<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="2-203" title_number="2" title_name="Maryland Insurance Administration" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Enforcement">
  <level label="a">
    <text>With respect to an examination, investigation, or hearing conducted by the Commissioner, the Commissioner, deputy commissioner, or an examiner authorized by the Commissioner may:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>administer oaths;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>examine individuals under oath; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses to testify or the production of evidence.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>A subpoena issued under this section shall be served:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>in the same manner as a subpoena of a circuit court may be served; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>in the same manner as a service of process in a civil action in a circuit court may be served.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>If a person fails to comply with a lawfully served subpoena, the Commissioner immediately shall file a complaint and a copy of the subpoena and proof of service with the circuit court for the county where the person was required to appear or produce evidence.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>On receipt of a complaint and a copy of the subpoena and proof of service, the circuit court shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>issue an order directing compliance with the subpoena or compelling testimony; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>impose penalties as if the person had failed to comply with a subpoena of the court.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>A person is not excused from attending, testifying, or producing evidence in an examination, investigation, or hearing conducted by or under authority of the Commissioner on the ground that the testimony or evidence may:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>tend to incriminate the person; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>subject the person to a penalty of forfeiture.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Before a person that claims the privilege against self-incrimination is required or allowed to testify or produce evidence, the Commissioner shall consult with the Attorney General and, with the consent of the Attorney General, the person may not be prosecuted or punished in a criminal action because of an act, transaction, matter, or thing about which the person is compelled to produce evidence or testify under oath.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>A person that testifies is not exempt from prosecution and punishment for perjury committed while testifying.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>A witness is entitled to the fees and mileage reimbursement allowed for testimony in a court.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>On submission of an itemized claim, witness fees, mileage, and actual necessary expenses incurred in securing attendance and testimony of a witness shall be paid by:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>the person being examined, if the person is found to have violated the law as to the matter about which the witness was subpoenaed; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>the person that requested the hearing, if the hearing was requested by a person other than the Commissioner.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>A person may not willfully testify falsely under oath about any matter that is material to an examination, investigation, or hearing.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A person that violates paragraph (1) of this subsection is guilty of perjury and on conviction shall be punished accordingly.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <level label="1">
      <text>A person may not willfully fail to:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>appear and testify under oath before the Commissioner;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>attend, answer, or produce evidence requested by the Commissioner; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>give the Commissioner full and truthful information and answer in writing to any material written inquiry of the Commissioner in relation to the subject of an examination, investigation, or hearing.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>In addition to or instead of any other applicable penalty, a person that violates paragraph (1) of this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or both.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
