Maryland 2024 2024 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB701 Chaptered / Bill

Filed 05/02/2024

                     	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 247 
 
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Chapter 247 
(Senate Bill 701) 
 
AN ACT concerning 
 
Maryland Health Benefit Exchange – State–Based Young Adult Health 
Insurance Subsidies Pilot Program – Amount of Annual Subsidies 
 
FOR the purpose of altering the amount of funds the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange 
is authorized to designate for annual subsidies under the State–Based Young Adult 
Health Insurance Subsidies Pilot Program for certain fiscal years to include unspent 
funds designated for subsidies for young adults in a previous calendar year; and 
generally relating to the State–Based Young Adult Health Insurance Subsidies Pilot 
Program. 
 
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 
 Article – Insurance 
Section 31–122(a), (d), (f), and (g) 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 
 (2017 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 
 
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 
 Article – Insurance 
 Section 31–122(e) 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 
 (2017 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 
 
 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 
 
Article – Insurance 
 
31–122. 
 
 (a) In this section, “Pilot Program” means the State–Based Young Adult Health 
Insurance Subsidies Pilot Program. 
 
 (d) (1) For calendar years 2022 through 2025, the Exchange, in consultation 
with the Commissioner and as approved by the Board, shall establish subsidy eligibility 
and payment parameters for the Pilot Program. 
 
 (2) In determining the subsidy eligibility and payment parameters 
required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Exchange shall consider: 
 
 (i) young adults at least 18 years old and under the age of 41 years; 
and  Ch. 247 	2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (ii) income groups between 133% and 400% of the federal poverty 
level. 
 
 (e) (1) Subject to available funds AND PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS 
SUBSECTION , in each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, the Exchange may designate funds 
from the Fund to be used for the Pilot Program so that [not more than $20,000,000 in] 
annual subsidies may be provided to young adults who meet the subsidy eligibility and 
payment parameters established under subsection (d) of this section. 
 
 (2) FOR EACH OF CALENDAR YEARS 2024 AND 2025, THE FUNDS 
DESIGNATED UNDER PAR AGRAPH (1) OF THIS SU BSECTION MAY NOT EXC EED 
$20,000,000 PLUS ANY UNSPENT FUN DS DESIGNATED FOR SU BSIDIES FOR YOUNG 
ADULTS IN A PREVIOUS CALENDAR YEAR . 
 
 (f) The Exchange shall adopt regulations implementing the provisions of this 
section. 
 
 (g) The Exchange shall adopt regulations to provide a subsidy to cover 100% of 
the cost of the premium for young adults who have a 0% expected contribution under the 
subsidy eligibility parameters established under subsection (d) of this section. 
 
 SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act is an emergency 
measure, is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health or safety, has 
been passed by a yea and nay vote supported by three–fifths of all the members elected to 
each of the two Houses of the General Assembly, and shall take effect from the date it is 
enacted. 
 
Approved by the Governor, April 25, 2024.