S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   8276
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             November 27, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by M. of A. HUNTER -- read once and referred to the Committee
   on Insurance
 
 AN  ACT  to  amend  the  insurance law, in relation to providing for the
   issuance of pet insurance
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   Section  1.  Paragraph  34  of  subsection  (a) of section 1113 of the
 insurance law, as renumbered by chapter 359 of  the  laws  of  2021,  is
 renumbered  paragraph  35  and  a  new  paragraph 34 is added to read as
 follows:
   (34) "PET INSURANCE" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS DEFINED BY  SUBDI-
 VISION  (A)  OF  SECTION  THREE  THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO OF THIS
 CHAPTER.
   § 2. The insurance law is amended by adding a new section 3462 to read
 as follows:
   § 3462. PET INSURANCE. (A) AS USED  IN  THIS  SECTION,  THE  FOLLOWING
 TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   (1)  "CHRONIC  CONDITION"  MEANS  A  CONDITION  THAT CAN BE TREATED OR
 MANAGED, BUT NOT CURED.
   (2) "CONGENITAL ANOMALY OR DISORDER" MEANS A CONDITION THAT IS PRESENT
 FROM BIRTH, WHETHER INHERITED OR CAUSED BY THE  ENVIRONMENT,  WHICH  MAY
 CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO ILLNESS OR DISEASE.
   (3)  "HEREDITARY  DISORDER"  MEANS  AN ABNORMALITY THAT IS GENETICALLY
 TRANSMITTED FROM PARENT TO OFFSPRING AND MAY CAUSE ILLNESS OR DISEASE.
   (4) "ORTHOPEDIC" REFERS TO CONDITIONS AFFECTING  THE  BONES,  SKELETAL
 MUSCLE,  CARTILAGE,  TENDONS, LIGAMENTS, AND JOINTS. IT INCLUDES, BUT IS
 NOT LIMITED TO, ELBOW  DYSPLASIA,  HIP  DYSPLASIA,  INTERVERTEBRAL  DISC
 DEGENERATION,  PATELLAR  LUXATION,  AND  RUPTURED CRANIAL CRUCIATE LIGA-
 MENTS.  IT DOES NOT INCLUDE CANCERS OR METABOLIC, HEMOPOIETIC, OR  AUTO-
 IMMUNE DISEASES.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD13446-02-3
 A. 8276                             2
              

 
   (5)  "PET  INSURANCE"  MEANS A PROPERTY INSURANCE POLICY THAT PROVIDES
 COVERAGE FOR ACCIDENTS AND ILLNESSES OF PETS.
   (6)  "PREEXISTING  CONDITION" MEANS ANY CONDITION FOR WHICH ANY OF THE
 FOLLOWING ARE TRUE PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF A PET INSURANCE POLICY
 OR DURING ANY WAITING PERIOD:
   (A) A VETERINARIAN PROVIDED MEDICAL ADVICE;
   (B) THE PET RECEIVED PREVIOUS TREATMENT; OR
   (C) BASED ON INFORMATION FROM VERIFIABLE SOURCES, THE PET HAD SIGNS OR
 SYMPTOMS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE CONDITION FOR WHICH A  CLAIM  IS  BEING
 MADE.
   A  CONDITION  FOR  WHICH COVERAGE IS AFFORDED ON A POLICY SHALL NOT BE
 CONSIDERED A PREEXISTING CONDITION ON ANY RENEWAL OF THE POLICY.
   (7) "RENEWAL" MEANS TO ISSUE AND DELIVER AT THE END  OF  AN  INSURANCE
 POLICY  PERIOD  A POLICY WHICH SUPERSEDES A POLICY PREVIOUSLY ISSUED AND
 DELIVERED BY THE SAME INSURER OR AFFILIATED INSURER AND  WHICH  PROVIDES
 TYPES AND LIMITS OF COVERAGE SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO THOSE CONTAINED IN
 THE POLICY BEING SUPERSEDED.
   (8)  "VETERINARIAN"  MEANS  AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HOLDS A VALID LICENSE TO
 PRACTICE VETERINARY MEDICINE UNDER ARTICLE ONE  HUNDRED  THIRTY-FIVE  OF
 THE EDUCATION LAW.
   (9)  "VETERINARY  EXPENSES"  MEANS  THE  COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH MEDICAL
 ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS,  CARE,  OR  TREATMENT  PROVIDED  BY  A  VETERINARIAN,
 INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE COST OF DRUGS PRESCRIBED BY A VETERI-
 NARIAN.
   (10)  "WAITING  PERIOD"  MEANS  THE  PERIOD OF TIME SPECIFIED IN A PET
 INSURANCE POLICY THAT IS REQUIRED TO TRANSPIRE BEFORE SOME OR ALL OF THE
 COVERAGE IN THE POLICY CAN BEGIN. WAITING PERIODS SHALL NOT  BE  APPLIED
 TO RENEWALS OF EXISTING COVERAGE.
   (11)  "WELLNESS  PROGRAM"  MEANS A SUBSCRIPTION OR REIMBURSEMENT-BASED
 PROGRAM THAT IS SEPARATE FROM AN INSURANCE POLICY  THAT  PROVIDES  GOODS
 AND  SERVICES TO PROMOTE THE GENERAL HEALTH, SAFETY, OR WELLBEING OF THE
 PET.  IF ANY WELLNESS PROGRAM REQUIRES AN AGREEMENT OR OTHER TRANSACTION
 WHEREBY AN INSURER IS OBLIGATED TO CONFER A BENEFIT OF  PECUNIARY  VALUE
 UPON  ANOTHER  PARTY, DEPENDENT UPON THE HAPPENING OF A FORTUITOUS EVENT
 IN WHICH THE INSURED OR BENEFICIARY HAS, OR IS EXPECTED TO HAVE  AT  THE
 TIME  OF  SUCH  HAPPENING,  A  MATERIAL INTEREST WHICH WILL BE ADVERSELY
 AFFECTED BY THE HAPPENING OF SUCH EVENT, IT IS TRANSACTING IN THE  BUSI-
 NESS OF INSURANCE AND IS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS CHAPTER. THIS
 DEFINITION  IS  NOT  INTENDED  TO CLASSIFY A CONTRACT DIRECTLY BETWEEN A
 SERVICE PROVIDER AND A PET OWNER THAT ONLY INVOLVES THE TWO  PARTIES  AS
 BEING  THE  BUSINESS OF INSURANCE, UNLESS OTHER INDICATIONS OF INSURANCE
 ALSO EXIST.
   (B) IF AN INSURER USES ANY OF THE TERMS  IN  SUBSECTION  (A)  OF  THIS
 SECTION  IN  A  POLICY OF PET INSURANCE, THE INSURER SHALL USE THE DEFI-
 NITION OF EACH OF THOSE TERMS  AS  SET  FORTH  IN  SUCH  SUBSECTION  AND
 INCLUDE  THE  DEFINITION  OF  THE TERMS IN THE POLICY. THE INSURER SHALL
 ALSO MAKE THE DEFINITIONS AVAILABLE THROUGH A CLEAR AND CONSPICUOUS LINK
 ON THE MAIN PAGE OF THE INSURER  OR  INSURER'S  PROGRAM  ADMINISTRATOR'S
 WEBSITE.  NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL IN ANY WAY PROHIBIT OR LIMIT THE
 TYPES OF EXCLUSIONS INSURERS MAY USE IN THEIR POLICIES OR REQUIRE INSUR-
 ERS  TO  HAVE  ANY  OF  THE  LIMITATIONS  OR  EXCLUSIONS DEFINED IN THIS
 SECTION.
   (C) (1) AN  INSURER  TRANSACTING  PET  INSURANCE  SHALL  DISCLOSE  THE
 FOLLOWING TO CONSUMERS:
   (A) IF THE POLICY EXCLUDES COVERAGE DUE TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
   (I) A PREEXISTING CONDITION;
 A. 8276                             3
 
   (II) A HEREDITARY DISORDER;
   (III) A CONGENITAL ANOMALY OR DISORDER; OR
   (IV) A CHRONIC CONDITION.
   (B)  IF THE POLICY INCLUDES ANY OTHER EXCLUSIONS, THE FOLLOWING STATE-
 MENT:   "OTHER EXCLUSIONS MAY APPLY.  PLEASE  REFER  TO  THE  EXCLUSIONS
 SECTION OF THE POLICY FOR MORE INFORMATION."
   (C)  ANY  POLICY  PROVISION  THAT LIMITS COVERAGE THROUGH A WAITING OR
 AFFILIATION PERIOD, A DEDUCTIBLE, COINSURANCE, OR AN ANNUAL OR  LIFETIME
 POLICY LIMIT.
   (D)  WHETHER  THE INSURER REDUCES COVERAGE OR INCREASES PREMIUMS BASED
 ON THE INSURED'S CLAIM HISTORY, THE AGE OF THE COVERED PET OR  A  CHANGE
 IN THE GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF THE INSURED.
   (E)  IF  THE  UNDERWRITING COMPANY DIFFERS FROM THE BRAND NAME USED TO
 MARKET AND SELL THE PRODUCT.
   (2) (A) UNLESS THE INSURED HAS FILED A CLAIM UNDER THE  PET  INSURANCE
 POLICY,  PET  INSURANCE  APPLICANTS  SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXAMINE AND
 RETURN  THE  POLICY,  CERTIFICATE  OR  RIDER  TO  THE  COMPANY   OR   AN
 AGENT/INSURANCE  PRODUCER  OF  THE  COMPANY  WITHIN  THIRTY  DAYS OF ITS
 RECEIPT AND TO HAVE THE PREMIUM REFUNDED IF, AFTER  EXAMINATION  OF  THE
 POLICY,  CERTIFICATE  OR  RIDER,  THE APPLICANT IS NOT SATISFIED FOR ANY
 REASON.
   (B) PET INSURANCE POLICIES,  CERTIFICATES  AND  RIDERS  SHALL  HAVE  A
 NOTICE PROMINENTLY PRINTED ON THE FIRST PAGE OR ATTACHED THERETO INCLUD-
 ING  SPECIFIC  INSTRUCTIONS  TO  ACCOMPLISH A RETURN. THE FOLLOWING FREE
 LOOK STATEMENT OR LANGUAGE SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR SHALL BE INCLUDED:
   "YOU HAVE 30 DAYS FROM THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THIS POLICY, CERTIFICATE OR
 RIDER TO REVIEW IT AND RETURN IT TO THE COMPANY IF  YOU  DECIDE  NOT  TO
 KEEP  IT.  YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TELL THE COMPANY WHY YOU ARE RETURNING IT.
 IF YOU DECIDE NOT TO KEEP IT, SIMPLY RETURN IT TO  THE  COMPANY  AT  ITS
 ADMINISTRATIVE  OFFICE  OR  YOU  MAY  RETURN  IT  TO THE AGENT/INSURANCE
 PRODUCER THAT YOU BOUGHT IT FROM AS LONG AS YOU HAVE NOT FILED A  CLAIM.
 YOU  MUST RETURN IT WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE DAY YOU FIRST RECEIVED IT. THE
 COMPANY WILL REFUND THE FULL AMOUNT OF ANY PREMIUM PAID WITHIN  30  DAYS
 AFTER IT RECEIVES THE RETURNED POLICY, CERTIFICATE, OR RIDER. THE PREMI-
 UM  REFUND  WILL BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE PERSON WHO PAID IT. THE POLICY,
 CERTIFICATE OR RIDER WILL BE VOID AS IF IT HAD NEVER BEEN ISSUED."
   (3) AN INSURER SHALL CLEARLY DISCLOSE A  SUMMARY  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE
 BASIS  OR FORMULA ON WHICH THE INSURER DETERMINES CLAIM PAYMENTS UNDER A
 PET INSURANCE POLICY WITHIN THE POLICY, PRIOR  TO  POLICY  ISSUANCE  AND
 THROUGH  A CLEAR AND CONSPICUOUS LINK ON THE MAIN PAGE OF THE INSURER OR
 INSURER'S PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR'S WEBSITE.
   (4) AN INSURER THAT USES A BENEFIT SCHEDULE TO DETERMINE CLAIM PAYMENT
 UNDER A PET INSURANCE POLICY SHALL DO BOTH OF THE FOLLOWING:
   (A) CLEARLY DISCLOSE THE APPLICABLE BENEFIT SCHEDULE IN THE POLICY.
   (B) DISCLOSE ALL BENEFIT SCHEDULES USED BY THE INSURER UNDER  ITS  PET
 INSURANCE POLICIES THROUGH A CLEAR AND CONSPICUOUS LINK ON THE MAIN PAGE
 OF THE INSURER OR INSURER'S PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR'S WEBSITE.
   (5)  AN  INSURER  THAT DETERMINES CLAIM PAYMENTS UNDER A PET INSURANCE
 POLICY BASED ON USUAL AND CUSTOMARY FEES,  OR  ANY  OTHER  REIMBURSEMENT
 LIMITATION  BASED  ON  PREVAILING  VETERINARY  SERVICE PROVIDER CHARGES,
 SHALL DO BOTH OF THE FOLLOWING:
   (A) INCLUDE A USUAL AND CUSTOMARY  FEE  LIMITATION  PROVISION  IN  THE
 POLICY  THAT CLEARLY DESCRIBES THE INSURER'S BASIS FOR DETERMINING USUAL
 AND CUSTOMARY FEES AND HOW THAT BASIS IS APPLIED  IN  CALCULATING  CLAIM
 PAYMENTS.
 A. 8276                             4
 
   (B)  DISCLOSE  THE INSURER'S BASIS FOR DETERMINING USUAL AND CUSTOMARY
 FEES THROUGH A CLEAR AND CONSPICUOUS LINK ON THE MAIN PAGE OF THE INSUR-
 ER OR INSURER'S PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR'S WEBSITE.
   (6)  IF ANY MEDICAL EXAMINATION BY A LICENSED VETERINARIAN IS REQUIRED
 TO EFFECTUATE COVERAGE, THE  INSURER  SHALL  CLEARLY  AND  CONSPICUOUSLY
 DISCLOSE  THE  REQUIRED ASPECTS OF THE EXAMINATION PRIOR TO PURCHASE AND
 DISCLOSE THAT EXAMINATION DOCUMENTATION  MAY  RESULT  IN  A  PREEXISTING
 CONDITION EXCLUSION.
   (7)  WAITING  PERIODS AND THE REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO THEM SHALL BE
 CLEARLY AND PROMINENTLY DISCLOSED  TO  CONSUMERS  PRIOR  TO  THE  POLICY
 PURCHASE.
   (8)  THE  INSURER  SHALL  INCLUDE  A  SUMMARY OF ALL POLICY PROVISIONS
 REQUIRED IN PARAGRAPHS ONE THROUGH SEVEN OF THIS SUBSECTION,  INCLUSIVE,
 IN  A  SEPARATE  DOCUMENT TITLED "INSURER DISCLOSURE OF IMPORTANT POLICY
 PROVISIONS."
   (9) THE INSURER SHALL POST THE "INSURER DISCLOSURE OF IMPORTANT POLICY
 PROVISIONS" DOCUMENT REQUIRED IN  PARAGRAPH  EIGHT  OF  THIS  SUBSECTION
 THROUGH  A CLEAR AND CONSPICUOUS LINK ON THE MAIN PAGE OF THE INSURER OR
 INSURER'S PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR'S WEBSITE.
   (10) IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF A NEW  PET  INSURANCE  POLICY,
 THE  INSURER  SHALL  PROVIDE  THE  CONSUMER  WITH A COPY OF THE "INSURER
 DISCLOSURE OF IMPORTANT POLICY PROVISIONS" DOCUMENT REQUIRED PURSUANT TO
 PARAGRAPH EIGHT OF THIS SUBSECTION IN AT LEAST TWELVE-POINT TYPE WHEN IT
 DELIVERS THE POLICY.
   (11) AT THE TIME A PET INSURANCE POLICY IS ISSUED OR  DELIVERED  TO  A
 POLICYHOLDER,  THE  INSURER  SHALL INCLUDE A WRITTEN DISCLOSURE WITH THE
 FOLLOWING INFORMATION, PRINTED IN TWELVE-POINT BOLDFACE TYPE:
   (A) THE DEPARTMENT'S MAILING ADDRESS, TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE  NUMBER  AND
 WEBSITE ADDRESS.
   (B)  THE  ADDRESS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE INSURER
 OR THE AGENT OR BROKER OF RECORD.
   (C) IF THE POLICY WAS ISSUED OR DELIVERED BY AN  AGENT  OR  BROKER,  A
 STATEMENT  ADVISING  THE POLICYHOLDER TO CONTACT THE BROKER OR AGENT FOR
 ASSISTANCE.
   (12) THE DISCLOSURES REQUIRED IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE IN ADDITION  TO
 ANY OTHER DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS REQUIRED BY LAW OR REGULATION.
   (D)  (1)  AN  INSURER  MAY ISSUE POLICIES THAT EXCLUDE COVERAGE ON THE
 BASIS OF ONE OR MORE PREEXISTING CONDITIONS WITH APPROPRIATE  DISCLOSURE
 TO  THE  CONSUMER. THE INSURER HAS THE BURDEN OF PROVING THAT THE PREEX-
 ISTING CONDITION EXCLUSION APPLIES TO THE CONDITION FOR WHICH A CLAIM IS
 BEING MADE.
   (2) (A) AN INSURER MAY ISSUE POLICIES THAT IMPOSE WAITING PERIODS UPON
 EFFECTUATION OF THE POLICY THAT DO NOT EXCEED THIRTY DAYS FOR  ILLNESSES
 OR ORTHOPEDIC CONDITIONS NOT RESULTING FROM AN ACCIDENT. WAITING PERIODS
 FOR ACCIDENTS ARE PROHIBITED.
   (B) A PET INSURER UTILIZING A WAITING PERIOD PERMITTED IN SUBPARAGRAPH
 (A)  OF  THIS  PARAGRAPH  SHALL INCLUDE A PROVISION IN ITS CONTRACT THAT
 ALLOWS THE WAITING PERIODS TO BE WAIVED UPON  COMPLETION  OF  A  MEDICAL
 EXAMINATION.  INSURERS  MAY REQUIRE THE EXAMINATION TO BE CONDUCTED BY A
 LICENSED VETERINARIAN AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE POLICY.
   (C) A MEDICAL EXAMINATION UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH  (B)  OF  THIS  PARAGRAPH
 SHALL  BE PAID FOR BY THE POLICYHOLDER, UNLESS THE POLICY SPECIFIES THAT
 THE INSURER WILL PAY FOR THE EXAMINATION.
   (D) AN INSURER MAY SPECIFY ELEMENTS TO BE  INCLUDED  AS  PART  OF  THE
 EXAMINATION  AND  REQUIRE DOCUMENTATION THEREOF, PROVIDED THE SPECIFICA-
 A. 8276                             5

 TIONS DO NOT UNREASONABLY RESTRICT A CONSUMER'S  ABILITY  TO  WAIVE  THE
 WAITING PERIODS PRESCRIBED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS PARAGRAPH.
   (E) WAITING PERIODS, AND THE REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO THEM, SHALL BE
 CLEARLY  AND  PROMINENTLY  DISCLOSED  TO  CONSUMERS  PRIOR TO THE POLICY
 PURCHASE.
   (3) AN INSURER SHALL NOT  REQUIRE  A  VETERINARY  EXAMINATION  OF  THE
 COVERED PET FOR THE INSURED TO HAVE THEIR POLICY RENEWED.
   (4)  IF  AN  INSURER INCLUDES ANY PRESCRIPTIVE, WELLNESS, OR NON-INSU-
 RANCE BENEFITS IN THE POLICY FORM, THEN IT IS MADE PART  OF  THE  POLICY
 CONTRACT AND SHALL FOLLOW ALL APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS UNDER THIS
 CHAPTER.
   (5)  AN INSURED'S ELIGIBILITY TO PURCHASE A PET INSURANCE POLICY SHALL
 NOT BE BASED ON PARTICIPATION, OR LACK OF PARTICIPATION, IN  A  SEPARATE
 WELLNESS PROGRAM.
   (E)  (1)  NO  INSURER  OR  INSURANCE  PRODUCER SHALL MARKET A WELLNESS
 PROGRAM AS PET INSURANCE.
   (2) IF A WELLNESS PROGRAM IS SOLD BY AN INSURER OR INSURANCE PRODUCER:
   (A) THE PURCHASE OF THE WELLNESS PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE A REQUIREMENT TO
 THE PURCHASE OF PET INSURANCE.
   (B) THE COSTS OF THE WELLNESS PROGRAM SHALL BE SEPARATE AND  IDENTIFI-
 ABLE  FROM  ANY  PET  INSURANCE  POLICY  SOLD BY AN INSURER OR INSURANCE
 PRODUCER.
   (C) THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE WELLNESS PROGRAM SHALL  BE  SEPA-
 RATE  FROM  ANY  PET  INSURANCE  POLICY  SOLD BY AN INSURER OR INSURANCE
 PRODUCER.
   (D) THE PRODUCTS OR COVERAGES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE  WELLNESS  PROGRAM
 SHALL  NOT  DUPLICATE  PRODUCTS  OR  COVERAGES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE PET
 INSURANCE POLICY; AND
   (E) THE ADVERTISING OF THE WELLNESS PROGRAM SHALL  NOT  BE  MISLEADING
 AND  SHALL COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH TWO OF SUBSECTION (C)
 OF THIS SECTION.
   (F) AN INSURER  OR  INSURANCE  PRODUCER  SHALL  CLEARLY  DISCLOSE  THE
 FOLLOWING TO CONSUMERS, PRINTED IN TWELVE-POINT BOLDFACE TYPE:
   (I) THAT WELLNESS PROGRAMS ARE NOT INSURANCE.
   (II)  THE  ADDRESS  AND  CUSTOMER  SERVICE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE PET
 INSURER OR PRODUCER OR BROKER OF RECORD.
   (III) THE DEPARTMENT'S MAILING ADDRESS,  TOLL-FREE  TELEPHONE  NUMBER,
 AND WEBSITE ADDRESS.
   (3) COVERAGES INCLUDED IN A PET INSURANCE POLICY CONTRACT DESCRIBED AS
 "WELLNESS" BENEFITS ARE INSURANCE.
   (F)  (1) AN INSURANCE PRODUCER SHALL NOT SELL, SOLICIT, OR NEGOTIATE A
 PET INSURANCE PRODUCT UNTIL AFTER THE PRODUCER IS APPROPRIATELY LICENSED
 AND HAS COMPLETED THE REQUIRED TRAINING IDENTIFIED IN PARAGRAPH THREE OF
 THIS SUBSECTION.
   (2) INSURERS SHALL ENSURE THAT ITS PRODUCERS ARE TRAINED  UNDER  PARA-
 GRAPH  THREE  OF THIS SUBSECTION AND THAT ITS PRODUCERS HAVE BEEN APPRO-
 PRIATELY TRAINED ON THE COVERAGES AND CONDITIONS OF  ITS  PET  INSURANCE
 PRODUCTS.
   (3) THE TRAINING REQUIRED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION SHALL INCLUDE INFORMA-
 TION ON THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:
   (A) PREEXISTING CONDITIONS AND WAITING PERIODS;
   (B)  THE  DIFFERENCES  BETWEEN PET INSURANCE AND NONINSURANCE WELLNESS
 PROGRAMS;
   (C) HEREDITARY DISORDERS, CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OR DISORDERS AND CHRON-
 IC CONDITIONS AND HOW PET INSURANCE POLICIES INTERACT WITH THOSE  CONDI-
 TIONS OR DISORDERS; AND
 A. 8276                             6
 
   (D)  RATING,  UNDERWRITING,  RENEWAL  AND OTHER RELATED ADMINISTRATIVE
 TOPICS.
   (4)  THE  SATISFACTION  OF  THE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS OF ANOTHER STATE
 THAT ARE SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH  THREE  OF
 THIS  SUBSECTION  AS DETERMINED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO
 SATISFY THE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SUBSECTION.
   (G) THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL  PROMULGATE  ANY  RULES  AND  REGULATIONS
 NECESSARY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS SECTION.
   (H)  ALL OTHER APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THIS CHAPTER SHALL CONTINUE TO
 APPLY TO PET INSURANCE EXCEPT  THAT  THE  SPECIFIC  PROVISIONS  OF  THIS
 SECTION  SHALL  SUPERSEDE ANY GENERAL PROVISION OF LAW THAT WOULD OTHER-
 WISE BE APPLICABLE TO PET INSURANCE.
   § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
 it shall have become a law and shall apply to all policies entered into,
 renewed, modified or amended on or after such effective date.  Effective
 immediately,  the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regu-
 lation necessary for the implementation of this  act  on  its  effective
 date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective
 date.