This bill, the "Consumer Appeal Rights Enforcement Act," significantly amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to strengthen the enforcement of claims procedures and external review requirements for employee benefit plans. It introduces new civil penalties for non-compliance, ensuring plans adhere to both their own terms and federal regulations regarding claim processing and appeals. The legislation also enhances the Secretary of Labor's direct enforcement authority by repealing a limitation on penalty assessment when civil actions are ongoing. The bill establishes penalties for two categories of violations: global violations and individual violations . Global violations occur when a plan systematically fails to maintain compliant claims procedures or external review processes, either in writing or in operation, as required by ERISA and specific federal regulations. Penalties for these can reach $1,000 per plan year multiplied by the number of participants and beneficiaries, with potential trebling if not corrected within 90 days. Individual violations include failures to provide required notifications, respond to claims or appeals in a timely manner, or furnish requested information to participants. Each such failure is a separate violation, incurring penalties of up to $1,000 per day until corrected, which can be trebled if not rectified within specific timeframes, such as 3 days for urgent care claims. For a pattern or practice of individual violations , the Secretary can assess additional daily penalties, and any person or entity materially causing these violations faces joint and several liability. These amendments, which also allow courts to impose such penalties in certain actions, will apply 90 days after the bill's enactment.