(a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, all hearings shall be open to the public in accordance with § 8-505 of the State Government Article.

(2) A hearing held by the Commissioner that relates to a filing under Title 11 of this article is not required to be open to the public.

(3) A hearing held by the Commissioner to determine whether an insurer is being operated in a hazardous manner that could result in its impairment is not required to be open to the public if:

(i) the insurer requests that the hearing not be a public hearing; and

(ii) the Commissioner determines that it is not in the interest of the public to hold a public hearing.

(4) A hearing held by the Commissioner to evaluate the financial condition of an insurer under the risk based capital standards set out in Title 4, Subtitle 3 of this article is not required to be open to the public.

(5) A hearing shall be considered open to the public if a member of the public may observe the hearing virtually through an electronic media platform.

(b) (1) The Commissioner shall allow any party to a hearing to:

(i) subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, appear in person;

(ii) be represented:

1. by counsel; or

2. in the case of an insurer, by a designee of the insurer who:

A. is employed by the insurer in claims, underwriting, or as otherwise provided by the Commissioner; and

B. has been given the authority by the insurer to resolve all issues involved in the hearing;

(iii) be present while evidence is given;

(iv) have a reasonable opportunity to inspect all documentary evidence and to examine witnesses; and

(v) present evidence.

(2) (i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the Commissioner may direct that a hearing be held virtually.

(ii) The Commissioner may not require a party to participate virtually in a hearing if the party demonstrates that it is unable to exercise any of the rights under paragraph (1)(ii) through (v) of this subsection by appearing virtually.

(iii) The Commissioner shall make available to the parties to a virtual hearing a space within the office of the Maryland Insurance Administration with access to the equipment necessary to allow the parties to participate in the virtual hearing.

(3) On request of a party, the Commissioner shall issue subpoenas to compel attendance of witnesses or production of evidence on behalf of the party.

(c) The Commissioner shall allow any person that was not an original party to a hearing to become a party by intervention if:

(1) the intervention is timely; and

(2) the financial interests of the person will be directly and immediately affected by an order of the Commissioner resulting from the hearing.

(d) Formal rules of pleading or evidence need not be observed at a hearing.

(e) (1) On timely written request by a party to a hearing, the Commissioner shall have a full stenographic record of the proceedings made by a competent reporter at the expense of that party.

(2) If the stenographic record is transcribed, a copy shall be given on request to any other party to the hearing at the expense of that party.

(3) If the stenographic record is not made or transcribed, the Commissioner shall prepare an adequate record of the evidence and proceedings.