EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0647*
HOUSE BILL 647
C4 4lr1830
By: Delegate Guyton
Introduced and read first time: January 25, 2024
Assigned to: Economic Matters and Environment and Transportation
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Property and Casualty Insurance – Pet Insurance – Regulation 2
FOR the purpose of establishing requirements and prohibitions for pet insurance policies 3
that are issued to a resident of the State, or are sold, solicited, negotiated, or offered 4
in the State, including disclosure requirements and requirements and prohibitions 5
related to wellness programs; requiring the Maryland Insurance Administration to 6
develop informational material about pet insurance policies that may be 7
disseminated to and posted by veterinary practitioners; and generally relating to pet 8
insurance. 9
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 10
Article – Agriculture 11
Section 2–301(a) and (i) 12
Annotated Code of Maryland 13
(2016 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 14
BY adding to 15
Article – Insurance 16
Section 19–1101 through 19–1109 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 11. Pet 17
Insurance” 18
Annotated Code of Maryland 19
(2017 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 20
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 21
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 22
Article – Agriculture 23
2–301. 24
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 25 2 HOUSE BILL 647
(i) “Veterinary practitioner” means a licensed and registered veterinarian 1
engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine. 2
Article – Insurance 3
SUBTITLE 11. PET INSURANCE. 4
19–1101. 5
(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE T HE FOLLOWING WORDS H AVE THE MEANINGS 6
INDICATED. 7
(B) “CHRONIC CONDITION ” MEANS A CONDITION TH AT CAN BE TREATED OR 8
MANAGED, BUT NOT CURED . 9
(C) “CONGENITAL ANOMALY OR DISORDER” MEANS A CONDITION TH AT IS 10
PRESENT FROM BIRTH , WHETHER INHERITED OR CAUSED BY THE ENVIRO NMENT, 11
THAT MAY CAUSE OR CONTRIB UTE TO ILLNESS OR DI SEASE. 12
(D) “HEREDITARY DISORDER ” MEANS AN ABNORMALITY THAT IS 13
GENETICALLY TRANSMIT TED FROM PARENT TO O FFSPRING AND MAY CAU SE 14
ILLNESS OR DISEASE . 15
(E) (1) “ORTHOPEDIC CONDITION” MEANS A CONDITION AFFECTING THE 16
BONES, SKELETAL MUSCLE , CARTILAGE, TENDONS, LIGAMENTS, OR JOINTS. 17
(2) “ORTHOPEDIC CONDITION” INCLUDES ELBOW DYSPLASIA , HIP 18
DYSPLASIA, INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DEGENERATION , PATELLAR LUXATION , AND 19
RUPTURED CRANIAL CRU CIATE LIGAMENTS . 20
(3) “ORTHOPEDIC CONDITION ” DOES NOT INCLUDE : 21
(I) CANCER; OR 22
(II) A METABOLIC, HEMOPOIETIC , OR AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE . 23
(F) (1) “PET INSURANCE POLICY” MEANS A PROPERTY INS URANCE 24
POLICY THAT IS SOLD BY A PE T INSURER OR PET INS URANCE PRODUCER THAT 25
PROVIDES COVERAGE FO R ACCIDENTS AND ILLN ESSES OF PETS. 26
(2) “PET INSURANCE POLICY ” INCLUDES A CERTIFICA TE OR ADD–ON 27
COVERAGE. 28
HOUSE BILL 647 3
(G) (1) “PREEXISTING CONDITION ” MEANS A CONDITION FOR WHICH ANY 1
OF THE FOLLOWING ARE TRUE BEFORE THE EFFECTIVE DATE O F A PET INSURANCE 2
POLICY OR DURING ANY WAITING PERIOD : 3
(I) A VETERINARY PRACTITIO NER PROVIDED MEDICAL ADV ICE; 4
(II) THE PET RECEIVED TREA TMENT; OR 5
(III) BASED ON INFORMATION FROM VERIFIABLE SOUR CES, THE 6
PET HAD SIGNS OR SYM PTOMS DIRECTLY RELAT ED TO THE CONDITION FOR WHICH 7
A CLAIM IS BEING MAD E. 8
(2) “PREEXISTING CONDITION ” DOES NOT INCLUDE , FOR A RENEWAL 9
OF A PET INSURANCE POLICY , A CONDITION FOR WHICH COVERAGE WAS AFFORDED 10
ON THE PREVIOUS POLICY. 11
(H) “RENEWAL” MEANS THE ISSUANCE AND DELIVER Y AT THE END OF A PET 12
INSURANCE POLICY PER IOD OF A POLICY THAT: 13
(1) SUPERSEDES THE POLICY PREVIOUSLY IS SUED AND DELIVERED 14
BY THE SAME PET INSU RER OR AFFILIATED PE T INSURER; AND 15
(2) PROVIDES TYPES AND L IMITS OF COVERAGE SU BSTANTIALLY 16
SIMILAR TO THOSE CON TAINED IN THE PRIOR POLICY. 17
(I) (1) “VETERINARY EXPENSES ” MEANS THE COSTS ASSO CIATED WITH 18
MEDICAL ADVICE , DIAGNOSIS, CARE, OR TREATMENT PROVIDE D BY A VETERINARY 19
PRACTITIONER . 20
(2) “VETERINARY EXPENSES ” INCLUDES THE COST OF DRUGS 21
PRESCRIBED BY A VETE RINARY PRACTITIONER . 22
(J) “VETERINARY PRACTITION ER” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 2–301 23
OF THE AGRICULTURE ARTICLE. 24
(K) “WAITING PERIOD” MEANS THE PERIOD OF TIME SPECIFIED IN A NEW 25
PET INSURANCE POLICY THAT MUST ELAPSE BEFORE SOME OR ALL O F THE 26
COVERAGE IN THE POLI CY BEGINS. 27
(L) “WELLNESS PROGRAM ” MEANS A SUBSCRIPTION – OR 28
REIMBURSEMENT –BASED PROGRAM THAT : 29
(1) IS SEPARATE FROM A PET INSURANCE POLICY ; AND 30 4 HOUSE BILL 647
(2) PROVIDES GOODS AND S ERVICES TO PROMOTE T HE GENERAL 1
HEALTH, SAFETY, OR WELL–BEING OF THE PET . 2
19–1102. 3
IT IS THE INTENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PROMOTE T HE PUBLIC 4
WELFARE BY CREATING A COMPREHENSIVE LEGA L FRAMEWORK WITHIN W HICH PET 5
INSURANCE MAY BE SOL D IN THE STATE. 6
19–1103. 7
(A) THIS SUBTITLE APPLIES ONLY TO PET INSURANCE POL ICIES OR 8
CERTIFICATES THAT AR E: 9
(1) ISSUED TO A RESIDENT OF THE STATE; OR 10
(2) SOLD, SOLICITED, NEGOTIATED , OR OFFERED IN THE STATE. 11
(B) ALL OTHER APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THIS A RTICLE APPLY TO PET 12
INSURANCE, EXCEPT THAT SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THIS S UBTITLE SUPERSEDE 13
ANY GENERAL PROV ISIONS OF THIS ARTIC LE. 14
19–1104. 15
(A) A PET INSURER TRANSACT ING PET INSURANCE SH ALL DISCLOSE THE 16
FOLLOWING TO CONSUME RS: 17
(1) ALL POLICY EXCLUSIONS, INCLUDING EXCLUSIONS OF COVERAGE 18
DUE TO: 19
(I) A PREEXISTING CONDITIO N; 20
(II) A HEREDITARY DISORDER ; 21
(III) A CONGENITAL ANOMALY O R DISORDER; OR 22
(IV) A CHRONIC CONDITION ; 23
(2) ANY POLICY PROVISION THAT LIMITS COVERAGE THROUGH A 24
WAITING PERIOD , A DEDUCTIBLE , COINSURANCE , OR AN ANNUAL OR LIFE TIME 25
POLICY LIMIT; 26
HOUSE BILL 647 5
(3) WHETHER THE PET INSURER REDU CES COVERAGE OR INCR EASES 1
PREMIUMS BASED ON TH E INSURED’S CLAIM HISTORY , THE AGE OF THE COVER ED 2
PET, OR A CHANGE IN THE G EOGRAPHIC LOCATION O F THE INSURED; AND 3
(4) THE IDENTITY OF THE UNDERWRITING COM PANY IF THE 4
COMPANY DIFFERS FROM THE BRAND NAME USED TO MARKET AND SELL T HE PET 5
INSURANCE POLICY . 6
(B) (1) A NOTICE SHALL BE PROM INENTLY PRINTED ON O R ATTACHED TO 7
THE FACE OF THE PET INSURANCE POLICY THA T STATES THAT: 8
(I) THE POLICY MAY BE SU RRENDERED TO THE INS URER FOR 9
CANCELLATION WITHIN 10 DAYS AFTER THE DATE THE POLICY IS DELIVE RED TO 10
THE INSURED; AND 11
(II) IF A POLICY IS CANCE LED DURING THE 10–DAY PERIOD, A 12
PRO RATA PREMIUM FOR THE UNEXPIRED TERM O F THE POLICY SHALL B E 13
RETURNED TO THE INSU RED. 14
(2) AN INSURED IS NOT ENTITLED TO A PRO RATA PREMIUM IN 15
ACCORDANCE WITH PARA GRAPH (1)(II) OF THIS SUBSECTION I F THE INSURED HAS 16
MADE A CLAIM UNDER T HE PET INSURANCE POL ICY. 17
(C) A PET INSURER SHALL CL EARLY DISCLOSE A SUM MARY DESCRIPTION 18
OF THE BASIS OR FORM ULA ON WHICH THE PET INSURER DETERMINES CLAIM 19
PAYMENTS UNDER A PET INSURANCE POLICY : 20
(1) WITHIN THE POLICY ; 21
(2) BEFORE ISSUING THE POLICY; AND 22
(3) THROUGH A CLEAR AND CONSPICUOUS LINK ON THE MAIN PAGE 23
OF THE WEBSITE OF THE PET INSURER OR PET I NSURER’S PROGRAM 24
ADMINISTRATOR . 25
(D) IF A PET INSURER USES A B ENEFIT SCHEDULE TO D ETERMINE CLAIM 26
PAYMENT UNDER A PET INSURANCE POLICY , THE PET INSURER SHALL: 27
(1) CLEARLY DISCLOSE THE APPLICABLE BENEFIT S CHEDULE IN THE 28
POLICY; AND 29
(2) DISCLOSE ALL BENEFIT SCHEDULES USED BY TH E PET INSURER 30
UNDER ITS PET INSURA NCE POLICIES THROUGH A CLEAR AND CONSPICU OUS LINK 31 6 HOUSE BILL 647
ON THE MAIN PAGE OF THE WEBSITE OF THE PET INSURER OR P ET INSURER’S 1
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATO R. 2
(E) IF A PET INSURER DETERMIN ES CLAIM P AYMENTS UNDER A PET 3
INSURANCE POLICY THAT ARE BASED ON USUAL AND C USTOMARY FEES , OR ANY 4
OTHER REIMBURSEMENT LIMITATION BASED ON PREVAILING VETERINAR Y 5
PRACTITIONER CHARGES, THE PET INSURER SHALL: 6
(1) INCLUDE A USUAL AND C USTOMARY FEE LIMITAT ION PROVISION 7
IN THE POLICY THAT CLEARLY DESCRIBES : 8
(I) THE PET INSURER ’S BASIS FOR DETERMIN ING USUAL AND 9
CUSTOMARY FEES ; AND 10
(II) HOW THE BASIS IS APPLIED IN CALCULATING CLAIM 11
PAYMENTS; AND 12
(2) DISCLOSE THE PET INSU RER’S BASIS FOR DETERMIN ING USUAL 13
AND CUSTOMARY FEES T HROUGH A CLEAR AND C ONSPICUOUS LINK ON T HE MAIN 14
PAGE OF THE WEBSITE OF THE PET INSURER OR P ET INSURER’S PROGRAM 15
ADMINISTRATOR . 16
(F) IF A MEDICAL EXAMINAT ION BY A VETERINARY PRACTITIONER IS 17
REQUIRED TO BEGIN COVERAGE, THE PET INSURER SHAL L: 18
(1) CLEARLY AND CONSPICU OUSLY DISCLOSE THE R EQUIRED 19
ASPECTS OF THE EXAMI NATION BEFORE PURCHASE OF THE PET INSURANCE POLICY; 20
AND 21
(2) DISCLOSE THAT EXAMIN ATION DOCUMENTATION MAY RESULT IN 22
A PREEXISTING CONDIT ION EXCLUSION. 23
(G) A PET INSURER SHALL CL EARLY AND PROMINENTL Y DISCLOSE ANY 24
WAITING PERIODS AND T HE REQUIREMENTS APPL ICABLE TO THE WAITING PERIODS 25
BEFORE PURCHASE OF THE PET INSURANCE POLICY . 26
(H) (1) A PET INSURER SHALL : 27
(I) INCLUDE WITH A COPY OF THE P ET INSURANCE POLICY A 28
SUMMARY OF ALL POLIC Y PROVISIONS REQUIRE D IN ACCORDANCE WITH 29
SUBSECTIONS (A) THROUGH (G) OF THIS SECTION IN A SEPARATE DOCUME NT IN AT 30
LEAST 12 POINT TYPE TITLED: “INSURER DISCLOSURE OF IMPORTANT POLICY 31
PROVISIONS”; AND 32 HOUSE BILL 647 7
(II) INCLUDE THE DOCUMENT REQUIRED UNDER ITEM (I) OF 1
THIS PARAGRAPH ON THE WEBSITE OF TH E PET INSURER OR PET INSURER’S 2
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATO R THROUGH A CLEAR AND CONSPICUOUS LINK ON THE 3
MAIN PAGE OF THE WEBSITE. 4
(2) THE DOCUMENT REQUIRED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1)(I) OF THIS 5
SUBSECTION SHALL INC LUDE ALL RELEVANT DE FINITIONS ESTABLISHED UNDER § 6
19–1101 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 7
(I) AT THE TIME A PET INS URANCE POLICY IS ISS UED OR DELIVERED TO A 8
POLICYHOLDER , THE PET INSURER SHAL L INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING 9
INFORMATION , PRINTED IN 12 POINT BOLDFACE TYPE : 10
(1) THE ADMINISTRATION ’S MAILING ADDRESS , TOLL–FREE 11
TELEPHONE NUMBER , AND WEBSITE ADDRESS ; 12
(2) THE ADDRESS AND CUSTO MER SERVICE TELEPHON E NUMBER OF 13
THE PET INSURER OR T HE INSURANCE PRODUCER OF RECORD FOR THE PET 14
INSURER; AND 15
(3) IF THE POLICY WAS ISS UED OR DELIVERED BY AN INSURANCE 16
PRODUCER, A STATEMENT ADVISING THE POLICYHOLDER TO CONTACT THE 17
INSURANCE PRODUCER FOR ASSISTANCE . 18
(J) THE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH 19
THIS SECTION SHALL B E IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER APPLICABLE DISCLOSURE 20
REQUIREMENTS UNDER THIS ARTICLE OR REGULATION S ADOPTED UNDER THIS 21
ARTICLE. 22
19–1105. 23
(A) (1) A PET INSURER MAY ISSU E POLICIES THAT EXCL UDE COVERAGE 24
ON THE BASIS OF ONE OR MORE PREEXISTING CONDITIONS WITH APPR OPRIATE 25
DISCLOSURE TO THE CO NSUMER. 26
(2) THE PET INSURER HAS T HE BURDEN OF PROVING THAT THE 27
PREEXISTING CONDITIO N EXCLUSION APPLIES TO THE CONDITION FOR WH ICH A 28
CLAIM IS MADE. 29
(B) (1) (I) SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRA PHS (II) AND (III) OF THIS 30
PARAGRAPH , A PET INSURER MAY ISSU E A POLICY THAT IMPOSE S A WAITING PERIOD 31
BEFORE COVERAGE UNDER THE POLICY BEGINS. 32 8 HOUSE BILL 647
(II) A WAITING PERIOD MAY N OT EXCEED 30 DAYS FOR AN 1
ILLNESS OR ORTHOPEDI C CONDITION THAT DOES NOT RESULT FROM AN ACCIDENT . 2
(III) A PET INSURER MAY NOT IMPOSE A WAITING PERIOD FOR 3
AN ILLNESS OR ORTHOPEDI C CONDITION THAT RES ULTS FROM AN ACCIDENT. 4
(2) (I) A PET INSURER THAT IMPOSES A WAITING PERIOD UNDER 5
PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION SHALL INCLUDE A PROV ISION IN THE PET 6
INSURANCE POLICY THAT ALLOWS FOR THE WAIVING OF WAITING PERIODS ON 7
COMPLETION OF A MEDI CAL EXAMINATION . 8
(II) 1. A PET INSURER MAY REQUI RE A MEDICAL 9
EXAMINATION UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH TO BE CONDUCTED 10
BY A VETERINARY PRACTITIO NER AFTER THE PURCHASE O F THE POLICY. 11
2. UNLESS THE PET INSURA NCE POLICY SPECIFIES 12
THAT THE PET INSURER WILL PAY FOR A MEDIC AL EXAMINATION UNDER 13
SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , A POLICYHOLDER SHALL PAY FOR THE 14
MEDICAL EXAMINATION . 15
3. A PET INSURER MAY: 16
A. SPECIFY ELEMENTS TO BE INCLUDED AS PART OF A 17
MEDICAL EXAMINATION UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH ; AND 18
B. IF THE SPECIFICATION S DO NOT UNREASONABL Y 19
RESTRICT A POLICYHOL DER’S ABILITY TO WAIVE T HE WAITING PERIOD , REQUIRE 20
DOCUMENTATION OF THE MEDICAL EXAMI NATION. 21
(3) A PET INSURER SHALL CL EARLY AND PROMINENTL Y DISCLOSE 22
REQUIREMENTS WITH RE SPECT TO APPLICABLE WAITING PERIODS BEFORE 23
PURCHASE OF THE POLICY. 24
(C) A PET INSURER SHALL RE QUIRE THAT AN INSURE D SUBMIT A CLAIM 25
UNDER THE PET INSURA NCE POLICY AFTER SUB MITTING PAYMENT TO T HE 26
VETERINARY PRACTITIO NER FOR VETERINARY EXPENSES . 27
(D) A PET INSURER MAY NOT REQUIRE A MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF THE 28
COVERED PET AS A CONDITION FOR T HE RENEWAL OF A POLI CY. 29
HOUSE BILL 647 9
(E) A PRESCRIPTIVE, WELLNESS, OR NONINSURANCE BENE FIT INCLUDED 1
IN THE POLICY FORM FOR A PET INSURANCE POLICY IS PART OF THE POLICY A ND 2
SUBJECT TO THIS ARTICLE AND REG ULATIONS ADOPTED UNDER THIS A RTICLE. 3
(F) A PET INSURER MAY NOT CONDITION A N INSURED’S ELIGIBILITY TO 4
PURCHASE A PET INSUR ANCE POLICY ON PARTI CIPATION, OR LACK OF 5
PARTICIPATION , IN A SEPARATE WELLNE SS PROGRAM. 6
19–1106. 7
(A) A PET INSURER OR PET INSURANCE PRO DUCER MAY NOT: 8
(1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION AND § 9
19–1107 OF THIS SUBTITLE , MARKET A WELLNESS PRO GRAM AS A PET INSURANCE 10
POLICY; OR 11
(2) MARKET A WELLNESS PRO GRAM DURING THE SALE , 12
SOLICITATION, OR NEGOTIATION OF A PET INSURANCE POLICY. 13
(B) IF A PET INSURER OR PET INSURANCE PRODUCER SELLS A WELLNESS 14
PROGRAM: 15
(1) THE PURCHASE OF THE W ELLNESS PROGRAM MAY NOT BE A 16
REQUIREMENT TO PURCH ASE THE PET INSURANCE ; 17
(2) THE COSTS AND THE TERMS AND CO NDITIONS OF THE WELLNESS 18
PROGRAM SHALL BE SEP ARATE AND IDENTIFIAB LE FROM ANY PET INSU RANCE 19
POLICY SOLD BY A PET INSURER OR PET INSURANCE PRODUCER; 20
(3) THE PRODUCTS OR COVER AGES AVAILABLE THROU GH THE 21
WELLNESS PROGRAM MAY NOT DUPLICATE PRODUC TS OR COVERAGES AVAI LABLE 22
THROUGH THE PET INSU RANCE POLICY; 23
(4) THE ADVERTISING OF TH E WELLNESS PROGRAM SHALL 24
ACCURATELY AND CLEAR LY DESCRIBE THE WELL NESS PROGRAM ; AND 25
(5) THE PET INSURER OR PET INSURANCE PRODUCER SHALL 26
CLEARLY AND IN 12 POINT BOLDFACE TYPE DISCLOSE TO CONSUMERS : 27
(I) THAT, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED I N SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS 28
SECTION AND § 19–1107 OF THIS SUBTITLE , WELLNESS PROGRAMS AR E NOT 29
INSURANCE; 30
10 HOUSE BILL 647
(II) THE ADMINISTRATION ’S MAILING ADDRESS , 1
TOLL–FREE TELEPHONE NUMBE R, AND WEBSITE ADDRESS ; AND 2
(III) THE ADDRESS AND CUST OMER SERVICE TELEPHO NE 3
NUMBER OF THE PET IN SURER OR PRODUCER OR INSURANCE PRODUCER O F 4
RECORD FOR THE PET I NSURER. 5
(C) COVERAGE THAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PE T INSURANCE POLICY 6
CONTRACT DESCRIBED A S A “WELLNESS” BENEFIT IS INSURANCE. 7
19–1107. 8
IF A WELLNESS PROGRAM CONTRACTS TO INDEMNI FY OR TO PAY OR PROV IDE 9
A SPECIFIED DETERMIN ABLE AMOUNT OR BENEF IT ON THE OCCURRENCE OF A 10
DETERMINABLE CONTING ENCY, THE WELLNESS PROGRAM SHALL BE CONSIDERED 11
INSURANCE AND BE SUB JECT TO THE PROVISIO NS OF THIS ARTICLE AND 12
REGULATIONS ADOPTED UNDER THIS ARTICLE . 13
19–1108. 14
(A) (1) IF THE COMMISSIONER FINDS TH AT A PERSON HAS VIOL ATED 15
THIS SUBTITLE, THE COMMISSIONER MAY IMPO SE A CIVIL PENALTY N OT EXCEEDING 16
$250 FOR EACH VIOLATION . 17
(2) IF THE COMMISSIONER FINDS A VIOLATION OF THIS SU BTITLE TO 18
BE WILLFUL, THE COMMISSIONER MAY IMPO SE A CIVIL PENALTY N OT EXCEEDING 19
$1,000 FOR THE VIOLATION . 20
(3) A PENALTY IMPOSED UNDE R THIS SUBSECTION IS IN ADDITION TO 21
ANY OTHER PENALTY PR OVIDED BY LAW. 22
(B) (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE 23
COMMISSIONER MAY SUSP END THE CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY OF A PE T INSURER 24
THAT FAILS TO COMPLY WITH AN ORDER OF THE COMMISSIONER WITHIN T HE TIME 25
SET BY THE ORDER OR ANY EXTENSION OF THA T TIME GRANTED BY TH E 26
COMMISSIONER . 27
(2) THE COMMISSIONER MAY NOT SUSPEND THE CERTIFIC ATE OF 28
AUTHORITY OF A PET I NSURER FOR FAILURE T O COMPLY WITH AN ORD ER: 29
(I) UNTIL THE TIM E SET FOR AN APPEAL FROM THE ORDER HAS 30
EXPIRED; OR 31
HOUSE BILL 647 11
(II) IF AN APPEAL HAS BEE N TAKEN, UNTIL THE ORDER HAS 1
BEEN AFFIRMED . 2
(3) THE COMMISSIONER MAY DETE RMINE WHEN THE SUSPE NSION OF 3
A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHO RITY BECOMES EFFECTI VE. 4
(4) THE SUSPENSION SHALL REMAIN IN EFFE CT FOR THE PERIOD SE T 5
BY THE COMMISSIONER : 6
(I) UNLESS THE COMMISSIONER MODIFIES OR RESCINDS THE 7
SUSPENSION; OR 8
(II) UNTIL THE ORDER ON W HICH THE SUSPENSION IS BASED IS 9
MODIFIED, RESCINDED, OR REVERSED . 10
(C) (1) BEFORE THE COMMISSIONER IMPOSES A PE NALTY OR SUSPENDS 11
OR REVOKES A CERTIFI CATE OF AUTHORITY UN DER THIS SUBTITLE , THE 12
COMMISSIONER SHALL IS SUE A WRITTEN ORDER THAT STATES THE FIND INGS OF 13
THE COMMISSIONER . 14
(2) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL HO LD A HEARING BEFORE ISSUING 15
AN ORDER UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION . 16
(3) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL GI VE WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE 17
HEARING AT LEAST 10 DAYS BEFORE THE HEAR ING. 18
(4) THE NOTICE SHALL SPEC IFY THE ALLEGED VIOL ATION. 19
19–1109. 20
THE COMMISSIONER MAY ADOP T REGULATIONS TO CARRY OUT THIS 21
SUBTITLE. 22
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That , on or before June 1, 2025, 23
the Maryland Insurance Administration shall develop informational material about pet 24
insurance policies that may be disseminated to and posted by veterinary practitioners in 25
the State. 26
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 27
October 1, 2024. 28