Healthcare (Small Business)

SB 779 exempts professional employer organizations (PEOs) from certain health benefit plan requirements when offering coverage to small employers in Maryland. It directly affects small businesses that use PEOs for employee benefits and the PEOs themselves. The bill requires PEOs to provide written disclosure of plan details to small employers before offering coverage, while removing the need for PEOs to comply with standard health plan mandates like offering plans through the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. This change simplifies access to health benefits for small employers using PEOs.

SB 14 adjusts when health coverage becomes effective for small businesses using Maryland's SHOP Exchange during specific special enrollment periods. It allows SHOP Exchanges to set coverage start dates based on when plan selections are received: the first day of the following month if received by the 15th, or the second month if received after the 15th. This applies to enrollments triggered by court-ordered dependents (like child support), death of an employee or dependent, or divorce/legal separation. The bill directly affects small employers and their employees/dependents who qualify for these special enrollment scenarios under Maryland's SHOP program. It takes effect October 1, 2026.

This bill modifies when health coverage starts for small business employees enrolling during special periods (like marriage, divorce, birth, or court orders). It allows SHOP Exchanges to let employees choose whether coverage begins the next month or the month after, based on when they submit their plan selection (first half of month = next month start; second half = two months later). This directly affects Maryland small businesses using SHOP Exchange plans and their employees who qualify for these special enrollment events. The change applies specifically to enrollments triggered by court orders, death, or divorce/separation. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.