Md. Code Ann., Ins. § 27-305
Fines and penalties
Effective Oct 1, 2022Added by Acts 1997, c. 35, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 1998, c. 755, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1998; Acts 1999, c. 71, § 1, eff. June 1, 1999; Acts 2007, c. 150, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2007; Acts 2014, c. 355, § 2, eff. June 1, 2014; Acts 2022, c. 120, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022.State of Maryland
(a) The Commissioner may impose a penalty:
- (1) not exceeding $2,500 for each violation of § 27-303 of this subtitle or a regulation adopted under § 27-303 of this subtitle; and
- (2) not exceeding $125,000 for each violation of § 27-303(9) of this subtitle or a regulation adopted under § 27-303(9) of this subtitle.
- (b) The penalty for a violation of § 27-304 of this subtitle is as provided in §§ 1-301, 4-113, and 4-114 of this article and § 27-103 of this title.
(c)
(1) On finding a violation of this subtitle, the Commissioner may require an insurer, nonprofit health service plan, or health maintenance organization to:
- (i) make restitution to each claimant who has suffered actual economic damage because of the violation; or
- (ii) provide to a claimant a payment that has been determined to be denied in violation of this subtitle.
- (2) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, restitution may not exceed the amount of actual economic damage sustained, subject to the limits of any applicable policy.
(3) For a violation of § 27-303(9) of this subtitle, the Commissioner may require restitution to an insured for the following:
- (i) actual damages, which actual damages may not exceed the limits of any applicable policy;
- (ii) expenses and litigation costs incurred by the insured in pursuing an administrative complaint under § 27-303(9) of this subtitle, including reasonable attorney's fees; and
(iii) interest on all actual damages, expenses, and litigation costs incurred by the insured computed:
- 1. at the rate allowed under § 11-107(a) of the Courts Article; and
- 2. from the date on which the insured's claim would have been paid if the insurer acted in good faith.
- (4) The amount of attorney's fees recovered from an insurer under paragraph (3) of this subsection may not exceed one-third of the actual damages recovered.
Added by Acts 1997, c. 35, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 1998, c. 755, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1998; Acts 1999, c. 71, § 1, eff. June 1, 1999; Acts 2007, c. 150, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2007; Acts 2014, c. 355, § 2, eff. June 1, 2014; Acts 2022, c. 120, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022.
Formerly Art. 48A, § 230A.