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Issue

Bill #

Bill Description

Licensure

SB 2688

Abrogates statutory pre-licensing requirements for property, casualty, and other insurance producers. Those requirements are replaced with a general provision allowing the insurance commissioner to promulgate reasonable rules and regulations for insurance producer licensing in accordance with Rhode Island law. Effective 6/9/04. Public Law 43, Laws of 2004.

Mold

SB 2772

Extends the reporting date of the Special Senate Commission to study the health effects of toxic mold and to make recommendations for related public safety measures to be undertaken. Effective 3/24/04. Resolution 145, Laws of 2004.

Motor Vehicle Insurance

(Proof of Coverage)

HB 8237

Requires that any proof of insurance state the insured's right to choose any qualified auto repair facility and would provide a complaint procedure through the Department of Business Regulation for alleged violations of the provision. Effective 7/7/04. Public Law 488, Laws of 2004.

(Rental Vehicle Coverage Requirements)

SB 2106

Requires that rental vehicle coverage be provided under the property damage liability section of an insured's private passenger automobile insurance policy. This coverage applies to rented motor vehicles under ten thousand (10,000) lbs, without regard to negligence, for up to a forty-five (45) day consecutive period. Effective 6/11/04. Public Law 59, Laws of 2004.

(Vehicle Owner Liability)

HB 7710

Amends applicability provisions and repeals the sunset provisions of the general motor vehicle laws that relate to the liability of a vehicle owner for others' safety responsibility violations. Effective 6/30/04. Public Law 219, Laws of 2004.

Other Regulatory Requirements

(Anti-Arson Laws)

HB 7194

Repeals provisions requiring fire insurers to obtain an anti-arson application as a prerequisite to writing a policy. Effective 9/1/05. Public Law 52, Laws of 2004.

(Notifications)

SB 2817

Increases the number of days to issue written cancellation notice on fire insurance policies from five (5) to thirty (30) days, except for cancellation due to nonpayment of premium for which ten (10) days written notice is required. Prompt refund of excess premium, rather than refund on demand, is also required. Effective 6/23/04. Public Law 138, Laws of 2004.

Rate Regulation

HB 8042

Permit insurers to adjust insurance rates by five percent (5%) without the Insurance Commissioner's approval at the onset of a new policy period for policies covering losses or liabilities for motor vehicles used predominantly for nonbusiness purposes and for nonbusiness fire or marine losses or liabilities. Effective 7/7/04.

Rate Regulation

HB 8438 (SB 3057)

Amends the commercial deregulation statute to exempt certain commercial special risk policies from standard fire insurance policy requirements. Effective 7/6/04.

Workers' Compensation

(Filing of Petitions)

HB 7870

Prohibits a petition for workers' compensation benefits from being filed while a nonprejudicial memorandum of agreement is pending or until after the notification that payments have been terminated. Effective 7/2/04.

(Medical Exam Requirements)

HB 7872

Requires workers' compensation claimants to submit to reasonable examination(s) by a qualified healthcare provider appointed by the director in order to determine the claimant's physical and/or mental condition. Effective 7/7/04. Public Law 471, Laws of 2004.