(a) A carrier that sells health benefit plans to individuals in the State shall establish an initial open enrollment period that begins October 1, 2013, and extends through March 31, 2014.

(b) A carrier shall accept all applicants who apply for coverage during the initial open enrollment period.

(c) If an application is received by a carrier during the initial open enrollment period, coverage for the applicant shall begin no later than:

(1) January 1, 2014, if the application is received on or before December 15, 2013;

(2) the first day of the following month, if the application is received between the first and fifteenth day, inclusive, of January, February, or March; and

(3) the first day of the second following month, if the application is received between the sixteenth day and the last day, inclusive, of December, January, February, or March.