§ 11-5. Administration of Program.

(a) Mandatory meetings: annual data.

The HIC shall meet at least 3 times per calendar year to review and discuss:

(1) the annually-accounted receipts, disbursements, and incurred but not reported reserves for each City-sponsored plan;

(2) cost containment and efficiencies; and

(3) data for each health benefit and other plan for active City employees, as defined in this subtitle.

(b) Arbitration requirement.

Any dispute about the meaning or application of any part or provision of this subtitle, or any disagreement about the denial benefits or premiums charged to any participant shall be subject to final and binding arbitration, if a demand for arbitration is submitted upon the joint demand of either:

(1) the exclusive employee organizations for a majority of City employees covered under Article 12. Municipal Labor Relations of the Baltimore City Code; or

(2) a majority of the number of exclusive employee organizations under Article 12. Municipal Labor Relations of the Baltimore City Code.

Once a demand for arbitration is submitted, arbitration shall be conducted between the organizations and the City before an arbitrator who is:

(1) a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators; and

(2) selected from a list of 9 arbitrators furnished upon request by either:

(i) the Federal Mediation Conciliation Service; or

(ii) the American Arbitration Association.

(d) Arbitrator selection.

The arbitrator described in subsection (c) of this section shall be selected from the furnished list by the means of the parties alternately striking candidates from the list.

(e) Arbitration award.

A final written arbitration award shall be:

(1) subject to review by the Circuit Court for Baltimore City upon the filing of a petition to:

(i) affirm;

(ii) modify; or

(iii) vacate; and

(2) subject to further review on appeal under the Maryland Uniform Arbitration Act.