Bill Tracking/Status Report - CA Department of Insurance



2011 Chaptered Bills List

Effective 10-26-2011

Private File: Master 2011

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CA AB 36

AUTHOR:

Perea (D)

TITLE:

Income and Employment Taxes: Health Care and Education

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

04/07/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

17

SUMMARY:

Amends the Personal Income and Corporation Income Tax laws to conform with federal income tax laws regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act relating to income exclusions for reimbursements for medical care expenses for dependents. Provides additional conformity with federal law by adopting specified provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act relating to an exclusion from wages for amounts expended for medical care.

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CA AB 125

AUTHOR:

Assembly Insurance Committee

TITLE:

Insurance: Guaranteed Asset Protection

URGENCY CLAUSE:

yes

ENACTED:

05/09/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

24

SUMMARY:

Defines guaranteed asset protection (GAP) insurance. Expands the contractual agreements exempt from the definition of GAP insurance, and from requiring an insurance license to sell, to include the amount owed on the vehicle at the time of an unrecovered theft or total loss, after credit for money received from the purchaser's or lessee's automobile insurer or from a 3rd-party liability insurer, and that the promise may also include a promise to waive some or all of the amount of the deductible.

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CA AB 151

AUTHOR:

Monning (D)

TITLE:

Medicare Supplement Coverage

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

09/07/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

270

SUMMARY:

Requires an insurer to make available Medicare supplement benefit plans A, B, C, and F, and benefit plan K or L, or benefit plan M or N. Adds to the guaranteed issue requirement Medicare supplement plans M and N. Extends eligibility to an individual enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that increases its premium. Provides that an individual enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan is eligible for specified Medicare supplement coverage under specified conditions.

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CA AB 173

AUTHOR:

Gatto (D)

TITLE:

Armenian Genocide Victims

URGENCY CLAUSE:

yes

ENACTED:

07/07/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

70

SUMMARY:

Extends a deadline authorizing any Armenian Genocide victim, or the heir or beneficiary of that victim, who resides in this state and has a claim arising out of a insurance policy purchased or in effect between 1875 and 1923 from a defined insurer, to bring a legal action to recover on that claim in a court in this state. Provides that such claims shall not be dismissed for failure to comply with the applicable statute of limitations, provided the action is filed on or before a specified date.

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CA AB 210

AUTHOR:

Hernandez R (D)

TITLE:

Maternity Services

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/06/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

508

SUMMARY:

Requires every group health insurance policy to provide coverage for maternity services for all insureds covered under the policy.

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CA AB 228

AUTHOR:

Fuentes (D)

TITLE:

State Compensation Insurance Fund: Out-of-State Risks

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/09/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

670

SUMMARY:

Amends existing law authorizing the State Compensation Insurance Fund to insure an employer's liability for workers' compensation benefits for employees temporarily working outside the state under specified conditions. Authorizes the fund to insure a qualified employer whose principal place of business is in the state against the employer's liability for workers' compensation benefits, under the law of any other state, if the fund insured the employees who work within the state. Relates to advertising.

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CA AB 240

AUTHOR:

Bonilla (D)

TITLE:

Compensation Recovery Actions: Liquidated Damages

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

09/07/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

272

SUMMARY:

Permits an employee to recover liquidated damages during a hearing pursuant to a complaint brought before the Labor Commissioner alleging payment of less than the minimum wage fixed by an order of the Industrial Welfare Commission or by statute.

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CA AB 242

AUTHOR:

Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee

TITLE:

Taxation

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/09/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

727

SUMMARY:

Relates to taxation to include vehicle manufacturer reimbursement for replacement vehicle under a warranty, sales and use tax reimbursement for charged off accounts, a sales and use tax exemption for a vessel, a delayed sales tax exemption on liquified petroleum gas, farm equipment, timber harvesting equipment, and racehorse breeding stock, taxpayer reimbursement of erroneous sales tax collection costs, tax conformity under federal health care laws, and student loan repayment programs.

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CA AB 301

AUTHOR:

Pan (D)

TITLE:

Medi-Cal: Managed Care

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/04/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

460

SUMMARY:

Relates to an existing law that prohibits services covered by the State Children's Services program from being incorporated into a Medi-Cal managed care contract entered into after a specified date, except with respect to contracts entered into for county organized health systems in specified counties. Extends the termination of such prohibition. Relates to contracted provider payment rates under the Healthy Families Program.

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CA AB 315

CDI-Sponsor

AUTHOR:

Solorio (D)

TITLE:

Surplus Line Brokers

URGENCY CLAUSE:

yes

ENACTED:

07/13/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

83

SUMMARY:

Revises and recasts the provisions governing surplus line brokers and nonadmitted insurers to make them consistent with the federal Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Includes the duties, responsibilities, and licensure of surplus line brokers, taxation of such insurance, and eligibility of nonadmitted insurers to do business in the state. Requires new and renewal policies, cancellations, or endorsements, and installment premiums be classified as providing the Act's purposes.

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CA AB 335

AUTHOR:

Solorio (D)

TITLE:

Workers' Compensation: Notices

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/07/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

544

SUMMARY:

Amends existing law requiring that specified notices be provided to injured employees. Requires the Administrative Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation to prescribe reasonable rules and regulations for serving certain notices on an employee and to make such rules and regulations accessible on the Department of Industrial Relations Internet Web site. Requires informational material written in plain language describing the overall workers' compensation claims process to be made available.

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CA AB 378

AUTHOR:

Solorio (D)

TITLE:

Workers' Compensation: Pharmacy Products

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/07/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

545

SUMMARY:

Amends existing law that establishes the Workers' Compensation System. Adds pharmacy goods to the list of medical goods or services for which it is unlawful for a physician to refer a person for specified medical goods or services. Relates to the billing of any compounded drug product. Sets the maximum reimbursement for a dangerous drug, dangerous device, or other pharmacy goods. Relates provisions governing physician-dispensed pharmacy goods. Relates to the maximum pharmacy and drug fees.

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CA AB 397

AUTHOR:

Monning (D)

TITLE:

Workers' Compensation Insurance: Contractors

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/07/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

546

SUMMARY:

Requires, at the time of renewal, an active contractor licensee with an exemption for workers' compensation insurance on file with the Contractors' State License Board to either recertify the licensee's exemption or to provide a current and valid Certificate of Workers' Compensation Insurance or Certificate of Self-Insurance. Provides for retroactive license renewal for otherwise acceptable license renewal applications when the applicant provides the required documentation under specified conditions.

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CA AB 621

AUTHOR:

Calderon C (D)

TITLE:

Vehicle Rental Agreements

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/07/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

531

SUMMARY:

Requires a vehicle rental company or its registered agent to accept service of a summons and complaint or other required documents against a renter who resides out of country for an accident or collision resulting from the operation of the rental vehicle in the state, if the company provides liability insurance coverage as part of, or associated with, the agreement. Requires any plaintiff who elects to serve the foreign renter by delivering the documents to the company to agree to limit his or her recovery.

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CA AB 624

CDI-Sponsor

AUTHOR:

Perez J (D)

TITLE:

State Organized Investment Network

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/03/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

436

SUMMARY:

Amends the Personal Income Tax and the Corporation Tax laws that provide a specified investment tax credit for insurer investments made into a community development financial institution. Extends the operation of the credits. Eliminates limitations on the aggregate certified investments and certain certificate requirements. Requires the establishment of a related board. Increases the level and number of contacts among executives in the insurance industry. Recommends programmatic guidelines.

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CA AB 689

CDI-Sponsor

AUTHOR:

Blumenfield (D)

TITLE:

Insurance: Annuity Transactions

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

09/20/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

295

SUMMARY:

Relates to the replacement of existing life insurance policies and annuities. Requires insurers and insurance producers to comply with requirements regarding the purchase, exchange, or replacement of an annuity. Prohibits an insurance producer from selling annuities unless he or she has received approved training. Provides that sales by a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority broker-dealer that comply with certain requirements shall be deemed to satisfy these requirements.

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CA AB 690

AUTHOR:

Solorio (D)

TITLE:

Portable Electronics Insurance

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

08/03/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

165

SUMMARY:

Amends existing law that provide for the Insurance Commissioner to issue a communications equipment insurance agent license to a portable electronics vendor. Authorizes endorsees to sell or offer portable electronics insurance pursuant to the authority of the vendor's portable electronics insurance agent license. Makes changes to vendor reporting, endorsee compensation, and recordkeeping requirements. Expands the products for which a licensee is required in order to sell portable electronic insurance.

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CA AB 793

CDI-Sponsor

AUTHOR:

Eng (D)

TITLE:

Insurance Producers: Reverse Mortgages

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

09/06/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

223

SUMMARY:

Prohibits an insurance broker or agent from participating in, being associated with, or employing any party that participates in, or is associated with, the originating of a reverse mortgage. Prohibits individuals transacting insurance from receiving compensation, commission, or direct incentive for providing reverse mortgage brokers with a noncasualty insurance product that is connected to or a result of the reverse mortgage.

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CA AB 878

AUTHOR:

Berryhill B (R)

TITLE:

Contractors: Workers' Compensation Insurance

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/09/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

686

SUMMARY:

Requires a workers' compensation insurer to report to the Registrar of Contractors a licensee whose workers' compensation policy is canceled by the insurer if the insurer has completed a premium audit or investigation, a material misrepresentation has been made by the insured that results in financial harm to the insurer. Provides that information is not subject to the Public Records Act. Provides a cause for disciplinary action against the licensee for workers' compensation insurance law violations.

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CA AB 887

AUTHOR:

Atkins (D)

TITLE:

Gender

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/09/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

719

SUMMARY:

Redefines the definition of gender. Relates to public school, charter school, and university practices. Requires an employer to allow gender expression related dress. Relates to gender-related employment violence. Prohibits such discrimination in regard to property insurance for claims as a result of a related hate crime. Prohibits related housing discrimination. Prohibits such discrimination with regard to the Healthy Families Program. Revises provisions regarding parole statutes for gender-related crime.

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CA AB 922

AUTHOR:

Monning (D)

TITLE:

Office of Patient Advocate

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/07/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

552

SUMMARY:

Transfers the Department of Managed Health Care and the Office of the Patient Advocate to the Health and Human Services Agency. Adds duties and responsibilities for providing outreach and education about health care coverage to consumers. Authorizes the office to contract with community organization to provide these services. Requires the office to adopt standards and procedures regarding those organizations. Establishes the Office of Patient Advocate Trust Fund.

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CA AB 1024

AUTHOR:

Hueso (D)

TITLE:

Low Cost Automobile Insurance: Sales

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/02/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

401

SUMMARY:

Authorizes a State Automobile Assigned Risk Plan certified producer to accept and process an application to purchase low-cost auto insurance policies through an Internet Web site. Requires the plan to coordinate with the Department of Insurance in order to develop a system for receiving and assigning policies issued through such sites. Requires producer contracts, by way of open bidding, to develop and maintain the Web site. Relates to applicant disclosure requirements and notification document.

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CA AB 1168

AUTHOR:

Pan (D)

TITLE:

Workers' Compensation: Vocational Expert Fee Schedule

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/07/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

555

SUMMARY:

Requires the Administrative Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation to adopt, after public hearings, a fee schedule that establishes reasonable hourly fees paid for services provided by vocational experts. Prohibits a vocational expert from being paid, and prohibits the appeals board from allowing, vocational expert fees in excess of those that are reasonable, actual, and necessary.

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CA AB 1296

AUTHOR:

Bonilla (D)

TITLE:

Health Care Eligibility, Enrollment, And Retention Act

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/09/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

641

SUMMARY:

Enacts the Health Care Reform Eligibility, Enrollment, and Retention Planning Act. Requires the State Health and Human Services Agency to establish standardized single, accessible application forms and related renewal procedures for state subsidy programs. Specifies the duties of the agency and the State Department of Health Care Services under the act. Requires providing specified information to the Legislature on policy changes needed for implementation.

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CA AB 1416

CDI-Sponsor

AUTHOR:

Assembly Insurance Committee

TITLE:

Insurance Omnibus

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/02/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

411

SUMMARY:

Relates to fire and casualty insurance brokers, changes to filed documents by insurers, an authorized workers' compensation insurer depository, the authorization for personal lines and limited lines automobile insurance broker-agents to act as insurance solicitors, the procedures governing the review and comment by insurers prior to the Insurance Commissioner publishing a report on unfair or deceptive business practices, and the membership of the automobile insurance assigned risk plan advisory committee.

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CA AB 1424

AUTHOR:

Perea (D)

TITLE:

Franchise Tax Board: Delinquent Tax Debt

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/04/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

455

SUMMARY:

Requires the State Board of Equalization and Franchise Tax Board, to provide a list of the 500 largest tax delinquencies. Relates to delinquency agreements. Requires professional licensing agencies, except the DMV, State Bar of California and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to suspend or refuse to issue a license if a person's name is listed. Prioritizes collection of debts. Allows motor carrier permit suspension and collection of federal and other state's income related taxes and sales and use taxes.

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CA AB 1425

AUTHOR:

Assembly Insurance Committee

TITLE:

Insurance

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/02/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

414

SUMMARY:

Revises and recasts the provisions governing the rulemaking authority of the Insurance Commissioner. Authorizes the commissioner to adopt rules and regulations reasonably necessary to implement specified provisions governing life settlements. Repeals the language that authorized the commissioner to adopt emergency regulations in relation to the low-cost automobile insurance program. Relates to a specified disclosure requirement by a workers' compensation insurer.

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CA AB 1426

AUTHOR:

Solorio (D)

TITLE:

Workers' Compensation: Court Administrator

URGENCY CLAUSE:

yes

ENACTED:

10/07/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

559

SUMMARY:

Amends existing law that created the position of court administrator with respect to the workers' compensation adjudicatory process at the trial level. Removes the position of court administrator and distributes the duties to the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board and the Administrative Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation. Makes other technical and conforming changes.

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CA AJR 12

AUTHOR:

Solorio (D)

TITLE:

Strengthening Medicare and Repaying Taxpayers Act

ENACTED:

07/28/2011

DISPOSITION:

Adopted

CHAPTER:

69

SUMMARY:

Requests that the Congress and the President of the United States enact the Strengthening Medicare and Repaying Taxpayers Act of 2011.

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CA SB 36

AUTHOR:

Simitian (D)

TITLE:

County Health Initiative Matching Fund

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/02/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

416

SUMMARY:

Amends existing law that relates to the County Health Initiative Matching Fund that us used for persons who are eligible for but unable to enroll in the Health Family Program as a result of insufficient funding to receive coverage. Allows a county, county agency, local initiative, or a county organized health system to provide health care coverage to certain eligible children. Requires persons receiving this coverage to be ineligible for specified Medi-Cal coverage.

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CA SB 51

CDI-Sponsor

AUTHOR:

Alquist (D)

TITLE:

Health Care Coverage

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/09/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

644

SUMMARY:

Relates to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Requires health care service plans and health insurers to comply with requirements imposed under that Act, including requirements relating to a lifetime limit prohibition, minimum medical loss ratios, and certain required rebates to each insured. Authorizes the promulgation of emergency regulations by the Director of the Department of Managed Health Care and the Insurance Commissioner regarding medical loss ratios.

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CA SB 131

AUTHOR:

Gaines T (R)

TITLE:

Surplus Lines Brokers: Statement of Business Transacted

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

09/20/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

302

SUMMARY:

Specifies that certain filing requirements apply to certain surplus line brokers. Requires that the information in a sworn statement be expanded to include certain premium information for single and multistate risks. Requires the filing to apply to a home state insured that directly procures insurance with a nonadmitted insurer. Requires that when multiple brokers are involved in placing a policy, only the one responsible for filing the report would be considered transacting business for tax purposes.

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CA SB 146

AUTHOR:

Wyland (R)

TITLE:

Healing Arts: Professional Clinical Counselors

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

09/30/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

381

SUMMARY:

Makes changes to various provisions concerning the practice of professional and registered clinical counselors and trainees, and interns and clinical social workers including education and training, licensure, professional corporations, licensee liability insurance and government self-insurance, peer review, higher education curriculum, confidential communications, expert witness testimony, health service plan telephone medical advice, patient records, child abuse reporting, and mental facilities staffing.

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CA SB 217

AUTHOR:

Vargas (D)

TITLE:

Mortgage Loan Originators: Licensure

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/03/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

444

SUMMARY:

Relates to the licensure of mortgage loan originators, certain real estate license endorsements, and criminal convictions. Provides that an expunged or pardoned felony conviction does not require denial of a license or endorsement. Authorizes consideration of the expunged or pardoned conviction. Authorizes a person exempt from the Finance Lenders Law, including a savings and loan association, trust company, or insurance premium finance agency, to sponsor mortgage loan originators under the federal SAFE Act.

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CA SB 220

AUTHOR:

Price (D)

TITLE:

Life Insurance: Group Policies

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

07/26/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

126

SUMMARY:

Provides that coverage for dependent children under a group life insurance policy may continue until 26 years of age, regardless of the child's marital status or whether the child is attending an educational institution. Provides for that coverage to continue for a child 26 years of age or older who is both incapable of self-sustaining employment by reason of mental retardation or physical handicap.

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CA SB 222

AUTHOR:

Evans (D)

TITLE:

Maternity Services

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/06/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

509

SUMMARY:

Requires every individual health insurance policy to provide coverage for maternity services for all insureds covered under that policy.

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CA SB 299

AUTHOR:

Evans (D)

TITLE:

Employment: Pregnancy or Childbirth Leave

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/06/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

510

SUMMARY:

Amends existing law that prohibits an employer from refusing to allow a female employee disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition to take a leave for a reasonable time of up to 4 months before returning to work. Prohibits an employer from refusing to maintain and pay for coverage under a group health plan for an employee who takes that leave. Provides that the collective bargaining agreement shall govern the continued receipt of health care coverage for state employers.

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CA SB 457

AUTHOR:

Calderon R (D)

TITLE:

Workers' Compensation: Liens

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/07/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

564

SUMMARY:

Requires the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board to determine, on the basis of liens filed, reimbursement for benefits paid or services provided by a self-insured employee welfare benefit plan notwithstanding the official medical fee schedule when an award is made for reimbursement for self-procured medical costs for the effects of an injury or illness arising out of and in the course of employment.

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CA SB 534

AUTHOR:

Corbett (D)

TITLE:

Victims of Sexual Assault

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

09/29/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

360

SUMMARY:

Provides for a medical evidentiary examination for a sexual assault victim upon request. Provides such victim is not required to participate in the criminal justice system. Relates to forensic medical examination costs Provides the fee for such examination shall not exceed a specified amount. Authorizes the use of federal money to reimburse local law enforcement agencies for such cost. Encourages the designation of training for such examinations by qualified health care professionals.

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CA SB 596

AUTHOR:

Price (D)

TITLE:

Insurance: Disclosures

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

09/06/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

240

SUMMARY:

Amends an existing law that requires an insurer, upon receiving notice of a claim, to immediately provide the insured with a legible reproduction of the specified Insurance Code section detailing acts prohibited as unfair trade practices, and a written notice. Revises the written notice and requires that it be provided to the insured with a legible reproduction of only specified portions of the Insurance Code in at least 10-point type. Requires the insurer to provide a certain code provision when requested.

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CA SB 599

CDI-Sponsor

AUTHOR:

Kehoe (D)

TITLE:

Life Insurance: Retained-Asset Account

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/02/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

423

SUMMARY:

Requires that all life insurance benefits be paid in the form of a lump-sum to the beneficiary or by another settlement option that is clearly described in the claim form. Provides that, if the beneficiary does not choose one of the available settlement options, a retained-asset account on the beneficiary's behalf, would be authorized only if the claim form provides for disclosure. Requires nonlump-sum settlement options to conform to specified conditions. Authorizes the adoption of related regulations.

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CA SB 621

CDI-Sponsor

AUTHOR:

Calderon R (D)

TITLE:

Insurance: Life: Disability: Discretionary Clauses

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/02/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

425

SUMMARY:

Provides that if a policy or agreement that provides life or disability insurance coverage for any State resident contains a provision that reserves discretionary authority to the insurer to determine eligibility for benefits or coverage or the terms of the policy, contract, certificate, or agreement, or to provide standards of interpretation that are inconsistent with the laws of the state, that provision would be void and unenforceable. Authorizes the adoption of related regulations.

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CA SB 684

CDI-Sponsor

AUTHOR:

Corbett (D)

TITLE:

Workers Compensation Insurance: Dispute Resolution

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/07/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

566

SUMMARY:

Requires an insurer that intends to use a dispute resolution or arbitration agreement to resolve disputes arising out of a workers' compensation insurance policy or endorsement to disclose to the employer that the choice of law and choice of venue or forum may be a jurisdiction other than California and that the terms are negotiable. Requires the employer to sign the disclosure as evidence of receipt, when the offer of coverage is accepted. Authorizes the negotiation of terms before a dispute arises.

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CA SB 712

AUTHOR:

Senate Insurance Committee

TITLE:

Insurance

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/02/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

426

SUMMARY:

Makes technical, nonsubstantive changes to provisions regarding the State Compensation Insurance Fund, workers' compensation insurance, domestic fraternal benefit societies, title insurer deposits, long-term care insurer records, and unfair and deceptive acts or practices in the insurance business. Relates to workers' compensation claims bonds, the State Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association, and property and casualty insurer statement of actuarial opinion and supporting materials.

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CA SB 713

AUTHOR:

Calderon R (D)

TITLE:

Insurance: Proceeds: Disclosure

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

07/26/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

130

SUMMARY:

Requires insurers to provide written disclosures to life insurance beneficiaries at the time a claim is made and before a retained asset account is selected or established as the payment. Requires an insurer that settles life insurance benefits through a retained asset account to provide the beneficiary with a supplemental contract that clearly discloses the rights of the beneficiary and obligations of the insurer under the contract and to provide a related statement. Relates to violation civil penalties.

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CA SB 751

AUTHOR:

Gaines T (R)

TITLE:

Health Care Coverage: Provider Contracts

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

09/06/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

244

SUMMARY:

Provides that contracts between certain insurers and a hospital or health facility may not contain a provision that restricts the ability of the insurer to furnish information to insureds concerning the cost range of procedures at the hospital or health facility or the quality of services performed. Requires a plan or insurer to provide a hospital or facility the opportunity to review the methodology and data used before information is provided to subscribers or to policyholders or insureds.

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CA SB 757

AUTHOR:

Lieu (D)

TITLE:

Discrimination

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/09/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

722

SUMMARY:

Provides that a health care service plan or health insurance policy many not discriminate in coverage between spouses or domestic partners of a different sex and spouses or domestic partners of the same sex. Provides that every group health care service plan contract and every group health insurance policy that is marketed, issued, or delivered to a resident is subject to the requirement to provide equal coverage to domestic partners as is provided to spouses, irrespective of an out-of-state employer.

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CA SB 826

AUTHOR:

Leno (D)

TITLE:

Workers' Compensation: Data Reporting Requirement

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/07/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

568

SUMMARY:

Requires the administrative director to assess an administrative penalty of no more that $5000 against a claims administrator for failing to comply with any data reporting requirement. Provides that any penalty is to be deposited in the Workers' Compensation Administration Revolving Fund. Provides that no person or entity that is not a party to a claim may not obtain individually identifiable information. Requires the annual disclosure of compliance rates of claims administrators and their identities.

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CA SB 866

AUTHOR:

Hernandez E (D)

TITLE:

Health Care Coverage: Prescription Drugs

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/09/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

648

SUMMARY:

Requires the Department of Managed Health Care and the Department of Insurance to develop a prior authorization form for use by every health care service plan and health insurer that provides prescription drug benefits. Requires every prescribed provider, when requesting prior authorization for prescription drug benefits, to submit the prior authorization form to the plan or insurer. Requires the plan and insurer to utilize and accept those forms for prescription drug benefits.

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CA SB 869

AUTHOR:

Yee (D)

TITLE:

Automotive Repair Dealers

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/02/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

430

SUMMARY:

Amends the Automotive Repair Act. Provides that an automotive repair dealer who prepares a written estimate for repairs that includes the replacement of a deployed airbag, who fails to restore the airbag is guilty of a misdemeanor that is punishable by a specified fine, imprisonment in a country jail, or both.

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CA SB 946

AUTHOR:

Steinberg (D)

TITLE:

Mental Illness: Pervasive Developmental Disorder

URGENCY CLAUSE:

no

ENACTED:

10/09/2011

DISPOSITION:

Enacted

CHAPTER:

650

SUMMARY:

Requires health care service plan contracts and health insurance policies to provide coverage for behavioral health treatment for a pervasive developmental disorder or autism. Provides that no benefits are to be provided that exceed the essential health benefits that will be required under specified federal law. Requires the convening of a autism advisory task force to provide assistance on topics related to behavioral health treatment and recommendations for education and training to secure licensure.

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