Section 2-109 - Regulations. - Maryland Statutes

§ 2-109. Regulations.
 

(a)  In general.- The Commissioner may adopt regulations to: 

(1) carry out this article; 

(2) establish, maintain, and administer reserves under Title 3, Subtitle 2A of the Courts Article; and 

(3) regulate the solicitation by a domestic stock insurer or other person of proxies, consents, and authorizations with respect to equity securities of the domestic stock insurer. 

(b)  Copies.-  

(1) The Commissioner shall: 

(i) compile and keep in the office of the Commissioner a set of current regulations adopted under this article; and 

(ii) make a copy of the regulations for anyone who asks for one. 

(2) The Commissioner may set a fee to cover the cost of making and mailing a copy of the current regulations. 

(c)  Consumer telephone number.-  

(1) By regulation, the Commissioner shall establish or direct the establishment of a toll-free telephone number to help consumers with and educate consumers about the purchase of private passenger automobile insurance. 

(2) The Commissioner: 

(i) may not recommend specific insurers or insurance producers; but 

(ii) may provide to callers educational material, including a rate guide and a list of insurers and insurance producers. 

(d)  Privacy of consumer financial and health information.-  

(1) By regulation, the Commissioner shall establish standards governing the privacy of consumer financial and health information pursuant to Title V of the Federal Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-102). 

(2) The regulations shall be consistent with the provisions of the model regulation adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners entitled "Privacy of Consumer Financial and Health Information Regulation". 

(e)  Individuals prohibited from engaging in business under federal law.- By regulation, the Commissioner shall establish criteria and a process to allow an individual who is otherwise prohibited from engaging in or participating in the business of insurance under the Federal Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-322) to obtain written consent from the Commissioner to engage in or participate in the business of insurance under the federal Act. 

(f)  Penalty for willful violation.- In addition to any other penalty provided, a person that willfully violates a regulation adopted under this article is subject to any applicable penalty under this article for violation of the provision to which the regulation relates. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 48A, §§ 26, 41D; 1995, ch. 36; 1997, ch. 57; ch. 70, § 15; 2001, ch. 469; ch. 731, § 9; 2002, ch. 19, § 5.]