1999 Regular Session

HOUSE BILL 139

CHAPTER NUMBER: 71 File Code: Insurance - Health and Life
Sponsored By:
Chairman, Economic Matters Committee (Departmental - Insurance Administration, Maryland)
Entitled:
Health Insurance - Penalties and Unfair Claims Settlement Practices

Synopsis:

Authorizing the Insurance Commissioner to impose penalties against health maintenance organizations for certain violations; providing that the refusal to pay for a claim for an arbitrary or capricious reason is an unfair claims settlement practice; and providing for the application of the Act.

History by Legislative Date

House Action
1/27
First Reading Economic Matters
Hearing 2/3 at 1:00 p.m.
2/23
Favorable Report by Economic Matters
2/24
Favorable Report Adopted
Second Reading Passed
2/26
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
3/31
Return Passed
4/13
Signed by the Governor Chapter 71
Senate Action
3/1
First Reading Finance
3/5
Hearing 3/24 at 1:00 p.m.
4/1
Favorable Report by Finance
Favorable Report Adopted
Second Reading Passed
4/2
Third Reading Passed (47-0)
Sponsored by:
Chairman, Econ. Matters Comm.
Departmental
Bill indexed under the following Subjects:
CONSUMER PROTECTION -see also- ADVTG.; LABELING; WARRANTIES.
HEALTH INSURANCE -see also- HMO; MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS.
HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS -see also- MAN. CARE ORGS
INSURANCE ADMINISTRATION
PENALTIES
Bill affects the following Statutes:
Health - General
( 19-728 , 19-729 , 19-730 , 19-731 , 19-732 , 19-733 )
Insurance
( 4-113 , 27-304 , 27-305 )

Documents:

Bill Text: First Reading (PDF), Third Reading (PDF), Enrolled
Fiscal Note: Available (PDF)

Amendments: None offered
Roll Call Votes (Legislative dates are shown):
House
February 26, 1999: Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Senate
April 2, 1999: Third Reading Passed (47-0)