EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*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
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted
Read second time: March 9, 2024
CHAPTER ______
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 19–1107 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 11. 17
Pet 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 2 HOUSE BILL 647
Article – Agriculture 1
2–301. 2
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 3
(i) “Veterinary practitioner” means a licensed and registered veterinarian 4
engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine. 5
Article – Insurance 6
SUBTITLE 11. PET INSURANCE. 7
19–1101. 8
(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 9
INDICATED. 10
(B) “CHRONIC CONDITION ” MEANS A CONDITION TH AT CAN BE TREATED OR 11
MANAGED, BUT NOT CURED . 12
(C) “CONGENITAL ANOMALY OR DISORDER” MEANS A CONDITION TH AT IS 13
PRESENT FROM BIRTH, WHETHER INHERITED OR CAUSED BY THE ENVIRO NMENT, 14
THAT MAY CAUSE OR CO NTRIBUTE TO ILLNESS OR DISEASE. 15
(D) “HEREDITARY DISORDER ” MEANS AN ABNORMALITY THAT IS 16
GENETICALLY TRANSMIT TED FROM PARENT TO O FFSPRING AND MAY CAU SE 17
ILLNESS OR DISEASE . 18
(E) (1) “ORTHOPEDIC CONDITION ” MEANS A CONDITION AF FECTING THE 19
BONES, SKELETAL MUSCLE , CARTILAGE, TENDONS, LIGAMENTS, OR JOINTS. 20
(2) “ORTHOPEDIC CONDITION ” INCLUDES ELBOW DYSPL ASIA, HIP 21
DYSPLASIA, INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DEGENERATION , PATELLAR LUXATION , AND 22
RUPTURED CRANIAL CRU CIATE LIGAMENTS . 23
(3) “ORTHOPEDIC CONDITION ” DOES NOT INCLUDE : 24
(I) CANCER; OR 25
(II) A METABOLIC, HEMOPOIETIC , OR AUTOIMMUNE DISEAS E. 26
HOUSE BILL 647 3
(F) (1) “PET INSURANCE POLICY ” MEANS A PROPERTY INS URANCE 1
POLICY THAT IS SOLD BY A PET INSURER OR PET INSUR ANCE PRODUCER THAT 2
PROVIDES COVERAGE FO R ACCIDENTS AND ILLN ESSES OF PETS. 3
(2) “PET INSURANCE POLICY ” INCLUDES A CERTIFICA TE OR ADD–ON 4
COVERAGE. 5
(G) (1) “PREEXISTING CONDITION ” MEANS A CONDITION FO R WHICH ANY 6
OF THE FOLLOWING ARE TRUE BEFORE THE EFFECT IVE DATE OF A PET IN SURANCE 7
POLICY OR DURING ANY WAITING PERIOD : 8
(I) A VETERINARY PRACTIT IONER PROVIDED MEDIC AL ADVICE; 9
(II) THE PET RECEIVED TRE ATMENT; OR 10
(III) BASED ON INFORMATION FROM VERIFIABLE SOUR CES, THE 11
PET HAD SIGN S OR SYMPTOMS DIRECT LY RELATED TO THE CO NDITION FOR WHICH 12
A CLAIM IS BEING MAD E. 13
(2) “PREEXISTING CONDITION ” DOES NOT INCLUDE , FOR A RENEWAL 14
OF A PET INSURANCE P OLICY, A CONDITION FOR WHIC H COVERAGE WAS AFFOR DED 15
ON THE PREVIOUS POLI CY. 16
(H) “RENEWAL” MEANS THE ISSUANCE AN D DELIVERY AT THE EN D OF A PET 17
INSURANCE POLICY PER IOD OF A POLICY THAT : 18
(1) SUPERSEDES THE POLIC Y PREVIOUSLY ISSUED AND DELIVERED 19
BY THE SAME PET INSU RER OR AFFILIATED PE T INSURER; AND 20
(2) PROVIDES TYPES AND L IMITS OF COVERAGE SUBSTANTIALLY 21
SIMILAR TO THOSE CON TAINED IN THE PRIOR POLICY. 22
(I) (1) “VETERINARY EXPENSES ” MEANS THE COSTS ASSO CIATED WITH 23
MEDICAL ADVICE , DIAGNOSIS, CARE, OR TREATMENT PROVIDE D BY A VETERINARY 24
PRACTITIONER . 25
(2) “VETERINARY EXPENSES ” INCLUDES THE COS T OF DRUGS 26
PRESCRIBED BY A VETE RINARY PRACTITIONER . 27
(J) “VETERINARY PRACTITION ER” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 2–301 28
OF THE AGRICULTURE ARTICLE. 29
4 HOUSE BILL 647
(K) “WAITING PERIOD” MEANS THE PERIOD OF TIME SPECIFIED IN A NEW 1
PET INSURANCE POLICY THAT MUST ELAPSE BEF ORE SOME OR ALL OF TH E 2
COVERAGE IN THE POLI CY BEGINS. 3
(L) “WELLNESS PROGRAM ” MEANS A SUBSCRIPTION – OR 4
REIMBURSEMENT –BASED PROGRAM THAT : 5
(1) IS SEPARATE FROM A P ET INSURANCE POLICY ; AND 6
(2) PROVIDES GOODS AND S ERVICES TO PROMOTE T HE GENERAL 7
HEALTH, SAFETY, OR WELL–BEING OF THE PET . 8
19–1102. 9
IT IS THE INTENT OF T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PROMOTE T HE PUBLIC 10
WELFARE BY CREATING A COMPREHENSIVE LEGA L FRAMEWORK WITHIN W HICH PET 11
INSURANCE MAY BE SOL D IN THE STATE. 12
19–1103. 13
(A) THIS SUBTITLE APPLIES ONLY TO PET INSURANCE POL ICIES OR 14
CERTIFICATES THAT AR E: 15
(1) ISSUED TO A RESIDENT OF THE STATE; OR 16
(2) SOLD, SOLICITED, NEGOTIATED , OR OFFERED IN THE STATE. 17
(B) ALL OTHER APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THIS A RTICLE APPLY TO PET 18
INSURANCE, EXCEPT THAT SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE SUP ERSEDE 19
ANY GENERAL PROVISIO NS OF THIS ARTICLE . 20
19–1104. 21
(A) A PET INSURER TRANSACT ING PET INSURANCE SH ALL DISCLOSE THE 22
FOLLOWING TO CONSUME RS: 23
(1) ALL POLICY EXCLUSION S, INCLUDING EXCLUSIONS OF COVERAGE 24
DUE TO: 25
(I) A PREEXISTING CONDIT ION; 26
(II) A HEREDITARY DISORDE R; 27
(III) A CONGENITAL ANOMALY OR DISORDER; OR 28
HOUSE BILL 647 5
(IV) A CHRONIC CONDITION ; 1
(2) ANY POLICY PROVISION THAT LIMITS COVERAGE THROUGH A 2
WAITING PERIOD , A DEDUCTIBLE , COINSURANCE , OR AN ANNU AL OR LIFETIME 3
POLICY LIMIT; 4
(3) WHETHER THE PET INSU RER REDUCES COVERAGE OR INCREASES 5
PREMIUMS BASED ON TH E INSURED’S CLAIM HISTORY , THE AGE OF THE COVER ED 6
PET, OR A CHANGE IN THE G EOGRAPHIC LOCATION O F THE INSURED; AND 7
(4) THE IDENTITY OF THE UNDERWRITING COMPANY IF T HE 8
COMPANY DIFFERS FROM THE BRAND NAME USED TO MARKET AND SELL T HE PET 9
INSURANCE POLICY . 10
(B) (1) A NOTICE SHALL BE PROM INENTLY PRINTED ON O R ATTACHED TO 11
THE FACE OF THE PET INSURANCE POLICY THA T STATES THAT: 12
(I) THE POLICY MAY BE SURRENDERED TO THE I NSURER FOR 13
CANCELLATION WITHIN 10 DAYS AFTER THE DATE THE POLICY IS DELIVE RED TO 14
THE INSURED; AND 15
(II) IF A POLICY IS CANCE LED DURING THE 10–DAY PERIOD, A 16
PRO RATA PREMIUM FOR THE UNEXPIRED TERM O F THE POLICY SHALL B E 17
RETURNED TO THE INSURED. 18
(2) AN INSURED IS NOT ENT ITLED TO A PRO RATA PREMIUM IN 19
ACCORDANCE WITH PARA GRAPH (1)(II) OF THIS SUBSECTION I F THE INSURED HAS 20
MADE A CLAIM UNDER T HE PET INSURANCE POL ICY. 21
(C) A PET INSURER SHALL CL EARLY DISCLOSE A SUM MARY DESCRIPTION 22
OF THE BASIS OR FORMULA ON WHICH THE PET INS URER DETERMINES CLAI M 23
PAYMENTS UNDER A PET INSURANCE POLICY : 24
(1) WITHIN THE POLICY ; 25
(2) BEFORE ISSUING THE P OLICY; AND 26
(3) THROUGH A CLEAR AND CONSPICUOUS LINK ON THE MAIN PAGE 27
OF THE WEBSITE OF TH E PET IN SURER OR PET INSURER ’S PROGRAM 28
ADMINISTRATOR . 29
(D) IF A PET INSURER USES A BENEFIT SCHEDULE T O DETERMINE CLAIM 30
PAYMENT UNDER A PET INSURANCE POLICY , THE PET INSURER SHAL L: 31
6 HOUSE BILL 647
(1) CLEARLY DISCLOSE THE APPLICABLE BENEFIT S CHEDULE IN THE 1
POLICY; AND 2
(2) DISCLOSE ALL BENEFIT SCHEDULES USED BY TH E PET INSURER 3
UNDER ITS PET INSURA NCE POLICIES THROUGH A CLEAR AND CONSPICU OUS LINK 4
ON THE MAIN PAGE OF THE WEBSITE OF THE P ET INSURER OR PET IN SURER’S 5
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATO R. 6
(E) IF A PET INSURER DETE RMINES CLAIM P AYMENTS UNDER A PET 7
INSURANCE POLICY THA T ARE BASED ON USUAL AND CUSTOMARY FEES , OR ANY 8
OTHER REIMBURSEMENT LIMITATION BASED ON PREVAILING VETERINAR Y 9
PRACTITIONER CHARGES , THE PET INSURER SHAL L: 10
(1) INCLUDE A USUAL AND CUSTOMARY FEE LIMITA TION PROVISION 11
IN THE POLICY THAT C LEARLY DESCRIBES : 12
(I) THE PET INSURER ’S BASIS FOR DETERMIN ING USUAL AND 13
CUSTOMARY FEES ; AND 14
(II) HOW THE BASIS IS APP LIED IN CALCULATING CLAIM 15
PAYMENTS; AND 16
(2) DISCLOSE THE PET INS URER’S BASIS FOR DETERMIN ING USUAL 17
AND CUSTOMARY FEES THROU GH A CLEAR AND CONSP ICUOUS LINK ON THE M AIN 18
PAGE OF THE WEBSITE OF THE PET INSURER O R PET INSURER ’S PROGRAM 19
ADMINISTRATOR . 20
(F) IF A MEDICAL EXAMINAT ION BY A VETERINARY PRACTITIONER IS 21
REQUIRED TO BEGIN CO VERAGE, THE PET INSURER SHAL L: 22
(1) CLEARLY AND CONSPICU OUSLY DISCLOSE THE R EQUIRED 23
ASPECTS OF THE EXAMI NATION BEFORE PURCHA SE OF THE PET INSURA NCE POLICY; 24
AND 25
(2) DISCLOSE THAT EXAMIN ATION DOCUMENTATION MAY RESULT IN 26
A PREEXISTING CONDIT ION EXCLUSION. 27
(G) A PET INSURER SHALL CL EARLY AND PROMINENTL Y DISCLOSE ANY 28
WAITING PERIODS AND THE REQUIREMENTS APP LICABLE TO THE WAITI NG PERIODS 29
BEFORE PURCHASE OF T HE PET INSURANCE POL ICY. 30
(H) (1) A PET INSURER SHALL : 31
HOUSE BILL 647 7
(I) INCLUDE WITH A COPY OF THE PET INSURANCE POLICY A 1
SUMMARY OF ALL POLICY PROVISIONS RE QUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2
SUBSECTIONS (A) THROUGH (G) OF THIS SECTION IN A SEPARATE DOCUMENT IN AT 3
LEAST 12 POINT TYPE TITLED : “INSURER DISCLOSURE OF IMPORTANT POLICY 4
PROVISIONS”; AND 5
(II) INCLUDE THE DOCUMENT REQUIRED UNDER ITEM (I) OF 6
THIS PARAGRAPH ON TH E WEBSITE OF THE PET INSURER OR PET INSUR ER’S 7
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATO R THROUGH A CLEAR AN D CONSPICUOUS LINK O N THE 8
MAIN PAGE OF THE WEB SITE. 9
(2) THE DOCUMENT REQUIRED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1)(I) OF THIS 10
SUBSECTION SHALL INC LUDE ALL RELE VANT DEFINITIONS EST ABLISHED UNDER § 11
19–1101 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 12
(I) AT THE TIME A PET INS URANCE POLICY IS ISS UED OR DELIVERED TO A 13
POLICYHOLDER , THE PET INSURER SHAL L INCLUDE THE FOLLOW ING 14
INFORMATION , PRINTED IN 12 POINT BOLDFACE TYPE : 15
(1) THE ADMINISTRATION’S MAILING ADDRESS , TOLL–FREE 16
TELEPHONE NUMBER , AND WEBSITE ADDRESS ; 17
(2) THE ADDRESS AND CUST OMER SERVICE TELEPHO NE NUMBER OF 18
THE PET INSURER OR T HE INSURANCE PRODUCE R OF RECORD FOR THE PET 19
INSURER; AND 20
(3) IF THE POLICY WAS IS SUED OR DELIVERE D BY AN INSURANCE 21
PRODUCER, A STATEMENT ADVISING THE POLICYHOLDER TO CONTACT THE 22
INSURANCE PRODUCER F OR ASSISTANCE. 23
(J) THE DISCLOSURE REQUIR EMENTS REQUIRED IN A CCORDANCE WITH 24
THIS SECTION SHALL B E IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER APPLICABLE DIS CLOSURE 25
REQUIREME NTS UNDER THIS ARTIC LE OR REGULATIONS AD OPTED UNDER THIS 26
ARTICLE. 27
19–1105. 28
(A) (1) A PET INSURER MAY ISSU E POLICIES THAT EXCL UDE COVERAGE 29
ON THE BASIS OF ONE OR MORE PREEXISTING CONDITIONS WITH APPR OPRIATE 30
DISCLOSURE TO THE CO NSUMER. 31
(2) THE PET INSURER HAS THE BURD EN OF PROVING THAT T HE 32
PREEXISTING CONDITIO N EXCLUSION APPLIES TO THE CONDITION FOR WHICH A 33
CLAIM IS MADE. 34 8 HOUSE BILL 647
(B) (1) (I) SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRA PHS (II) AND (III) OF THIS 1
PARAGRAPH , A PET INSURER MAY IS SUE A POLICY THAT IM POSES A WAITING PERIOD 2
BEFORE COVERAGE UNDE R THE POLICY BEGINS . 3
(II) A WAITING PERIOD MAY N OT EXCEED 30 DAYS FOR AN 4
ILLNESS OR ORTHOPEDI C CONDITION THAT DOE S NOT RESULT FROM AN ACCIDENT. 5
(III) A PET INSURER MAY NOT IMPOSE A WAITING PER IOD FOR 6
AN ILLNESS OR ORTHOP EDIC CONDITION THAT R ESULTS FROM AN ACCID ENT. 7
(2) (I) A PET INSURER THAT IMP OSES A WAITING PERIO D UNDER 8
PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL INCLUDE A PROVI SION IN THE PET 9
INSURANCE POLICY THA T ALLOWS FOR THE WAI VING OF WAITING PERI ODS ON 10
COMPLETION OF A MEDICAL EXAMINATIO N. 11
(II) 1. A PET INSURER MAY REQU IRE A MEDICAL 12
EXAMINATION UNDER SU BPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH TO BE CONDUCTED 13
BY A VETERINARY PRAC TITIONER AFTER THE P URCHASE OF THE POLIC Y. 14
2. UNLESS THE PET INSURA NCE POLICY SPECIFIES 15
THAT THE PET INSURER W ILL PAY FOR A MEDICA L EXAMINATION UNDER 16
SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , A POLICYHOLDER SHALL PAY FOR THE 17
MEDICAL EXAMINATION . 18
3. A PET INSURER MAY : 19
A. SPECIFY ELEMENTS TO BE INCLUDED AS PART OF A 20
MEDICAL EXAMINATION UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH ; AND 21
B. IF THE SPECIFICATION S DO NOT UNREASONABL Y 22
RESTRICT A POLICYHOL DER’S ABILITY TO WAIVE T HE WAITING PERIOD , REQUIRE 23
DOCUMENTATION OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION . 24
(3) A PET INSURER SHALL CL EARLY AND PROMINENTL Y DISCLOSE 25
REQUIREMENTS WITH RE SPECT TO APPLICABLE WAITING PERIODS BEFO RE 26
PURCHASE OF THE POLI CY. 27
(C) A PET INSURER SHALL RE QUIRE THAT AN INSURE D SUBMIT A CLAIM 28
UNDER THE PET INSURA NCE POLICY AFTER SUB MITTING PAYMENT TO T HE 29
VETERINARY PRACTITIO NER FOR VETERINARY EXPENSES . 30
(D) A PET INSURER MAY NOT REQUIRE A MEDICAL EX AMINATION OF THE 31
COVERED PET AS A CON DITION FOR THE RENEW AL OF A POLICY. 32 HOUSE BILL 647 9
(E) A PRESCRIPTIVE, WELLNESS, OR NONINSURANCE BENE FIT INCLUDED 1
IN THE POLICY FORM F OR A PET INSURANCE P OLICY IS PART OF THE POLICY A ND 2
SUBJECT TO THIS ARTI CLE AND REGULATIONS ADOPTED UNDER THIS A RTICLE. 3
(F) A PET INSURER MAY NOT CONDITION AN 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 I NSURANCE PRODUCER MA Y NOT: 8
(1), EXCEPT AS PROVIDED I N SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION AND § 9
19–1107 OF THIS SUBTITLE , MARKET A WELLNESS PR OGRAM AS A PET INSUR ANCE 10
POLICY; OR 11
(2) MARKET A WELLNESS PR OGRAM DURING THE SALE , 12
SOLICITATION, OR NEGOTIATION OF A PET INSURANCE POLICY . 13
(B) IF A PET INSURER OR P ET INSURANCE PRODUCE R SELLS A WELLNESS 14
PROGRAM: 15
(1) THE PURCHASE OF THE WELLNESS PROGRAM MAY NOT BE A 16
REQUIREMENT TO PURCH ASE THE PET INSURANC E; 17
(2) THE COSTS AND THE TE RMS AND CONDITIONS O F 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 INSUR ANCE PRODUCER ; 20
(3) THE PRODUCTS OR COVE RAGES AVAILABLE THRO UGH THE 21
WELLNESS PROGRAM MAY NOT DUPLICATE PRODUCTS O R COVERAGES AVAILABL E 22
THROUGH THE PET INSU RANCE POLICY; 23
(4) THE ADVERTISING OF T HE WELLNESS PROGRAM SHALL 24
ACCURATELY AND CLEAR LY DESCRIBE THE WELL NESS PROGRAM ; AND 25
(5) THE PET INSURER OR P ET INSURANCE PRODUCE R SHALL 26
CLEARLY AND I N 12 POINT BOLDFACE TYPE DISCLOSE TO CONSUMER S: 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 NUMBER, 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 INCL UDED IN THE PET INSU RANCE POLICY 6
CONTRACT DESCRIBED AS 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 A ND 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 PE NALTY PROVIDED BY LA W. 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 EXTENSIO N OF THAT TIME GRANT ED BY THE 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 TIME SET F OR AN APPEAL FROM TH E ORDER HAS 30
EXPIRED; OR 31
HOUSE BILL 647 11
(II) IF AN APPEAL HAS BEEN TAKE N, UNTIL THE ORDER HAS 1
BEEN AFFIRMED . 2
(3) THE COMMISSIONER MAY DETE RMINE WHEN THE SUSPE NSION OF 3
A CERTIFICATE OF AUT HORITY BECOMES EFFEC TIVE. 4
(4) THE SUSPENSION SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR THE PERIOD SET 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 PENALTY OR SUSPEND S 11
OR REVOKES A CERTIFI CATE OF AUT HORITY UNDER THIS SU BTITLE, 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 PARAG RAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION . 16
(3) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL GIVE WRITTEN N OTICE 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 CAR RY 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, Th at this Act shall apply to all 27
policies and contracts of pet insurance issued, delivered, or renewed in the State on or after 28
January 1, 2025. 29
SECTION 3. 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 30
October January 1, 2024 2025. 31