(a)    There is a Maryland Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program.

(b)    The purposes of the Program are to:

(1)    establish a State–based reporting system to provide information about the health insurance status of State residents through the use of State income tax returns to identify uninsured individuals and determine whether an uninsured individual is interested in obtaining minimum essential coverage;

(2)    determine whether an uninsured individual who is interested in obtaining minimum essential coverage qualifies for an insurance affordability program;

(3)    proactively contact an uninsured individual who is interested in obtaining minimum essential coverage to assist in enrolling the uninsured individual in an insurance affordability program and minimum essential coverage; and

(4)    maximize enrollment of eligible uninsured individuals in insurance affordability programs and minimum essential coverage to improve access to care and reduce insurance costs for all residents of the State.

(c)    (1)    The Exchange, the Department, and the Comptroller shall develop and implement systems, policies, and practices that encourage, facilitate, and streamline determination of eligibility for insurance affordability programs and enrollment in minimum essential coverage to achieve the purposes of the Program.

(2)    Except as provided in § 2–115(d) of the Tax – General Article, the systems, policies, and practices shall be:

(i)    operational on or before January 1, 2020; and

(ii)    available for use by residents of the State when filing a State income tax return for taxable years that begin after December 31, 2018.

(d)    To facilitate the most efficient implementation of the Program, the Exchange, the Comptroller, and the Department may:

(1)    enter into agreements;

(2)    adopt regulations;

(3)    adopt guidelines;

(4)    establish accounts;

(5)    conduct trainings;

(6)    provide public information;

(7)    educate tax preparers; and

(8)    take any other steps as may be necessary to accomplish the purpose of the Program.