Insurance - Hearing Representation

This bill allows small business entities in Maryland to be represented by specific employees or officers instead of hiring an attorney during hearings with the Insurance Commissioner. To qualify, a business must prove it is a small employer, and the designated representative must have the authority to bind the company while not being a lawyer who is currently disbarred or suspended. The law also permits hearings to be conducted virtually if requested and outlines rules for how evidence and witnesses are handled in these proceedings. These changes apply to various types of hearings, including those involving insurer filings and financial condition evaluations, taking effect on October 1, 2024.