SENATOR JACKIE SPEIR SIGNED 13 BILLS INTO LAW DURING THE 2004-2005 LEGISLATIVE

Here are a few of them that may interest you.

Homeowner's Insurance

SB2 makes permanent an earthquake and catastrope medication program that set to expire and requires insurance companies to pay for up to 24 months of living expenses, up to the limit of a homeowner's insurance policy, after a declared emergency.  It limits who may establish a policy limit on a homeowners' policy to specific professions and requires the development of a curriculum that insurance agents and brokers may take to learn how to properly estimate the cost of replacing a home.

Health Insurance Provider Complaints  SB 37

Gives health care providers rights under the Department of Insurance (DOI) to file complaints about health insurance companies, similar to those under the Department of Managed Health Car.  It also requries health insureres to have disput resolution process for providers and requires the DOI to healp ensure access to its complaint process, repson to complaints in a timely manner and provide an explanation of the department's decision about a complaint to the affected provider and patient.