SENATE BILL 477

Sponsored By:

Senator Astle

Entitled:

Small Business Health Insurance Affordability Act

Synopsis:

Specifying the manner in which small group health insurance benefits must be offered to employers; lowering the rate cap for small group health insurance benefits; requiring the Maryland Health Care Commission and the Maryland Insurance Administration to conduct an analysis of and make recommendations on aspects of the administrative cost of health plans in the small group market; etc.

History by Legislative Date

Senate Action

1/31

First Reading Finance

2/4

Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m.

2/20

Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

2/21

Favorable with Amendments Report Adopted

Second Reading Passed with Amendments

2/25

Third Reading Passed (47-0)

4/3

Senate Concur - House Amendments

Third Reading Passed (47-0)

Passed Enrolled

4/22

Signed by the Governor Chapter 93

House Action

2/26

First Reading Health and Government Operations

3/20

Hearing 3/27 at 1:00 p.m.

4/3

Favorable with Amendments Report by Health and Government Operations

3/30

Favorable with Amendments Report Adopted

Second Reading Passed with Amendments

3/31

Third Reading Passed with Amendments (140-0)

Bill indexed under the following Subjects:

COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS -see also- POLITICAL COMMITTEES

HEALTH -see also- MENTAL HEALTH

HEALTH INSURANCE -see also- HMOS; MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS

HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS -see also- MAN CARE ORGS

HEALTH PLANNING AND COST REVIEW

INSURANCE ADMINISTRATION

PRICES -see also- CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

REPORTS

SMALL BUSINESS

WORK, LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT -see also- COL BARG; HOLIDAY; etc

Bill affects the following Statutes:

Insurance

( 15-1204 , 15-1207 )

Documents:

Bill Text: First Reading (PDF), Third Reading (PDF), Enrolled (PDF)

Fiscal Note: Available (PDF)

Amendments:

Senate

Number: 687779/01 (PDF)     Offered on: February 21, 2003   at: 11:25 a.m.     Status: Adopted

House

Number: 826085/01 (PDF)     Offered on: April 3, 2003   at: 10:49 a.m.     Status: Adopted

Roll Call Votes (Legislative dates are shown):

Senate

February 25, 2003: Third Reading Passed (47-0)

April 3, 2003: Third Reading Passed (47-0)

House

March 31, 2003: Third Reading Passed (140-0)