Assembly Bill No. 680–Committee on Commerce and Labor

(On Behalf of Division of Insurance)

March 22, 1999

____________

Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

 

SUMMARY—Makes various changes to provisions relating to insurance. (BDR 57-651)

FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: No.

Effect on the State or on Industrial Insurance: No.

~

EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

 

AN ACT relating to insurance; revising the fees for the issuance and renewal of a license for a surplus lines broker; requiring the commissioner of insurance to adopt regulations for the licensing of provider-sponsored organizations; clarifying the authority of the commissioner to impose a fine or penalty or initiate or continue a disciplinary proceeding against a person who has voluntarily surrendered his license or certificate of registration; revising the provisions governing the disclosure statement required for certain umbrella policies; requiring an applicant for a license as a general agent to file a bond; revising the requirements for the issuance of a certificate of registration as an administrator; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

1-1 Section 1. Chapter 679A of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto

1-2 a new section to read as follows:

1-3 The expiration or voluntary surrender of a license or certificate issued

1-4 pursuant to the provisions of this code does not:

1-5 1. Prohibit the commissioner from initiating or continuing a

1-6 disciplinary proceeding against the holder of the license or certificate; or

1-7 2. Prevent the imposition or collection of any fine or penalty

1-8 authorized pursuant to the provisions of this code against the holder of

1-9 the license or certificate.

1-10 Sec. 2. NRS 679B.190 is hereby amended to read as follows:

1-11 679B.190 1. The commissioner shall carefully preserve in the

1-12 division and in permanent form all papers and records relating to the

2-1 business and transactions of the division and shall hand them over to his

2-2 successor in office.

2-3 2. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 3, 5 and 6 , [and] other

2-4 provisions of this code and NRS 616B.015, the papers and records must be

2-5 open to public inspection.

2-6 3. Any records or information in the possession of the division related

2-7 to an investigation [or examination] conducted by the commissioner is

2-8 confidential [for the period of the investigation or examination] unless:

2-9 (a) The commissioner releases, in the manner that he deems appropriate,

2-10 all or any part of the records or information for public inspection after

2-11 determining that the release of the records or information:

2-12 (1) Will not harm his investigation [or examination] or the person

2-13 who is being investigated ; [or examined;] or

2-14 (2) Serves the interests of a policyholder, the shareholders of the

2-15 insurer or the public; or

2-16 (b) A court orders the release of the records or information after

2-17 determining that the production of the records or information will not

2-18 damage any investigation being conducted by the commissioner.

2-19 4. The commissioner may destroy unneeded or obsolete records and

2-20 filings in the division in accordance with provisions and procedures

2-21 applicable in general to administrative agencies of this state.

2-22 5. The commissioner may classify as confidential certain records and

2-23 information obtained from a governmental agency or other sources upon

2-24 the express condition that they remain confidential.

2-25 6. All information and documents in the possession of the division or

2-26 any of its employees which are related to cases or matters under

2-27 investigation [or examination] by the commissioner or his staff are

2-28 confidential for the [entire] period of the investigation [or examination] and

2-29 may not be made public unless the commissioner finds the existence of an

2-30 imminent threat of harm to the safety or welfare of the policyholder,

2-31 shareholders or the public and determines that the interests of the

2-32 policyholder, shareholders or the public will be served by publication

2-33 thereof, in which event he may make a record public or publish all or any

2-34 part of the record in any manner he deems appropriate.

2-35 Sec. 3. NRS 679B.440 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-36 679B.440 1. The commissioner may require that reports submitted

2-37 pursuant to NRS 679B.430 include, without limitation, information

2-38 regarding:

2-39 (a) Liability insurance provided to:

2-40 (1) Governmental agencies and political subdivisions of this state,

2-41 reported separately for:

2-42 (I) Cities and towns;

2-43 (II) School districts; and

3-1 (III) Other political subdivisions;

3-2 (2) Public officers;

3-3 (3) Establishments where alcoholic beverages are sold;

3-4 (4) Facilities for the care of children;

3-5 (5) Labor, fraternal or religious organizations; and

3-6 (6) Officers or directors of organizations formed pursuant to Title 7

3-7 of NRS, reported separately for nonprofit entities and entities organized for

3-8 profit;

3-9 (b) Liability insurance for:

3-10 (1) Defective products;

3-11 (2) Medical malpractice;

3-12 (3) Malpractice of attorneys;

3-13 (4) Malpractice of architects and engineers; and

3-14 (5) Errors and omissions by other professionally qualified persons;

3-15 [and]

3-16 (c) Vehicle insurance, reported separately for:

3-17 (1) Private vehicles;

3-18 (2) Commercial vehicles;

3-19 (3) Liability insurance; and

3-20 (4) Insurance for property damage [.] ; and

3-21 (d) Workers’ compensation insurance.

3-22 2. The commissioner may require that the report include, without

3-23 limitation, information specifically pertaining to this state or to an insurer in

3-24 its entirety, in the aggregate or by type of insurance, and for a previous or

3-25 current year, regarding:

3-26 (a) Premiums directly written;

3-27 (b) Premiums directly earned;

3-28 (c) Number of policies issued;

3-29 (d) Net investment income, using appropriate estimates when necessary;

3-30 (e) Losses paid;

3-31 (f) Losses incurred;

3-32 (g) Loss reserves, including:

3-33 (1) Losses unpaid on reported claims; and

3-34 (2) Losses unpaid on incurred but not reported claims;

3-35 (h) Number of claims, including:

3-36 (1) Claims paid; and

3-37 (2) Claims that have arisen but are unpaid;

3-38 (i) Expenses for adjustment of losses, including allocated and

3-39 unallocated losses;

3-40 (j) Net underwriting gain or loss;

3-41 (k) Net operation gain or loss, including net investment income; and

3-42 (l) Any other information requested by the commissioner.

4-1 3. The commissioner may also obtain, based upon an insurer in its

4-2 entirety, information regarding:

4-3 (a) Recoverable federal income tax;

4-4 (b) Net unrealized capital gain or loss; and

4-5 (c) All other expenses not included in subsection 2.

4-6 Sec. 4. NRS 680B.010 is hereby amended to read as follows:

4-7 680B.010 The commissioner shall collect in advance and receipt for,

4-8 and persons so served must pay to the commissioner, fees and

4-9 miscellaneous charges as follows:

4-10 1. Insurer’s certificate of authority:

4-11 (a) Filing initial application $2,450

4-12 (b) Issuance of certificate:

4-13 (1) For any one kind of insurance as defined in NRS

4-14 681A.010 to 681A.080, inclusive 283

4-15 (2) For two or more kinds of insurance as so defined 578

4-16 (3) For a reinsurer 2,450

4-17 (c) Each annual continuation of a certificate 2,450

4-18 (d) Reinstatement pursuant to NRS 680A.180, 50 percent of

4-19 the annual continuation fee otherwise required.

4-20 (e) Registration of additional title pursuant to NRS 680A.240 50

4-21 (f) Annual renewal of the registration of additional title

4-22 pursuant to NRS 680A.240 25

4-23 2. Charter documents, other than those filed with an

4-24 application for a certificate of authority. Filing amendments to

4-25 articles of incorporation, charter, bylaws, power of attorney and

4-26 other constituent documents of the insurer, each document $10

4-27 3. Annual statement or report. For filing annual statement or

4-28 report $25

4-29 4. Service of process:

4-30 (a) Filing of power of attorney $5

4-31 (b) Acceptance of service of process 30

4-32 5. Agents’ licenses, appointments and renewals:

4-33 (a) Resident agents and nonresident agents qualifying under

4-34 subsection 3 of NRS 683A.340:

4-35 (1) Application and license $78

4-36 (2) Appointment by each insurer 5

4-37 (3) Triennial renewal of each license 78

4-38 (4) Temporary license 10

4-39 (b) Other nonresident agents:

4-40 (1) Application and license 138

4-41 (2) Appointment by each insurer 25

4-42 (3) Triennial renewal of each license 138

5-1 6. Brokers’ licenses and renewals:

5-2 (a) Resident brokers and nonresident brokers qualifying under

5-3 subsection 3 of NRS 683A.340:

5-4 (1) Application and license $78

5-5 (2) Triennial renewal of each license 78

5-6 (b) Other nonresident brokers:

5-7 (1) Application and license 258

5-8 (2) Triennial renewal of each license 258

5-9 (c) [Surplus] Resident surplus lines brokers:

5-10 (1) Application and license 78

5-11 (2) Triennial renewal of each license 78

5-12 (d) Nonresident surplus lines brokers:

5-13 (1) Application and license 258

5-14 (2) Triennial renewal of each license 258

5-15 7. Solicitors’ licenses, appointments and renewals:

5-16 (a) Application and license $78

5-17 (b) Triennial renewal of each license 78

5-18 (c) Initial appointment 5

5-19 8. Managing general agents’ licenses, appointments and

5-20 renewals:

5-21 (a) Resident managing general agents:

5-22 (1) Application and license $78

5-23 (2) Initial appointment, each insurer 5

5-24 (3) Triennial renewal of each license 78

5-25 (b) Nonresident managing general agents:

5-26 (1) Application and license 138

5-27 (2) Initial appointment, each insurer 25

5-28 (3) Triennial renewal of each license 138

5-29 9. Adjusters’ licenses and renewals:

5-30 (a) Independent and public adjusters:

5-31 (1) Application and license $78

5-32 (2) Triennial renewal of each license 78

5-33 (b) Associate adjusters:

5-34 (1) Application and license 78

5-35 (2) Initial appointment 5

5-36 (3) Triennial renewal of each license 78

5-37 10. Licenses and renewals for appraisers of physical damage

5-38 to motor vehicles:

5-39 (a) Application and license $78

5-40 (b) Triennial renewal of each license 78

5-41 11. Additional title and property insurers pursuant to NRS

5-42 680A.240:

6-1 (a) Original registration $50

6-2 (b) Annual renewal 25

6-3 12. Insurance vending machines:

6-4 (a) Application and license, for each machine $78

6-5 (b) Triennial renewal of each license 78

6-6 13. Permit for solicitation for securities:

6-7 (a) Application for permit $100

6-8 (b) Extension of permit 50

6-9 14. Securities salesmen for domestic insurers:

6-10 (a) Application and license $25

6-11 (b) Annual renewal of license 15

6-12 15. Rating organizations:

6-13 (a) Application and license $500

6-14 (b) Annual renewal 500

6-15 16. Certificates and renewals for administrators licensed

6-16 pursuant to chapter 683A of NRS:

6-17 (a) Resident administrators:

6-18 (1) Application and certificate of registration $78

6-19 (2) Triennial renewal 78

6-20 (b) Nonresident administrators:

6-21 (1) Application and certificate of registration 138

6-22 (2) Triennial renewal 138

6-23 17. For copies of the insurance laws of Nevada, a fee which

6-24 is not less than the cost of producing the copies.

6-25 18. Certified copies of certificates of authority and licenses

6-26 issued pursuant to the insurance code $10

6-27 19. For copies and amendments of documents on file in the

6-28 division, a reasonable charge fixed by the commissioner,

6-29 including charges for duplicating or amending the forms and for

6-30 certifying the copies and affixing the official seal.

6-31 20. Letter of clearance for an agent or broker $10

6-32 21. Certificate of status as a licensed agent or broker $10

6-33 22. Licenses, appointments and renewals for bail agents:

6-34 (a) Application and license $78

6-35 (b) Initial appointment by each surety insurer 5

6-36 (c) Triennial renewal of each license 78

6-37 23. Licenses and renewals for bail enforcement agents:

6-38 (a) Application and license $78

6-39 (b) Triennial renewal of each license 78

6-40 24. Licenses, appointments and renewals for general bail

6-41 agents:

6-42 (a) Application and license $78

6-43 (b) Initial appointment by each insurer 5

7-1 (c) Triennial renewal of each license $78

7-2 25. Licenses and renewals for bail solicitors:

7-3 (a) Application and license $78

7-4 (b) Triennial renewal of each license 78

7-5 26. Licenses and renewals for title agents and escrow

7-6 officers:

7-7 (a) Resident title agents and escrow officers:

7-8 (1) Application and license $78

7-9 (2) Triennial renewal of each license 78

7-10 (b) Nonresident title agents and escrow officers:

7-11 (1) Application and license 138

7-12 (2) Triennial renewal of each license 138

7-13 (c) Change in name or location of business or in association 10

7-14 27. Certificate of authority and renewal for a seller of

7-15 prepaid funeral contracts $78

7-16 28. Licenses and renewals for agents for prepaid funeral

7-17 contracts:

7-18 (a) Resident agents:

7-19 (1) Application and license $78

7-20 (2) Triennial renewal of each license 78

7-21 (b) Nonresident agents:

7-22 (1) Application and license 138

7-23 (2) Triennial renewal of each license 138

7-24 29. Licenses, appointments and renewals for agents for

7-25 fraternal benefit societies:

7-26 (a) Resident agents:

7-27 (1) Application and license $78

7-28 (2) Appointment 5

7-29 (3) Triennial renewal of each license 78

7-30 (b) Nonresident agents:

7-31 (1) Application and license 138

7-32 (2) Triennial renewal of each license 138

7-33 30. Reinsurance intermediary broker or manager:

7-34 (a) Resident agents:

7-35 (1) Application and license $78

7-36 (2) Triennial renewal of each license 78

7-37 (b) Nonresident agents:

7-38 (1) Application and license 138

7-39 (2) Triennial renewal of each license 138

7-40 31. Agents for and sellers of prepaid burial contracts:

7-41 (a) Resident agents and sellers:

7-42 (1) Application and certificate or license $78

7-43 (2) Triennial renewal 78

8-1 (b) Nonresident agents and sellers:

8-2 (1) Application and certificate or license $138

8-3 (2) Triennial renewal 138

8-4 32. Risk retention groups:

8-5 (a) Initial registration and review of an application $2,450

8-6 (b) Each annual continuation of a certificate of registration 2,450

8-7 33. Required filing of forms:

8-8 (a) For rates and policies $25

8-9 (b) For riders and endorsements 10

8-10 Sec. 5. NRS 681B.290 is hereby amended to read as follows:

8-11 681B.290 1. [On] Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, on

8-12 or before March 1 of each year, each domestic insurer, and each foreign

8-13 insurer domiciled in a state which does not have requirements for reporting

8-14 risk-based capital, that transacts property, casualty, life or health insurance

8-15 in this state shall prepare and submit to the commissioner, and to each

8-16 person designated by the commissioner, a report of the level of the risk-

8-17 based capital of the insurer as of the end of the immediately preceding

8-18 calendar year. The report must be in such form and contain such

8-19 information as required by the regulations adopted by the commissioner

8-20 pursuant to this section.

8-21 2. The commissioner shall adopt regulations concerning the amount of

8-22 risk-based capital required to be maintained by each insurer licensed to do

8-23 business in this state that is transacting property, casualty, life or health

8-24 insurance in this state. The regulations must be consistent with the

8-25 instructions for reporting risk-based capital adopted by the National

8-26 Association of Insurance Commissioners, as those instructions existed on

8-27 January 1, 1997. If the instructions are amended, the commissioner may

8-28 amend the regulations to maintain consistency with the instructions if he

8-29 determines that the amended instructions are appropriate for use in this

8-30 state.

8-31 3. The commissioner may exempt from the provisions of this section

8-32 a domestic insurer who:

8-33 (a) Does not transact insurance in any other state; and

8-34 (b) Does not assume reinsurance that is more than 5 percent of the

8-35 direct premiums written by the insurer.

8-36 Sec. 6. Chapter 683A of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto the

8-37 provisions set forth as sections 7 to 16, inclusive, of this act.

8-38 Sec. 7. As used in NRS 683A.085 to 683A.0893, inclusive, and

8-39 sections 7 to 16, inclusive, of this act, unless the context otherwise

8-40 requires, the words and terms defined in sections 8 to 11, inclusive, of

8-41 this act have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.

8-42 Sec. 8. "Affiliate" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 692C.030.

8-43 Sec. 9. "Control" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 692C.050.

9-1 Sec. 10. "Insurer" includes, without limitation:

9-2 1. An insurance company licensed pursuant to the provisions of this

9-3 code;

9-4 2. A prepaid limited health service organization that has been issued

9-5 a certificate of authority pursuant to chapter 695F of NRS;

9-6 3. A health maintenance organization that has been issued a

9-7 certificate of authority pursuant to chapter 695C of NRS;

9-8 4. A multiple employer welfare arrangement as defined in 29 U.S.C.

§ 1002;

9-9 5. An employer for whom a program of self-insurance is

9-10 administered by an administrator; and

9-11 6. An organization for dental care that has been issued a certificate

9-12 of authority pursuant to chapter 695D of NRS.

9-13 Sec. 11. "Underwrite" includes, without limitation:

9-14 1. Accepting applications for insurance coverage in accordance with

9-15 the written rules of an insurer;

9-16 2. Planning and coordinating a program of insurance; and

9-17 3. Procuring bonds and excess insurance.

9-18 Sec. 12. The commissioner:

9-19 1. Shall suspend or revoke the certificate of registration of an

9-20 administrator if the commissioner has determined, after notice and a

9-21 hearing, that the administrator:

9-22 (a) Is in an unsound financial condition;

9-23 (b) Uses methods or practices in the conduct of his business that are

9-24 hazardous or injurious to insured persons or members of the general

9-25 public; or

9-26 (c) Has failed to pay any judgment against him in this state within 60

9-27 days after the judgment became final.

9-28 2. May suspend or revoke the certificate of registration of an

9-29 administrator if the commissioner determines, after notice and a hearing,

9-30 that the administrator:

9-31 (a) Has willfully violated or failed to comply with any provision of this

9-32 code, any regulation adopted pursuant to this code or any order of the

9-33 commissioner;

9-34 (b) Has refused to be examined by the commissioner or has refused to

9-35 produce accounts, records or files for examination upon the request of

9-36 the commissioner;

9-37 (c) Has, without just cause, refused to pay claims or perform services

9-38 pursuant to his contracts or has, without just cause, caused persons to

9-39 accept less than the amount of money owed to them pursuant to the

9-40 contracts, or has caused persons to employ an attorney or bring a civil

9-41 action against him to receive full payment or settlement of claims;

10-1 (d) Is affiliated with, managed by or owned by another administrator

10-2 or an insurer who transacts insurance in this state without a certificate of

10-3 authority or a certificate of registration;

10-4 (e) Fails to comply with any of the requirements for a certificate of

10-5 registration;

10-6 (f) Has been convicted of, or has entered a plea of guilty or nolo

10-7 contendere to a felony, whether or not adjudication was withheld; or

10-8 (g) Has had his authority to act as an administrator in another state

10-9 limited, suspended or revoked.

10-10 3. May, upon notice to the administrator, suspend the certificate of

10-11 registration of the administrator pending a hearing if:

10-12 (a) The administrator is impaired or insolvent;

10-13 (b) A proceeding for receivership, conservatorship or rehabilitation

10-14 has been commenced against the administrator in any state; or

10-15 (c) The financial condition or the business practices of the

10-16 administrator represent an imminent threat to the public health, safety or

10-17 welfare of the residents of this state.

10-18 4. May, in addition to or in lieu of the suspension or revocation of

10-19 the certificate of registration of the administrator, impose a fine of

10-20 $2,000 for each act or violation.

10-21 Sec. 13. Each application for a certificate of registration as an

10-22 administrator must include or be accompanied by:

10-23 1. A financial statement that is certified by an officer of the applicant

10-24 and must include:

10-25 (a) The amount of money that the applicant expects to collect from or

10-26 disburse to residents of this state during the next calendar year;

10-27 (b) Financial information for the 90 days immediately preceding the

10-28 date the application was filed with the commissioner; and

10-29 (c) An income statement and balance sheet for the 2 years

10-30 immediately preceding the application that are prepared in accordance

10-31 with generally accepted accounting principles. The submission by the

10-32 applicant of his consolidated income statement and balance sheet does

10-33 not constitute compliance with the provisions of this paragraph.

10-34 2. The documents used to create the business association of the

10-35 administrator, including, without limitation, articles of incorporation,

10-36 articles of association, a partnership agreement, a trust agreement and a

10-37 shareholder agreement.

10-38 3. The documents used to regulate the internal affairs of the

10-39 administrator, including, without limitation, the bylaws, rules or

10-40 regulations of the administrator.

10-41 4. A certificate of registration issued pursuant to NRS 600.350 for a

10-42 trade name or trade-mark used by the administrator.

11-1 5. An organizational chart that identifies each person who directly or

11-2 indirectly controls the administrator and each affiliate of the

11-3 administrator.

11-4 6. A notarized affidavit from each person who manages or controls

11-5 the administrator, including, without limitation, each member of the

11-6 board of directors or board of trustees, each officer, partner, and member

11-7 of the business association of the administrator, and each shareholder of

11-8 the administrator who holds not less than 10 percent of the voting stock

11-9 of the administrator. The affidavit must include, without limitation:

11-10 (a) The personal history, business record and insurance experience of

11-11 the affiant;

11-12 (b) Whether the affiant has been investigated by any regulatory

11-13 authority or has had any license or certificate denied, suspended or

11-14 revoked in any state; and

11-15 (c) Any other information that the commissioner may require.

11-16 7. The complete name and address of each office of the

11-17 administrator, including, offices located outside this state.

11-18 8. A statement that sets forth whether the administrator has:

11-19 (a) Held a license or certificate to transact any kind of insurance in

11-20 this state or any other state and whether that license or certificate has

11-21 been refused, suspended or revoked;

11-22 (b) Been indebted to any person and, if so, the circumstances of that

11-23 debt; and

11-24 (c) Had an administrative agreement canceled and, if so, the

11-25 circumstances of that cancellation.

11-26 9. A statement that describes the business plan of the administrator.

11-27 The statement must include information:

11-28 (a) Concerning the number of persons on the staff of the

11-29 administrator and the activities proposed in this state or in any other

11-30 state.

11-31 (b) That demonstrates the capability of the administrator to provide a

11-32 sufficient number of experienced and qualified persons for the

11-33 processing of claims, the keeping of records and, if applicable,

11-34 underwriting.

11-35 10. If the applicant intends to solicit new or renewal business, proof

11-36 that the applicant employs or has contracted with an agent licensed in

11-37 this state to solicit and take applications. An applicant who intends to

11-38 solicit insurance contracts directly or to act as an insurance agent must

11-39 provide proof that he is licensed as an insurance agent in this state.

11-40 Sec. 14. 1. Except as otherwise provided by subsection 2, the

11-41 commissioner shall issue a certificate of registration as an administrator

11-42 to an applicant who:

11-43 (a) Submits an application on a form prescribed by the commissioner;

12-1 (b) Has complied with the provisions of section 13 of this act; and

12-2 (c) Pays the fee for the issuance of a certificate of registration

12-3 prescribed in NRS 680B.010.

12-4 2. The commissioner may refuse to issue a certificate of registration

12-5 as an administrator to an applicant if the commissioner determines that

12-6 the applicant or any person who has completed an affidavit pursuant to

12-7 subsection 6 of section 13 of this act:

12-8 (a) Is not competent to act as an administrator;

12-9 (b) Is not trustworthy or financially responsible;

12-10 (c) Does not have a good personal or business reputation;

12-11 (d) Has had a license or certificate to transact insurance denied for

12-12 cause, suspended or revoked in this state or any other state; or

12-13 (e) Has failed to comply with any provision of this chapter.

12-14 Sec. 15. 1. A certificate of registration as an administrator is valid

12-15 for 3 years after the date the commissioner issues the certificate to the

12-16 administrator.

12-17 2. An administrator may renew a certificate of registration if he

12-18 submits to the commissioner:

12-19 (a) An application on a form prescribed by the commissioner; and

12-20 (b) The fee for the renewal of the certificate of registration prescribed

12-21 in NRS 680B.010.

12-22 3. A certificate of registration that is suspended or revoked must be

12-23 surrendered immediately to the commissioner.

12-24 Sec. 16. Not later than March 1 of each year, each holder of a

12-25 certificate of registration as an administrator shall file a financial

12-26 statement with the commissioner on a form approved by the

12-27 commissioner.

12-28 Sec. 17. NRS 683A.025 is hereby amended to read as follows:

12-29 683A.025 1. Except as limited by this section, "administrator" means

12-30 a person who:

12-31 (a) [Collects] Directly or indirectly underwrites or collects charges or

12-32 premiums from or adjusts or settles claims of residents of this state or any

12-33 other state from within this state in connection with workers’

12-34 compensation insurance, life or health insurance coverage or annuities,

12-35 including coverage or annuities provided by an employer for his

12-36 employees;

12-37 (b) Administers [a trust under] an internal service fund pursuant to

12-38 NRS 287.010;

12-39 (c) Administers a program of self-insurance for an employer; [or]

12-40 (d) Administers a program which is funded by an employer and which

12-41 provides pensions, annuities, health benefits, death benefits or other similar

12-42 benefits for his employees [.] ; or

13-1 (e) Is an insurance company that is licensed to do business in this

13-2 state or is acting as an insurer with respect to a policy lawfully issued and

13-3 delivered in a state where the insurer is authorized to do business, if the

13-4 insurance company performs any act described in paragraphs (a) to (d),

13-5 inclusive, for or on behalf of another insurer.

13-6 2. "Administrator" does not include:

13-7 (a) An employee authorized to act on behalf of an administrator who

13-8 holds a certificate of registration from the commissioner.

13-9 (b) An employer acting on behalf of his employees or the employees of

13-10 a subsidiary or affiliated concern.

13-11 (c) A labor union acting on behalf of its members.

13-12 (d) [An] Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (e) of subsection

13-13 1, an insurance company licensed to do business in this state or acting as an

13-14 insurer with respect to a policy lawfully issued and delivered in a state in

13-15 which the insurer was authorized to do business.

13-16 (e) A life or health insurance agent or broker licensed in this state, when

13-17 his activities are limited to the sale of insurance.

13-18 (f) A creditor acting on behalf of his debtors with respect to insurance

13-19 covering a debt between the creditor and debtor.

13-20 (g) A trust and its trustees, agents and employees acting for it, if the trust

13-21 was established under the provisions of 29 U.S.C. § 186.

13-22 (h) A trust which is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the

13-23 Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 501(2), its trustees and employees, and

13-24 a custodian, his agents and employees acting under a custodial account

13-25 which meets the requirements of section 401(f) of the Internal Revenue

13-26 Code [.] , 26 U.S.C. § 401(f).

13-27 (i) A bank, credit union or other financial institution which is subject to

13-28 supervision by federal or state banking authorities.

13-29 (j) A company which issues credit cards, and which advances for and

13-30 collects premiums or charges from credit card holders who have authorized

13-31 it to do so, if the company does not adjust or settle claims.

13-32 (k) An attorney at law who adjusts or settles claims in the normal course

13-33 of his practice or employment, but who does not collect charges or

13-34 premiums in connection with life or health insurance coverage or with

13-35 annuities.

13-36 Sec. 18. NRS 683A.085 is hereby amended to read as follows:

13-37 683A.085 [1.] No person may act as [an administrator,] , offer to act

13-38 as or hold himself out to the public as an administrator, unless he has

13-39 obtained a certificate of registration as an administrator from the

13-40 commissioner [.

13-41 2. A certificate must be issued to an applicant who has made written

13-42 application therefor, giving any information which the commissioner

13-43 reasonably requires, and has paid the required fee, unless the commissioner

14-1 has determined, after notice and hearing, that the applicant is not

14-2 competent, trustworthy, financially responsible or of good personal and

14-3 business reputation.

14-4 3. No certificate may be issued to any person who, within the 5 years

14-5 immediately preceding his application, has had an insurance license

14-6 revoked or an application denied for cause.

14-7 4. The commissioner may revoke or suspend the certificate of any

14-8 administrator if he finds, after notice and hearing, that the administrator has

14-9 violated any provision of this Title or any regulation adopted under it.]

14-10 pursuant to section 14 of this act.

14-11 Sec. 19. NRS 683A.0857 is hereby amended to read as follows:

14-12 683A.0857 1. [Every] Each administrator shall file with the

14-13 commissioner a bond with an authorized surety in favor of the State of

14-14 Nevada, continuous in form and in an amount determined by the

14-15 commissioner of not less than [$50,000.] $100,000.

14-16 2. The commissioner shall establish schedules for the amount of the

14-17 bond required, based on the amount of money received and distributed by

14-18 an administrator.

14-19 3. The bond must inure to the benefit of any person damaged by any

14-20 fraudulent act or conduct of the administrator and must be conditioned

14-21 upon faithful accounting and application of all money coming into the

14-22 administrator’s possession in connection with his activities as an

14-23 administrator.

14-24 4. The bond remains in force until released by the commissioner or

14-25 canceled by the surety. Without prejudice to any liability previously

14-26 incurred, the surety may cancel the bond upon 90 days’ advance notice to

14-27 the administrator and the commissioner. An administrator’s certificate is

14-28 automatically suspended if he does not file with the commissioner a

14-29 replacement bond before the date of cancellation of the previous bond. A

14-30 replacement bond must meet all requirements of this section for the initial

14-31 bond.

14-32 Sec. 20. NRS 683A.086 is hereby amended to read as follows:

14-33 683A.086 1. No person may act as an administrator unless he has

14-34 entered into a written agreement with an insurer, and the written agreement

14-35 contains provisions to effectuate the requirements contained in NRS

14-36 [683A.0867] 683A.087 to 683A.0883, inclusive, and sections 12 to 16,

14-37 inclusive, of this act which apply to the duties of the administrator.

14-38 2. The written agreement must set forth:

14-39 (a) The duties the administrator will be required to perform on behalf

14-40 of the insurer; and

14-41 (b) The lines, classes or types of insurance that the administrator is

14-42 authorized to administer on behalf of the insurer.

15-1 3. A copy of an agreement entered into under the provisions of this

15-2 section must be retained in the records of the administrator and of the

15-3 insurer for a period of 5 years after the termination of the agreement.

15-4 [3.] 4. When a policy is issued to a trustee or trustees, a copy of the

15-5 trust agreement and amendments must be obtained by the administrator and

15-6 a copy forwarded to the insurer. Each agreement must be retained by the

15-7 administrator and [by] the insurer for a period of 5 years after the

15-8 termination of the policy.

15-9 [4.] 5. The commissioner may adopt regulations which specify the

15-10 functions an administrator may perform on behalf of an insurer.

15-11 6. The insurer or administrator may, upon written notice to the other

15-12 party to the agreement and to the commissioner, terminate the written

15-13 agreement for any cause specified in the agreement. The insurer may

15-14 suspend the authority of the administrator while any dispute regarding

15-15 the cause for termination is pending. The insurer shall perform any

15-16 obligations with respect to the policies affected by the agreement

15-17 regardless of any dispute with the administrator.

15-18 Sec. 21. NRS 683A.087 is hereby amended to read as follows:

15-19 683A.087 An administrator may advertise the insurance which he

15-20 administers only [with] after he receives the approval of the insurer who

15-21 underwrites the business involved.

15-22 Sec. 22. NRS 683A.0873 is hereby amended to read as follows:

15-23 683A.0873 1. Each administrator shall maintain at his principal

15-24 office adequate books and records of all transactions between himself, the

15-25 insurer and the insured. The books and records must be maintained in

15-26 accordance with prudent standards of recordkeeping for insurance and with

15-27 regulations of the commissioner for a period of 5 years after the transaction

15-28 to which they respectively relate. After the 5-year period the administrator

15-29 may remove the books and records from the state, store their contents on

15-30 microfilm or return them to the appropriate insurer.

15-31 2. The commissioner may examine, audit and inspect books and

15-32 records [kept by administrators] maintained by an administrator under the

15-33 provisions of this section [.] to carry out the provisions of NRS 679B.230

15-34 to 679B.300, inclusive.

15-35 3. The names and addresses of insured persons and any other material

15-36 which is in the books and records of an administrator are confidential

15-37 except when used in proceedings against the administrator.

15-38 4. The insurer may inspect and examine all books and records to the

15-39 extent necessary to fulfill all contractual obligations to insured persons,

15-40 subject to restrictions in the written agreement between the insurer and

15-41 administrator.

16-1 Sec. 23. NRS 683A.0877 is hereby amended to read as follows:

16-2 683A.0877 1. All insurance charges and premiums collected by an

16-3 administrator on behalf of an insurer and return premiums received from an

16-4 insurer are held by the administrator in a fiduciary capacity.

16-5 2. Money [shall] must be remitted within 15 days to the person or

16-6 persons entitled to it, or [shall] be deposited within 15 days in [a fiduciary

16-7 bank account] one or more fiduciary accounts established and maintained

16-8 by the administrator [within the state.] in a financial institution in this

16-9 state. The fiduciary accounts must be separate from the personal or

16-10 business accounts of the administrator.

16-11 3. If charges or premiums deposited in an account have been collected

16-12 for or on behalf of more than one insurer, the administrator shall cause the

16-13 [bank in which] financial institution where the fiduciary account is

16-14 maintained to record clearly the deposits and withdrawals from the account

16-15 on behalf of each insurer.

16-16 4. The administrator shall promptly obtain and keep copies of [all bank

16-17 account] the records of each fiduciary account and shall furnish any

16-18 insurer with copies of the records which pertain to him upon demand of the

16-19 insurer.

16-20 5. The administrator [may] shall not pay any claim by withdrawing

16-21 money from his fiduciary account [.] in which premiums or charges are

16-22 deposited.

16-23 6. Withdrawals [shall] must be made as provided in the agreement

16-24 between the insurer and the administrator for:

16-25 (a) Remittance to the insurer.

16-26 (b) Deposit in an account maintained in the name of the insurer.

16-27 (c) Transfer to and deposit in an account for the payment of claims.

16-28 (d) Payment to a group policyholder for remittance to the insurer

16-29 entitled to the money.

16-30 (e) Payment to the administrator of his commission, fees or charges.

16-31 (f) Remittance of return premiums to persons entitled to them.

16-32 7. The administrator shall maintain copies of all records relating to

16-33 deposits or withdrawals and, upon the request of an insurer, provide the

16-34 insurer with copies of those records.

16-35 Sec. 24. NRS 683A.088 is hereby amended to read as follows:

16-36 683A.088 Each claim paid by the administrator from [funds] money

16-37 collected for or on behalf of an insurer [shall] must be paid by a check or

16-38 draft upon and as authorized by the insurer.

16-39 Sec. 25. NRS 683A.0883 is hereby amended to read as follows:

16-40 683A.0883 1. The compensation paid to an administrator for his

16-41 services may be based upon premiums or charges collected, on number of

16-42 claims paid or processed or on [another] any other basis agreed upon by

16-43 the administrator and the insurer, except as provided in subsection 2.

17-1 2. Compensation paid to an administrator may not be based upon or

17-2 contingent upon :

17-3 (a) The claim experience of the policies [which he handles.] that he

17-4 handles; or

17-5 (b) The savings realized by the administrator by adjusting, settling or

17-6 paying the losses covered by an insurer.

17-7 Sec. 26. NRS 683A.0887 is hereby amended to read as follows:

17-8 683A.0887 1. Each administrator shall advise each insured, by means

17-9 of a written notice approved by the insurer, of the identity of and

17-10 relationship among the insurer, administrator and insured.

17-11 2. An administrator who seeks to collect premiums or charges shall

17-12 clearly [state] set forth in writing to the insured the amount of premium or

17-13 charge set by the insurer for the insurance coverage [.] and the reason for

17-14 the collection of the premium or charge. Each charge must be set forth

17-15 separately from the premium.

17-16 3. The administrator shall disclose to an insurer, in writing, all

17-17 charges, fees and commissions the administrator receives in connection

17-18 with the provision of administrative services for the insurer, including,

17-19 without limitation, the fees and commissions paid by insurers providing

17-20 reinsurance or excess of loss insurance.

17-21 Sec. 27. NRS 685A.120 is hereby amended to read as follows:

17-22 685A.120 1. No person in this state may act as, hold himself out as,

17-23 or be a surplus lines broker with respect to subjects of insurance resident,

17-24 located or to be performed in this state or elsewhere unless he is licensed as

17-25 such by the commissioner pursuant to this chapter.

17-26 2. Any person who has been licensed by this state as a [resident] broker

17-27 for general lines for at least 6 months , or has been licensed in another state

17-28 as a surplus lines broker for at least 1 year and continues to be licensed in

17-29 that state, and who is deemed by the commissioner to be competent and

17-30 trustworthy with respect to the handling of surplus lines may be licensed as

17-31 a surplus lines broker upon:

17-32 (a) Application for a license and payment of the applicable fee for a

17-33 license and a fee of $15 for deposit in the insurance recovery account

17-34 created by NRS 679B.305;

17-35 (b) Submitting the statement required pursuant to NRS 685A.127; and

17-36 (c) Passing any examination prescribed by the commissioner on the

17-37 subject of surplus lines.

17-38 3. An application for a license must be submitted to the commissioner

17-39 on a form designated and furnished by him. The application must include

17-40 the social security number of the applicant.

17-41 4. A license issued pursuant to this chapter continues in force for 3

17-42 years unless it is suspended, revoked or otherwise terminated. The license

17-43 may be renewed upon submission of the statement required pursuant to

18-1 NRS 685A.127 and payment of the applicable fee for renewal and a fee of

18-2 $15 for deposit in the insurance recovery account created by NRS

18-3 679B.305 to the commissioner on or before the last day of the month in

18-4 which the license is renewable.

18-5 5. A license which is not renewed expires at midnight on the last day

18-6 specified for its renewal. The commissioner may accept a request for

18-7 renewal received by him within 30 days after the expiration of the license if

18-8 the request is accompanied by the statement required pursuant to NRS

18-9 685A.127, a fee for renewal of 150 percent of the fee otherwise required

18-10 and a fee of $15 for deposit in the insurance recovery account created by

18-11 NRS 679B.305.

18-12 Sec. 28. NRS 685A.140 is hereby amended to read as follows:

18-13 685A.140 1. In addition to other grounds therefor, the commissioner

18-14 may suspend or revoke any surplus lines broker’s license:

18-15 (a) If the broker fails to file the annual statement or to remit the tax as

18-16 required by NRS 685A.170 and 685A.180;

18-17 (b) If the broker fails to maintain an office in this state [,] or in the state

18-18 where he was issued a license as a resident broker, or to keep the records,

18-19 or to allow the commissioner to examine his records as required by this

18-20 chapter, or if he removes his records from the state; or

18-21 (c) If the broker places a surplus lines coverage in an insurer other than

18-22 as authorized under this chapter.

18-23 2. Upon suspending or revoking the broker’s surplus lines license the

18-24 commissioner may also suspend or revoke all other licenses of or as to the

18-25 same individual under this code.

18-26 Sec. 29. NRS 685A.160 is hereby amended to read as follows:

18-27 685A.160 1. Each broker shall keep in his office [in this state] a full

18-28 and true record of each surplus lines coverage procured by him, including a

18-29 copy of each daily report, if any, a copy of each certificate of insurance

18-30 issued by him, and such of the following items as may be applicable:

18-31 (a) [Amount] The amount of the insurance;

18-32 (b) [Gross] The gross premium charged;

18-33 (c) [Return] The return premium paid, if any;

18-34 (d) [Rate] The rate of premium charged upon the several items of

18-35 property;

18-36 (e) [Effective] The effective date of the contract, and the terms thereof;

18-37 (f) [Name] The name and address of each insurer on the direct risk and

18-38 the proportion of the entire risk assumed by [such] that insurer if less than

18-39 the entire risk;

18-40 (g) [Name] The name and address of the insured;

18-41 (h) [Brief] A brief general description of the property or risk insured and

18-42 where located or to be performed; and

19-1 (i) [Other] Any other information as may be required by the

19-2 commissioner.

19-3 2. The record [shall] must not be removed from [this state and shall]

19-4 the office of the broker and must be open to examination by the

19-5 commissioner or his representative at all times within 5 years after issuance

19-6 of the coverage to which it relates.

19-7 Sec. 30. NRS 686A.130 is hereby amended to read as follows:

19-8 686A.130 1. No property, casualty, surety or title insurer or

19-9 underwritten title company or any employee or representative thereof, and

19-10 no broker, agent or solicitor may pay, allow or give, or offer to pay, allow

19-11 or give, directly or indirectly, as an inducement to insurance, or after

19-12 insurance has been effected, any rebate, discount, abatement, credit or

19-13 reduction of the premium named in a policy of insurance, or any special

19-14 favor or advantage in the dividends or other benefits to accrue thereon, or

19-15 any valuable consideration or inducement whatever, not specified or

19-16 provided for in the policy, except to the extent provided for in an

19-17 applicable filing with the commissioner.

19-18 2. No title insurer or underwritten title company may:

19-19 (a) Pay, directly or indirectly, to the insured or any person acting as

19-20 agent, representative, attorney or employee of the owner, lessee,

19-21 mortgagee, existing or prospective, of the real property or interest therein

19-22 which is the subject matter of title insurance or as to which a service is to

19-23 be performed, any commission , rebate or part of its fee or charges or other

19-24 consideration as inducement or compensation for the placing of any order

19-25 for a title insurance policy or for performance of any escrow or other

19-26 service by the insurer or underwritten title company with respect thereto; or

19-27 (b) Issue any policy or perform any service in connection with which it

19-28 or any agent or other person has paid or contemplates paying any

19-29 commission, rebate or inducement in violation of this section.

19-30 3. No insured named in a policy or any employee of [such] that insured

19-31 may knowingly receive or accept, directly or indirectly, any such rebate,

19-32 discount, abatement, credit or reduction of premium, or any such special

19-33 favor or advantage or valuable consideration or inducement.

19-34 4. No such insurer may make or permit any unfair discrimination

19-35 between insured or property having like insuring or risk characteristics, in

19-36 the premium or rates charged for insurance, or in the dividends or other

19-37 benefits payable thereon, or in any other of the terms and conditions of

19-38 insurance.

19-39 5. No casualty insurer may make or permit any unfair discrimination

19-40 between persons legally qualified to provide a particular service, in the

19-41 amount of the fee or charge for that service payable as a benefit under any

19-42 policy or contract of casualty insurance.

20-1 6. [Nothing in this section prohibits:] The provisions of this section do

20-2 not prohibit:

20-3 (a) The payment of commissions or other compensation to licensed

20-4 agents, brokers or solicitors.

20-5 (b) The extension of credit to an insured for the payment of any

20-6 premium and for which credit a reasonable rate of interest is charged and

20-7 collected.

20-8 (c) Any insurer from allowing or returning to its participating

20-9 policyholders, members or subscribers, dividends, savings or unabsorbed

20-10 premium deposits.

20-11 [As to title insurance, nothing in this section prohibits]

20-12 (d) With respect to title insurance, bulk rates or special rates for

20-13 customers of prescribed classes if [such] the bulk or special rates are

20-14 provided for in the [currently] effective schedule of fees and charges of the

20-15 title insurer or underwritten title company.

20-16 7. [This section does] The provisions of this section do not apply to

20-17 wet marine and transportation insurance.

20-18 Sec. 31. NRS 686C.035 is hereby amended to read as follows:

20-19 686C.035 1. This chapter does not provide coverage for:

20-20 (a) Any portion of a policy or contract not guaranteed by the insurer, or

20-21 under which the risk is borne by the [policyholder.] holder of the policy or

20-22 contract.

20-23 (b) Any policy or contract of reinsurance unless assumption certificates

20-24 have been issued [.] pursuant to that policy or contract.

20-25 (c) Any portion of a policy or contract to the extent that the rate of

20-26 interest on which it is based:

20-27 (1) When averaged over the period of 4 years before the date [that]

20-28 on which the association becomes obligated with respect to the policy or

20-29 contract, or averaged for the period since the policy or contract was issued

20-30 if it was issued less than 4 years before the association became obligated,

20-31 exceeds the rate of interest determined by subtracting 2 percentage points

20-32 from Moody’s Corporate Bond Yield Average averaged for the same

20-33 period; and

20-34 (2) On or after the date on which the association becomes obligated

20-35 with respect to the policy or contract, exceeds the rate of interest

20-36 determined by subtracting 3 percentage points from the most recent

20-37 Moody’s Corporate Bond Yield Average.

20-38 (d) Any portion of a policy or contract issued to a plan or program of

20-39 an employer, association or [similar entity] other person to provide life ,

20-40 [or] health or annuity benefits [or annuities] to its employees , [or]

20-41 members or other persons to the extent that the plan or program is self-

20-42 funded or uninsured, including, but not limited to, benefits payable by an

20-43 employer, association or [similar entity] other person under:

21-1 (1) A [Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement] multiple employer

21-2 welfare arrangement as defined in 29 U.S.C. § 1002;

21-3 (2) A minimum-premium group insurance plan;

21-4 (3) A stop-loss group insurance plan; or

21-5 (4) A contract for administrative services only.

21-6 (e) Any portion of a policy or contract to the extent that it provides for

21-7 dividends, credits for experience, voting rights or the payment of any fee

21-8 or allowance to any person, including the [policyholder,] holder of a

21-9 policy or contract, for services or administration connected with the policy

21-10 or contract.

21-11 (f) Any policy or contract issued in this state by a member insurer at a

21-12 time when the member insurer was not authorized to issue the policy or

21-13 contract [.] in this state.

21-14 (g) [Any certificate for an annuity or group annuity which is not issued

21-15 to or owned by a natural person, except to the extent of any annuity

21-16 guaranteed to a natural person by an insurer under the contract or certificate

21-17 except that annuities issued in connection with and for the purpose of

21-18 funding structured settlements of liability are covered policies.

21-19 (h) Any health or life insurance policy purchased by the Federal

21-20 Government, if no premium taxes are paid on such policies.

21-21 (i) Any annuity issued pursuant to subsection 8 of NRS 680A.070.] A

21-22 portion of a policy or contract to the extent that the assessments required

21-23 by NRS 686C.230 for the policy or contract are preempted by federal law.

21-24 (h) An obligation that does not arise under the written terms of a

21-25 policy or contract issued by the insurer.

21-26 (i) An unallocated annuity contract.

21-27 2. As used in this section, "Moody’s Corporate Bond Yield Average"

21-28 means the monthly average for corporate bonds published by Moody’s

21-29 Investors Service, Inc., or any successor average.

21-30 Sec. 32. NRS 687B.440 is hereby amended to read as follows:

21-31 687B.440 1. An insurer offering an umbrella policy to an individual

21-32 shall obtain a signed disclosure statement from the individual indicating

21-33 whether the umbrella policy includes uninsured or underinsured vehicle

21-34 coverage.

21-35 2. The disclosure statement for an umbrella policy that includes

21-36 uninsured or underinsured vehicle coverage must be on a form provided

21-37 by the commissioner or in substantially the following form:

21-38 UMBRELLA POLICY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

21-39 UNINSURED/UNDERINSURED VEHICLE COVERAGE

21-40 ¨ Your Umbrella Policy does provide coverage in excess of the

21-41 limits of the uninsured/underinsured vehicle coverage in your primary

22-1 auto insurance only if the requirements for the uninsured/underinsured

22-2 vehicle coverage in your underlying auto insurance are maintained.

22-3 [The minimum uninsured/underinsured vehicle coverage in your

22-4 umbrella insurance policy is $……… . The limits of the

22-5 uninsured/underinsured vehicle coverage in your primary auto

22-6 insurance policy are $………. .] Your uninsured/underinsured

22-7 vehicle coverage provided by this umbrella policy is limited to

22-8 $……… .

22-9 I understand and acknowledge the above disclosure.

22-10

22-11 Insured Date

22-12 3. The disclosure statement for an umbrella policy that does not

22-13 include uninsured or underinsured vehicle coverage must be on a form

22-14 provided by the commissioner or in substantially the following form:

22-15 ¨ Your Umbrella Liability Policy does not provide any

22-16 uninsured/underinsured vehicle coverage.

22-17 I understand and acknowledge the above disclosure.

22-18

22-19 Insured Date

22-20 [3.] 4. As used in this section, "umbrella policy" means a policy that

22-21 protects a person against losses in excess of the underlying amount required

22-22 to be covered by other policies.

22-23 Sec. 33. NRS 689A.505 is hereby amended to read as follows:

22-24 689A.505 "Creditable coverage" means, with respect to a person,

22-25 health benefits or coverage provided pursuant to:

22-26 1. A group health plan;

22-27 2. A health benefit plan;

22-28 3. Part A or Part B of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C.

§§ 1395c et seq., also known as Medicare;

22-29 4. Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1396 et seq., also

22-30 known as Medicaid, other than coverage consisting solely of benefits under

22-31 section 1928 of that Title [;

22-32 5. Chapter 55 of Title 10, United States Code (] , 42 U.S.C § 1396s;

22-33 5. The Civilian Health and Medical Program of Uniformed Services

22-34 [(CHAMPUS));] , CHAMPUS, 10 U.S.C §§ 1071 et seq.;

22-35 6. A medical care program of the Indian Health Service or of a tribal

22-36 organization;

23-1 7. A state health benefit risk pool;

23-2 8. A health plan offered pursuant to [chapter 89 of Title 5, United

23-3 States Code (] the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program

23-4 [(FEHBP));] , FEHBP, 5 U.S.C. §§ 8901 et seq.;

23-5 9. A public health plan as defined in federal regulations authorized by

23-6 the Public Health Service Act, [section 2701(c)(1)(I), as amended by

23-7 Public Law 104-191; or] 42 U.S.C. §§ 201 et seq.;

23-8 10. A health benefit plan under section 5(e) of the Peace Corps Act ,

23-9 [(] 22 U.S.C. § 2504(e) [).] ;

23-10 11. A short-term health insurance policy; or

23-11 12. A blanket student accident and health insurance policy.

23-12 Sec. 34. NRS 689A.515 is hereby amended to read as follows:

23-13 689A.515 "Eligible person" means:

23-14 1. A person:

23-15 (a) Who, as of the date on which he seeks coverage pursuant to this

23-16 chapter, has an aggregate period of creditable coverage that is 18 months or

23-17 more;

23-18 (b) Whose most recent prior creditable coverage , other than coverage

23-19 under a short-term health insurance policy, was under a group health

23-20 plan, governmental plan, church plan or health insurance coverage offered

23-21 in connection with any such plan;

23-22 (c) Who is not eligible for coverage under a group health plan, Part A or

23-23 Part B of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1395c et

23-24 seq., also known as Medicare, a state plan pursuant to Title XIX of the

23-25 Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1396 et seq., also known as Medicaid, or

23-26 any successor program, and who does not have any other health insurance

23-27 coverage;

23-28 (d) Whose most recent health insurance coverage within the period of

23-29 aggregate creditable coverage was not terminated because of a failure to

23-30 pay premiums or fraud;

23-31 (e) Who has exhausted his continuation of coverage under the

23-32 Consolidation Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 [,] Public Law

23-33 99-272, or under a similar state program, if any; and

23-34 (f) Who has not had a break of more than 63 consecutive days in his

23-35 creditable coverage.

23-36 2. A person whose most recent prior creditable coverage was under a

23-37 basic or standard health benefit plan and was not renewed by a carrier

23-38 who discontinued offering and renewing individual health benefit plans

23-39 in this state pursuant to NRS 689A.630.

23-40 3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of subsection 1, a

23-41 newborn child or a child placed for adoption, if the child was enrolled

23-42 timely and would have otherwise met the requirements of an eligible person

23-43 as set forth in subsection 1.

24-1 Sec. 35. NRS 689A.540 is hereby amended to read as follows:

24-2 689A.540 1. "Health benefit plan" means a policy, contract,

24-3 certificate or agreement offered by a carrier to provide for, deliver payment

24-4 for, arrange for the payment of, pay for or reimburse any of the costs of

24-5 health care services. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the term

24-6 includes [short-term and] catastrophic health insurance policies [,] and a

24-7 policy that pays on a cost-incurred basis.

24-8 2. The term does not include:

24-9 (a) Coverage that is only for accident or disability income insurance, or

24-10 any combination thereof;

24-11 (b) Coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance;

24-12 (c) Liability insurance, including general liability insurance and

24-13 automobile liability insurance;

24-14 (d) Workers’ compensation or similar insurance;

24-15 (e) Coverage for medical payments under a policy of automobile

24-16 insurance;

24-17 (f) Credit insurance;

24-18 (g) Coverage for on-site medical clinics; [and]

24-19 (h) Other similar insurance coverage specified in federal regulations

24-20 issued pursuant to Public Law 104-191 under which benefits for medical

24-21 care are secondary or incidental to other insurance benefits [.] ;

24-22 (i) Coverage under a short-term health insurance policy; and

24-23 (j) Coverage under a blanket student accident and health insurance

24-24 policy.

24-25 3. The term does not include the following benefits if the benefits are

24-26 provided under a separate policy, certificate or contract of insurance or are

24-27 otherwise not an integral part of a health benefit plan:

24-28 (a) Limited-scope dental or vision benefits;

24-29 (b) Benefits for long-term care, nursing home care, home health care or

24-30 community-based care, or any combination thereof; and

24-31 (c) Such other similar benefits as are specified in any federal regulations

24-32 adopted pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability

24-33 Act of 1996, Public Law 104-191.

24-34 4. The term does not include the following benefits if the benefits are

24-35 provided under a separate policy, certificate or contract of insurance, there

24-36 is no coordination between the provision of the benefits and any exclusion

24-37 of benefits under any group health plan maintained by the same plan

24-38 sponsor, and [such] the benefits are paid for a claim without regard to

24-39 whether benefits are provided for such a claim under any group health plan

24-40 maintained by the same plan sponsor:

24-41 (a) Coverage that is only for a specified disease or illness; and

24-42 (b) Hospital indemnity or other fixed indemnity insurance.

25-1 5. The term does not include any of the following, if offered as a

25-2 separate policy, certificate or contract of insurance:

25-3 (a) Medicare supplemental health insurance as defined in section

25-4 1882(g)(1) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1395ss, as that section

25-5 existed on July 16, 1997;

25-6 (b) Coverage supplemental to the coverage provided pursuant to

25-7 [chapter 55 of Title 10, United States Code (] the Civilian Health and

25-8 Medical Program of Uniformed Services [(CHAMPUS));] , CHAMPUS,

25-9 10 U.S.C. §§ 1071 et seq.; and

25-10 (c) Similar supplemental coverage provided under a group health plan.

25-11 Sec. 36. NRS 689A.650 is hereby amended to read as follows:

25-12 689A.650 1. An individual carrier is not required to provide

25-13 coverage to eligible persons pursuant to NRS 689A.640:

25-14 (a) During any period in which the commissioner determines that

25-15 requiring the individual carrier to provide such coverage would place the

25-16 individual carrier in a financially impaired condition.

25-17 (b) If the individual carrier elects not to offer any new coverage to any

25-18 [eligible] persons in this state. An individual carrier that elects not to offer

25-19 new coverage in accordance with this paragraph may maintain its existing

25-20 policies issued to [eligible] persons in this state, subject to the requirements

25-21 of NRS 689A.630.

25-22 2. An individual carrier that elects not to offer new coverage pursuant

25-23 to paragraph (b) of subsection 1 shall notify the commissioner forthwith of

25-24 that election and shall not thereafter write any new business to individuals

25-25 in this state for 5 years after the date of the notification.

25-26 Sec. 37. NRS 689A.660 is hereby amended to read as follows:

25-27 689A.660 An individual carrier shall not:

25-28 1. Impose on an eligible person who is covered under a basic or

25-29 standard health benefit plan any exclusion because of a preexisting

25-30 condition.

25-31 2. Modify a health benefit plan, with respect to an eligible person,

25-32 through riders, endorsements or otherwise, to restrict or exclude services

25-33 otherwise covered by the plan.

25-34 Sec. 38. NRS 689A.680 is hereby amended to read as follows:

25-35 689A.680 1. An individual carrier shall develop its rates for its

25-36 individual health benefit plans pursuant to NRS 689A.470 to 689A.740,

25-37 inclusive, based on rating characteristics. After any adjustments for rating

25-38 characteristics and design of benefits, the rate for any block of business for

25-39 an individual health benefit plan written on or after [July 16, 1997,]

25-40 January 1, 2000, must not exceed the rate for any other block of business

25-41 for an individual health benefit plan offered by the individual carrier by

25-42 more than [100] 50 percent. The rate for a block of business is equal to the

25-43 average rate charged to all the insureds in the block of business. In

26-1 determining whether the rate of a block of business complies with the

26-2 provisions of this subsection, any differences in rating factors between

26-3 blocks of business must be considered.

26-4 2. In determining the rating factors to establish premium rates for a

26-5 health benefit plan, an individual carrier shall not use characteristics other

26-6 than age, sex, occupation, geographic area, composition of the family of the

26-7 individual and health status.

26-8 3. If an individual carrier uses health status as a rating factor in

26-9 establishing premium rates, the highest factor associated with any

26-10 classification for health status may not exceed the lowest factor by more

26-11 than 75 percent.

26-12 4. For the purposes of this section, rating characteristics must not

26-13 include durational or tier rating, or adverse changes in health status or

26-14 claim experience after the policy is issued.

26-15 5. As used in this section, "characteristics" means demographic or

26-16 other information concerning individuals that is considered by a carrier in

26-17 the determination of premium rates for individuals.

26-18 Sec. 39. NRS 689B.027 is hereby amended to read as follows:

26-19 689B.027 1. The commissioner shall adopt regulations which require

26-20 an insurer to file with the commissioner, for his approval, a disclosure

26-21 summarizing the coverage provided by each policy of group health

26-22 insurance offered by the insurer. The disclosure must include:

26-23 (a) Any significant exception, reduction or limitation that applies to the

26-24 policy;

26-25 (b) Any restrictions on payments for emergency care, including related

26-26 definitions of an emergency and medical necessity;

26-27 (c) Any provisions concerning the insurer’s right to change premium

26-28 rates and the characteristics, other than claim experience, that affect

26-29 changes in premium rates;

26-30 (d) Any provisions relating to renewability;

26-31 (e) Any provisions relating to preexisting conditions; and

26-32 (f) Any other information,

26-33 that the commissioner finds necessary to provide for full and fair disclosure

26-34 of the provisions of the policy.

26-35 2. The disclosure must be written in language which is easily

26-36 understood and [must] include a statement that the disclosure is a summary

26-37 of the policy only, and that the policy [itself] should be read to determine

26-38 the governing contractual provisions.

26-39 3. The commissioner shall not approve any proposed disclosure

26-40 submitted to him pursuant to this section which does not comply with the

26-41 requirements of this section and the applicable regulations.

26-42 4. The insurer shall make available to an employer or a producer

26-43 acting on behalf of an employer upon request a copy of the disclosure

27-1 approved by the commissioner pursuant to this section for each policy of

27-2 health insurance coverage for which that employer may be eligible.

27-3 Sec. 40. NRS 689B.380 is hereby amended to read as follows:

27-4 689B.380 "Creditable coverage" means health benefits or coverage

27-5 provided to a person pursuant to:

27-6 1. A group health plan;

27-7 2. A health benefit plan;

27-8 3. Part A or Part B of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C.

§§ 1395c et seq., also known as Medicare;

27-9 4. Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1396 et seq., also

27-10 known as Medicaid, other than coverage consisting solely of benefits under

27-11 section 1928 of that Title [;

27-12 5. Chapter 55 of Title 10, United States Code (] , 42 U.S.C. § 1396s;

27-13 5. The Civilian Health and Medical Program of Uniformed Services

27-14 [(CHAMPUS));] , CHAMPUS, 10 U.S.C. §§ 1071 et seq.;

27-15 6. A medical care program of the Indian Health Service or of a tribal

27-16 organization;

27-17 7. A state health benefit risk pool;

27-18 8. A health plan offered pursuant to [chapter 89 of Title 5, United

27-19 States Code (] the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program

27-20 [(FEHBP));] , FEHBP, 5 U.S.C. §§ 8901 et seq.;

27-21 9. A public health plan as defined in federal regulations authorized by

27-22 the Public Health Service Act, [section 2701(c)(1)(I), as amended by

27-23 Public Law 104-191; or] , 42 U.S.C. §§ 201 et seq.;

27-24 10. A health benefit plan under section 5(e) of the Peace Corps Act ,

27-25 [(] 22 U.S.C. § 2504(e) [).] ;

27-26 11. A short-term health insurance policy; or

27-27 12. A blanket student accident and health insurance policy.

27-28 Sec. 41. NRS 689B.410 is hereby amended to read as follows:

27-29 689B.410 1. "Health benefit plan" means a policy, contract,

27-30 certificate or agreement offered by a carrier to provide for, arrange for

27-31 payment of, pay for or reimburse any of the costs of health care services.

27-32 Except as otherwise provided in this section, the term includes [short-term

27-33 and] catastrophic health insurance policies, and a policy that pays on a cost-

27-34 incurred basis.

27-35 2. The term does not include:

27-36 (a) Coverage that is only for accident or disability income insurance, or

27-37 any combination thereof;

27-38 (b) Coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance;

27-39 (c) Liability insurance, including general liability insurance and

27-40 automobile liability insurance;

27-41 (d) Workers’ compensation or similar insurance;

28-1 (e) Coverage for medical payments under a policy of automobile

28-2 insurance;

28-3 (f) Credit insurance;

28-4 (g) Coverage for on-site medical clinics; [and]

28-5 (h) Other similar insurance coverage specified in federal regulations

28-6 issued pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability

28-7 Act of 1996, Public Law 104-191 , under which benefits for medical care

28-8 are secondary or incidental to other insurance benefits [.] ;

28-9 (i) Coverage under a short-term health insurance policy; and

28-10 (j) Coverage under a blanket student accident and health insurance

28-11 policy.

28-12 3. If the benefits are provided under a separate policy, certificate or

28-13 contract of insurance or are otherwise not an integral part of a health

28-14 benefit plan, the term does not include the following benefits:

28-15 (a) Limited-scope dental or vision benefits;

28-16 (b) Benefits for long-term care, nursing home care, home health care or

28-17 community-based care, or any combination thereof; and

28-18 (c) Such other similar benefits as are specified in any federal regulations

28-19 adopted pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability

28-20 Act of 1996, Public Law 104-191.

28-21 4. For the purposes of NRS 689B.340 to 689B.600, inclusive, if the

28-22 benefits are provided under a separate policy, certificate or contract of

28-23 insurance, there is no coordination between the provision of the benefits

28-24 and any exclusion of benefits under any group health plan maintained by

28-25 the same plan sponsor, and [such] the benefits are paid for a claim without

28-26 regard to whether benefits are provided for such a claim under any group

28-27 health plan maintained by the same plan sponsor, the term does not include:

28-28 (a) Coverage that is only for a specified disease or illness; and

28-29 (b) Hospital indemnity or other fixed indemnity insurance.

28-30 5. For the purposes of NRS 689B.340 to 689B.600, inclusive, if

28-31 offered as a separate policy, certificate or contract of insurance, the term

28-32 does not include:

28-33 (a) Medicare supplemental health insurance as defined in section

28-34 1882(g)(1) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1395ss, as that section

28-35 existed on July 16, 1997;

28-36 (b) Coverage supplemental to the coverage provided pursuant to

28-37 [chapter 55 of Title 10, United States Code (] the Civilian Health and

28-38 Medical Program of Uniformed Services [(CHAMPUS));] , CHAMPUS,

28-39 10 U.S.C. §§ 1071 et seq.; and

28-40 (c) Similar supplemental coverage provided under a group health plan.

28-41 Sec. 42. NRS 689B.460 is hereby amended to read as follows:

28-42 689B.460 "Waiting period" means the period established by a plan of

28-43 health insurance that must pass before a person who is an eligible

29-1 participant or beneficiary in a plan is covered for benefits under the terms

29-2 of the plan. The term includes the period from the date a person submits

29-3 an application to an individual carrier for coverage under a health

29-4 benefit plan until the first day of coverage under that health benefit plan.

29-5 Sec. 43. NRS 689B.500 is hereby amended to read as follows:

29-6 689B.500 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a carrier

29-7 that issues a group health plan or coverage under group health insurance

29-8 shall not deny, exclude or limit a benefit for a preexisting condition for:

29-9 (a) More than 12 months after the effective date of coverage if the

29-10 employee enrolls through open enrollment or after the first day of the

29-11 waiting period for [such] that enrollment, whichever is earlier; or

29-12 (b) More than 18 months after the effective date of coverage for a late

29-13 enrollee.

29-14 A carrier may not define a preexisting condition more restrictively than that

29-15 term is defined in NRS 689B.450.

29-16 2. The period of any exclusion for a preexisting condition imposed by

29-17 a group health plan or coverage under group health insurance on a person

29-18 to be insured in accordance with the provisions of this chapter must be

29-19 reduced by the aggregate period of creditable coverage of that person, if the

29-20 creditable coverage was continuous to a date not more than 63 days before

29-21 the effective date of the coverage. The period of continuous coverage must

29-22 not include:

29-23 (a) Any waiting period for the effective date of the new coverage

29-24 applied by the employer or the carrier; or

29-25 (b) Any affiliation period not to exceed 60 days for a new enrollee and

29-26 [63] 90 days for a late enrollee required before becoming eligible to enroll

29-27 in the group health plan.

29-28 3. A health maintenance organization authorized to transact insurance

29-29 pursuant to chapter 695C of NRS that does not restrict coverage for a

29-30 preexisting condition may require an affiliation period before coverage

29-31 becomes effective under a plan of insurance if the affiliation period applies

29-32 uniformly to all employees and without regard to any health status-related

29-33 factors. During the affiliation period, the carrier shall not collect any

29-34 premiums for coverage of the employee.

29-35 4. An insurer that restricts coverage for preexisting conditions shall not

29-36 impose an affiliation period.

29-37 5. A carrier shall not impose any exclusion for a preexisting condition:

29-38 (a) Relating to pregnancy.

29-39 (b) In the case of a person who, as of the last day of the 30-day period

29-40 beginning on the date of his birth, is covered under creditable coverage.

29-41 (c) In the case of a child who is adopted or placed for adoption before

29-42 attaining the age of 18 years and who, as of the last day of the 30-day

29-43 period beginning on the date of adoption or placement for adoption,

30-1 whichever is earlier, is covered under creditable coverage. The provisions

30-2 of this paragraph do not apply to coverage before the date of adoption or

30-3 placement for adoption.

30-4 (d) In the case of a condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care

30-5 or treatment was recommended or received for the first time while the

30-6 covered person held creditable coverage, and the medical advice, diagnosis,

30-7 care or treatment was a benefit under the plan, if the creditable coverage

30-8 was continuous to a date not more than 63 days before the effective date of

30-9 the new coverage.

30-10 The provisions of paragraphs (b) and (c) do not apply to a person after the

30-11 end of the first 63-day period during all of which the person was not

30-12 covered under any creditable coverage.

30-13 6. As used in this section, "late enrollee" means an eligible employee,

30-14 or his dependent, who requests enrollment in a group health plan following

30-15 the initial period of enrollment, if that initial period of enrollment is at least

30-16 30 days, during which the person is entitled to enroll under the terms of the

30-17 health benefit plan. The term does not include an eligible employee or his

30-18 dependent if:

30-19 (a) The employee or dependent:

30-20 (1) Was covered under creditable coverage at the time of the initial

30-21 enrollment;

30-22 (2) Lost coverage under creditable coverage as a result of cessation of

30-23 contributions by his employer, termination of employment or eligibility,

30-24 reduction in the number of hours of employment, involuntary termination

30-25 of creditable coverage, or death of, or divorce or legal separation from, a

30-26 covered spouse; and

30-27 (3) Requests enrollment not later than 30 days after the date on which

30-28 his creditable coverage was terminated or on which the change in

30-29 conditions that gave rise to the termination of the coverage occurred.

30-30 (b) The employee enrolls during the open enrollment period, as

30-31 provided in the contract or as otherwise specifically provided by specific

30-32 statute.

30-33 (c) The employer of the employee offers multiple health benefit plans

30-34 and the employee elected a different plan during an open enrollment period.

30-35 (d) A court has ordered coverage to be provided to the spouse or a

30-36 minor or dependent child of an employee under a health benefit plan of the

30-37 employee and a request for enrollment is made within 30 days after the

30-38 issuance of the court order.

30-39 (e) The employee changes status from not being an eligible employee to

30-40 being an eligible employee and requests enrollment, subject to any waiting

30-41 period, within 30 days after the change in status.

31-1 (f) The person has continued coverage in accordance with the

31-2 Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 , Public Law

31-3 99-272, and [such] that coverage has been exhausted.

31-4 Sec. 44. NRS 689B.590 is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-5 689B.590 1. Not later than 180 days after the date on which the basic

31-6 and standard health benefit plans are approved pursuant to NRS 689C.770

31-7 as part of the plan of operation of the program of reinsurance, each carrier

31-8 required to offer to a person a converted policy pursuant to NRS 689B.120

31-9 shall only offer as a converted policy a choice of the basic and standard

31-10 health benefit plans.

31-11 2. A person with a converted policy issued before the effective date of

31-12 the requirement set forth in subsection 1 may, at each annual renewal of the

31-13 converted policy elect a basic or standard health benefit plan as a substitute

31-14 converted policy, except that the carrier may, if the person has not made an

31-15 election within 3 years after first becoming eligible to do so, require the

31-16 person to make such an election. Once a person has elected [either] the

31-17 basic or standard health benefit plan as a substitute converted policy, he

31-18 may not elect another converted policy.

31-19 3. The premium for a converted policy may not exceed the small group

31-20 index rate, as defined in paragraph (b) of subsection 3 of NRS 689C.230,

31-21 applicable to the carrier by more than [110] 75 percent. The small group

31-22 index rate used by a carrier that does not write insurance to small

31-23 employers in this state must be the average small group index rate, as

31-24 determined by the commissioner, of the five largest carriers that provide

31-25 coverage to small employers pursuant to this chapter for their basic and

31-26 standard health benefit plans. The commissioner shall annually determine

31-27 the average small group index rate, as measured by the premium volume of

31-28 the plans, of those five largest carriers.

31-29 4. The rates for new and renewal converted policies for persons with

31-30 the same converted policies whose case characteristics are similar must be

31-31 the same.

31-32 5. Any losses suffered by a carrier on its converted policies issued

31-33 pursuant to this section must be spread across the entire book of the health

31-34 benefit coverage of the carrier issued or delivered for issuance to small

31-35 employers and large group employers in this state.

31-36 6. The commissioner shall adopt such regulations as are necessary to

31-37 carry out the provisions of this section.

31-38 Sec. 45. Chapter 689C of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto

31-39 the provisions set forth as sections 46 and 47 of this act.

31-40 Sec. 46. No member, agent or employee of the board may be held

31-41 liable in a civil action for any act that he performs in good faith in the

31-42 execution of his duties pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

32-1 Sec. 47. The provisions of this chapter apply to health benefit plans

32-2 that provide coverage to the employees of small employers in this state

32-3 and to carriers that offer those health benefit plans if:

32-4 1. A portion of the premium or benefits are paid by or on behalf of

32-5 the small employer;

32-6 2. An eligible employee or his dependent is reimbursed for a portion

32-7 of the premium, whether by wage adjustments or otherwise, by or on

32-8 behalf of the small employer; or

32-9 3. The health benefit plan is considered by the small employer or any

32-10 of his eligible employees or dependents as part of a plan or program for

32-11 the purposes of sections 106, 125 or 162 of the Internal Revenue Code,

32-12 26 U.S.C. § 106, 125 or 162.

32-13 Sec. 48. NRS 689C.053 is hereby amended to read as follows:

32-14 689C.053 "Creditable coverage" means health benefits or coverage

32-15 provided to a person pursuant to:

32-16 1. A group health plan;

32-17 2. A health benefit plan;

32-18 3. Part A or Part B of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C.

§§ 1395c et seq., also known as Medicare;

32-19 4. Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1396 et seq., also

32-20 known as Medicaid, other than coverage consisting solely of benefits under

32-21 section 1928 of that Title [;

32-22 5. Chapter 55 of Title 10, United States Code (] , 42 U.S.C. § 1396s;

32-23 5. The Civilian Health and Medical Program of Uniformed Services

32-24 [(CHAMPUS));] , CHAMPUS, 10 U.S.C. §§ 1071 et seq.;

32-25 6. A medical care program of the Indian Health Service or of a tribal

32-26 organization;

32-27 7. A state health benefit risk pool;

32-28 8. A health plan offered pursuant to [chapter 89 of Title 5, United

32-29 States Code (] the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program

32-30 [(FEHBP));] , FEHBP, 5 U.S.C. §§ 8901 et seq.;

32-31 9. A public health plan as defined in federal regulations authorized by

32-32 the Public Health Service Act, [section 2701(c)(1)(I), as amended by

32-33 Public Law 104-191; or] 42 U.S.C. §§ 201 et seq.;

32-34 10. A health benefit plan under section 5(e) of the Peace Corps Act ,

32-35 [(] 22 U.S.C. § 2504(e) [).] ;

32-36 11. A short-term health insurance policy; or

32-37 12. A blanket student accident and health insurance policy.

32-38 Sec. 49. NRS 689C.075 is hereby amended to read as follows:

32-39 689C.075 1. "Health benefit plan" means a policy or certificate for

32-40 hospital or medical expenses, a contract for dental, hospital or medical

32-41 services, or a health care plan of a health maintenance organization

32-42 available for use, offered or sold to a small employer. Except as otherwise

33-1 provided in this section, the term includes short-term and catastrophic

33-2 health insurance policies, and a policy that pays on a cost-incurred basis.

33-3 2. The term does not include:

33-4 (a) Coverage that is only for accident or disability income insurance, or

33-5 any combination thereof;

33-6 (b) Coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance;

33-7 (c) Liability insurance, including general liability insurance and

33-8 automobile liability insurance;

33-9 (d) Workers’ compensation or similar insurance;

33-10 (e) Coverage for medical payments under a policy of automobile

33-11 insurance;

33-12 (f) Credit insurance;

33-13 (g) Coverage for on-site medical clinics; [and]

33-14 (h) Coverage under a short-term health insurance policy;

33-15 (i) Coverage under a blanket student accident and health insurance

33-16 policy; and

33-17 (j) Other similar insurance coverage specified in federal regulations

33-18 issued pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability

33-19 Act of 1996, Public Law 104-191 , under which benefits for medical care

33-20 are secondary or incidental to other insurance benefits.

33-21 3. If the benefits are provided under a separate policy, certificate or

33-22 contract of insurance or are otherwise not an integral part of a health

33-23 benefit plan, the term does not include the following benefits:

33-24 (a) Limited-scope dental or vision benefits;

33-25 (b) Benefits for long-term care, nursing home care, home health care or

33-26 community-based care, or any combination thereof; and

33-27 (c) Such other similar benefits as are specified in any federal regulations

33-28 adopted pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability

33-29 Act of 1996, Public Law 104-191.

33-30 4. If the benefits are provided under a separate policy, certificate or

33-31 contract of insurance, there is no coordination between the provision of the

33-32 benefits and any exclusion of benefits under any group health plan

33-33 maintained by the same plan sponsor, and [such] the benefits are paid for a

33-34 claim without regard to whether benefits are provided for such a claim

33-35 under any group health plan maintained by the same plan sponsor, the term

33-36 does not include:

33-37 (a) Coverage that is only for a specified disease or illness; and

33-38 (b) Hospital indemnity or other fixed indemnity insurance.

33-39 5. If offered as a separate policy, certificate or contract of insurance,

33-40 the term does not include:

33-41 (a) Medicare supplemental health insurance as defined in section

33-42 1882(g)(1) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1395ss, as that section

33-43 existed on July 16, 1997;

34-1 (b) Coverage supplemental to the coverage provided pursuant to

34-2 [chapter 55 of Title 10, United States Code (] the Civilian Health and

34-3 Medical Program of Uniformed Services [(CHAMPUS));] , CHAMPUS,

34-4 10 U.S.C. §§ 1071 et seq.; and

34-5 (c) Similar supplemental coverage provided under a group health plan.

34-6 Sec. 50. NRS 689C.095 is hereby amended to read as follows:

34-7 689C.095 1. "Small employer" means , [any person or governmental

34-8 entity actively engaged in a business:

34-9 (a) Which,] with respect to a calendar year and a plan year, an employer

34-10 who employed on business days during the preceding calendar year an

34-11 average of at least 2 [,] employees, but not more than 50 employees, [a

34-12 majority of whom are residents of this state,] who have a normal work week

34-13 of 30 hours or more, and [which] who employs at least 2 employees on the

34-14 first day of the plan year . [;

34-15 (b) Which was not formed primarily for the purpose of purchasing

34-16 insurance; and

34-17 (c) In which a relationship between the employer and the employees

34-18 exists in good faith.] For the purposes of determining the number of eligible

34-19 employees, organizations which are affiliated or which are eligible to file a

34-20 combined tax return for the purposes of taxation constitute one employer.

34-21 2. For the purposes of this section, organizations are "affiliated" if one

34-22 directly, or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls or is

34-23 controlled by, or is under common control with, the other, as determined

34-24 pursuant to the provisions of NRS 692C.050.

34-25 Sec. 51. NRS 689C.106 is hereby amended to read as follows:

34-26 689C.106 "Waiting period" means the period established by a plan of

34-27 health insurance that must pass before a person who is an eligible

34-28 participant or beneficiary in a plan is covered for benefits under the terms

34-29 of the plan. The term includes the period from the date a person submits

34-30 an application to an individual carrier for coverage under a health

34-31 benefit plan until the first day of coverage under that health benefit plan.

34-32 Sec. 52. NRS 689C.210 is hereby amended to read as follows:

34-33 689C.210 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, a carrier

34-34 shall not increase the premium rate charged to a small employer for a new

34-35 rating period by a percentage greater than the sum of:

34-36 (a) The percentage of change in the premium rate for new business for

34-37 the policy under which the small employer is covered, measured from the

34-38 first day of the previous rating period to the first day of the new rating

34-39 period;

34-40 (b) An adjustment, not to exceed 15 percent annually, adjusted pro rata

34-41 for rating periods of less than 1 year, on account of the claim experience,

34-42 health status, or duration of coverage of the employees or dependents of the

35-1 small employer as determined from the carrier’s rate manual for the class of

35-2 business; and

35-3 (c) Any adjustment on account of change in coverage or change in the

35-4 characteristics of the small employer as determined from the carrier’s rate

35-5 manual for the class of business.

35-6 2. If the carrier no longer issues new policies for that class of business,

35-7 the carrier shall use the percentage of change in the premium rate for new

35-8 business for the class of business which is most similar to the closed class

35-9 of business and for which the carrier is issuing new policies.

35-10 3. In the case of health benefit plans delivered or issued for delivery

35-11 before January 1, 1996, for groups with [no] not fewer than 2 employees

35-12 and [no] not more than 25 employees, or before July 1, 1997, for groups

35-13 with [no] not fewer than 26 employees and [no] not more than 50

35-14 employees, a premium rate for a rating period may exceed the ranges set

35-15 forth in [paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection 1] NRS 689C.230 for a

35-16 period of 3 years following that date. In that case, the percentage of

35-17 increase in the premium rate charged to a small employer for a new rating

35-18 period may not exceed the sum of:

35-19 (a) The percentage of change in the premium rate for new business

35-20 measured from the first day of the previous rating period to the first day of

35-21 the new rating period. In the case of a health benefit plan into which the

35-22 carrier is no longer enrolling new small employers, the carrier shall use the

35-23 percentage of change in the base premium rate if that change does not

35-24 exceed, on a percentage basis, the change in the premium rate for new

35-25 business for the most similar health benefit plan into which the carrier is

35-26 actively enrolling new small employers.

35-27 (b) Any adjustment on account of change in coverage or change in the

35-28 characteristics of the small employer as determined from the carrier’s rate

35-29 manual for the class of business.

35-30 Sec. 53. NRS 689C.270 is hereby amended to read as follows:

35-31 689C.270 1. The commissioner shall adopt regulations which require

35-32 a carrier to file with the commissioner, for his approval, a disclosure

35-33 offered by the carrier to a small employer. The disclosure must include:

35-34 (a) Any significant exception, reduction or limitation that applies to the

35-35 policy;

35-36 (b) Any restrictions on payments for emergency care, including, without

35-37 limitation, related definitions of an emergency and medical necessity;

35-38 (c) The provision of the health benefit plan concerning the carrier’s right

35-39 to change premium rates and the characteristics, other than claim

35-40 experience, that affect changes in premium rates;

35-41 (d) The provisions relating to renewability of policies and contracts;

35-42 (e) The provisions relating to any preexisting condition; and

36-1 (f) Any other information that the commissioner finds necessary to

36-2 provide for full and fair disclosure of the provisions of a policy or contract

36-3 of insurance issued pursuant to this chapter.

36-4 2. The disclosure must be written in language which is easily

36-5 understood and must include a statement that the disclosure is a summary

36-6 of the policy only, and that the policy itself should be read to determine the

36-7 governing contractual provisions.

36-8 3. The commissioner shall not approve any proposed disclosure

36-9 submitted to him pursuant to this section which does not comply with the

36-10 requirements of this section and the applicable regulations.

36-11 4. The carrier shall make available to a small employer or a producer

36-12 acting on behalf of a small employer, upon request a copy of the

36-13 disclosure approved by the commissioner pursuant to this section for

36-14 policies of health insurance for which that employer may be eligible.

36-15 Sec. 54. NRS 689C.310 is hereby amended to read as follows:

36-16 689C.310 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2 and 3, a

36-17 carrier shall renew a health benefit plan at the option of the small employer

36-18 who purchased the plan.

36-19 2. A carrier may refuse to issue or to renew a health benefit plan if:

36-20 (a) The carrier discontinues transacting insurance in this state or in the

36-21 geographic area of this state where the employer is located;

36-22 (b) The employer fails to pay the premiums or contributions required by

36-23 the terms of the plan;

36-24 (c) The employer misrepresents any information regarding the

36-25 employees covered under the plan or other information regarding eligibility

36-26 for coverage under the plan;

36-27 (d) The plan sponsor has engaged in an act or practice that constitutes

36-28 fraud to obtain or maintain coverage under the plan;

36-29 (e) The employer is not in compliance with the minimum requirements

36-30 for participation or employer contribution as set forth in the plan; or

36-31 (f) The employer fails to comply with any of the provisions of this

36-32 chapter.

36-33 3. [A carrier may require a small employer to exclude a particular

36-34 employee or his dependent from coverage under a health benefit plan as a

36-35 condition to renewal of the plan if the employee or his dependent commits

36-36 fraud upon the carrier or misrepresents a material fact which affects his

36-37 coverage under the plan.

36-38 4.] A carrier shall discontinue the issuance and renewal of coverage to

36-39 a small employer if the commissioner finds that the continuation of the

36-40 coverage would not be in the best interests of the policyholders or

36-41 certificate holders of the carrier in this state or would impair the ability of

36-42 the carrier to meet its contractual obligations. If the commissioner makes

37-1 such a finding, the commissioner shall assist the affected small employers

37-2 in finding replacement coverage.

37-3 [5.] 4. A carrier may discontinue the issuance and renewal of a form of

37-4 a product of a health benefit plan offered to small employers pursuant to

37-5 this chapter if the commissioner finds that the form of the product offered

37-6 by the carrier is obsolete and is being replaced with comparable coverage.

37-7 A form of a product of a health benefit plan may be discontinued by a

37-8 carrier pursuant to this subsection only if:

37-9 (a) The carrier notifies the commissioner and the chief regulatory officer

37-10 for insurance in each state in which it is licensed of its decision pursuant to

37-11 this subsection to discontinue the issuance and renewal of the form of the

37-12 product at least 60 days before the carrier notifies the affected small

37-13 employers pursuant to paragraph (b).

37-14 (b) The carrier notifies each affected small employer and the

37-15 commissioner and the chief regulatory officer for insurance in each state in

37-16 which any affected small employer is located or eligible employee resides

37-17 of the decision of the carrier to discontinue offering the form of the

37-18 product. The notice must be made at least 180 days before the date on

37-19 which the carrier will discontinue offering the form of the product.

37-20 (c) The carrier offers to each affected small employer the option to

37-21 purchase any other health benefit plan currently offered by the carrier to

37-22 small employers in this state.

37-23 (d) In exercising the option to discontinue the particular form of the

37-24 product and in offering the option to purchase other coverage pursuant to

37-25 paragraph (c), the carrier acts uniformly without regard to the claims

37-26 experience of the affected small employers or any health status-related

37-27 factor relating to any participant or beneficiary covered by the discontinued

37-28 product or any new participant or beneficiary who may become eligible for

37-29 [such coverage.

37-30 6.] that coverage.

37-31 5. A carrier may discontinue the issuance and renewal of a health

37-32 benefit plan offered to a small employer or an eligible employee pursuant

37-33 to this chapter only through a bona fide association if:

37-34 (a) The membership of the small employer or eligible employee in the

37-35 association was the basis for the provision of coverage;

37-36 (b) The membership of the small employer or eligible employee in the

37-37 association ceases; and

37-38 (c) The coverage is terminated pursuant to this subsection uniformly

37-39 without regard to any health status-related factor relating to the small

37-40 employer or eligible employee or his dependent.

37-41 [7.] 6. If a carrier does business in only one established geographic

37-42 service area of this state, the provisions of this section apply only to the

37-43 operations of the carrier in that service area.

38-1 Sec. 55. NRS 689C.610 is hereby amended to read as follows:

38-2 689C.610 As used in NRS 689C.610 to 689C.980, inclusive, and

38-3 section 46 of this act, unless the context otherwise requires, the words and

38-4 terms defined in NRS 689C.620 to 689C.730, inclusive, have the meanings

38-5 ascribed to them in those sections.

38-6 Sec. 56. NRS 689C.870 is hereby amended to read as follows:

38-7 689C.870 1. If, in each of 2 consecutive years, the board determines

38-8 that the amount of the assessment needed exceeds 5 percent of the total

38-9 premiums earned in the previous calendar year from health benefit plans

38-10 delivered or issued for delivery to small employers by reinsuring carriers,

38-11 the program of reinsurance is eligible for additional funding pursuant to this

38-12 section.

38-13 2. If, in each of 2 consecutive years, the board determines that the

38-14 amount of the assessment needed exceeds 5 percent of the total premiums

38-15 earned in the previous calendar year from health benefit plans delivered or

38-16 issued for delivery to individuals by individual reinsuring carriers, the

38-17 program of reinsurance is eligible for additional funding pursuant to this

38-18 section.

38-19 3. To raise [such] the additional funding, the board shall establish a

38-20 formula pursuant to which additional assessments may be made on all

38-21 carriers that offer a health benefit plan or provide stop-loss coverage for a

38-22 health benefit plan which is an [employee-sponsored] employer-sponsored

38-23 plan or a plan established pursuant to the Labor-Management Relations

38-24 Act, 1947, as amended. The total additional assessments on all such

38-25 carriers combined may not exceed one-half of 1 percent of the total

38-26 premiums earned from all health benefit plans and stop-loss coverage

38-27 issued in this state in the previous calendar year.

38-28 Sec. 57. NRS 690B.042 is hereby amended to read as follows:

38-29 690B.042 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, any party

38-30 against whom a claim is asserted for compensation or damages for personal

38-31 injury under a policy of motor vehicle insurance covering a private

38-32 passenger car may require any attorney representing the claimant to provide

38-33 to the party and his insurer or attorney, not more than once every 90 days,

38-34 all medical reports [or] , records and bills concerning the claim.

38-35 2. In lieu of providing medical reports [or] , records and bills pursuant

38-36 to subsection 1, the claimant or any attorney representing the claimant may

38-37 [authorize in writing any provider of health care to provide to the party and

38-38 his insurer or attorney photocopies of the medical reports or] provide to the

38-39 party, his insurer or his attorney a written authorization to receive the

38-40 reports, records and bills from the provider of health care. At the written

38-41 request of the claimant or his attorney, copies of all reports, records and

38-42 bills obtained pursuant to the authorization must be provided to the

38-43 claimant or his attorney within 30 days after the date they are received. If

39-1 the claimant or his attorney makes a written request for the reports,

39-2 records and bills, the claimant or his attorney shall pay for the

39-3 reasonable costs of copying the reports, records and bills.

39-4 3. Upon receipt of any photocopies of medical reports [or] , records

39-5 and bills , or a written authorization pursuant to subsection 2, the insurer

39-6 who issued the policy specified in subsection 1 shall, upon request,

39-7 immediately disclose to the insured or the claimant all pertinent facts or

39-8 provisions of the policy relating to any coverage at issue.

39-9 Sec. 58. NRS 692A.105 is hereby amended to read as follows:

39-10 692A.105 1. The commissioner may refuse to license any title agent

39-11 or escrow officer or may suspend or revoke any license or impose a fine of

39-12 not more than $500 for each violation by entering an order to that effect,

39-13 with his findings in respect thereto, if upon a hearing, it is determined that

39-14 the applicant or licensee:

39-15 (a) In the case of a title agent, is insolvent or in such a financial

39-16 condition that he cannot continue in business with safety to his customers;

39-17 (b) Has violated any provision of this chapter or any regulation adopted

39-18 pursuant thereto or has aided and abetted another to do so;

39-19 (c) Has committed fraud in connection with any transaction governed by

39-20 this chapter;

39-21 (d) Has intentionally or knowingly made any misrepresentation or false

39-22 statement to, or concealed any essential or material fact known to him from,

39-23 any principal or designated agent of the principal in the course of the

39-24 escrow business;

39-25 (e) Has intentionally or knowingly made or caused to be made to the

39-26 commissioner any false representation of a material fact or has suppressed

39-27 or withheld from him any information which the applicant or licensee

39-28 possesses;

39-29 (f) Has failed without reasonable cause to furnish to the parties of an

39-30 escrow their respective statements of the settlement within a reasonable

39-31 time after the close of escrow;

39-32 (g) Has failed without reasonable cause to deliver, within a reasonable

39-33 time after the close of escrow, to the respective parties of an escrow

39-34 transaction any money, documents or other properties held in escrow in

39-35 violation of the provisions of the escrow instructions;

39-36 (h) Has refused to permit an examination by the commissioner of his

39-37 books and affairs or has refused or failed, within a reasonable time, to

39-38 furnish any information or make any report that may be required by the

39-39 commissioner pursuant to the provisions of this chapter;

39-40 (i) Has been convicted of a felony or any misdemeanor of which an

39-41 essential element is fraud;

39-42 (j) In the case of a title agent, has failed to maintain complete and

39-43 accurate records of all transactions within the last 7 years;

40-1 (k) Has commingled the money of [others] other persons with his own

40-2 or converted the money of [others] other persons to his own use;

40-3 (l) Has failed, before the close of escrow, to obtain written instructions

40-4 concerning any essential or material fact or intentionally failed to follow

40-5 the written instructions which have been agreed upon by the parties and

40-6 accepted by the holder of the escrow;

40-7 (m) Has failed to disclose in writing that he is acting in the dual capacity

40-8 of escrow agent or agency and undisclosed principal in any transaction; [or]

40-9 (n) In the case of an escrow officer, has been convicted of, or entered a

40-10 plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any crime involving moral turpitude [.]

40-11 ; or

40-12 (o) Has failed to obtain and maintain a copy of the executed

40-13 agreement or contract that establishes the conditions for the sale of real

40-14 property.

40-15 2. It is sufficient cause for the imposition of a fine or the refusal,

40-16 suspension or revocation of the license of a partnership, corporation or any

40-17 other association if any member of the partnership or any officer or director

40-18 of the corporation or association has been guilty of any act or omission

40-19 directly arising from the business activities of a title agent which would be

40-20 cause for such action had the applicant or licensee been a natural person.

40-21 3. The commissioner may suspend or revoke the license of a title agent,

40-22 or impose a fine, if the commissioner finds that the title agent:

40-23 (a) Failed to maintain adequate supervision of an escrow officer title

40-24 agent he has appointed or employed.

40-25 (b) Instructed an escrow officer to commit an act which would be cause

40-26 for the revocation of the escrow officer’s license and the escrow officer

40-27 committed the act. An escrow officer is not subject to disciplinary action

40-28 for committing such an act under instruction by the title agent.

40-29 4. The commissioner may refuse to issue a license to any person who,

40-30 within 10 years before the date of applying for a current license, has had

40-31 suspended or revoked a license issued pursuant to this chapter or a

40-32 comparable license issued by any other state, district or territory of the

40-33 United States or any foreign country.

40-34 Sec. 59. Chapter 695C of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a

40-35 new section to read as follows:

40-36 1. To the extent authorized by federal law, the commissioner shall

40-37 adopt regulations for the licensing of provider-sponsored organizations

40-38 in this state.

40-39 2. As used in this section, "provider-sponsored organization" has the

40-40 meaning ascribed to it in 42 U.S.C. § 1395w-25(d).

40-41 Sec. 60. NRS 695C.350 is hereby amended to read as follows:

40-42 695C.350 1. The commissioner may, in lieu of suspension or

40-43 revocation of a certificate of authority under NRS 695C.330, levy an

41-1 administrative penalty in an amount not less than $1,000 nor more than

41-2 $2,500 [,] for each act or violation, if reasonable notice in writing is given

41-3 of the intent to levy the penalty . [and the health maintenance organization

41-4 has a reasonable time within which to remedy the defect in its operations

41-5 which gave rise to the penalty citation.]

41-6 2. Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a

41-7 misdemeanor.

41-8 3. If the commissioner or the state board of health for any reason have

41-9 cause to believe that any violation of this chapter has occurred or is

41-10 threatened, the commissioner or the state board of health may give notice to

41-11 the health maintenance organization and to the representatives, or other

41-12 persons who appear to be involved in [such] the suspected violation, to

41-13 arrange a conference with the alleged violators or their authorized

41-14 representatives [for the purpose of attempting to ascertain] to attempt to

41-15 determine the facts relating to [such] the suspected violation, and, [in the

41-16 event] if it appears that any violation has occurred or is threatened, to arrive

41-17 at an adequate and effective means of correcting or preventing [such] the

41-18 violation.

41-19 4. [Proceedings under subsection 3 shall] The proceedings conducted

41-20 pursuant to the provisions of subsection 3 must not be governed by any

41-21 formal procedural requirements, and may be conducted in such manner as

41-22 the commissioner or the state board of health may deem appropriate under

41-23 the circumstances.

41-24 5. The commissioner may issue an order directing a health maintenance

41-25 organization or a representative of a health maintenance organization to

41-26 cease and desist from engaging in any act or practice in violation of the

41-27 provisions of this chapter.

41-28 6. Within 30 days after service of the order [of] to cease and desist, the

41-29 respondent may request a hearing on the question of whether acts or

41-30 practices in violation of this chapter have occurred. [Such hearings shall be

41-31 conducted pursuant to the Nevada Administrative Procedure Act, and

41-32 judicial review shall] The hearing must be conducted pursuant to the

41-33 provisions of chapter 233B of NRS and judicial review must be available

41-34 as provided therein.

41-35 7. In the case of any violation of the provisions of this chapter, if the

41-36 commissioner elects not to issue a cease and desist order, or in the event of

41-37 noncompliance with a cease and desist order issued pursuant to subsection

41-38 5, the commissioner may institute a proceeding to obtain injunctive relief,

41-39 or seek other appropriate relief in the district court of the judicial district of

41-40 the county in which the violator resides.

41-41 Sec. 61. NRS 696B.415 is hereby amended to read as follows:

41-42 696B.415 1. Upon the issuance of an order of liquidation with a

41-43 finding of insolvency against a domestic insurer, the commissioner shall

42-1 apply to the district court for authority to disburse money to the Nevada

42-2 insurance guaranty association or the Nevada life and health insurance

42-3 guaranty association out of the [insurer’s] marshaled assets [,] of the

42-4 insurer, as money becomes available, in amounts equal to disbursements

42-5 made or to be made by the association for claims-handling expense and

42-6 covered-claims obligations upon the presentation of evidence that

42-7 disbursements have been made by the association. The commissioner shall

42-8 apply to the district court for authority to make similar disbursements to

42-9 insurance guaranty associations in other jurisdictions if one of the Nevada

42-10 associations is entitled to like payment [under] pursuant to the laws

42-11 relating to insolvent insurers in the jurisdiction in which the organization is

42-12 domiciled.

42-13 2. The commissioner, in determining the amounts available for

42-14 disbursement to the Nevada insurance guaranty association, the Nevada life

42-15 and health insurance guaranty association, and similar organizations in

42-16 other jurisdictions, shall reserve sufficient assets for the payment of the

42-17 expenses of administration.

42-18 3. The commissioner shall establish procedures for the ratable

42-19 allocation of disbursements to the Nevada insurance guaranty association,

42-20 the Nevada life and health insurance guaranty association, and similar

42-21 organizations in other jurisdictions, and shall secure from each organization

42-22 to which money is paid as a condition to advances in reimbursement of

42-23 covered-claims obligations an agreement to return to the commissioner, on

42-24 demand, amounts previously advanced which are required to pay claims of

42-25 secured creditors and claims falling within the priorities established in

42-26 paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection 1 of NRS 696B.420 . [for

42-27 administration costs and expenses , and wage debts due employees for

42-28 services performed.]

42-29 Sec. 62. NRS 696B.420 is hereby amended to read as follows:

42-30 696B.420 1. The order of distribution of claims from the [insurer’s]

42-31 estate of the insurer on liquidation of the insurer must be as [stated] set

42-32 forth in this section. [The first $50 of the amount allowed on each claim in

42-33 the classes under paragraphs (b) to (g), inclusive, must be deducted from

42-34 the claim and included in the class under paragraph (i). Claims may not be

42-35 cumulated by assignment to avoid application of the $50 deductible

42-36 provision. Subject to the $50 deductible provision, every] Each claim in

42-37 each class must be paid in full or adequate money retained for the payment

42-38 before the members of the next class receive any payment. No subclasses

42-39 may be established within any class. Except as otherwise provided in

42-40 subsection 2, the order of distribution and of priority must be as follows:

42-41 (a) Administration costs and expenses, including, but not limited to, the

42-42 following:

43-1 (1) The actual and necessary costs of preserving or recovering the

43-2 assets of the insurer;

43-3 (2) Compensation for [all] any services rendered in the liquidation;

43-4 (3) Any necessary filing fees;

43-5 (4) The fees and mileage payable to witnesses; and

43-6 (5) Reasonable attorney’s fees.

43-7 (b) Loss claims, including [all] any claims under policies for losses

43-8 incurred, including third party claims, [all] any claims against the insurer

43-9 for liability for bodily injury or for injury to or destruction of tangible

43-10 property which are not under policies, and [all] any claims of the Nevada

43-11 insurance guaranty association, the Nevada life and health insurance

43-12 guaranty association, and other similar statutory organizations in other

43-13 jurisdictions . [, except the first $200 of losses otherwise payable to any

43-14 claimant under this paragraph. All] Any claims under life insurance and

43-15 annuity policies, whether for death proceeds, annuity proceeds or

43-16 investment values, must be treated as loss claims. [Claims may not be

43-17 cumulated by assignment to avoid application of the $200 deductible

43-18 provision.] That portion of any loss for which indemnification is provided

43-19 by other benefits or advantages recovered or recoverable by the claimant

43-20 may not be included in this class, other than benefits or advantages

43-21 recovered or recoverable in discharge of familial obligations of support or

43-22 [by way] because of succession at death or as proceeds of life insurance, or

43-23 as gratuities. No payment made by an employer to his employee may be

43-24 treated as a gratuity.

43-25 (c) Unearned premiums and small loss claims, including claims under

43-26 nonassessable policies for unearned premiums or other premium refunds .

43-27 [and the first $200 of loss excepted by the deductible provision in

43-28 paragraph (b).]

43-29 (d) Claims of the Federal Government . [and]

43-30 (e) Claims of any state or local government, including, but not limited

43-31 to, a claim of [any governmental body] a state or local government for a

43-32 penalty or forfeiture.

43-33 [(e)] (f) Wage debts due employees for services performed, not to

43-34 exceed $1,000 to each employee, that have been earned within 1 year

43-35 before the filing of the petition for liquidation. Officers of the insurer are

43-36 not entitled to the benefit of this priority. The priority set forth in this

43-37 paragraph must be in lieu of any other similar priority authorized by law as

43-38 to wages or compensation of employees.

43-39 [(f)] (g) Residual classification, including all other claims not falling

43-40 within other classes [under] pursuant to the provisions of this section.

43-41 Claims for a penalty or forfeiture must be allowed in this class only to the

43-42 extent of the pecuniary loss sustained from the act, transaction or

43-43 proceeding out of which the penalty or forfeiture arose, with reasonable and

44-1 actual costs occasioned thereby. The remainder of [such] the claims must

44-2 be postponed to the class of claims [under paragraph (i).

44-3 (g)] specified in paragraph (j).

44-4 (h) Judgment claims based solely on judgments. If a claimant files a

44-5 claim and bases [it both] the claim on the judgment and on the underlying

44-6 facts, the claim must be considered by the liquidator, who shall give the

44-7 judgment such weight as he deems appropriate. The claim as allowed must

44-8 receive the priority it would receive in the absence of the judgment. If the

44-9 judgment is larger than the allowance on the underlying claim, the

44-10 remaining portion of the judgment must be treated as if it were a claim

44-11 based solely on a judgment.

44-12 [(h)] (i) Interest on claims already paid, which must be calculated at the

44-13 legal rate compounded annually on [all] any claims in the classes [under]

44-14 specified in paragraphs (a) to [(g),] (h), inclusive, from the date of the

44-15 petition for liquidation or the date on which the claim becomes due,

44-16 whichever is later, until the date on which the dividend is declared. The

44-17 liquidator, with the approval of the court, may [make] :

44-18 (1) Make reasonable classifications of claims for purposes of

44-19 computing interest [, may make] ;

44-20 (2) Make approximate computations ; and [may ignore]

44-21 (3) Ignore certain classifications and periods as de minimis.

44-22 [(i)] (j) Miscellaneous subordinated claims, [including the remaining

44-23 claims or portions of claims not already paid,] with interest as provided in

44-24 paragraph [(h):

44-25 (1) The first $50 of each claim in the classes under paragraphs (b) to

44-26 (g), inclusive, subordinated under this section;

44-27 (2)] (i):

44-28 (1) Claims subordinated by NRS 696B.430;

44-29 [(3)] (2) Claims filed late;

44-30 [(4)] (3) Portions of claims subordinated [under paragraph (f);

44-31 (5)] pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (g);

44-32 (4) Claims or portions of claims the payment of which is provided by

44-33 other benefits or advantages recovered or recoverable by the claimant; and

44-34 [(6)] (5) Claims not otherwise provided for in this section.

44-35 [(j)] (k) Preferred ownership claims, including surplus or contribution

44-36 notes, or similar obligations, and premium refunds on assessable policies.

44-37 Interest at the legal rate must be added to each claim, as provided in

44-38 paragraphs [(h) and (i).

44-39 (k)] (i) and (j).

44-40 (l) Proprietary claims of shareholders or other owners.

44-41 2. If there are no existing or potential claims of the government against

44-42 the estate, claims for wages have priority over [all] any claims set forth in

44-43 paragraphs (c) to [(j),] (k), inclusive, of subsection 1. The provisions of this

45-1 subsection must not be construed to require the [deduction of $50 or the]

45-2 accumulation of interest for claims as described in paragraph [(h)] (i) of

45-3 subsection 1.

45-4 Sec. 63. NRS 697.090 is hereby amended to read as follows:

45-5 697.090 1. A person in this state shall not act in the capacity of a bail

45-6 agent, bail enforcement agent or bail solicitor, or perform any of the

45-7 functions, duties or powers prescribed for a bail agent, bail enforcement

45-8 agent or bail solicitor under the provisions of this chapter, unless that

45-9 person is qualified and licensed as provided in this chapter. The

45-10 commissioner may, after notice and a hearing, impose a fine of not more

45-11 than $1,000 for each act or violation of the provisions of this subsection.

45-12 2. A person, whether or not located in this state, shall not act as or hold

45-13 himself out to be a general agent unless qualified and licensed as such

45-14 under the provisions of this chapter.

45-15 3. For the protection of the people of this state, the commissioner shall

45-16 not issue or renew, or permit to exist, any license except in compliance with

45-17 this chapter. The commissioner shall not issue or renew, or permit to exist,

45-18 a license for any person found to be untrustworthy or incompetent, or who

45-19 has not established to the satisfaction of the commissioner that he is

45-20 qualified therefor in accordance with this chapter.

45-21 Sec. 64. NRS 697.184 is hereby amended to read as follows:

45-22 697.184 1. An application for a license as a general agent must be

45-23 accompanied by:

45-24 (a) Proof of the completion of a 6-hour course of instruction in bail

45-25 bonds that is:

45-26 (1) Offered by a state or national organization of bail agents or

45-27 another organization that administers training programs for general agents;

45-28 and

45-29 (2) Approved by the commissioner.

45-30 (b) A written appointment by an authorized insurer as general agent,

45-31 subject to the issuance of the license.

45-32 (c) A letter from a local law enforcement agency in the applicant’s

45-33 county of residence which indicates that the applicant:

45-34 (1) Has not been convicted of a felony in this state or of any offense

45-35 committed in another state which would be a felony if committed in this

45-36 state; and

45-37 (2) Has not been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude or

45-38 the unlawful use, sale or possession of a controlled substance.

45-39 (d) A copy of the contract or agreement that authorizes the general

45-40 agent to act as general agent for the insurer.

45-41 (e) Any other information the commissioner may require.

45-42 2. If the applicant for a license as a general agent is a firm or

45-43 corporation, the application must include the names of the members,

46-1 officers and directors and designate each natural person who is to exercise

46-2 the authority granted by the license. Each person so designated must furnish

46-3 information about himself as though the application were for an individual

46-4 license.

46-5 Sec. 65. NRS 697.190 is hereby amended to read as follows:

46-6 697.190 1. [Every] Each applicant for a [bail agent’s or bail

46-7 solicitor’s] license as a bail agent, bail solicitor or general agent must file

46-8 with the application, and thereafter maintain in force while so licensed, a

46-9 bond in favor of the people of the State of Nevada executed by an

46-10 authorized surety insurer. The bond may be continuous in form with total

46-11 aggregate liability limited to payment as follows:

46-12 (a) Bail agent $25,000

46-13 (b) Bail solicitor 10,000

46-14 (c) General agent 50,000

46-15 2. The bond must be conditioned upon full accounting and payment to

46-16 the person entitled thereto of money, property or other matters coming into

46-17 the licensee’s possession through bail bond transactions under the license.

46-18 3. The bond must remain in force until released by the commissioner,

46-19 or canceled by the surety. Without prejudice to any liability previously

46-20 incurred under the bond, the surety may cancel the bond upon 30 days’

46-21 advance written notice to the licensee and the commissioner.

46-22 Sec. 66. NRS 616B.500 is hereby amended to read as follows:

46-23 616B.500 1. An insurer may enter into a contract to have his plan of

46-24 insurance administered by a third-party administrator.

46-25 2. An insurer shall not enter into a contract with any person for the

46-26 administration of any part of the plan of insurance unless that person

46-27 maintains an office in this state and has a [valid] certificate issued by the

46-28 commissioner pursuant to [NRS 683A.085.] section 14 of this act. The

46-29 system may, as a part of a contract entered into with an organization for

46-30 managed care pursuant to NRS 616B.515, require the organization to act as

46-31 its third-party administrator.

46-32 Sec. 67. NRS 616B.503 is hereby amended to read as follows:

46-33 616B.503 1. A person shall not act as a third-party administrator for

46-34 an insurer without a certificate issued by the commissioner pursuant to

46-35 [NRS 683A.085.] section 14 of this act.

46-36 2. A person who acts as a third-party administrator pursuant to chapters

46-37 616A to 616D, inclusive, of NRS shall:

46-38 (a) Administer from one or more offices located in this state all of the

46-39 claims arising under each plan of insurance that he administers and

46-40 maintain in those offices all of the records concerning those claims;

46-41 (b) Administer each plan of insurance directly, without subcontracting

46-42 with another third-party administrator; and

47-1 (c) Upon the termination of his contract with an insurer, transfer

47-2 forthwith to a certified third-party administrator chosen by the insurer all of

47-3 the records in his possession concerning claims arising under the plan of

47-4 insurance.

47-5 3. The commissioner may, under exceptional circumstances, waive the

47-6 requirements of subsection 2.

47-7 Sec. 68. NRS 683A.0867, 686C.060 and 686C.085 are hereby

47-8 repealed.

 

47-9 TEXT OF REPEALED SECTIONS

 

47-10 683A.0867 Standards to be provided in agreement. The

47-11 agreement between the administrator and the insurer shall provide for

47-12 underwriting and other standards pertaining to the business underwritten by

47-13 the insurer.

47-14 686C.060 "Board" defined. "Board" means the board of directors

47-15 of the Nevada Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association.

47-16 686C.085 "Domiciliary state" defined. "Domiciliary state" has the

47-17 meaning ascribed to it in NRS 696B.070.

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