S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   6963
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                                May 9, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M. of A. WEPRIN -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COLTON
   -- read once and referred to the Committee on Insurance
 
 AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to  improving  disclosure
   to automobile insurance consumers; and to amend the executive law, the
   insurance  law and the state administrative procedure act, in relation
   to establishing an independent office  of  public  insurance  consumer
   advocate and establishing its powers and duties
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1.  The insurance law is amended by adding a new article 6  to
 read as follows:
                                 ARTICLE 6
                 AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE CONSUMER INFORMATION
 SECTION 601. TITLE; LEGISLATIVE DECLARATION AND PURPOSE.
         602.  AUTOMOBILE  INSURANCE  CONSUMER  INFORMATION AND COMPLAINT
                RANKINGS.
         603. CONSUMER RATING FACTORS.
         604. DISCLOSURE PROCEDURES.
         605. NONINTERFERENCE WITH OBTAINING COVERAGE.
         606. PUBLIC OUTREACH.
   § 601. TITLE; LEGISLATIVE DECLARATION AND PURPOSE. THIS ARTICLE  SHALL
 BE KNOWN AND MAY BE CITED AS THE "AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE CONSUMER INFORMA-
 TION ACT".
   THE  LEGISLATURE  FINDS  AND  DECLARES  THAT  AUTOMOBILE  INSURANCE IS
 REQUIRED BY LAW FOR ALL RESIDENTS WHO DRIVE AND THAT THE COST OF AUTOMO-
 BILE INSURANCE REPRESENTS A SUBSTANTIAL EXPENSE FOR MANY CONSUMERS.  THE
 LEGISLATURE  FURTHER FINDS THAT THE PREMIUM COSTS FOR ANY GIVEN INDIVID-
 UAL FOR IDENTICAL INSURANCE COVERAGE FROM  DIFFERENT  LICENSED  INSURERS
 CAN  VARY  WIDELY  AND THAT WIDE VARIATIONS ALSO EXIST IN THE QUALITY OF
 SERVICE PROVIDED BY INSURERS AS  MEASURED  BY  THE  DEPARTMENT'S  ANNUAL
 COMPLAINT HANDLING RANKINGS. IN ADDITION, THE LEGISLATURE FINDS THAT FEW
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD04202-01-3
              

 A. 6963                             2
 
 CONSUMERS  ARE  AWARE  OF  THESE  WIDE COST AND QUALITY OF SERVICE VARI-
 ATIONS, THAT AS A RESULT CONSUMERS  AS  A  GROUP  MAY  PAY  HUNDREDS  OF
 MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ANNUALLY FOR OVERPRICED POLICIES AND THAT INDIVIDUAL
 CONSUMERS  MAY  ENCOUNTER UNNECESSARY DIFFICULTY IN HAVING THEIR AUTOMO-
 BILE INSURANCE CLAIMS AND COMPLAINTS HANDLED EXPEDITIOUSLY.  THE  LEGIS-
 LATURE FURTHER FINDS AND DECLARES THAT IT INTENDS FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT
 AND THE DEPARTMENT TO  HAVE BROAD AUTHORITY UNDER THIS ARTICLE TO ESTAB-
 LISH  MECHANISMS  TO  FULLY  INFORM  CONSUMERS  AS TO WHICH POLICIES ARE
 AVAILABLE TO THEM AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE COST AND WHICH INSURERS PROVIDE
 THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF SERVICE. THE LEGISLATURE INTENDS WITH THIS  ARTI-
 CLE TO CREATE CERTAIN DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS THAT WILL MAKE SUCH INFOR-
 MATION  MORE  READILY AVAILABLE TO ALL CONSUMERS. INCREASED AVAILABILITY
 OF INFORMATION IS INTENDED TO MAKE THE AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE SYSTEM  MORE
 COMPETITIVE  WITH  RESPECT  TO  BOTH COST OF COVERAGE AND THE QUALITY OF
 SERVICE.
   § 602. AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE CONSUMER INFORMATION AND  COMPLAINT  RANK-
 INGS.  (A)  THE  SUPERINTENDENT  SHALL  MAINTAIN  A  DATABASE CONTAINING
 NONBUSINESS AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE RATE INFORMATION AND COMPLAINT RANKINGS
 FOR ALL COMPANIES LICENSED TO DO BUSINESS IN THE STATE.
   (B) EVERY PERSON, UPON MAKING AN INQUIRY TO THE DEPARTMENT AND PROVID-
 ING THE INFORMATION SPECIFIED IN SECTION SIX HUNDRED THREE OF THIS ARTI-
 CLE, SHALL BE MAILED WITHIN FIVE BUSINESS DAYS, OR, AT THE OPTION OF THE
 PERSON, RECEIVE AT THE TIME OF SUCH INQUIRY:
   (1) THE NAMES, ADDRESSES, TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND, IF  APPROPRIATE,  WEB
 SITE  ADDRESSES OF THE FIVE COMPANIES HAVING THE LOWEST PREMIUMS FOR THE
 REQUESTED PACKAGE OF  COVERAGE  THAT  WOULD  WRITE  INSURANCE  FOR  SUCH
 PERSON; THE TOTAL COST FOR THE PACKAGE OF COVERAGE FROM EACH SUCH INSUR-
 ER; AND THE MOST RECENT COMPLAINT RANKING OF EACH SUCH INSURER;
   (2)  THE  NAMES, ADDRESSES, TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND, IF APPROPRIATE, WEB
 SITE ADDRESSES OF THE FIVE COMPANIES HAVING THE BEST COMPLAINT  RANKINGS
 THAT  WOULD  WRITE INSURANCE FOR SUCH PERSON, AND THE TOTAL COST FOR THE
 PACKAGE OF COVERAGE FROM EACH INSURER LISTED;
   (3) AN EXPLANATION OF HOW TO OBTAIN FROM  SUCH  COMPANIES  THE  NAMES,
 ADDRESSES, TELEPHONE NUMBERS, AND, IF APPROPRIATE, WEB SITE ADDRESSES OF
 THOSE  AGENTS,  BROKERS  OR SALES REPRESENTATIVES OF SUCH COMPANIES THAT
 ARE SITUATED IN A LOCATION REASONABLY CONVENIENT TO THE PERSON; AND
   (4) UNTIL SUCH DATABASE IS ESTABLISHED, THE DEPARTMENT  SHALL  PROVIDE
 PERSONS  MAKING AN INQUIRY THE DEPARTMENT'S ANNUAL RANKING OF AUTOMOBILE
 INSURANCE COMPLAINTS AND CONSUMERS GUIDE TO AUTO INSURANCE.   AFTER  THE
 DATABASE  IS  ESTABLISHED,  IF THE PERSON MAKING AN INQUIRY PREFERS, THE
 DEPARTMENT MAY PROVIDE, IN LIEU OF THE INFORMATION  SPECIFIED  IN  PARA-
 GRAPHS  ONE,  TWO  AND THREE OF THIS SUBSECTION, THE DEPARTMENT'S ANNUAL
 RANKING OF AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPLAINTS, AND CONSUMER GUIDE  TO  AUTO
 INSURANCE.
   § 603. CONSUMER RATING FACTORS. IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE LIST OF LOWEST
 COST  INSURERS DESCRIBED IN SECTION SIX HUNDRED TWO OF THIS ARTICLE, THE
 PERSON SHALL PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
   (A) THE PLACE IN WHICH THE VEHICLE IS  GARAGED  OR  STORED,  OR  OTHER
 INFORMATION NEEDED TO DETERMINE GEOGRAPHICAL TERRITORY;
   (B)  THE  AGE,  SEX,  MARITAL  STATUS  AND OTHER INFORMATION NEEDED TO
 DETERMINE THE DRIVER CLASS OF THE PRINCIPAL AND OCCASIONAL OPERATORS;
   (C) THE MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF THE AUTOMOBILE;
   (D) INFORMATION RELATING TO QUALIFICATION FOR DISCOUNTS;
   (E) INFORMATION RELATING TO SURCHARGES OR  CREDITS  BASED  ON  DRIVING
 RECORD OR DRIVING COURSES TAKEN;
   (F) DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE POLICY;
 A. 6963                             3
 
   (G) DESIRED COVERAGES; AND
   (H)  SUCH  OTHER  INFORMATION  AS THE SUPERINTENDENT MAY BY REGULATION
 REQUIRE.
   § 604. DISCLOSURE PROCEDURES. EVERY POLICY OF  NONBUSINESS  AUTOMOBILE
 INSURANCE  DELIVERED, ISSUED FOR DELIVERY, RENEWED OR ISSUED FOR RENEWAL
 IN THIS STATE SHALL INCLUDE A NOTICE PRESCRIBED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT IN
 REGULATION OF THE AVAILABILITY OF  THE  INFORMATION  AND  PROCEDURE  FOR
 OBTAINING SUCH INFORMATION DESCRIBED IN SECTIONS SIX HUNDRED TWO AND SIX
 HUNDRED  THREE  OF  THIS  ARTICLE. SUCH NOTICE SHALL INCLUDE THE DEPART-
 MENT'S ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND WEB SITE ADDRESS.
   § 605. NONINTERFERENCE WITH OBTAINING COVERAGE. NO APPLICANT FOR AUTO-
 MOBILE INSURANCE SHALL BE PREVENTED OR DELAYED IN EFFECTING OR  APPLYING
 FOR  COVERAGE  BY  THE  REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION SIX HUNDRED FOUR OF THIS
 ARTICLE. IN THOSE CASES WHERE, PRIOR TO OR AT THE TIME AN APPLICATION IS
 TAKEN, IT IS IMPRACTICAL TO PROVIDE ANY DISCLOSURE DOCUMENTS  PRESCRIBED
 BY  SECTION  SIX  HUNDRED  FOUR OF THIS ARTICLE, SUCH DOCUMENTS SHALL BE
 FURNISHED AS SOON THEREAFTER AS PRACTICAL AND, IN ANY  EVENT,  NO  LATER
 THAN  AT  THE  TIME THE POLICY IS DELIVERED.  WHERE ANY SUCH DOCUMENT IS
 NOT PROVIDED AS REQUIRED BY SECTION SIX HUNDRED FOUR  OF  THIS  ARTICLE,
 THE  APPLICANT  MAY,  NO LATER THAN THIRTY DAYS FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF THE
 POLICY, AND NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS  OF  SECTION  THREE  THOUSAND
 FOUR  HUNDRED  TWENTY-EIGHT OF THIS CHAPTER, RETURN THE POLICY FOR A PRO
 RATA REFUND OF PREMIUMS PAID. A CLEAR  AND  CONSPICUOUS  WRITTEN  NOTICE
 EXPLAINING  THIS REFUND PROVISION, IN LANGUAGE PROMULGATED BY THE SUPER-
 INTENDENT, SHALL BE DELIVERED WITH THE POLICY.
   § 606. PUBLIC OUTREACH. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONDUCT PUBLIC  EDUCATION
 AND  OUTREACH  TO  INFORM CONSUMERS AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF AND HOW TO
 ACCESS THE CONSUMER INFORMATION PRESCRIBED BY THIS  ARTICLE.    NOTWITH-
 STANDING  ANY INCONSISTENT LAW TO THE CONTRARY, NO ADVERTISEMENT UTILIZ-
 ING ELECTRONIC MEANS, (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED  TO  RADIO,  TELEVISION
 AND  THE  INTERNET)  PUBLIC  SERVICE  ANNOUNCEMENT  OR  OTHER  BROADCAST
 PRODUCED OR DISTRIBUTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL FEATURE THE LIKE-
 NESS, PICTURE OR VOICE OF A  STATEWIDE  ELECTED  OFFICIAL  OR  A  FAMILY
 MEMBER OF SUCH OFFICIAL.
   §  2.  If  any provision of section one of this act or the application
 thereof to any person or circumstances be adjudged invalid by any  court
 of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall be confined in its opera-
 tion to the provision or application or persons or circumstances direct-
 ly  involved  in  the controversy in which such judgment shall have been
 rendered and shall not affect or impair the validity of the remainder of
 this act or the application thereof to other persons or circumstances.
   § 3. The executive law is amended by adding a new article 44-A to read
 as follows:
                                ARTICLE 44-A
               OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSURANCE CONSUMER ADVOCATE
 SECTION 945. OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSURANCE CONSUMER ADVOCATE.
         946. PUBLIC INSURANCE CONSUMER ADVOCATE.
         947. POWERS AND DUTIES.
   § 945. OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSURANCE CONSUMER ADVOCATE.  THERE IS  HEREBY
 CREATED  IN  THE  EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT  AN INDEPENDENT OFFICE OF PUBLIC
 INSURANCE CONSUMER ADVOCATE (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO IN THIS ARTICLE  AS
 "OFFICE")  TO  REPRESENT  THE  INTERESTS  OF  NONBUSINESS AUTOMOBILE AND
 HEALTH INSURANCE CONSUMERS IN THE STATE.
   § 946. PUBLIC INSURANCE CONSUMER ADVOCATE. 1. THE GOVERNOR,  WITH  THE
 ADVICE  AND  CONSENT  OF  THE  SENATE,  SHALL APPOINT A PUBLIC INSURANCE
 CONSUMER ADVOCATE (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO IN  THIS  ARTICLE  AS  "ADVO-
 A. 6963                             4
 
 CATE") WHO SHALL SERVE AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC
 INSURANCE  CONSUMER  ADVOCATE  AND  SHALL RECEIVE AN ANNUAL SALARY TO BE
 FIXED BY THE GOVERNOR WITHIN THE AMOUNT AVAILABLE THEREFOR BY  APPROPRI-
 ATION.
   2.  (A)  TO BE ELIGIBLE TO SERVE AS ADVOCATE, A PERSON MUST BE A RESI-
 DENT OF THE STATE. THE ADVOCATE SHALL BE A PERSON WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED A
 STRONG COMMITMENT TO AND INVOLVEMENT IN EFFORTS TO SAFEGUARD THE  RIGHTS
 OF  THE PUBLIC, AND WHO POSSESSES THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
 TO PRACTICE EFFECTIVELY IN INSURANCE PROCEEDINGS.
   (B) A PERSON SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT AS ADVOCATE IF SUCH
 PERSON OR THE PERSON'S SPOUSE:
   (I) IS EMPLOYED BY OR PARTICIPATES IN THE  MANAGEMENT  OF  A  BUSINESS
 ENTITY  OR  OTHER  ORGANIZATION REGULATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL
 SERVICES OR RECEIVING FUNDS FROM SUCH DEPARTMENT;
   (II) OWNS OR CONTROLS, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, MORE THAN  TEN  PERCENT
 INTEREST  IN  A  BUSINESS  ENTITY OR OTHER ORGANIZATION REGULATED BY THE
 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES OR RECEIVING FUNDS FROM THE  DEPARTMENT
 OF FINANCIAL SERVICES OR THE OFFICE;
   (III)  USES  OR  RECEIVES  A  SUBSTANTIAL  AMOUNT  OF  TANGIBLE GOODS,
 SERVICES OR FUNDS FROM THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  FINANCIAL  SERVICES  OR  THE
 OFFICE,  OTHER  THAN COMPENSATION OR REIMBURSEMENT AUTHORIZED BY LAW FOR
 THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES OR OFFICE MEMBERSHIP, ATTENDANCE OR
 EXPENSES.
   3. THE ADVOCATE SHALL SERVE FOR A TERM OF TWO YEARS.
   4. IT SHALL BE A GROUND FOR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE IF THE ADVOCATE:
   (A) DOES NOT HAVE  AT  THE  TIME  OF  APPOINTMENT  THE  QUALIFICATIONS
 REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION;
   (B)  DOES  NOT  MAINTAIN DURING SERVICE AS ADVOCATE THE QUALIFICATIONS
 REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION;
   (C) VIOLATES A PROHIBITION ESTABLISHED BY THIS SECTION; OR
   (D) CANNOT DISCHARGE THE ADVOCATE'S DUTIES FOR A SUBSTANTIAL  PART  OF
 THE TERM FOR WHICH THE ADVOCATE IS APPOINTED BECAUSE OF ILLNESS OR DISA-
 BILITY.
   5.  THE  VALIDITY  OF AN ACTION OF THE OFFICE SHALL NOT BE AFFECTED BY
 THE FACT THAT IT IS TAKEN WHEN A GROUND  FOR  REMOVAL  OF  THE  ADVOCATE
 EXISTS.
   6.  (A) A PERSON SHALL NOT SERVE AS THE ADVOCATE OR ACT AS THE GENERAL
 COUNSEL FOR THE OFFICE OF ADVOCATE IF THE PERSON IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER
 AS A LOBBYIST PURSUANT TO ARTICLE ONE-A OF THE LEGISLATIVE LAW.
   (B) A PERSON SERVING AS THE ADVOCATE SHALL NOT, FOR A  PERIOD  OF  TWO
 YEARS  AFTER THE DATE THE PERSON CEASES TO BE AN ADVOCATE, REPRESENT ANY
 PERSON IN A PROCEEDING BEFORE THE SUPERINTENDENT OF  FINANCIAL  SERVICES
 OR  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  FINANCIAL  SERVICES OR RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR
 SERVICES RENDERED ON BEHALF OF ANY PERSON REGARDING A  CASE  BEFORE  THE
 SUPERINTENDENT  OF  FINANCIAL  SERVICES  OR  THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL
 SERVICES.
   (C) A PERSON SHALL NOT SERVE AS THE ADVOCATE OR BE AN EMPLOYEE OF  THE
 OFFICE  IF  THE  PERSON  IS AN OFFICER, EMPLOYEE OR PAID CONSULTANT OF A
 TRADE ASSOCIATION IN THE FIELD OF INSURANCE.
   (D) A PERSON WHO IS THE SPOUSE OF AN OFFICER, MANAGER OR PAID CONSULT-
 ANT OF A TRADE ASSOCIATION IN THE FIELD OF INSURANCE SHALL NOT SERVE  AS
 THE ADVOCATE AND MAY NOT BE AN OFFICE EMPLOYEE.
   (E) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, A TRADE ASSOCIATION IS A NONPRO-
 FIT,  COOPERATIVE  AND  VOLUNTARILY  JOINED  ASSOCIATION  OF BUSINESS OR
 PROFESSIONAL COMPETITORS DESIGNED TO ASSIST ITS MEMBERS AND ITS INDUSTRY
 A. 6963                             5
 
 OR PROFESSION IN DEALING WITH MUTUAL BUSINESS OR  PROFESSIONAL  PROBLEMS
 AND IN PROMOTING THEIR COMMON INTEREST.
   §  947.  POWERS  AND DUTIES. 1. THE ADVOCATE, AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
 THE OFFICE, SHALL BE CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY  OF  ADMINISTERING,
 ENFORCING  AND  CARRYING  OUT  THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE, INCLUDING
 PREPARATION OF A BUDGET FOR THE OFFICE, EMPLOYING ALL NECESSARY  PROFES-
 SIONAL,  TECHNICAL  AND  OTHER EMPLOYEES TO CARRY OUT PROVISIONS OF THIS
 ARTICLE, APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, TRAVEL, PER
 DIEM AND OTHER ACTUAL AND NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED  IN  ADMINISTERING
 THE  OFFICE.  THE COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE SHALL BE FIXED
 BY THE ADVOCATE WITHIN THE APPROPRIATION PROVIDED THEREFOR.
   2. THE OFFICE SHALL FILE ANNUALLY WITH THE GOVERNOR, TEMPORARY  PRESI-
 DENT  OF  THE SENATE AND SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY A COMPLETE AND DETAILED
 WRITTEN REPORT ACCOUNTING FOR ALL FUNDS RECEIVED AND  DISBURSED  BY  THE
 OFFICE  DURING  THE PRECEDING FISCAL YEAR. THE ANNUAL REPORT SHALL BE IN
 THE FORM AND REPORTED AS PART OF THE EXECUTIVE BUDGET.
   3. ALL MONEY PAID TO THE OFFICE UNDER THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE  DEPOSITED
 IN THE STATE TREASURY.
   4.  THE OFFICE MAY ASSESS THE IMPACT OF INSURER PRACTICES AND PROPOSED
 AND IN-FORCE INSURANCE RATES, RULES AND REGULATIONS ON NONBUSINESS AUTO-
 MOBILE AND HEALTH INSURANCE CONSUMERS IN THE STATE;  IN  ITS  OWN  NAME,
 ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF POSITIONS THAT ARE MOST ADVANTAGEOUS TO A SUBSTAN-
 TIAL NUMBER OF INSURANCE CONSUMERS AS DETERMINED BY THE ADVOCATE; AND DO
 ALL  THINGS  NECESSARY AND PROPER FOR THESE PURPOSES, INCLUDING ENGAGING
 ATTORNEYS, AND EXPERTS  IN  ACTUARIAL  SCIENCE,  ECONOMICS,  ACCOUNTING,
 FINANCE OR ANY OTHER DISCIPLINE WHICH MAY BE APPROPRIATE.
   5. THE ADVOCATE:
   (A)  MAY  APPEAR  OR  INTERVENE AS A MATTER OF RIGHT BEFORE THE SUPER-
 INTENDENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES OR DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AS A
 PARTY OR OTHERWISE ON BEHALF  OF  INSURANCE  CONSUMERS  AS  A  CLASS  IN
 MATTERS  INVOLVING  INSURER  PRACTICES  AND PROPOSED AND IN-FORCE RATES,
 RULES AND REGULATIONS AFFECTING NONBUSINESS AUTOMOBILE AND HEALTH INSUR-
 ANCE;
   (B) MAY INITIATE OR INTERVENE AS A MATTER OF RIGHT OR OTHERWISE APPEAR
 IN ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING INVOLVING OR ARISING OUT OF ANY ACTION  TAKEN
 BY AN ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY IN A PROCEEDING IN WHICH THE ADVOCATE PREVI-
 OUSLY APPEARED UNDER THE AUTHORITY GRANTED BY THIS ARTICLE;
   (C)  IS  ENTITLED TO ACCESS ANY RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL
 SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO ANY PARTY  IN  A  PROCEEDING  BEFORE  THE
 SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES OR DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
 UNDER THE AUTHORITY GRANTED BY THIS ARTICLE;
   (D)  IS ENTITLED TO OBTAIN DISCOVERY OF ANY NON-PRIVILEGED MATTER THAT
 IS RELEVANT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER INVOLVED IN A PROCEEDING OR SUBMISSION
 BEFORE THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES OR DEPARTMENT OF  FINAN-
 CIAL SERVICES AS AUTHORIZED BY THIS ARTICLE;
   (E) MAY RECOMMEND LEGISLATION TO THE LEGISLATURE THAT, IN THE JUDGMENT
 OF  THE  ADVOCATE,  WOULD AFFECT POSITIVELY THE INTERESTS OF NONBUSINESS
 AUTOMOBILE AND HEALTH INSURANCE CONSUMERS;
   (F) MAY APPEAR OR INTERVENE AS A MATTER OF RIGHT AS A PARTY OR  OTHER-
 WISE  ON BEHALF OF NONBUSINESS AUTOMOBILE AND HEALTH INSURANCE CONSUMERS
 AS A CLASS IN ALL PROCEEDINGS AND ACTIONS IN WHICH THE  ADVOCATE  DETER-
 MINES  THAT SUCH CONSUMERS NEED REPRESENTATION, EXCEPT THAT THE ADVOCATE
 SHALL NOT INTERVENE IN ANY  ENFORCEMENT  OR  PARENS  PATRIAE  PROCEEDING
 BROUGHT BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL;
   (G)  MAY  CONDUCT ANY INQUIRY, HEARING, INVESTIGATION, SURVEY OR STUDY
 WHICH  THE  ADVOCATE  DEEMS  NECESSARY  TO  EFFECTIVELY  CARRY  OUT  THE
 A. 6963                             6

 PROVISIONS  OF  THIS  ARTICLE  AND,  FOR  THAT PURPOSE, TO TAKE AND HEAR
 PROOFS AND  TESTIMONY,  SUBPOENA  WITNESSES,  COMPEL  THEIR  ATTENDANCE,
 ADMINISTER OATHS, EXAMINE ANY PERSON UNDER OATH AND TO COMPEL ANY PERSON
 TO SUBSCRIBE TO HIS OR HER TESTIMONY AFTER IT HAS BEEN CORRECTLY REDUCED
 TO WRITING, AND IN CONNECTION THEREWITH TO REQUIRE THE PRODUCTION OF ANY
 BOOKS,  PAPERS,  RECORDS,  ACCOUNTS,  CORRESPONDENCE  OR OTHER DOCUMENTS
 WHICH THE ADVOCATE DEEMS RELEVANT TO  THE  INQUIRY.  A  SUBPOENA  ISSUED
 UNDER  THIS  SECTION  SHALL  BE  REGULATED BY THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND
 RULES.
   6. (A)  THE  OFFICE  SHALL  PREPARE  INFORMATION  OF  PUBLIC  INTEREST
 DESCRIBING THE FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICE. THE OFFICE SHALL MAKE THE INFOR-
 MATION  AVAILABLE  TO  THE PUBLIC, LAWMAKERS AND APPROPRIATE STATE AGEN-
 CIES.
   (B) THE  OFFICE  SHALL  PREPARE  AND  MAINTAIN  A  WRITTEN  PLAN  THAT
 DESCRIBES  HOW  EACH  PERSON  WHO DOES NOT SPEAK ENGLISH CAN BE PROVIDED
 REASONABLE ACCESS TO THE OFFICE'S PROGRAMS.
   (C) THE OFFICE SHALL PREPARE AND DISTRIBUTE PUBLIC EDUCATION MATERIALS
 FOR CONSUMERS, LEGISLATORS AND REGULATORS.
   (D) THE OFFICE MAY PARTICIPATE IN TRADE ASSOCIATIONS.
   7. THE OFFICE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO ARTICLES SIX AND SIX-A OF THE PUBLIC
 OFFICERS LAW; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT DOCUMENTS, RECORDS, FILES, REPORTS
 OR OTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS OF  THE  BOARD,  AS
 DEFINED  AND  DESCRIBED  IN  REGULATIONS  PROMULGATED  BY THE BOARD, ARE
 SPECIFICALLY EXEMPTED FROM DISCLOSURE PURSUANT TO  SECTION  EIGHTY-SEVEN
 OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW.
   § 4. Subsection (d) of section 2321 of the insurance law is amended to
 read as follows:
   (d)  Proceedings  pursuant to subsections (b) and (c) [hereof] OF THIS
 SECTION may be instituted upon the initiative of the  superintendent  or
 upon  written  application to the superintendent by any aggrieved person
 or organization, other than a rate service organization, for a  hearing,
 if  the  superintendent finds that the application is made in good faith
 and that the grounds otherwise justify  holding  such  a  hearing  WHICH
 SHALL  BE  HELD  WITHIN  FIFTEEN DAYS OF THE REQUEST; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
 THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL HOLD SUCH A HEARING WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS OF
 AN APPLICATION THEREFOR FROM  THE  PUBLIC  INSURANCE  CONSUMER  ADVOCATE
 ESTABLISHED UNDER ARTICLE FORTY-FOUR-A OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW. IN THE CASE
 OF  A  DENIAL  OF  AN  APPLICATION  FOR A HEARING FILED BY ANY AGGRIEVED
 PERSON OR ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION, THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL  PROVIDE  THE
 REASONS THEREFOR IN WRITING TO THE APPLICANT WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS OF SUCH
 DENIAL.
   § 5. Subsection (c) of section 2305 of the insurance law is amended to
 read as follows:
   (c)  (1)  Rates  filed with the superintendent shall be accompanied by
 the information upon which the insurer supports the rate as set forth in
 subsection (b) of section two thousand three hundred four of this  arti-
 cle.
   (2)  WITH  RESPECT TO RATES FILED FOR NONBUSINESS AUTOMOBILE POLICIES,
 SUCH FILINGS SHALL INCLUDE ALL STATISTICAL DATA RELIED UPON  TO  SUPPORT
 THE  FILING  AND  SUCH  OTHER  INFORMATION  AS  THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL
 REQUIRE. SUCH FILINGS AND  SUPPORTING  INFORMATION  SHALL  CONFORM  WITH
 STANDARDS  OF  UNIFORMITY  WHICH  THE  SUPERINTENDENT SHALL PRESCRIBE BY
 REGULATION WITHIN ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF  THIS
 PARAGRAPH.
   § 6. The insurance law is amended by adding a new section 2354 to read
 as follows:
 A. 6963                             7
 
   §  2354.  MUNICIPAL PETITIONS; MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE FOR NONBUSINESS
 AUTOMOBILES. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY INCONSISTENT PROVISION OF LAW,  ANY
 MUNICIPALITY  OR  COMBINATION  OF CONTIGUOUS MUNICIPALITIES MAY PETITION
 THE DEPARTMENT FOR A REDUCTION IN RATES OF POLICIES COVERING  LOSSES  OR
 LIABILITIES ARISING OUT OF THE OWNERSHIP OF A MOTOR VEHICLE PREDOMINANT-
 LY  USED  FOR  NONBUSINESS  PURPOSES, WHEN A NATURAL PERSON IS THE NAMED
 INSURED UNDER A POLICY OF AUTO INSURANCE, WHEN SUCH RATES DO NOT REFLECT
 ACCURATELY THE CURRENT DATA PERTINENT TO THE RISK OF LOSS IN THE MUNICI-
 PALITY OR MUNICIPALITIES BASED ON REASONABLE AND SOUND UNDERWRITING  AND
 ACTUARIAL CRITERIA.
   (B) WITHIN  FIFTEEN DAYS OF RECEIPT OF SUCH A PETITION, THE DEPARTMENT
 SHALL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING THEREON, AT WHICH MUNICIPAL REPRESENTATIVES,
 INSURERS AND THE PUBLIC SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD. THE DEPARTMENT
 SHALL EXPLAIN IN WRITING ITS REASONS FOR GRANTING OR DENYING,  IN  WHOLE
 OR  IN PART, THE RELIEF SOUGHT IN THE PETITION. IF THE DEPARTMENT GRANTS
 SUCH RELIEF, IT SHALL IMMEDIATELY ORDER AN APPROPRIATE REDUCTION,  WHICH
 MAY INCLUDE RETROACTIVE RELIEF, IF JUSTIFIED, NOTWITHSTANDING ANY INCON-
 SISTENT PROVISION OF LAW.
   (C) FOR  THE  PURPOSES  OF THIS SECTION, THE TERM "MUNICIPALITY" SHALL
 MEAN ANY COUNTY NOT WHOLLY CONTAINED WITHIN A CITY AND ANY CITY COMPRIS-
 ING MORE THAN ONE COUNTY.
   § 7.  The insurance law is amended by adding a new section 346 to read
 as follows:
   § 346. COOPERATION WITH OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSURANCE CONSUMER  ADVOCATE.
 (A)  THE SUPERINTENDENT, AND EVERY DEPUTY AND EMPLOYEE OF THE DEPARTMENT
 SHALL COOPERATE FULLY AND COMPLETELY WITH THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSURANCE
 CONSUMER ADVOCATE AND PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE TO SUCH OFFICE, ACCESS AND,
 UPON REQUEST OF THE PUBLIC INSURANCE CONSUMER ADVOCATE,  COPIES  OF  ALL
 BOOKS,  RECORDS  AND FILES OF THE DEPARTMENT AND OF EACH LICENSEE OF THE
 DEPARTMENT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS  ACCESS  OR  COPIES  OF
 SUCH  BOOKS,  RECORDS AND FILES, WHICH SUCH ADVOCATE DEEMS NECESSARY AND
 APPROPRIATE TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES OF  ARTICLE  FORTY-FOUR-A  OF  THE
 EXECUTIVE  LAW,  INCLUDING,  BUT NOT LIMITED TO FILINGS AND APPLICATIONS
 WHICH MAY BE SUBJECT TO A HEARING PURSUANT  TO  THIS  SECTION,  AND  ALL
 INFORMATION  FURNISHED THE SUPERINTENDENT IN SUPPORT OF SUCH FILINGS AND
 APPLICATIONS.
   (B) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY INCONSISTENT LAW, RULE OR  REGULATION  TO  THE
 CONTRARY, THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL NOTIFY THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSURANCE
 CONSUMER  ADVOCATE  OF ALL RATE-RELATED FILINGS MADE UNDER ARTICLE TWEN-
 TY-THREE OF THIS CHAPTER WITH RESPECT TO NONBUSINESS  AUTOMOBILE  INSUR-
 ANCE, FILINGS FOR RATE INCREASES PURSUANT TO SECTIONS THREE THOUSAND TWO
 HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE AND FOUR THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED EIGHT OF THIS CHAPTER
 AND APPLICATIONS FOR MATERIAL CHANGE IN BENEFITS OR DELIVERY OF BENEFITS
 UNDER  A  CONTRACT,  WITHIN  FIVE  BUSINESS DAYS OF HAVING RECEIVED SUCH
 FILINGS AND APPLICATIONS.  SUCH NOTIFICATION SHALL INCLUDE A SUMMARY  OF
 EACH  FILING  OR  APPLICATION,  TO  INCLUDE,  BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO: THE
 NUMBER OF POLICYHOLDERS, SUBSCRIBERS OR ENROLLEES AFFECTED;  THE  AMOUNT
 OF RATE INCREASE; THE REGIONS OR TERRITORIES AFFECTED; AND A DESCRIPTION
 OF  THE  CHANGE IN BENEFITS OR DELIVERY OF BENEFITS.  THE SUPERINTENDENT
 SHALL SIMULTANEOUSLY SUBMIT FOR PUBLICATION IN THE  STATE  REGISTER  ALL
 SUCH  NOTIFICATIONS  TO  THE PUBLIC INSURANCE CONSUMER ADVOCATE.  WITHIN
 FIVE BUSINESS DAYS OF THE REQUEST OF SUCH ADVOCATE,  THE  SUPERINTENDENT
 SHALL FORWARD ANY FILINGS AND APPLICATIONS SO REQUESTED AND ALL INFORMA-
 TION FURNISHED IN SUPPORT OF SUCH FILINGS AND APPLICATIONS.
   (C) THE PUBLIC INSURANCE CONSUMER ADVOCATE MAY REQUEST THE SUPERINTEN-
 DENT  HOLD  A  HEARING ON ANY MATTER DEEMED NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE TO
 A. 6963                             8

 CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE FORTY-FOUR-A  OF  THE  EXECUTIVE  LAW,
 WHICH  SHALL  BE  HELD  WITHIN  FIFTEEN DAYS OF THE REQUEST. NO PROPOSED
 CHANGE IN RULE OR REGULATION, FILING FOR A NONBUSINESS AUTOMOBILE  RATE-
 RELATED  CHANGE OR RATE INCREASE, FILING FOR A RATE INCREASE PURSUANT TO
 SECTIONS THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE AND FOUR  THOUSAND  THREE
 HUNDRED  EIGHT  OF  THIS  CHAPTER, OR APPLICATION FOR MATERIAL CHANGE IN
 BENEFITS OR DELIVERY OF BENEFITS SUBJECT TO A HEARING UNDER THIS SECTION
 SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE PENDING THE CLOSE OF SUCH HEARING, PROVIDED  THAT
 SUCH REQUEST IS MADE WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF SUCH ADVOCATE HAVING RECEIVED
 NOTICE  OF  SUCH  PROPOSED CHANGE, FILING OR APPLICATION. WITHIN FIFTEEN
 DAYS AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE HEARING, OR SUCH TIME AS THE  SUPERINTENDENT
 APPROVES  THE  PROPOSED  RULE,  REGULATION,  FILING  OR APPLICATION, THE
 SUPERINTENDENT SHALL ISSUE A WRITTEN  OPINION  BASED  UPON  THE  HEARING
 RECORD,  EXPLAINING THE REASONS FOR APPROVING OR DENYING, IN WHOLE OR IN
 PART, THE CHANGE SOUGHT.
   § 8. Subparagraph (A) of paragraph 2 of subsection (e) of section 3231
 of the insurance law, as amended by chapter 107 of the laws of 2010,  is
 amended to read as follows:
   (A)  Until  September  thirtieth,  two  thousand  ten, as an alternate
 procedure to the requirements of paragraph one of  this  subsection,  an
 insurer  desiring  to  increase or decrease premiums for any policy form
 subject to this section may instead submit a rate filing or  application
 to  the  superintendent  and  such application or filing shall be deemed
 approved, provided that: (i) the anticipated minimum loss  ratio  for  a
 policy  form  shall  not be less than eighty-two percent of the premium;
 and (ii) the insurer submits, as part of such filing, a certification by
 a member of the  American  Academy  of  Actuaries  or  other  individual
 acceptable  to the superintendent that the insurer is in compliance with
 the provisions of this paragraph, based upon that person's  examination,
 including  a  review  of  the  appropriate  records and of the actuarial
 assumptions and methods used by  the  insurer  in  establishing  premium
 rates for policy forms subject to this section, UNLESS THE PUBLIC INSUR-
 ANCE  CONSUMER  ADVOCATE  HAS  REQUESTED  A  PUBLIC HEARING ON SUCH RATE
 FILING OR APPLICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION  THREE  HUNDRED  FORTY-SIX  OF
 THIS  CHAPTER.    An  insurer  shall not utilize the alternate procedure
 pursuant to this paragraph to implement a change in rates to  be  effec-
 tive on or after October first, two thousand ten.
   §  9.  Paragraph  1 of subsection (g) of section 4308 of the insurance
 law, as amended by chapter 107 of the laws of 2010, is amended  to  read
 as follows:
   (1)  Until  September  thirtieth,  two  thousand  ten, as an alternate
 procedure to the requirements of  subsection  (c)  of  this  section,  a
 corporation  subject  to  the  provisions  of  this  article desiring to
 increase or decrease premiums for any contract subject to  this  section
 may  instead  submit  a rate filing or application to the superintendent
 and such application or filing shall be deemed approved,  provided  that
 (A) the anticipated incurred loss ratio for a contract form shall not be
 less  than eighty-two percent for individual direct payment contracts or
 eighty-two percent for small group and small group remittance contracts,
 nor, except in the case of individual direct payment  contracts  with  a
 loss  ratio  of  greater  than  one hundred five percent during nineteen
 hundred ninety-four, shall the loss ratio for any direct payment,  group
 or  group  remittance  contract be more than one hundred five percent of
 the anticipated earned premium, and (B) the corporation submits, as part
 of such filing, a certification by a member of the American  Academy  of
 Actuaries or other individual acceptable to the superintendent that that
 A. 6963                             9

 corporation  is  in  compliance  with the provisions of this subsection,
 based upon that person's examination, including a review of  the  appro-
 priate  records and of the actuarial assumptions and methods used by the
 corporation  in establishing premium rates for contracts subject to this
 section, UNLESS THE PUBLIC INSURANCE CONSUMER ADVOCATE HAS  REQUESTED  A
 PUBLIC  HEARING  ON  SUCH RATE FILING OR APPLICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION
 THREE HUNDRED FORTY-SIX OF  THIS  CHAPTER.    A  corporation  shall  not
 utilize the alternate procedure pursuant to this subsection to implement
 a  change  in rates to be effective on or after October first, two thou-
 sand ten. For purposes of this section, a small group is any group whose
 contract is subject to the requirements of  section  [forty-three]  FOUR
 THOUSAND THREE hundred seventeen of this article.
   §  10.  Section  149  of  the executive law is amended by adding a new
 subdivision 5 to read as follows:
   5. NOTICES SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE  HUNDRED  FORTY-SIX  OF
 THE  INSURANCE  LAW  SHALL  BE  IN SUCH FORMAT AS THE SECRETARY OF STATE
 SHALL REQUIRE, AND SHALL BE PUBLISHED  IN  A  SEPARATE  SECTION  OF  THE
 REGISTER  WHICH  SHALL  INCLUDE  TELEPHONE NUMBERS, ADDRESSES AND E-MAIL
 ADDRESSES WHICH THE PUBLIC MAY USE  TO  CONTACT  THE  OFFICE  OF  PUBLIC
 INSURANCE CONSUMER ADVOCATE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES.
   § 11. Section 202 of the state administrative procedure act is amended
 by adding a new subdivision 1-a to read as follows:
   1-A.  IN  ADDITION  TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION, ANY NOTICE OF
 PROPOSED RULEMAKING, NOTICE OF REVISED RULEMAKING OR NOTICE OF EMERGENCY
 ADOPTION SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES THAT  IMPACTS
 NONBUSINESS  AUTOMOBILE OR HEALTH INSURANCE CONSUMERS SHALL ALSO INCLUDE
 THE TELEPHONE NUMBER, ADDRESS AND E-MAIL ADDRESS WHICH  THE  PUBLIC  MAY
 USE TO CONTACT THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSURANCE CONSUMER ADVOCATE.
   §  12. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that
 within twelve months of the effective date of  this  act,  the  database
 required by section 602 of the insurance law, as added by section one of
 this  act, shall be completed; and, provided further, that within ninety
 days of the effective date of this act, notice of  the  availability  of
 the  department  of  financial  services'  Annual  Ranking of Automobile
 Insurance Complaints and Consumers Guide  to  Auto  Insurance,  and  the
 department of financial services' address, telephone number and web site
 address  shall  be  provided  with  all  nonbusiness automobile policies
 delivered, issued for delivery, renewed or issued for  renewal  in  this
 state.   The disclosure requirement of section 604 of the insurance law,
 as added by section one of this act  shall  take  effect  twelve  months
 after  the  effective  date of this act.   The public insurance consumer
 advocate shall be appointed, pursuant to article 44-A of  the  executive
 law,  as  added  by  section  three of this act for a two year term. Any
 regulations necessary for the implementation of the provisions  of  this
 act shall be promulgated within one hundred eighty days after the effec-
 tive date of this act.