(a) There is a Joint Committee on Workers' Compensation Benefit and
Insurance Oversight.
(b) (1) The Committee consists of 14 members.
(2) Of the 14 members:
(i) 1. 2 shall be members of the Senate appointed by the President of the
Senate;
2. 2 shall be Delegates appointed by the Speaker; and
(ii) 10 shall be appointed jointly by the President and the Speaker as
follows:
1. 1 representative of the business community;
2. 1 representative of the Maryland labor organizations;
3. 1 representative of the Maryland building and construction labor
organizations;
4. 2 members of the public;
5. 1 member of the insurance industry;
6. 1 member of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland;
7. 1 member of a workers' compensation rating organization; and
8. 2 members of the Bar of the Court of Appeals of Maryland, 1 of whom
represents plaintiffs in workers' compensation cases and 1 of whom
represents defendants in workers' compensation cases.
(c) The members of the Committee serve at the pleasure of the presiding
officer who appointed them.
(d) The President and the Speaker shall jointly appoint a Senator and a
Delegate each to serve as cochairman.
(e) (1) (i) The Committee shall examine and evaluate:
1. the condition of the workers' compensation benefit and insurance
structure in the State; and
2. the effect of Chapters 590 and 591 of the Laws of Maryland of 1987 on
that structure.
(ii) This examination shall include the regulations adopted by the Workers'
Compensation Commission that are to be used by physicians to measure
impairment when preparing medical evaluations of claimants.
(2) The Committee shall review the adequacy and appropriateness of all
benefits specified in §§ 9-626 and 9-627(a) and (b) of the Labor
and Employment Article and make recommendations for necessary changes
prior to the 1992 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
(3) The Committee shall direct the Insurance Commissioner to prepare a
feasibility study on alternative methods to determine the provision for
claim payment and to submit the study to the Governor and the
Legislative Policy Committee on or before January 1, 1991.
(f) The Insurance Commissioner and the Workers' Compensation Commission
shall:
(1) cooperate fully with the Committee;
(2) keep the Committee fully informed as to the condition of workers'
compensation benefits and workers' compensation insurance in the State
and the effect of Chapters 590 and 591 of the Laws of Maryland of 1987
on those benefits and that insurance; and
(3) submit an annual report, subject to § 2-1246 of this title, to the
Committee on or before October 1 of each year that incorporates the
information described in paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(g) The Committee shall report to the Governor and the Legislative Policy
Committee on December 31 of each
year.
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