Section 4 of chapter 176J of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out paragraph (4) of subsection (b) and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, a carrier shall not deny an eligible individual or an eligible small business with 5 or fewer eligible employees enrollment in a health benefit plan if the eligible individual or eligible small business enrolls through an intermediary or the connector.  A carrier may deny an eligible individual or an eligible small business with 5 or fewer eligible employees enrollment in a health benefit plan if the eligible individual or eligible small business does not enroll through an intermediary or the connector.  All intermediaries and the connector shall permit eligible small businesses with 5 or fewer eligible employees to enroll on a quarterly basis, or more frequently, to the extent permitted under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or any rules, regulations or guidances applicable thereto, a carrier may not deny that eligible small business enrollment.