commissioner under specified circumstances. | Finance | First Reading 1/20/2005 Hearing |
| SB168 | Vehicle Laws- Driver's
License Application- Citizenship WITHDRAWN |
Senator Ruben | Requiring an application for a driver's license to state the citizenship of the applicant. | Judicial Proceedings | First Reading 1/20/2005 Hearing |
| SB180 | Consumer Protection-
Unsolicited Facsimiles- Private Cause of Action WITHDRAWN |
Senators Frosh and Ruben | Authorizing an individual who is affected by a violation of specified provisions relating to unsolicited commercial transactions by facsimile machines to bring a civil action against the violator; authorizing the recovery of reasonable attorney's fees and damages of $250 or actual damages sustained, whichever is greater; and authorizing the court to award treble damages if it finds the violation was willful or knowing. | Finance | First Reading 1/20/2005 Hearing |
| SB190 | Workers' Compensation Commission- Qualifications | Senator Kitleman | Requiring that each member of the Workers' Compensation Commission have specified experience practicing before the Workers' Compensation Commission; and providing for the application of the Act. | Finance | First Reading 1/21/2005 Hearing: Unfavorable |
| SB221 Crossfiled: |
Maryland Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act | The President, by Request. | Requiring a
certificate of a qualified expert for each defendant in specified causes of action;
requiring the itemization of specified damages and of specified awards and verdicts;
allowing the introduction of specified evidence relating to damages; establishing a limit
on noneconomic damages for specified causes of action; etc. This bill removes the 'Broker Commission provisions' contained in HB2. |
Judicial Proceedings | First Reading 1/21/2005 Hearing |
| SB223 | Insurance- Regulation of Premium Finance Companies | Chairman, Finance Committee, by Request MIA | Requiring specified information at the initial registration of a premium finance company; requiring specified information at the renewal of registration of a premium finance company; etc. | Finance | First Reading 1/21/2005 Hearing Favorable w/ |
| SB227 | Workers' Compensation- Temporary Partial and Temporary Total Disability-Incarcerated Persons | Senator Kittleman | Providing that an employer is not liable for the payment of temporary partial or temporary total disability compensation under the State's workers' compensation laws in weeks when the covered employee to whom benefits otherwise would be due is incarcerated; prohibiting a covered employee to whom compensation is not paid from claiming compensation for the weeks of incarceration after the employee is released from incarceration; and providing for the application of the Act. | Finance | First Reading" 1/25/2005 Hearing: Unfavorable |
| SB240 2004: 233 |
Vehicle Laws-Provisional Driver's License Restriction for a Minor Prohibition Against Minors as Passengers | Senators Schrader, Astle, Colburn, Giannetti, Hafer, Hogan, Kasemeyer, and Kittleman | Requiring the Motor Vehicle Administration 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 | First Reading 1-26-05 Hearing |
| SB264 | Workers' Compensation- Evaluation of Permanent Impairments | Senators Exum, Astle, Della, Gladden, Hooper, Kelley and Teitelbaum | Requiring that a licensed psychologist or a qualified physician perform an evaluation of only the mental or behavioral portion of a permanent impairment in a workers' compensation case; 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 | First Reading 1-27-05 Hearing Favorable |
| SB280 Crossfiled |
Consumer Protection- Privacy of Social Security Numbers | Senator Dyson | Prohibiting the public of posting or displaying of an individual's Social Security number under specified circumstances; prohibiting the printing of an individual's Social Security number on specified cards under specified circumstances; prohibiting a person from requiring an individual to transmit the individual's Social Security number over the Internet under specified circumstances; prohibiting a person from transmitting an individual's Social Security number over the Internet under specified circumstances; etc. | Finance | First Reading" 1-27-05 Hearing |
| SB298 | Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance- Total Loss Valuation- Disclosure and Calculation | Senator Stone | Requiring an insurer to disclose to a claimant who has filed a claim involving the total loss of a private passenger motor vehicle the condition inspection guidelines that the insurer relied on to determine the condition of the motor vehicle at the time of the loss; and requiring an insurer to reflect a certain cost in the determination of the total loss value and to include in a settlement offer an explanation relating to compliance with the State motor vehicle safety inspection law.` | Finance | First Reading 1-28-05 Hearing |
| SB339 | Landlord & Tenant- Termination of Lease- Limitation of Liability for Rent | Senators Kelley, Britt, Conway, Della, Exum, Forehand, Giannetti, Gorsfeld, Hughes, Lawlah, McFadden, Pinksy and Stone | Limiting the liability of a tenant for rent under a residential lease to no more than 60 days' rent if the tenant vacates the leased premises due to a medical condition; requiring a tenant to provide a landlord a specified certification from a physician and a specified notice of termination to qualify for the limitation of liability for rent; and requiring the certification to be from a physician licensed in the State, on the physician's letterhead or signed prescription form, and signed by the physician. | Judicial Proceedings | First Reading 2-1-05 Hearing Favorable w/ |
| SB369 | Consumer Protection- Identity Fraud- Blocking of Information in Credit Reports | Senator DeGrange | Authorizing a consumer to request that a consumer reporting agency permanently block the reporting of specified information under specified circumstances; requiring a consumer protection agency to permanently block the reporting of specified information and notify a consumer of the effective date of a block on specified information within a specified time period under specified circumstances; authorizing a consumer reporting agency to decline or rescind a block under specified circumstances; etc. | Finance | First Reading 2-2-05 Hearing: Unfavorable |
| SB387 | Homeowner's Insurance - Mediation- Valuation of Property | Senators Stone & Della | 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 | First Reading 2-2-05 Hearing: |
| SB388 OPPOSE |
Homeowner's Insurance-
Notice Concerning Flood Insurance WITHDRAWN |
Senators Stone & Della | Requiring specified insurers to provide applicants with written notice that states that a standard homeowner's insurance policy does not cover losses from flood; specifying the contents of the notice; etc. | Finance | First Reading 2-2-05 Hearing: |
| SB396 Crossfiled |
Workers' Compensation- Evaluation of permanent Impairments | Senator Astle | Requiring physicians to medically evaluate permanent impairments using the most recent edition of the American Medical Association's Guides to Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, as amended; and requiring the Workers' Compensation Commission to adopt regulations regarding reports by physicians who medically evaluate permanent impairments. | Finance | First Reading 2-3-05 Hearing: |
| SB433 Crossfiled 2002-211 |
Motor Vehicle Administration- Digital Photographic Images - Private Detective Agencies | Senators Jacobs, Colburn, Hafer, Kittleman, Lawlah and Stone | Authorizing the MVA to make a digital photographic image of an individual or the actual stored data of the image, recorded by the Administration, available to specified private detective agencies | Judicial Proceedings | First Reading 2-3-05 Hearing Unfavorable |
| SB436 2004-834 |
Insurance- Unfair Claim Settlement Practices - Flood Insurance Policies | Senator 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; etc. | Finance | First Reading 2-3-05 Hearing: |
| SB437 Crossfiled 2004-1071 OPPOSE |
Homeowner's Insurance- Offer and Summary of Coverage | Senator Stone | Requiring insurers that issue or deliver homeowner's insurance in Maryland to provide policyholders with annual written statements that summarize the coverages and exclusions of the policy; requiring the statement to be sufficiently clear so that an individual of average intelligence can identify the coverages and exclusions; describing the information that must be included in the statement; providing that the statement does not create a legal obligation on the part of the insurer; etc. | Finance | First Reading 2-3-05 Hearing: Unfavorable |
| SB490 MONITOR |
Workers' Compensation- Accidental Personal Injury- Definitions | Senator Astle | Altering the definition of 'accidental personal injury' under workers' compensation laws to include certain requirements; and providing for the application of the Act. | Finance | First Reading 2-4-05 Hearing: |
| SB491 | Workers' Compensation- Presumptions | Senators Astle, Hafer and Kittleman | 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 | First Reading 2-4-05 Hearing: |
| SB492 | Consumer Protection- Maryland Unauthorized Computer Software Act | Senator Greenip | Prohibiting specified persons from causing computer software to be copied onto the computer of a consumer that modifies Internet settings, collects personally identifying information, prevents an authorized user from blocking the installation of software, or prevents an authorized user from disabling software under specified circumstances; prohibiting specified persons from misleading users as to the effect actions will have with respect to computer software; etc. | Finance | First Reading 2-4-05 Hearing |
| SB496 | Income Tax- Credit for Long Term Care Premiums | Senator Haines | Repealing a limitation on claiming the income tax credit for eligible long-term care premiums for more than one year with respect to the same insured individual; and applying the Act to tax years beginning after December 31, 2004. | Budget and Taxation | First Reading 2-4-05 Hearing |
| SB507 Crossfiled |
Life Insurance Freedom to Travel Act | Senators Gladden, etal | Prohibiting a life insurance company from refusing to insure, refusing to continue to insure, limiting the amount or extent or kind of coverage available to an individual, or charging an individual a different rate for the same coverage solely for reasons associated with an applicant's or insured's past lawful travel experiences. | Finance House: |
First Reading 2-4-05 Hearing Favorable w/ House Hearing |
| SB540 2004-581 MONITOR |
Homeowner's Insurance-Underwriting, Cancellation and Refusal to Renew | Senator Stone | 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. | Finance | First Reading 2-7-05 Hearing: |
| SB560 2004-653 |
Vehicle Laws-Mandatory Seat Belt Use | Senators Ruben, Britt, Forehand, Grosfeld and Teitelbaum | Expanding the application of specified mandatory seat belt requirements by prohibiting a person who is at least 16 years old from being a passenger in any seat of a motor vehicle unless the person is restrained by a seat belt; and limiting a police officer to enforcing a violation of mandatory seat belt use laws with respect to rear seat passengers only as a secondary action when the police officer detains a driver suspected of violating another provision of the law. | Judicial Proceedings | First Reading 2-4-05 Hearing Unfavorable |
| SB580 Crossfiled |
Insurance- Delinquency Proceedings Against Insolvent Insurers- Financial Contracts | Senator Gladden | Providing that a person may not be stayed or otherwise prohibited from exercising specified rights in delinquency proceedings brought under specified provisions of law against specified insurers; requiring specified net or settlement amounts due to an insurer subject to a specified delinquency proceeding to be transferred to or on the order of the receiver for the insurer; specifying the manner in which a receiver in a delinquency proceeding must transfer specified netting agreements and qualified financial contracts; etc. | Finance | First Reading 2-7-05 Hearing: |
| SB649 | Civil Actions- Limitations on Awards for Noneconomic Damages- Latent Diseases or Injuries | Senators Jacobs, Hafer, Kittleman, and Mooney | 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. | Judicial Proceedings | First Reading 2-4-05 Hearing |
| SB659 Crossfiled |
Insurance- Notice- Cancellation, Nonrenewal and Premiums | Senator Astle | Altering the requirements relating to specified binders or insurance policies; making specified binders or insurance policies subject to an underwriting period; altering requirements for insurers to give notice in a specified manner of an intention to cancel or not to renew or to provide statements of the actual reasons for cancellation or refusal to renew insurance policies; altering the time period in which an insurer is required to issue a policy or provide notice of cancellation of a binder; etc. | Finance | First Reading 2-4-05 Hearing: |
| SB662 | Insurance- Individual Deferred Annuities- Minimum Nonforfeiture Amounts | Senator Astle | Providing for the calculation of the minimum nonforfeiture amount under specified annuity contracts; providing for the calculation of and imposing conditions on the interest rate used in determining the minimum nonforfeiture amount under an annuity contract; requiring an insurer to provide information regarding the redetermination of an interest rate in an annuity contract; providing for the calculation of and imposing conditions on specified benefits for specified annuity contracts; etc. | Finance | First Reading 2-4-05 Hearing: |
| SB683 | Courts- Parent-Child Immunity- Motor Vehicle Torts | Senator Garagiola | Expanding the abrogation of the doctrine of parent-child immunity in motor vehicle torts up to the limits of motor vehicle liability coverage or uninsured motor vehicle coverage. | Judicial Proceedings House: |
First Reading 2-4-05 Hearing Favorable House |
| SB721 2204-1324 |
Real Property- Residential Dwellings- Notice and Opportunity to Repair Construction Defects | Senators Middleton, Astle, Exum and Hafer | 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. | Judicial Proceedings | First Reading 2-4-05 Hearing |
| SB745 | Motor Vehicle Administration- Driver's License Provisions-Safe Driving Credit System | Senator Haines | Requiring the Motor Vehicle Administration 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 meet specified safe driving standards; requiring the Administration to apply safe driving credits in a specified manner to offset specified points assesses against a licensee; and providing for the invalidation of a safe driving credit under specified circumstances. | Judicial Proceedings | First Reading 2-4-05 Hearing Favorable |
| SB760 | Insurance- Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact | Senator Middleton | Entering the State of Maryland in the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact; specifying the purposes of the Compact; providing for the creation of the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission as a body corporate and politic and an instumentality of the compacting states; specifying the membership, powers and duties of the Commission; providing for committees, officers and employees of the Commission; specifying the rule making authority of the Commission; etc. | Finance | First Reading 2-4-05 Hearing Favorable w? |
| SB769 | Health Organization-
Tax on Premiums of Health Maintenance Organizations and Managed Care Organizations- Repeal WITHDRAWN |
Senators Stolzfus and Harris | Repealing a specified tax on premiums applicable to specified health maintenance organizations and managed care organizations; repealing a specified requirement relating to the reporting of gross receipts by managed care organizations; altering a specified source of revenue to the Maryland Medical Professional Liability Insurance Rate Stabilization Fund; altering specified distributions in specified fiscal years from the Fund to the Medical Assistance Program Account and the Rate Stabilization Account in the Fund; etc. | Budget and Taxation | First Reading 2-4-05 Hearing |
| SB781 | Maryland Tort Claims Act-Structured Settlements | Senators Lawlah, Forehand, Haines, and McFadden | Altering the definition of 'structured settlements' to include a settlement of a claim in provisions of law authorizing the State to enter into structured settlements of claims under the Maryland Tort Claims Act. | Judicial Proceedings House: |
First Reading 2-4-05 Hearing Favorable House Hearing |
| SB786 | Hurricane Isabel Disaster Relief Act- Reporting Requirements- Extension of Termination | Senator Stone | Extending until September 30, 2006 the date on or before which the Department of Housing and Community Development shall issue to the General Assembly a final report on the implementation of the Hurricane Isabel Disaster Relief Act; requiring the Department to issue an interim report on or before September 30, 2005; and extending through May 31, 2006 the date on which Section 1 of the Hurricane Isabel Disaster Relief Act shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect. | Education, Health and
Environmental Affairs Budget and Taxation |
First Reading 2-4-05 Hearing Favorable |
| SB801 Crossfiled |
Consumer Protection- Maryland Computer User Protection Act | Senator Teitelbaum, etal | Prohibiting specified persons from causing computer software that modifies specified Internet settings, collects specified personally identifying information, prevents an authorized user from blocking the installation of specified software, or prevents an authorized user from disabling specified software to be copied onto a consumer's computer under specified circumstances; prohibiting specified persons from misleading authorized users as to the effect specified actions will have with respect to computer software; etc. | Finance | First Reading 2-9-05 Hearing |
| SB817 Crossfiled |
Motor Vehicle Liability Insurers- Fees- Vehicle Theft Prevention Fund | Senator Giannetti | Requiring insurers that issue, sell or deliver motor vehicle liability insurance policies in the State to pay a specified annual fee; requiring that the money be paid into the Vehicle Theft Prevention fund, etc. | Finance | First Reading 2-10-05 Hearing |
| SB828 Crossfiled |
Workers' Compensation Permanent Partial Disability- Petition to Reopen | Senator Astle | Providing that if a covered employee receives additional compensation for a disability on a petition to reopen a claim for a specified disability, the additional compensation may not increase the amount of compensation previously awarded and paid. | Finance | First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing |
| SB832 Crossfiled |
Insurance- Surplus Lines- Authorized Procurement | Senator Astle | Prohibiting the procurement of surplus lines insurance for coverage for condominium associations; and making technical changes. | Finance | First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing Favorable w? |
| SB833 | Vehicle Laws-Driving While License is Suspended- Penalties | Senator Mooney | Repealing a provision establishing separate penalties for driving a motor vehicle while a person's license or privilege to drive is suspended under specified provisions relating to the lapse of required security, noncompliance with traffic citations, and nonpayment of fines; establishing that the suspension of a person's license or privilege to drive for specified violations is subject to the same penalties as specified other suspensions of a person's license or privilege to drive in the State. | Judicial Proceedings | First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing |
| SB836 Crossfiled |
Maryland Patients' Access to Quality Health Care Act of 2004- Implementation and Corrective Provisions | Senators Frosh, Miller & Middleton | Requiring the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene, in consultation with the Maryland Insurance Commissioner when developing specified rates, to take into account specified expenses imposed on managed care organizations; providing the Insurance Commissioner with the authority to deny, refuse to renew, suspend, or revoke a certificate of authority if an insurer fails to pay a specified assessment by the People's Insurance Counsel; requiring a circuit court to impose a specified fine under specified circumstances; etc. | Finance House: |
First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing House: |
| SB848 | Financial Guaranty
Insurance WITHDRAWN |
Senator Gladden | Defining 'asset-backed security', 'credit default swap', and 'investment grade' for purposes of financial guaranty insurance; providing that these definitions apply notwithstanding any other provision of the law regarding assets, liabilities, reserves, and investments of financial guaranty insurers; and requiring a financial guaranty insurer's outstanding total liability for specified bonds to be investment grade to a specified extent. | Finance | First Reading 2-14-05 |
| SB856 Crossfiled |
Workers' Compensation-Evaluation of Permanent Impairments-Social Workers | Senators Kelley, Gladden & Stone | Authorizing specified licensed certified social workers-clinical to evaluate a permanent impairment in a workers' compensation case if it relates to a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder under specified circumstances, and requiring that the report of an impairment be submitted to the Workers' Compensation Commission in accordance with the regulations of the Commission; and providing that, for purposes of the Act, social workers-clinical meet specified qualifications. | Finance | First Reading 2-14-05 Hearing Unfavorable |
| SB868 | Vehicle Laws- lapsed or Terminated Security- Penalties | Chairman, Judicial
Proceedings by Request |
Altering the penalties the Motor Vehicle Administration is authorized to assess for a vehicle with security that terminates or otherwise lapses during its registration year; increasing the daily penalty for the continued violation of specified vehicle security requirements after a specified number of days; increasing the maximum penalty the MVA is authorized to assess for specified vehicle security requirements occurring within a specified time period; etc. | Judicial Proceedings | First Reading 2-14-05 Hearing |
| SB872 | Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund- Financing of Premiums | Senators Gladden, etal | Authorizing the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund to provide directly or indirectly for the financing of premiums charged on policies issued by the Fund; and authorizing the Fund to accept premiums on an installment basis. | Finance | First Reading 2-16-05 Hearing |
| SB879 2004-932 |
Consumer Protection- Consumer Reporting Agencies- Restriction on Furnishing Information | Senator 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 the 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. | Senate Rules | First Reading 2-17-05 Hearing |
| SB904 | Annual Corrective Bill | The President | Correcting specified errors and omissions in various articles of the Annotated Code and in specific uncodified laws; establishing that the Act is not intended to affect any law other than to correct technical errors; ratifying and validating specified corrections made by the publisher of the Annotated Code; applying and construing the Act; etc. | Senate Rules | First Reading 2-21-05 Favorable Third Reading |
| SB938 | Insurance Pilot Program | Senator Gladden | Authorizing an insurer to conduct a pilot program in the State with the prior approval of the Insurance Commissioner; requiring the insurer to file with the Commissioner specified information about the pilot program and rates and forms the insurer proposes to use; requiring the Commissioner to approve the rates and forms before the insurer may conduct a pilot program; authorizing the Commissioner to approve a pilot program only for a specified period of time; etc. | Senate Rules | First Reading 2-24-05 Hearing Unfavorable |
| HB1 | Maryland Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act | The Speaker (by Request-Adm.) | Establishing a limitation of $650,000 on noneconomic damages for medical injuries for causes of action arising on or after January 1, 2005, and providing for increases of $15,000, on January 1 of each year beginning January 1, 2008; establishing a People's Insurance Counsel in the Office of the Attorney General and providing for the appointment, qualifications, duties and compensation of the Counsel; establishing the Maryland Medical Professional Liability Rate Stabilization Plan; etc. | House Rules and Executive Nominations | Unfavorable Report 12/28/2004 |
| HB2 | Maryland Patient's Access to Quality Health Care Act of 2004 | The Speaker, et al. |
Requiring specified procedures for health care malpractice claims and actions; terminating specified functions of the Health Claims Arbitration Office; requiring specified alternative dispute resolution; altering specified limits on noneconomic damages; requiring specified supplemental certificates of qualified experts; etc. (This bill also caps commissions to brokers and provides premium discounts for doctors going direct) | First Reading
12/28/2004 Favorable w/amendments Second Reading 12/28/2004 Passed w/amendments 1-10-05:
Vetoed by Governor |
|
| HB13 | Labor and Employment- Minimum Wage | Delegate Franchot | Requiring specified employers to pay specified employees at least the greater of specified wage amounts; authorizing specified employers to pay employees under the age of 20 years at least the greater of specified wage amounts for a specified period of time; prohibiting specified actions for the purpose of hiring specified employees; and authorizing an increase in a tip credit used by specified employers to compensate specified employees. | Economic Matters | First Reading 1-12-05 Hearing |
| HB31 2004: |
Vehicle Laws-Lapsed or Terminated Security- Penalty | Delegates Leopold and Sophocleus | 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 | First Reading
|
| HB36 | Vehicle Laws- Motor Scooters and Mopeds- Helmets and Eye- Protective Equipment for Operators and Riders | Delegate Arnick | Requiring use of helmets and eye-protective equipment by operators and riders of motor scooters and mopeds; authorizing and requiring specified actions by the MVA; establishing rules of civil procedure for actions related to the use or failure to use protective headgear; etc. | Environmental Matters | First Reading
|
| HB45 MONITOR |
Vehicle Laws- Distracted Driving and Use of Wireless Communication Devices While Driving- Prohibitions | Delegate Arnick | Establishing the offense of distracted driving; prohibiting a driver from using the driver's hands to use an interactive wireless communication device; prohibiting a driver of a school vehicle that is in motion and is carrying passengers from using an interactive wireless device; prohibiting a holder of a learner's permit from driving while using an interactive wireless communication device; and providing for exceptions to the prohibitions of the Act. | Environmental Matters | First Reading
|
| HB48 OPPOSE |
Patient Protection Insurance | Delegate Boschert | Authorizing the Insurance Commissioner to issue a limited lines license to physicians who sell policies of patient protection insurance; establishing a program to provide patient protection insurance in the State; requiring the program to obtain the approval of the Commissioner; requiring physicians to pay a specified fee to participate in the program, etc. | Economic Matters | First Reading
|
| HB55 OPPOSE |
Medical Professional
Liability Insurance- Consideration Paid to Insurance Producers - Limitations WITHDRAWN |
Delegates Pendergrass, et al | Establishing specified limitations to the commissions, fee, reward, rebate, or other consideration that may be paid to an insurance producer for soliciting, negotiating, or selling medical professional liability insurance in the State; requiring an insurance producer, before expiration of a policy of medical professional liability insurance, to make a renewal offer on behalf of the insurer to the insured unless the insurer or the insured elects not to renew the policy; etc. | Economic Matters | First Reading
|
| HB56 Crossfiled MONITOR |
Consumer Protection- Privacy of Social Security Numbers | Delegates Pendergrass, et al | Prohibiting the public of posting or displaying of an individual's Social Security number under specified circumstances; prohibiting the printing of an individual's Social Security number on specified cards under specified circumstances; prohibiting a person from requiring an individual to transmit the individual's Social Security number over the Internet under specified circumstances; prohibiting a person from transmitting an individual's Social Security number over the Internet under specified circumstances; etc. | Economic Matters | First Reading
|
| HB64 OPPOSE 2004: |
Homeowner's Insurance- Offer and Summary of Coverage | Delegate Trueschler | Requiring insurers that issue or deliver homeowner's insurance in Maryland to provide policyholders with annual written statements that summarize the coverages and exclusions of the policy; requiring the statement to be sufficiently clear so that an individual of average intelligence can identify the coverages and exclusions; describing the information that must be included in the statement; providing that the statement does not create a legal obligation on the part of the insurer; etc. | Economic Matters | First Reading 1-12-05 Hearing |
| HB81 Crossfiled |
Unemployment
Insurance- Exemption from Covered Employment- Travel Agents WITHDRAWN |
Delegate Morhaim | Establishing that work performed by specified travel agents is not covered employment for the purposes of unemployment insurance; authorizing specified wages that are paid for work performed by specified travel agents through a specified date to be used in determining monetary eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits; etc. | Economic Matters | First Reading 1/13/2005 Hearing |
| HB95 | Liability Insurance- All Terrain Vehicles | Delegate Arnick | Requiring specified all-terrain vehicles operated in the State to be covered by specified liability insurance policies; providing for the minimum coverage required; requiring insurers to notify the Maryland Insurance Commissioner of terminations or lapses; requiring the Commissioner to impose a penalty if the required insurance terminates or lapses; requiring that the penalties assessed be paid into the General Fund; etc. | Economic Matters | First Reading 1/14/2005 Hearing
|
| HB102 | Unemployment Insurance-
Eligibility for Benefits- Training WITHDRAWN |
Delegates Fulton & Goodwin | Defining the term 'training' in connection with the prohibitions against the denial of unemployment insurance benefits to specified individuals. | Economic Matters | First Reading 1/17/2005 Hearing |
| HB113 | Health Care Malpractice- Emergency Medical Care- Good Samaritan Immunity | Delegates Zirkin, et al | Providing immunity from civil liability for specified individuals providing emergency medical care under specified circumstances; etc. | Judiciary | First Reading 1/17/2005 Hearing |
| HB114 | Quality Health Care Act of 2005 |
Delegates Zirkin, et al | Providing that an apology or expression of regret made by a health care provider in writing, orally, or by conduct in specified civil actions and proceedings may not be admitted as evidence of an admission of liability for any purpose; etc. | Judicial | First Reading
1/17/2005 Hearing Favorable w/ |
| HB115 | Health Care Malpractice Claims- Division of Lawyers' Fees- Prohibition | Delegates Zirkin, et al | Prohibiting a lawyer from dividing a fee in a health care malpractice claim with another lawyer who is not in the same firm unless the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer, the client is advised of and does not object to the participation of all the lawyers involved, and the total fee is reasonable; and making a violation of the Act subject to disciplinary sanctions as the Maryland Rules provide. | Judiciary | First Reading 1/17/2005 Hearing |
| HB117 MONITOR |
Homeowner's Insurance- Coverage for Mold and Mold Remediation | Delegate F. Turner, et al. | Requiring insurers that issue or deliver homeowner's insurance policies or contracts in the State to provide coverage for losses that result from mold or mold remediation under specified circumstances; providing that the aggregate coverage limit for mold and mold remediation may not be less than a specified amount for specified losses; prohibiting an insurer from charging an additional deductible for specified claims; etc. | Economic Matters | First Reading 1/18/2005 Hearing: |
| HB157 | Medical Professional Liability Insurance- Reporting Requirements | Chairman, Economic
Matters By Request-MIA |
Requiring that specified information be contained in a specified report on claims or actions for damages for personal injury; requiring that the report be filed with the Maryland Insurance Commissioner; and requiring the Commissioner to impose a penalty of up to $5,000 for failure to file the report with the Commissioner. | Economic Matters | First Reading 1/20/2005 Hearing
|
| HB158 | Property and Casualty Insurance- Transfer between Affiliates | Chairman, Economic
Matters By Request-MIA |
Specifying that a property and casualty insurer's offer to assign, place or transfer an insured from one affiliated company to another affiliated company within an insurance holding company system is not a cancellation or nonrenewal for purposes of specified laws that apply; providing that assignment, placement or transfer of an insured from one affiliated company to another within an insurance holding company system shall be deemed an offer to renew subject to notice rights for consumers; etc. | Economic Matters | First Reading 1/20/2005 Hearing
|
| HB160 MONITOR |
Insurance Producers- Continuing Education Requirements | Chairman, Economic
Matters By Request- MIA |
Requiring specified insurance producers to receive continuing education related to flood insurance. | Economic Matters | First Reading 1/20/2005 Hearing
|
| HB183 MONITOR |
Motor Vehicle
Liability Insurance- Notice of Intention to Cancel for Nonpayment of Premium-Method of
Mailing WITHDRAWN |
Delegate Minnick | Altering the method by which an insurer is required to mail to an insured under a policy of motor vehicle liability insurance notice of intention to cancel the policy for nonpayment of premium; and providing that an attempt to deliver is deemed sufficient notice under specified circumstances. | Economic Matters | First Reading 1/21/2005 Hearing
|
| HB194 | Health Care Malpractice Claims-Collateral Sources | Delegates Zirkin, Morhaim, Myers and Shank | Requiring that health care malpractice awards or verdicts be itemized in a specified manner; requiring that a health care malpractice award or verdict be modified to the extent of specified payments, reimbursements, or indemnification for past medical expenses, less the cost to obtain the payment, reimbursement, or indemnity, under specified circumstances; prohibiting recovery and claims of subrogation relating to specified sums included in a modification of an award or verdict; providing for the application of the Act; etc. | Judiciary | First Reading 1/21/2005 Hearing |
| HB208 | Motor Vehicle Administration- Digital Photographic Images-Private Detective Agencies | Delegates Glassman, Boschert, Gilleland and McConkey | Authorizing the MVA to make a digital photographic image of an individual or the actual stored data of the image, recorded by the Administration, available to specified private detective agencies. | Environmental Matters | First Reading 1/24/2005 Hearing
|
| HB217 | Insurance- Property and Casualty- Filing Fees | Chairman, Economic Matters, by Request MIA | Clarifying that specified form filings require payment of specified fees; and requiring the MIA to collect specified fees for specified filings from motor clubs for specified other filings. | Economic Matters | First Reading 1/24/2005 Hearing |
| HB265 Crossfiled 2004: 644 |
Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance- Hearings on Proposed Actions by Insurers-Attorneys Fees | Delegate Moe | Altering specified information an insurer under a policy of motor vehicle liability insurance must include in a notice to the insured; and clarifying the circumstances under which the Maryland Insurance Commissioner may order an insurer under a policy of motor vehicle liability insurance to pay reasonable attorney fees to the insured after a specified hearing. | Economic Matters Senate: |
First Reading 1-26-05 Hearing: Favorable w/ Senate |
| HB273 | Health Care Malpractice Claims - Past Medical Expenses | Delegate Zirkin | Excluding any amount not actually paid by or on behalf of the claimant or any amount not owed by the claimant to a health care provider from an award or verdict for past medical expenses in a health care malpractice claim in which the cause of action arises on or after October 1, 2005. | Judiciary | First Reading: 1-26-05 Hearing |
| HB274 | Health Care Malpractice- Time Limits- Minors | Delegate Zirkin | Altering the periods within which an action for damages for specified injuries is required to be filed if the claimant was under a specified age at the time the injury was committed. | Judiciary | First Reading 1-26-05 Hearing |
| HB277 | Health Care Malpractice - Attesting Experts- Qualifications | Delegates Zirkin and Bohanan | Establishing the qualifications of an attesting expert in health care malpractice actions; etc. | Judiciary | First Reading 1-26-05 Hearing |
| HB301 Crossfiled: |
Maryland Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act | The Speaker (by request) | Requiring a
certificate of a qualified expert for each defendant in specified causes of action;
requiring the itemization of specified damages and of specified awards and verdicts;
allowing the introduction of specified evidence relating to damages; establishing a limit
on noneconomic damages for specified causes of action; etc. This bill removes the 'Broker Commission provisions' contained in HB2. |
Judiciary | First Reading 1-26-05 Hearing |
| HB348 | Insurance -Fraud Reporting and Prevention -Expansion | Delegates Bartlett, Burns, Conroy, Davis, Feldman, Haddaway, Impallaria, Krebs, Miller, Minnick, Moe, Taylor and Trueschler | Requiring health maintenance organizations to comply with insurance fraud reporting and prevention laws; excluding 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 Senate: |
First Reading 1-27-05 Hearing: Favorable Senate |
| HB362 | Vehicle Laws- Driver
Examination- Practice Driving Requirements WITHDRAWN |
Delegate Holmes | Requiring an individual who holds a learner's instructional driving permit and seeks to take a driver skills or driver road examination to first complete 40 hours of driving practice with a driver education instructor; requiring that at least a specified portion of the practice driving required by the Act occur during nighttime or rush-hour periods or under inclement weather conditions; requiring a skills log to be signed, etc. | Environmental Matters | First Reading 1-28-05 Hearing |
| HB363 2004: 245 MONITOR |
Homeowner's Insurance- Underwriting, Cancellation, and Refusal to Renew | Delegate 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 unless the refusal to underwrite, cancellation, or refusal to renew is based on a physical inspection of the property or on inquiries by a policyholder or an insured that do not result in the payment of a claim. | Economic Matters | First Reading 1-28-05 Hearing: |
| HB369 | Residential Property-
Registration- Lead Paint Regulation WITHDRAWN |
Delegate Marriott (By Request-Baltimore City Adm.) | Adding registration of residential rental property as an event that triggers the requirement that the property owner report compliance with provisions of law regulating lead paint; requiring the property owner to state under oath whether the owner has units of affected property; whether all units of affected property are registered, and whether each unit of affected property meets lead risk reduction requirements, etc. | Environmental Matters | First Reading 1-28-05 |
| HB384 Crossfiled 2004-760 |
Workers' Compensation- Evaluation of Permanent Impairments | Delegates Krysiak, McHale and Moe | Requiring that a licensed psychologist or a qualified physician perform an evaluation of only the mental or behavioral portion of a permanent impairment in a workers' compensation case; 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 | First Reading 1-31-05 Hearing: Favorable |
| HB390 | Insurance- Surplus Lines Insurance - Authorized Procurement | Delegate Moe | Prohibiting the
procurement of surplus lines insurance for coverage for condominium associations; and
making technical changes. Corrective Bill |
Economic Matters Senate: |
First Reading 1-31-05 Hearing: Favorable w/ Senate |
| HB393 2004-462 |
Vehicle Laws- Provisional Drivers' License Restriction for a Minor- Prohibition Against Minors as Passengers | Delegates Mandel, et al | Requiring the MVA 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. | Environmental Matters Senate: |
First Reading 1-31-05 Hearing: Favorable w/ |
| HB394 2004-5 |
Motor Vehicles- Learners' permits and Provisional Licenses- Restriction on Use of a Wireless Communication Device While Driving | Delegates Bronrott, et al | Requiring the Motor Vehicle Administration to impose a restriction on learners instructional permits and provisional drivers' licenses that prohibits permit holders or licensees from using a specified wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle; providing for specified exemptions; etc. | Environmental Matters Senate: |
First Reading 1-31-05 Hearing: Favorable w/ |
| HB395 | Vehicle Laws- Driver Examination- Practice Driving Requirements | Delegates Bronrott, et al | Requiring an individual who holds a learner's instructional driving permit to complete at least 60 hours of driving practice with a driver's license holder who is at least 21 years of age and has been licensed for at least 3 years; requiring at least 10 of the hours of practice driving required by the Act to occur during nighttime; and requiring a practice driving skills log to be signed by an individual certifying that the practice driving has been fulfilled. | Environmental Matters Senate: |
First Reading 1-31-05 Hearing: Favorable |
| HB485 | Health Care Malpractice - Periodic Payments | Delegates Zirkin, et al | Requiring periodic payments of specified damages in a claim or action for health care malpractice under specified circumstances; requiring periodic payments of an attorney's fee in a claim or action for health care malpractice under specified circumstances; requiring itemization of damages by the trier of fact in a health care malpractice claim or action under specified circumstances; etc. | Judiciary | First Reading 2-2-05 Hearing |
| HB489 | Workers' Compensation Commission- Decisions and Orders - Requirements | Delegates Miller, et al | Requiring that a decision or order of the Workers' Compensation Commission include written findings of fact and conclusions of law setting forth the rationale for the decision or order. | Economic Matters | First Reading 2-2-05 Hearing: Unfavorable |
| HB499 | Health Care
Malpractice Claims- Structured Settlements and Annuities WITHDRAWN |
Delegates Morhaim, Boutin and Zirkin | Authorizing a court to order that judgments or awards subject to periodic payments be paid in the form of annuities or other appropriate financial instruments or in periodic payments consistent with the needs of the plaintiff under specified circumstances; authorizing the claimant or plaintiff and the defendant to submit to the court a proposal to comply with the court's order; and providing for the applicability of the Act. | Judiciary | First Reading 2-2-05 |
| HB512 | Medical Injury Compensation- Claimant Recovery | Delegates Bates, Boteler, Impallaria, Jennings, Krebs, McDonough and Miller | Providing that a person having a claim against a health care provider for damages due to a medical injury occurring on or after a specified date is entitled to a specified amount of the money recovered; providing that an attorney who violates the provisions of the Act is subject to disbarment, suspension, or other disciplinary action; providing for the application of specified provisions of the Act; defining a specified term; etc. | Judiciary | First Reading 2-3-05 Hearing |
| HB515 Crossfiled |
Workers' Compensation- Evaluation of Permanent Impairments | Delegate Wood | Requiring physicians to medically evaluate permanent impairments using the most recent edition of the American Medical Association's Guides to Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, as amended; and requiring the Workers' Compensation Commission to adopt regulations regarding reports by physicians who medically evaluate permanent impairments. | Economic Matters | First Reading 2-3-05 Hearing: Unfavorable |
| HB519
|
Insurance- Surplus Lines Insurance - Diligent Search | Delegate Moe | Providing that a
diligent search of authorized insurers writing in the particular kind and class of
insurance sought by an insured may not be required if a renewal offer is made by an
authorized insurer whose financial rating was downgraded during the term of the expiring
policy and a replacement policy is offered by a surplus lines insurer with a financial
rating that is higher than that of the authorized insurer. IIAM's Legislative Committee has several concerns about this bill and the need for such a bill. Waiving a 'diligent search' has always been a function of the risk, not the carrier. |
Economic Matters Senate: |
First Reading 2-3-05 Hearing: Favorable w/ Senate |
| HB528 | Maryland Automobile
Insurance Fund- Eligibility for Coverage WITHDRAWN |
Delegates Miller, Bates, Boutin, Cluster, Eckardt, Elmore, Fulton, Haddaway, Krebs and McComas | Altering the requirement that the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund issue a specified insurance policy to specified persons that have attempted in good faith to obtain a policy from at least two substandard insuers and have been rejected or refused the policy by two substandard insurers; repealing a provision of law that entitles a policyholder in the Fund to continuation of coverage from the Fund at specified rates under specified circumstances; etc. | Economic Matters | First Reading 2-3-05 Hearing: |
| HB540 | Insurance- Notice- Cancellation, Nonrenewal and Premiums | Delegates Feldman and Miller | Altering the
requirements relating to specified binders or insurance policies; making specified binders
or insurance policies subject to an underwriting period; altering requirements for
insurers to give notice in a specified manner of an intention to cancel or not to renew or
to provide statements of the actual reasons for cancellation or refusal to renew insurance
policies; altering the time period in which an insurer is required to issue a policy or
provide notice of cancellation of a binder; etc. Language within the bill regarding the ability of insurers to pass to the agent the responsibility of cancellation concerns the committee. Removal of this provision is suggested. |
Economic Matters` | First Reading 2-3-05 Hearing: |
| HB617 Crossfiled |
Life Insurance Freedom to Travel Act | Delegates Mandel, etal | Prohibiting a life insurance company from refusing to insure, refusing to continue to insure, limiting the amount or extent or kind of coverage available to an individual, or charging an individual a different rate for the same coverage solely for reasons associated with an applicant's or insured's past lawful travel experiences. | Health &
Government Operations Senate: |
First Reading 2-4-05 Hearing Favorable Senate |
| HB634 2004-658 |
Workers' Compensation -Uninsured Employers- Penalties | Delegates Simmons, Feldman, and McHale | Increasing specified penalties for an employer who fails to pay, or secure payment of, specified compensation under workers' compensation law; requiring the Uninsured Employers' Fund to file a statement of charges in District Court against an employer for an allegation of specified violations unless specified conditions are met; and requiring the Fund to include specified information in its annual report submitted to the Governor. | Economic Matters | First Reading 2-7-05 Hearing: |
| HB635 | Workers' Compensation -Permanent Partial Disability- Petition to Reopen | Delegate Wood | Providing that if a covered employee receives additional compensation for a disability on a petition to reopen a claim for a specified disability, the additional compensation may not increase the amount of compensation previously awarded and paid. | Economic Matters | First Reading 2-7-05 Hearing: |
| HB636 | Workers' Compensation -Accidental Personal Injury- Definition | Delegate Wood | Altering the definition of 'accidental personal injury' under workers' compensation laws to include specified requirements; and providing for the application of the Act. | Economic Matters | First Reading 2-7-05 Hearing Unfavorable |
| HB666 Crossfiled |
Insurance- Delinquency Proceedings Against Insolvent Insurers- Financial Contracts | Delegates Hammen and Donoghue | Providing that a person may not be stayed or otherwise prohibited from exercising specified rights in delinquency proceedings brought under specified provisions of law against specified insurers; requiring specified net or settlement amounts due to an insurer subject to a specified delinquency proceeding to be transferred to or on the order of the receiver for the insurer; specifying the manner in which a receiver in a delinquency proceeding must transfer specified netting agreements and qualified financial contracts; etc. | Economic Matters Senate: |
First Reading 2-7-05 Hearing: Favorable |
| HB668 | Workers' Compensation- Jurisdiction of Commission Pending Appeal- Temporary Total Disability | Delegate Moe | Altering the circumstances under which the Workers' Compensation Commission retains jurisdiction of requests for temporary total disability benefits pending an appeal; and altering the circumstances under which the commission is authorized to pass a supplemental order requiring an employer to provide temporary total benefits. | Economic Matters | First Reading 2-7-05 Hearing: Unfavorable |
| HB701 NO POSITION |
Maryland Insurance
Commissioner- Elected Position WITHDRAWN |
Delegates Taylor, et al. | Repealing the authority of the Governor to appoint the Maryland Insurance Commissioner after January 9, 2007; requiring the Commissioner to be elected at a general election every 4 years beginning with the November general election in 2006; setting a term of 4 years for the elected Commissioner beginning the second Wednesday of January after the Commissioner's election; providing that the term of the appointed Commissioner expire on January 9, 2007; etc. | Economic Matters | First Reading 2-8-05 Hearing: |
| HB726 NO POSITION |
Insurance-Ownership of Expirations by Insurance Producers | Chairman Economic Matters-At the request of the MIA | Clarifying that specified insurance producers retain ownership rights in specified policy expirations after the termination of the agency agreement; and defining the term 'business'. | Economic Matters | First Reading 2-8-05 Hearing: |
| HB729 MONITOR |
Insurance- Property and Casualty- Personal Automobile Liability Insurance - Coverage and Premiums | Chairman Economic Matters-At the request of the MIA | Clarifying and
revising specified notice requirements, time frames and protest rights for specified
cancellations and nonrenewals; clarifying and revising specified notice requirements, time
frames, and protest rights for specified increases in premium and specified reductions in
coverage; authorizing the Maryland Insurance Commissioner to adopt specified regulations;
defining specified terms, etc. This bill eliminates 27-605 and rewrites to more thoroughly define cancellation, non-renewal and reduction in coverage. The committee is concerned with the definition of 'reduction of coverage'. It states that 'reduction in coverage' does not include the elimination of any coverage no longer offered by an insurer. The committee feels strongly that the insured should receive a notice when coverage is reduced, regardless of the reason for the reduction in coverage. |
Economic Matters | First Reading 2-8-05 Hearing: |
| HB780 Crossfiled |
Consumer Protection- Maryland Computer User Protection Act | Delegate Moe (Chair Joint Technology Oversight Comm.) | Prohibiting specified persons from causing computer software that modifies specified Internet settings, collects specified personally identifying information, prevents an authorized user from blocking the installation of specified software, or prevents an authorized user from disabling specified software to be copied onto a consumer's computer under specified circumstances; prohibiting specified persons from misleading authorized users as to the effect specified actions will have with respect to computer software; etc. | Economic Matters | First Reading 2-9-05 Hearing |
| HB784 | Immunity from Civil Liability-Volunteers- Governing Bodies of Condominiums, Homeowners Associations and Cooperative Housing Corps. | Delegate Edwards | Granting immunity from civil liability to volunteers of specified governing bodies in a condominium, homeowners association or cooperative housing corporation under specified circumstances; prohibiting the naming of a volunteer of specified governing bodies as a party defendant under specified circumstances; etc. | Judiciary | First Reading 2-9-05 Unfavorable |
| HB800 | Identity Fraud | Delegates Lee, etal. | Requiring local law enforcement agency, after being contacted by a person who knows or reasonably suspects that the person is a victim of identity fraud, to promptly prepare and file a report of the alleged identity fraud and provide a copy of the report to the victim; etc. | Judiciary Senate: |
First Reading 2-9-05 Hearing Favorable Senate |
| HB814 | Circuit Courts- Medical Malpractice Review Panel Pilot Program | Delegates Zirkin, Minnick and Morhaim | Establishing a Medical Malpractice Review Panel Pilot Program in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County, requiring specified medical injury actions filed in Circuit Court for Baltimore County after June 1, 2005, to be submitted to a Medical Malpractice Review Panel; requiring the Baltimore County Administrative Judge to appoint a circuit judge to chair a panel; suspending statutory time limits and time limits under the Maryland Rules for specified period for the review; etc. | Judiciary | First Reading 2-9-05 Hearing |
| HB818 2004-191 |
Task Force to Study Identity Theft | Delegates Lee, etal. | 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; requiring a report to the General Assembly by December 31, 2006; etc. | Judiciary Senate: |
First Reading 2-9-05 Hearing Favorable w/ |
| HB823 | Circuit Courts- Medical Injury- Medical Malpractice Review Panel | Delegates Zirkin and Morhaim | Requiring that specified medical injury actions filed in court after June 1, 2005 to be submitted to a medical malpractice review panel; requiring the circuit administrative judge to appoint a circuit judge to chair a panel; suspending statutory time limits and time limits under the Maryland Rules for a specified period for the review; requiring a panel to make specified determinations about liability and proximate cause and to issue a decision; and providing for admission of the decision in a subsequent trial; etc. | Judiciary | First Reading 2-9-05 Hearing |
| HB833 | Motor Vehicle Liability Insurers- Fees- Vehicle Theft Prevention Fund | Delegates Menes, Frosh, and Moe | Requiring insurers that issue, sell or deliver motor vehicle liability insurance policies in the State to pay a specified annual fee; requiring that the money be paid into the Vehicle Theft Prevention fund, etc. | Economic Matters Senate: |
First Reading 2-9-05 Hearing Favorable w/ |
| HB834 | Surety Insurance- Inducements to Insurance - Criminal Penalties- Bail Bondsmen | Delegate Kelly | Providing criminal penalties for specified bail bondsmen who violate provisions of law that prohibit insurers, employees or representatives of the insurers, and insurance producers from paying, allowing, or giving, or offering to pay, allow, or give, directly or indirectly, specified inducements to insurance. | Judiciary | First Reading 2-9-05 Hearing Favorable w/ |
| HB836 Crossfiled |
Maryland Tort Claims Act- Structured Settlements | Delegates Heller, Aumann, Bohanan and Marriott | Altering the definition of 'structured settlements' to include a settlement of a claim in provisions of law authorizing the State to enter into structured settlements of claims under the Maryland Tort Claims Act. | Judiciary Senate: |
First Reading 2-9-05 Favorable |
| HB882 OPPOSE |
Office of the Attorney General-People's Insurance Counsel Division- Funding | Delegates Malone and DeBoy | Requiring that specified costs and expenses of the People's Insurance Counsel Division in the Office of the Attorney General be paid from the Insurance Regulation Fund; expanding the purposes of the Fund; repealing provisions of law requiring the Office of the Attorney General to include specified money in its annual budget; repealing provisions of law requiring the Maryland Insurance Commissioner to collect a specified annual assessment and deposit the amounts collected into the People's Insurance Counsel Fund; etc. | Economic Matters | First Reading 2-10-05 Hearing Unfavorable |
| HB890 | Health Care Malpractice Claims | Delegates Morhaim and Petzold | Making specified provisions of law relating to health care malpractice claims applicable to physician assistants by altering the definition of health care provider under the Health Care Malpractice Claims law to include physicians assistants. | Judiciary | First Reading 2-10-05 Hearing |
| HB955 | Health Insurance- Premium Tax on Health Maintenance Organizations and Managed Care Organizations- Repeal | Delegates O'Donnell and Edwards | Repealing a specified tax on premiums applicable to specified health maintenance organizations and managed care organizations; repealing a specified requirement relating to the reporting of gross receipts by managed care organizations; altering a specified source of revenue to the Maryland Medical Professional Liability Insurance Rate Stabilization Fund; altering specified distributions in specified fiscal years from the Fund to the Medical Assistance Program Account and the Rate Stabilization Account in the Fund; etc. | Ways & Means | First Reading 2-10-05 Hearing |
| HB1017 | Health Insurance-Small Group Market-Premium Rates | Delegates Kach, Boteler, Goldwater and Rudolph | Altering the factors a carrier may use to adjust the community rate for specified health benefit plans offered in the small group market to include health status; establishing specified limitations on the use of age and health status 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 and health screenings to establish specified premium rates; etc. | Health and Government Operations | First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing Favorable w/ |
| HB1069 Crossfiled 2004-1070 |
Workers Compensation Presumptions | Delegates Wood and Krebs | 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 | First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing Unfavorable |
| HB1085 | Uninsured Employers' Fund- Liability of Corporate Officers and Limited Liability Company Members | Delegate Simmons | Providing that a specified officer of a corporation that does not have sufficient assets to satisfy workers' compensation awards and assessments owed by the corporation is jointly and severally liable for those payments; and providing that a specified member of a limited liability company that does not have sufficient assets to satisfy workers' compensation awards and assessments owed by the company is jointly and severally liable for those payments. | Economic Matters | First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing Unfavorable |
| HB1089 | Health Insurance- Mandated Benefits- Exclusions for Preexisting Conditions | Chairman Health and Government Operations Comm. Request MIA | Authorizing an insurer or nonprofit health service plan to exclude coverage for a condition or hazard related to a benefit, including a health insurance benefit mandated under specified provisions of law, if the benefit relates to a condition or hazard revealed during medical underwriting and the benefit related to the condition or hazard is excluded by an exclusionary waiver rider signed by the insured and attached to the contract; etc. | Health and Government Operations | First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing |
| HB1091 | Health Insurance- Prohibition Against Reunderwriting | Chairman Health and Government Operations Comm. Request MIA | Prohibiting health insurers, health maintenance organizations, and nonprofit health service plans from reunderwriting individuals for health coverage under individual contracts after the contracts have been issued. | Health and Government
Operations Senate: |
First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing Favorable |
| HB1102 Crossfiled 2004-168 |
Motor Vehicle Administration- Driver's License Provisions-Safe Driving Credit System | Delegate Jennings | Requiring the Motor Vehicle Administration 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 meet specified safe driving standards; requiring the Administration to apply safe driving credits in a specified manner to offset specified points assesses against a licensee; and providing for the invalidation of a safe driving credit under specified circumstances. | Environmental Matters | First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing Unfavorable |
| HB1162 | Civil Actions- Burden of Proof- Uninsured Motorists Coverage | Delegate Kelley | Establishing that a person asserting the uninsured status of a motor vehicle in an action against an insurer or the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund has the burden of proof; providing that the burden of proof shall be deemed satisfied when the person introduces specified records or documents; requiring the finder of fact to find the motor vehicle to be uninsured if the persons satisfies the burden of proof, unless an adverse party establishes specified coverage by a preponderance of the evidence; etc. | Judiciary Senate: |
First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing Favorable w/ Senate |
| HB1163 | Labor and Employment -
Subsequent Injury Fund- Renaming WITHDRAWN |
Delegate Krysiak | Renaming the Subsequent Injury fund as the Prior Injury Fund; and authorizing the publishers of the Annotated Code of Maryland to correct statutory references under specified circumstances; and providing for the construction of the Act. | Economic Matters | First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing |
| HB1182 | Insurance- Rate Filings- Prior Approval | Delegates Gordon and Krysiak | Requiring a health maintenance organization to file with the Maryland Insurance Commissioner for approval prior to their use, rates the health maintenance organization charges subscribers or groups of subscribers; requiring specified insurers to file with the Commissioner for approval prior to their use, all rates and supplementary rate information and all modifications of rates and supplementary rate information; etc. | Economic Matters and Health and Government Operations | First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing Unfavorable |
| HB1189 | Insurance - Motor Vehicle Repair- Prohibited Acts and Penalties | Delegate Impallaria | Prohibiting specified adjusters, appraisers, insurance producers and employees of an insurer from recommending the use of specified repair services or sources for the repair or replacement of property damage to a motor vehicle without providing a copy of a specified contract or agreement to the claimant or insured; prohibiting specified adjusters, appraisers, insurance producers, and employees of an insurer from making false or misleading statements for specified purposes; etc. | Economic Matters | First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing Unfavorable |
| HB1192 Crossfiled |
Insurance- Individual Deferred Annuities- Minimum Nonforfeiture Amounts | Delegate Bromwell | Providing for the calculation of the minimum nonforfeiture amount under specified annuity contracts; providing for the calculation of and imposing conditions on the interest rate used in determining the minimum nonforfeiture amount under an annuity contract; requiring an insurer to provide information regarding the redetermination of an interest rate in an annuity contract; providing for the calculation of and imposing conditions on specified benefits for specified annuity contracts; etc. | Health and Government
Operations Senate: |
First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing Favorable w/ |
| HB1212 | Courts- Medical Injury Claims- Damages | Delegates Barve, etal. | Providing that a medical injury award or verdict be reduced to the extent of specified payments, reimbursements, or indemnification for past medical expenses, less specified costs, under specified circumstances; requiring periodic payments of specified damages for specified causes of action; establishing requirements relating to periodic payments and annuities for funding periodic payments; requiring that an award or verdict of economic damages for a medical injury exclude specified amounts; etc. | Judiciary | First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing |
| HB1215 | Courts- Medical Injury Recoveries-Attorney's Fees | Delegate Barve, etal | 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, 2005; etc. | Judiciary | First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing |
| HB1248 | Private Passenger Motor Vehicle Insurance- Underwriting Standards- Active Duty Military Personnel Returning from Overseas | Delegate Jennings | Prohibiting an insurer from denying, refusing to renew, or cancelling coverage or increasing rates with respect to private passenger motor vehicle insurance for military personnel who are returning from active duty overseas because they fail to meet underwriting standards that require continuous coverage; and clarifying the applicability of specified standards related to an insurer's economic and business purposes. | Economic Matters Senate: |
First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing Favorable Senate |
| HB1280 SUPPORT |
Credit Regulation- Loans Secured by Real Property- Insurance Coverage Requirements | Delegate Kullen | Altering the manner in
which specified lenders and credit grantors may determine the replacement value of
improvements on real property that secures loans made by the lenders and credit grantors;
requiring any property insurance coverage required by specified lenders and credit
grantors to bear a reasonable relation to the existing risk of loss; etc. This bill would resolve many of the issues faced by agents with respects to mortgage companies requiring coverage to the full amount of the loan, regardless of replacement cost, which is, in most cases less. The insured pays more for the coverage and in all probability would never collect full loan value. |
Economic Matters | First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing Unfavorable |
| HB1281 Crossfiled |
Hurricane Isabel Disaster Relief Act- Reporting Requirements Extension of Termination | Delegates Weir, Impallaria, Jennings, McDonough and Minnick | Extending until September 30, 2006 the date on or before which the Department of Housing and Community Development shall issue to the General Assembly a final report on the implementation of the Hurricane Isabel Disaster Relief Act; requiring the Department to issue an interim report on or before September 30, 2005; and extending through May 31, 2006 the date on which Section 1 of the Hurricane Isabel Disaster Relief Act shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect. | Environmental Matters Senate: |
First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing: Favorable w/ |
| HB1289 Crossfiled |
Workers' Compensation-
Evaluation of Permanent Impairments- Social Workers WITHDRAWN |
Delegates McHale, Anderson, Griffith, Marriott, Montgomery, and Rosenberg | Authorizing specified licensed certified social workers-clinical to evaluate a permanent impairment in a workers' compensation case if it relates to a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder under specified circumstances, and requiring that the report of an impairment be submitted to the Workers' Compensation Commission in accordance with the regulations of the Commission; and providing that, for purposes of the Act, social workers-clinical meet specified qualifications. | Economic Matters | First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing |
| HB1295 | Real Property- Residential Dwellings- Notice and Opportunity to Repair Construction Defects | Delegates Vaughn, Burns, Impallaria, Kach, Kirk, Krysiak, Kullen, Oaks, Paige, and Taylor | Establishing a notice procedure for a homeowner or an association to comply with no later than 90 days before bringing an action against a contractor for damages to a dwelling or personal property based on a construction defect claim; requiring a claimant to allow a contractor to inspect a dwelling and to provide evidence to a contractor regarding an alleged defect; requiring a contractor to respond in a specified manner to the claimant's defect notice no later than 30 days after inspection or receipt of evidence; etc. | Economic Matters | First Reading 2-11-05 Hearing |
| HB1328 | Health Insurance- Authority of Maryland Health Insurance Plan | Chairman, Health and
Government Operations Request MIA |
Authorizing the Board of Directors of the Maryland Health Insurance Plan to offer benefit packages in addition to the standard benefit package; authorizing the Board to offer optional endorsements to a benefit package; authorizing the Board to alter premium rates based on geography, benefit package, and benefit package delivery system; authorizing the addition of a surcharge to a premium under specified circumstances; etc. | Health and Government Operations | First Reading 2-11-05 |
| HB1359 | Maryland Patients' Access to Quality Health Care Act of 2004- Implementation and Corrective Provisions | The Speaker and Delegates D. Davis and Hurson | Requiring the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene, in consultation with the Maryland Insurance Commissioner when developing specified rates, to take into account specified expenses imposed on managed care organizations; providing the Insurance Commissioner with the authority to deny, refuse to renew, suspend, or revoke a certificate of authority if an insurer fails to pay a specified assessment by the People's Insurance Counsel; requiring a circuit court to impose a specified fine under specified circumstances; etc. | Economic Matters and Health and Government Operations | First Reading: 2-15-05 Hearing: |
| HB1362 | Civil Actions- Limitations on Awards for Noneconomic Damages- Latent Diseases or Injuries | Delegates McComas, etal. | 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 | First Reading 2-14-05 Hearing |
| HB1389 Crossfiled |
Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance -Total Loss Valuation- Disclosure and Calculation | Delegate Walkup | Requiring an insurer to disclose to a claimant who has filed a claim involving the total loss of a private passenger motor vehicle the condition inspection guidelines that the insurer relied on to determine the condition of the motor vehicle at the time of the loss; and requiring an insurer to reflect a certain cost in the determination of the total loss value and to include in a settlement offer an explanation relating to compliance with the State motor vehicle safety inspection law. | House Rules & Executive Nominations | First Reading 2-17-05 |
| HB1410 | Motor Vehicle Insurance Parity Act | Delegates Murray, Bronrott, Goldwater, Hixson, Kaiser, King, Lee, Madaleno, Montgomery, Petzold and Taylor | Defining the term 'named insured' for purposes of a policy or binder of motor vehicle insurance to include unmarried, unrelated individuals if they are co-owners of a motor vehicle, are both listed on the certificate of title, and apply together for motor vehicle insurance covering the motor vehicle; and providing for application of the Act. | Economic Matters | First Reading 2-21-05 |
| HB1460 | Workers Compensation- Standards of Health Care- Accessibility and Schedule of Treatment | Delegate Moe | 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; requiring the Commission to conduct a specified review and evaluation by a specified date and every three years thereafter, and requiring the Commission to make appropriate revisions to a specified treatment schedule. | House Rules & Executive Nominations | First Reading 2-22-05 |
| HB1568 | Identity Fraud Investigations- Notification- Motor Vehicle Administration | Delegate Quinter | Requiring a law enforcement agency investigating a possible case of identity fraud to provide a notification to the MVA; providing for the contents of notifications required under the Act; requiring the Administration to record specified information regarding a specified driver's license on receipt of a notification required under the Act; requiring specified information to be available to law enforcement officers making traffic stops; etc. | Judiciary | First Reading 3-7-05 Hearing |
| HB1569 | Consumer Protection- Consumer Reporting Agencies- Credit Reports- Security Freezes | Delegate Quniter | Authorizing a consumer to elect to place a security freeze on the consumer's credit report; establishing procedures for requesting a security freeze; requiring a consumer reporting agency to place a security freeze on a consumer's credit report within a specified number of days after a request is made and to take specified actions within 5 business days after placing a security freeze on a consumer's credit report; etc. | Economic Matters | First Reading 3-7-05 Hearing |
| HB1573 Crossfiled |
Insurance Pilot Programs | Delegate Doory | Authorizing an insurer to conduct a pilot program in the State with the prior approval of the Insurance Commissioner; requiring the insurer to file with the Commissioner specified information about the pilot program and rates and forms the insurer proposes to use; requiring the Commissioner to approve the rates and forms before the insurer may conduct a pilot program; authorizing the Commissioner to approve a pilot program only for a specified period of time; etc. | Economic Matters | First Reading 3-7-05 Hearing |