Bill Text: CA SB934 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Insurance: complaints.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2016-11-30 - From committee without further action. [SB934 Detail]

Download: California-2015-SB934-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: SB 934	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Roth

                        FEBRUARY 2, 2016

   An act to amend Section 12921.3 of the Insurance Code, relating to
insurance.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 934, as introduced, Roth. Insurance: complaints.
   Existing law requires the Insurance Commissioner to receive
complaints and inquiries, investigate complaints, and prosecute
insurers or production agencies, among other duties as specified.
   This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to that
provision.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 12921.3 of the Insurance Code is amended to
read:
   12921.3.  (a) The commissioner, in person or through employees of
the department, shall receive complaints and inquiries, investigate
complaints, prosecute insurers or production agencies when
appropriate and according to guidelines determined pursuant to
Section 12921.1, and respond to complaints and inquiries by members
of the public concerning the handling of insurance claims, including,
but not limited to, violations of Article 10 (commencing with
Section  1861)   1861.01)  of Chapter 9 of
Part 2 of Division 1, by insurers or production agencies, or alleged
misconduct by insurers or production agencies.
   (b) The commissioner shall not decline to investigate complaints
for any of the following reasons:
   (1) The insured is represented by an attorney in a dispute with an
insurer, or is in mediation or arbitration.
   (2) The insured has a civil action against an insurer.
   (3) The complaint is from an attorney, if the complaint is based
upon evidence or reasonable beliefs about violations of law known to
an attorney because of a civil action.
   (c) The commissioner may defer the investigation until the
finality of a dispute, mediation, arbitration, or civil action
involving the claim is known.
   (d) The commissioner, as he or she deems appropriate, and pursuant
to Section 12921.1, shall provide for the education of, and
dissemination of information to, members of the general public or
licensees of the department concerning insurance matters.