Whereas , The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to regulate forthwith health care carriers in the commonwealth, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. The definition of "carrier" in section 1 of chapter 176O of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2000 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:- "Carrier" shall not include any entity to the extent it offers a policy, certificate or contract that provides coverage solely for dental care services or vision care services.

SECTION 2. Section 1 shall be effective until December 31, 2005.

SECTION 3. (a) There shall be an advisory committee for the purpose of evaluating and making recommendations regarding the continuation of the exclusion of health benefit plans offering dental care services and vision care services from chapter 176O of the General Laws past December 31, 2005. The advisory committee may offer any other recommendations it deems appropriate to effectuate the intent of said chapter 176O with regard to dental and vision plans.

(b) The advisory committee shall be composed of the following individuals or organizations: the director of the bureau of managed care in the division of insurance; the director of the office of patient protection in the department of public health; a representative from the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans; a representative from the Life Insurance Association of Massachusetts; a representative from Health Care for All; a representative from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts; a dental service corporation organized under chapter 176E of the General Laws; and an optometric service corporation organized under chapter 176F of the General Laws.

(c) The advisory committee shall report to the chairs of the joint committee on health care, the chairs of the joint committee on insurance and the chairs of the house and senate committees on ways and means not later than October 1, 2004.