Bill > SB893

This bill does the following: 1. Requires the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to open a special or other enrollment period for individuals who consent to share information through the system implemented by the Maryland Department of Labor to determine if they qualify for free or low-cost health insurance and assist with enrollment. 2. Establishes various requirements for the Maryland Department of Labor to improve customer service and accessibility for individuals filing unemployment insurance claims, such as ensuring timely access to services, establishing systems for callbacks and status updates, contracting for external quality evaluations, and setting standards for claim processing. 3. Directs the Department of Labor to implement a system for sharing information with the Health Benefit Exchange and Department of Health to facilitate enrollment in health coverage for unemployment insurance claimants. 4. Allows for the deferral of contribution and employment report filing for certain 2021 calendar quarters for employers. 5. Waives the charge of unemployment benefits against an employer's record if the benefits were paid during a period of a declared COVID-19 state of emergency. 6. Requires the Department of Labor to submit a plan for adequate call center staffing and conduct a study on potential unemployment insurance program changes, with a report due by December 1, 2021.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0893?ys=2021RS