69th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--1997 Regular Session SA to A-Eng. HB 2222 LC 1289/HB 2222-A9 SENATE AMENDMENTS TO A-ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL 2222 By COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ELECTIONS June 25 On page 1 of the printed A-engrossed bill, line 2, delete ' and 163.165' and insert ', 163.165, 166.715, 731.028, 746.230, 748.603, 750.055 and 750.333'. On page 4, after line 13, insert: ' { + SECTION 5. + } { + As used in sections 5 to 7 of this Act: ' (1) 'Insurance policy' has the meaning given the term ' policy' in ORS 731.122 and includes, but is not limited to: ' (a) Health insurance policies and contracts issued by health care service contractors, health maintenance organizations, multiple employer welfare arrangements and fraternal benefit societies and certificates of coverage issued under group insurance policies. ' (b) Workers' compensation and health benefit agreements and coverages provided by self-insured employers. ' (2) 'Insurer' has the meaning given that term in ORS 731.106. 'Insurer' includes, but is not limited to: ' (a) A health care service contractor, as defined in ORS 750.005, including, but not limited to, a health maintenance organization. ' (b) A multiple employer welfare arrangement, as defined in ORS 750.301. ' (c) A legal entity that is self-insured and provides insurance services to its employees. ' (d) A guaranty contract insurer as defined in ORS 656.005. ' (e) An employer authorized under ORS chapter 656 to self-insure its workers' compensation risk. ' (f) A fraternal benefit society, as defined in ORS 748.106. ' (g) An agent as defined in ORS 731.062. ' (3) 'Material fact' means a fact that could affect the course or outcome of any proceeding or transaction. ' (4) 'Practitioner' means a person who directly or indirectly provides or claims to provide services for which payment is claimed under an insurance policy. + } ' { + SECTION 6. + } { + (1) A person commits the crime of insurance fraud if the person with the intent to defraud: ' (a) Presents information to an insurer in connection with any of the transactions listed in subsection (2) of this section if the information: ' (A) Contains a false or misleading representation concerning a material fact; or ' (B) Conceals or fails to disclose a material fact in connection with the information. ' (b) Presents information on behalf of an insurer in connection with the solicitation for sale of any insurance policy or purported insurance policy if the information: ' (A) Contains a false or misleading representation concerning a material fact; or ' (B) Is in response to a specific request for information and conceals or fails to disclose a material fact. ' (c) Solicits or accepts new or renewal insurance risks for an insurer contrary to the notice to the person from the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services under ORS 731.422 that the director has suspended, revoked or refused to continue the certificate of authority of the insurer and has suspended or revoked the authority of the person to represent the insurer. ' (d) Removes the assets or records of assets, transactions or affairs of an insurer from the home office of the insurer, a place of business of the insurer or a place of safekeeping of the insurer. ' (e) Destroys the assets or records of assets, transactions or affairs of an insurer. ' (f) Withholds the assets or records of assets, transactions or affairs of an insurer from the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services unless the records are legally privileged. ' (g) Diverts, misappropriates or converts the funds of an insurer, insured, claimant or applicant for insurance in connection with: ' (A) The business activities of an insurer; ' (B) The acquisition, formation, merger, affiliation or dissolution of an insurer; or ' (C) Any transaction between the following persons for the purpose of obtaining insurance or reinsurance, calculating insurance premiums, submitting a claim or negotiating or adjusting a claim: ' (i) An insurer, a self-insured entity or a person acting on behalf of an insurer or self-insured entity; and ' (ii) An insured, claimant, applicant for insurance, practitioner, other insurer or a person acting on behalf of an insured, claimant, applicant for insurance, practitioner or other insurer. ' (2) The transactions to which subsection (1)(a) of this section applies are: ' (a) The application for, rating of or renewal of any insurance policy; ' (b) The calculation of premium or the classification of risk; ' (c) A claim for payment of benefit pursuant to any insurance policy or workers' compensation law; and ' (d) A payment made in accordance with the terms of any insurance law, insurance policy or workers' compensation law. ' (3) As used in this section, 'presents' includes causing to be presented and preparing with the knowledge or belief that the material prepared will be presented. ' (4) In the absence of other conduct constituting insurance fraud, insurance fraud does not include an attorney's conduct in filing pleadings and prosecuting a civil action. ' (5)(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, insurance fraud is a Class C felony. ' (b) Insurance fraud is a Class B felony if the defendant threatened or caused physical injury to a person while committing the crime. + } ' { + SECTION 7. + } { + In addition to any other sentence the court may impose upon conviction of insurance fraud, the court may order the defendant to pay restitution in accordance with ORS 137.106 up to the full amount of any financial loss or damages sustained as a result of the insurance fraud. Financial loss and damages include, but are not limited to: ' (1) Loss of earnings; ' (2) Out-of-pocket and other expenses; ' (3) Paid deductible amounts under an insurance policy; ' (4) Insurance proceeds or insurance claim payments; and ' (5) Costs reasonably attributed to investigations and recovery efforts by owners, insurers, law enforcement and other public authorities. + } ' { + SECTION 8. + } { + When a person who is required to be licensed by the state to practice an occupation is convicted of insurance fraud, the district attorney shall notify the appropriate licensing agency in this state of the conviction and may notify licensing agencies in other states in which the practitioner is licensed. + } ' { + SECTION 9. + } { + Sections 10, 11 and 17 of this Act are added to and made a part of the Insurance Code. + } ' { + SECTION 10. + } { + (1) Notwithstanding ORS 746.230 and 746.665, an insurer shall cooperate with any law enforcement agency or other state or federal agency that is investigating or prosecuting suspected insurance fraud. The insurer shall provide any information requested by the agency unless the information is subject to a legal privilege that would prohibit disclosure. ' (2) If an insurer has reason to believe that insurance fraud has been, is being or is about to be committed, the insurer shall notify the appropriate agency of that fact. The insurer is not required to notify the agency if the information or any part of the information upon which the reason to believe is based is protected from disclosure by legal privilege. ' (3) An insurer providing information under this section may request information in the possession or control of the agency relating to the investigation. The agency may not provide an insurer with information that is privileged or confidential. Otherwise, the agency shall disclose requested information unless disclosure would jeopardize an ongoing investigation or prosecution. The agency may require that the insurer not disclose the information to any other person. ' (4) A person who has reason to believe insurance fraud has been, is being or is about to be committed or who collects, reviews or analyzes information concerning insurance fraud may furnish any unprivileged information in the person's possession concerning insurance fraud to an insurer who requests the information for the purpose of detecting, prosecuting or preventing insurance fraud. ' (5) If an insurer or agency does not provide information as required by this section, the insurer or agency is not eligible for any compensation to which the insurer or agency would otherwise be entitled from any award under section 7 of this 1997 Act. + } ' { + SECTION 11. + } { + Unless it is shown that the person, including an insurer, acted with actual malice, a person who discloses or provides information under section 10 of this 1997 Act has immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed with respect to the disclosure or provision of the information. A person has the same immunity with respect to participating in any judicial proceeding resulting from the disclosure or provision of information. + } ' { + SECTION 12. + } ORS 166.715 is amended to read: ' 166.715. As used in ORS 166.715 to 166.735, unless the context requires otherwise: ' (1) 'Documentary material' means any book, paper, document, writing, drawing, graph, chart, photograph, phonograph record, magnetic tape, computer printout, other data compilation from which information can be obtained or from which information can be translated into usable form, or other tangible item. ' (2) 'Enterprise' includes any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, business trust or other profit or nonprofit legal entity, and includes any union, association or group of individuals associated in fact although not a legal entity, and both illicit and licit enterprises and governmental and nongovernmental entities. ' (3) 'Investigative agency' means the Department of Justice or any district attorney. ' (4) 'Pattern of racketeering activity' means engaging in at least two incidents of racketeering activity that have the same or similar intents, results, accomplices, victims or methods of commission or otherwise are interrelated by distinguishing characteristics, including a nexus to the same enterprise, and are not isolated incidents, provided at least one of such incidents occurred after November 1, 1981, and that the last of such incidents occurred within five years after a prior incident of racketeering activity. ' (5) 'Person' means any individual or entity capable of holding a legal or beneficial interest in real or personal property. ' (6) 'Racketeering activity' means to commit, to attempt to commit, to conspire to commit, or to solicit, coerce or intimidate another person to commit: ' (a) Any conduct that constitutes a crime, as defined in ORS 161.515, under any of the following provisions of the Oregon Revised Statutes: ' (A) ORS 59.005 to 59.451, 59.660 to 59.830, 59.991 and 59.995, relating to securities; ' (B) ORS 162.015, 162.025 and 162.065 to 162.085, relating to bribery and perjury; ' (C) ORS 162.235, 162.265 to 162.305, 162.325, 162.335, 162.355 and 162.365, relating to obstructing governmental administration; ' (D) ORS 162.405 to 162.425, relating to abuse of public office; ' (E) ORS 162.465, relating to interference with legislative operation; ' (F) ORS 163.095 to 163.115, 163.118, 163.125 and 163.145, relating to criminal homicide; ' (G) ORS 163.160 to 163.205, relating to assault and related offenses; ' (H) ORS 163.225 and 163.235, relating to kidnapping; ' (I) ORS 163.275, relating to coercion; ' (J) ORS 163.670 to 163.695, relating to sexual conduct of children; ' (K) ORS 164.015, 164.043, 164.045, 164.055, 164.057, 164.075 to 164.095, 164.125, 164.135, 164.140, 164.215, 164.225 and 164.245 to 164.270, relating to theft, burglary, criminal trespass and related offenses; ' (L) ORS 164.315 to 164.335, relating to arson and related offenses; ' (M) ORS 164.345 to 164.365, relating to criminal mischief; ' (N) ORS 164.395 to 164.415, relating to robbery; ' (O) ORS 164.865, 164.875 and 164.868 to 164.872, relating to unlawful recording or labeling of a recording; ' (P) ORS 165.007 to 165.022, 165.032 to 165.042 and 165.055 to 165.070, relating to forgery and related offenses; ' (Q) ORS 165.080 to 165.109, relating to business and commercial offenses; ' (R) ORS 165.485 to 165.515, 165.540 and 165.555, relating to communication crimes; ' (S) ORS 166.180, 166.190, 166.220, 166.250, 166.270, 166.275, 166.410, 166.450 and 166.470, relating to firearms and other weapons; ' (T) ORS 164.377 (2) to (4), as punishable under ORS 164.377 (5)(b), 167.007 to 167.017, 167.062 to 167.080, 167.087, 167.090, 167.122 to 167.137, 167.147, 167.164, 167.212, 167.355, 167.365 and 167.370, relating to prostitution, obscenity, gambling, computer crimes involving the Oregon State Lottery, animal fighting and related offenses; ' (U) ORS 171.990, relating to legislative witnesses; ' (V) ORS 260.575 and 260.665, relating to election offenses; ' (W) ORS 314.075, relating to income tax; ' (X) ORS chapter 323, relating to cigarette taxes; ' (Y) ORS 411.630, 411.675, 411.690 and 411.840, relating to public assistance payments, and ORS 411.990 (2) and (3); ' (Z) ORS 462.140, 462.415 and 462.420 to 462.520, relating to racing; ' (AA) ORS 463.995, relating to boxing and wrestling, as defined in ORS 463.015; ' (BB) ORS 471.205, 471.305, 471.335 to 471.345, 471.360, 471.392 to 471.400, 471.405, 471.425, 471.445, 471.485, 471.490 and 471.675, relating to alcoholic liquor, and any of the provisions of ORS chapter 471 relating to licenses issued under the Liquor Control Act; ' (CC) ORS 475.005 to 475.285 and 475.940 to 475.995, relating to controlled substances; ' (DD) ORS 480.070, 480.210, 480.215 and 480.235 to 480.265, relating to explosives; ' (EE) ORS 819.010, 819.040, 822.100, 822.135 and 822.150, relating to motor vehicles; ' (FF) ORS 658.452 or 658.991 (2) to (4), relating to farm labor contractors; ' (GG) ORS chapter 706, relating to banking law administration; ' (HH) ORS chapter 708, relating to banks and trusts; ' (II) ORS chapter 714, relating to branch banking; ' (JJ) ORS chapter 716, relating to mutual savings banks; ' (KK) ORS chapter 723, relating to credit unions; ' (LL) ORS chapter 726, relating to pawnbrokers; ' (MM) ORS 166.382 and 166.384, relating to destructive devices; ' (NN) ORS 165.074; ' (OO) ORS 59.840 to 59.965, relating to mortgage bankers and mortgage brokers; { - or - } ' (PP) ORS chapter 496, 497 or 498, relating to wildlife { + ; ' (QQ) ORS 165.692, relating to false claims for health care payment; or ' (RR) Section 6 of this 1997 Act, relating to insurance fraud + }. ' (b) Any conduct defined as 'racketeering activity' under 18 U.S.C. s1961 (1)(B), (C) and (D). ' (7) 'Unlawful debt' means any money or other thing of value constituting principal or interest of a debt that is legally unenforceable in the state in whole or in part because the debt was incurred or contracted: ' (a) In violation of any one of the following: ' (A) ORS chapter 462, relating to racing; ' (B) ORS 167.117 to 167.164, relating to gambling; or ' (C) ORS 82.010 to 82.170, relating to interest and usury. ' (b) In gambling activity in violation of federal law or in the business of lending money at a rate usurious under federal or state law. ' { + SECTION 12a. + } If House Bill 3357 becomes law, section 12 of this Act (amending ORS 166.715) is repealed and ORS 166.715, as amended by section 1, chapter ___, Oregon Laws 1997 (Enrolled House Bill 3357), is amended to read: ' 166.715. As used in ORS 166.715 to 166.735, unless the context requires otherwise: ' (1) 'Documentary material' means any book, paper, document, writing, drawing, graph, chart, photograph, phonograph record, magnetic tape, computer printout, other data compilation from which information can be obtained or from which information can be translated into usable form, or other tangible item. ' (2) 'Enterprise' includes any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, business trust or other profit or nonprofit legal entity, and includes any union, association or group of individuals associated in fact although not a legal entity, and both illicit and licit enterprises and governmental and nongovernmental entities. ' (3) 'Investigative agency' means the Department of Justice or any district attorney. ' (4) 'Pattern of racketeering activity' means engaging in at least two incidents of racketeering activity that have the same or similar intents, results, accomplices, victims or methods of commission or otherwise are interrelated by distinguishing characteristics, including a nexus to the same enterprise, and are not isolated incidents, provided at least one of such incidents occurred after November 1, 1981, and that the last of such incidents occurred within five years after a prior incident of racketeering activity. Notwithstanding ORS 131.505 to 131.525 or 419A.190 or any other provision of law providing that a previous prosecution is a bar to a subsequent prosecution, conduct that constitutes an incident of racketeering activity may be used to establish a pattern of racketeering activity without regard to whether the conduct previously has been the subject of a criminal prosecution or conviction or a juvenile court adjudication, unless the prosecution resulted in an acquittal or the adjudication resulted in entry of an order finding the youth not to be within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. ' (5) 'Person' means any individual or entity capable of holding a legal or beneficial interest in real or personal property. ' (6) 'Racketeering activity' includes conduct of a person committed both before and after the person attains the age of 18 years, and means to commit, to attempt to commit, to conspire to commit, or to solicit, coerce or intimidate another person to commit: ' (a) Any conduct that constitutes a crime, as defined in ORS 161.515, under any of the following provisions of the Oregon Revised Statutes: ' (A) ORS 59.005 to 59.451, 59.660 to 59.830, 59.991 and 59.995, relating to securities; ' (B) ORS 162.015, 162.025 and 162.065 to 162.085, relating to bribery and perjury; ' (C) ORS 162.235, 162.265 to 162.305, 162.325, 162.335, 162.355 and 162.365, relating to obstructing governmental administration; ' (D) ORS 162.405 to 162.425, relating to abuse of public office; ' (E) ORS 162.465, relating to interference with legislative operation; ' (F) ORS 163.095 to 163.115, 163.118, 163.125 and 163.145, relating to criminal homicide; ' (G) ORS 163.160 to 163.205, relating to assault and related offenses; ' (H) ORS 163.225 and 163.235, relating to kidnapping; ' (I) ORS 163.275, relating to coercion; ' (J) ORS 163.670 to 163.695, relating to sexual conduct of children; ' (K) ORS 164.015, 164.043, 164.045, 164.055, 164.057, 164.075 to 164.095, 164.125, 164.135, 164.140, 164.215, 164.225 and 164.245 to 164.270, relating to theft, burglary, criminal trespass and related offenses; ' (L) ORS 164.315 to 164.335, relating to arson and related offenses; ' (M) ORS 164.345 to 164.365, relating to criminal mischief; ' (N) ORS 164.395 to 164.415, relating to robbery; ' (O) ORS 164.865, 164.875 and 164.868 to 164.872, relating to unlawful recording or labeling of a recording; ' (P) ORS 165.007 to 165.022, 165.032 to 165.042 and 165.055 to 165.070, relating to forgery and related offenses; ' (Q) ORS 165.080 to 165.109, relating to business and commercial offenses; ' (R) ORS 165.485 to 165.515, 165.540 and 165.555, relating to communication crimes; ' (S) ORS 166.180, 166.190, 166.220, 166.250, 166.270, 166.275, 166.410, 166.450 and 166.470, relating to firearms and other weapons; ' (T) ORS 164.377 (2) to (4), as punishable under ORS 164.377 (5)(b), 167.007 to 167.017, 167.062 to 167.080, 167.087, 167.090, 167.122 to 167.137, 167.147, 167.164, 167.212, 167.355, 167.365 and 167.370, relating to prostitution, obscenity, gambling, computer crimes involving the Oregon State Lottery, animal fighting and related offenses; ' (U) ORS 171.990, relating to legislative witnesses; ' (V) ORS 260.575 and 260.665, relating to election offenses; ' (W) ORS 314.075, relating to income tax; ' (X) ORS chapter 323, relating to cigarette taxes; ' (Y) ORS 411.630, 411.675, 411.690 and 411.840, relating to public assistance payments, and ORS 411.990 (2) and (3); ' (Z) ORS 462.140, 462.415 and 462.420 to 462.520, relating to racing; ' (AA) ORS 463.995, relating to boxing and wrestling, as defined in ORS 463.015; ' (BB) ORS 471.205, 471.305, 471.335 to 471.345, 471.360, 471.392 to 471.400, 471.405, 471.425, 471.445, 471.485, 471.490 and 471.675, relating to alcoholic liquor, and any of the provisions of ORS chapter 471 relating to licenses issued under the Liquor Control Act; ' (CC) ORS 475.005 to 475.285 and 475.940 to 475.995, relating to controlled substances; ' (DD) ORS 480.070, 480.210, 480.215 and 480.235 to 480.265, relating to explosives; ' (EE) ORS 819.010, 819.040, 822.100, 822.135 and 822.150, relating to motor vehicles; ' (FF) ORS 658.452 or 658.991 (2) to (4), relating to farm labor contractors; ' (GG) ORS chapter 706, relating to banking law administration; ' (HH) ORS chapter 708, relating to banks and trusts; ' (II) ORS chapter 714, relating to branch banking; ' (JJ) ORS chapter 716, relating to mutual savings banks; ' (KK) ORS chapter 723, relating to credit unions; ' (LL) ORS chapter 726, relating to pawnbrokers; ' (MM) ORS 166.382 and 166.384, relating to destructive devices; ' (NN) ORS 165.074; ' (OO) ORS 59.840 to 59.965, relating to mortgage bankers and mortgage brokers; ' (PP) ORS chapter 496, 497 or 498, relating to wildlife; ' (QQ) ORS 163.355 to 163.427, relating to sexual offenses; ' (RR) ORS 166.015, relating to riot; ' (SS) ORS 166.155 and 166.165, relating to intimidation; ' (TT) ORS chapter 696, relating to real estate and escrow; ' (UU) ORS chapter 704, relating to outfitters and guides; ' (VV) ORS 165.692, relating to making a false claim for health care payment; { - or - } ' (WW) ORS 162.117, relating to public investment fraud { + ; or + } ' { + (XX) Section 6 of this 1997 Act, relating to insurance fraud + }. ' (b) Any conduct defined as 'racketeering activity' under 18 U.S.C. s1961 (1)(B), (C), (D) and (E). ' (7) 'Unlawful debt' means any money or other thing of value constituting principal or interest of a debt that is legally unenforceable in the state in whole or in part because the debt was incurred or contracted: ' (a) In violation of any one of the following: ' (A) ORS chapter 462, relating to racing; ' (B) ORS 167.117 to 167.164, relating to gambling; or ' (C) ORS 82.010 to 82.170, relating to interest and usury. ' (b) In gambling activity in violation of federal law or in the business of lending money at a rate usurious under federal or state law. ' (8) Notwithstanding contrary provisions in ORS 174.060, when this section references a statute in the Oregon Revised Statutes that is substantially different in the nature of its essential provisions from what the statute was when this section was enacted, the reference shall extend to and include amendments to the statute. ' { + SECTION 13. + } ORS 731.028 is amended to read: ' 731.028. The State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation is subject as a domestic insurer to ORS 731.248, 731.252, 731.256, 731.258, 731.260, 731.296 to 731.316, 731.488, 731.574, 731.730, 731.731, 731.735, 731.737, 731.988, 731.992, 733.010 to 733.060, 733.140 to 733.170, 733.210, 737.205, 737.215, 737.225, 737.235 to 737.340, 737.505, 737.560, ORS chapters 742, 743 and 744, ORS 746.015, 746.075, 746.110, 746.145 to 746.155, 746.230 and 746.240 { + and sections 10, 11 and 17 of this 1997 Act + } to the extent that such provisions are not inconsistent with the express provisions of ORS chapter 656. However: ' (1) The requirements of the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services under ORS 733.010 to 733.060, 733.140 to 733.170 and 733.210 govern in the case of a conflict between those requirements and the requirements of any accounting system prescribed by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services. ' (2) The filing requirements of ORS 737.205 to 737.340, 737.505 and 737.560 are in lieu of any similar filing requirements prescribed by any other law of this state. ' (3) The requirements of ORS chapter 743 are applicable only with respect to excess workers' compensation insurance furnished by the corporation. ' (4) The provisions of ORS chapter 744 apply only with respect to the regulation of agents. ' (5) For each year that the Secretary of State conducts an audit of the State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation under ORS 297.210, the director may accept the audit and a copy of the Secretary of State's audit report in lieu of the requirements of ORS 731.488 if the director determines that the purposes of ORS 731.488 are adequately served by the Secretary of State's audit and report. The Secretary of State shall file a copy of its audit report of the State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation with the director. ' { + SECTION 14. + } ORS 748.603 is amended to read: ' 748.603. (1) Societies shall be governed by this chapter and shall be exempt from all other provisions of the insurance laws of this state unless expressly designated therein, or unless specifically made applicable by this chapter. ' (2) ORS 731.004 to 731.026, 731.032 to 731.136, 731.146 to 731.156, 731.162, 731.166, 731.170, 731.216 to 731.268, 731.296, 731.324, 731.328, 731.354, 731.356, 731.358, 731.378, 731.380, 731.381, 731.382, 731.385, 731.386, 731.390, 731.394, 731.396, 731.398, 731.402, 731.406, 731.410, 731.422 to 731.434, 731.446 to 731.454, 731.488, 731.504, 731.508, 731.509, 731.510, 731.511, 731.512, 731.730, 731.731, 731.735, 731.737, 731.740, 731.750, 731.804, 731.844 to 731.992, 732.245, 732.250, 732.320, 732.325, 733.010 to 733.050, 733.080, 733.140 to 733.210, 733.220, 733.510, 733.652 to 733.658, 733.730 to 733.750, 735.600 to 735.650, 742.001, 742.003, 742.005, 742.007, 742.009, 742.013 to 742.021, 742.028, 742.038, 742.041, 742.046, 742.051, 742.150 to 742.162 and 744.700 to 744.740 { + and sections 10, 11 and 17 of this 1997 Act + } and ORS chapters 734 and 743 shall apply to fraternal benefit societies to the extent so applicable and not inconsistent with the express provisions of this chapter. ' (3) For the purposes of this subsection and subsection (2) of this section, fraternal benefit societies shall be deemed insurers, and benefit certificates issued by fraternal benefit societies shall be deemed policies. ' (4) Every society authorized to do business in this state shall be subject to the provisions of ORS chapter 746 relating to unfair trade practices. However, nothing in ORS chapter 746 shall be construed as applying to or affecting the right of any society to determine its eligibility requirements for membership, or be construed as applying to or affecting the offering of benefits exclusively to members or persons eligible for membership in the society by a subsidiary corporation or affiliated organization of the society. ' { + SECTION 15. + } ORS 750.055, with editorial adjustments to the series 743.600 to 743.622 and to the series ORS 743.730 to 743.745, is amended to read: ' 750.055. (1) The following provisions of the Insurance Code shall apply to health care service contractors to the extent so applicable and not inconsistent with the express provisions of ORS 750.005 to 750.095: ' (a) ORS 731.004 to 731.150, 731.162, 731.216 to 731.362, 731.382, 731.385, 731.386, 731.390, 731.398 to 731.430, 731.450, 731.454, 731.488, 731.504, 731.508, 731.509, 731.510, 731.511, 731.512, 731.574 to 731.620, 731.640 to 731.652, 731.730, 731.731, 731.735, 731.737, 731.740, 731.750, 731.804 and 731.844 to 731.992 { + and sections 10, 11 and 17 of this 1997 Act + }. ' (b) ORS 732.215, 732.220, 732.230, 732.245, 732.250, 732.320, 732.325 and 732.517 to 732.592, not including ORS 732.549 and 732.574 to 732.592. ' (c)(A) ORS 733.010 to 733.050, 733.080, 733.140 to 733.170, 733.210, 733.510 to 733.620, 733.635 to 733.680 and 733.695 to 733.780 apply to not-for-profit health care service contractors. ' (B) ORS chapter 733, not including ORS 733.630, applies to for-profit health care service contractors. ' (d) ORS chapter 734. ' (e) ORS 742.001 to 742.009, 742.013, 742.061, 742.065, 742.150 to 742.162, 742.400, 742.520 to 742.540, 743.010, 743.013, 743.018 to 743.030, 743.050, 743.100 to 743.109, 743.402, 743.412, 743.472, 743.492, 743.495, 743.498, 743.523 to 743.527, 743.529, 743.549 to 743.555, 743.556, 743.560, 743.600 to 743.610, 743.650 to 743.656, 743.701, 743.704, 743.706 to 743.712, 743.721, 743.722, 743.727, 743.728, 743.729, 743.808, 743.809, 743.813 and 743.816. ' (f) ORS 743.522 and 743.528, except that individual policies may be issued to the persons or families insured in lieu of issuance of a single group policy as referred to in ORS 743.522. An individual policy issued under this paragraph shall be considered the statement of the essential features of the insurance coverage required under ORS 743.528 (2). ' (g) The provisions of ORS chapter 744 relating to the regulation of agents. ' (h) ORS 746.005 to 746.140, 746.160, 746.180, 746.220 to 746.370 and 746.600 to 746.690. ' (i) ORS 743.714, except in the case of group practice health maintenance organizations that are federally qualified pursuant to Title XIII of the Public Health Service Act unless the patient is referred by a physician associated with a group practice health maintenance organization. ' (j) ORS 735.600 to 735.650. ' (k) ORS 743.680 to 743.689. ' (L) ORS 744.700 to 744.740. ' (m) ORS 743.730 to 743.773. ' (n) ORS 731.485, except in the case of a group practice health maintenance organization that is federally qualified pursuant to Title XIII of the Public Health Service Act and that wholly owns and operates an in-house drug outlet. ' (2) For the purposes of this section only, health care service contractors shall be deemed insurers. ' (3) Any for-profit health care service contractor organized under the laws of any other state which is not governed by the insurance laws of such state, will be subject to all requirements of ORS chapter 732. ' (4) The Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services may, after notice and hearing, adopt reasonable rules not inconsistent with this section and ORS 750.003, 750.005, 750.025 and 750.045 that are deemed necessary for the proper administration of these provisions. ' { + SECTION 16. + } ORS 750.333, as amended by section 30, chapter 603, Oregon Laws 1995, is amended to read: ' 750.333. (1) The following provisions of the Insurance Code apply to trusts carrying out a multiple employer welfare arrangement: ' (a) ORS 731.004 to 731.150, 731.162, 731.216 to 731.268, 731.296 to 731.316, 731.324, 731.328, 731.378, 731.386, 731.390, 731.398, 731.406, 731.410, 731.414, 731.418 to 731.434, 731.454, 731.484, 731.486, 731.488, 731.512, 731.574 to 731.620, 731.640 to 731.652, 731.804 to 731.992 { + and sections 10, 11 and 17 of this 1997 Act + }. ' (b) ORS 733.010 to 733.050, 733.140 to 733.170, 733.210, 733.510 to 733.680 and 733.695 to 733.780. ' (c) ORS chapter 734. ' (d) ORS 742.001 to 742.009, 742.013, 742.061 and 742.400. ' (e) ORS 743.028, 743.053, 743.524, 743.526, 743.527, 743.528, 743.529, 743.530, 743.560, 743.562, 743.600, 743.601, 743.602, 743.610, 743.730 to 743.773 (except 743.760 to 743.773), 743.808, 743.809, 743.813 and 743.816. ' (f) ORS 743.556, 743.701, 743.703, 743.704, 743.706, 743.707, 743.709, 743.710, 743.712, 743.713, 743.714, 743.717, 743.718, 743.719, 743.721, 743.722 and 743.724. Multiple employer welfare arrangements to which ORS 743.730 to 743.773 apply are subject to the sections referred to in this paragraph only as provided in ORS 743.730 to 743.773. ' (g) Provisions of ORS chapter 744 relating to the regulation of agents and insurance consultants, and ORS 744.700 to 744.740. ' (h) ORS 746.005 to 746.140, 746.160, 746.180 and 746.220 to 746.370. ' (2) For the purposes of this section: ' (a) A trust carrying out a multiple employer welfare arrangement shall be considered an insurer. ' (b) References to certificates of authority shall be considered references to certificates of multiple employer welfare arrangement. ' (c) Contributions shall be considered premiums. ' (3) The provision of health benefits under ORS 750.301 to 750.341 shall be considered to be the transaction of health insurance. ' { + SECTION 17. + } { + (1) Each printed insurance application form provided and required by an insurer and each printed insurance claim form provided and required by an insurer or required by law as a condition for payment of a claim must contain a statement to the effect that: ' (a) A person commits the crime of insurance fraud if the person with the intent to defraud provides false, incomplete or misleading information, or conceals or fails to disclose a material fact, to an insurer; and ' (b) Penalties may include imprisonment or fines or both and that insurance benefits may be denied. ' (2) It is not a defense to a prosecution under section 6 of this 1997 Act that an application for insurance or an insurance claim form did not have the statement required by subsection (1) of this section. + } ' { + SECTION 18. + } { + Section 17 of this Act applies to insurance applications and insurance claim forms provided by an insurer on or after January 1, 1998. + } ' { + SECTION 19. + } ORS 746.230 is amended to read: ' 746.230. (1) No insurer or other person shall commit or perform any of the following unfair claim settlement practices: ' (a) Misrepresenting facts or policy provisions in settling claims; ' (b) Failing to acknowledge and act promptly upon communications relating to claims; ' (c) Failing to adopt and implement reasonable standards for the prompt investigation of claims; ' (d) Refusing to pay claims without conducting a reasonable investigation based on all available information; ' (e) Failing to affirm or deny coverage of claims within a reasonable time after completed proof of loss statements have been submitted; ' (f) Not attempting, in good faith, to promptly and equitably settle claims in which liability has become reasonably clear; ' (g) Compelling claimants to initiate litigation to recover amounts due by offering substantially less than amounts ultimately recovered in actions brought by such claimants; ' (h) Attempting to settle claims for less than the amount to which a reasonable person would believe a reasonable person was entitled after referring to written or printed advertising material accompanying or made part of an application; ' (i) Attempting to settle claims on the basis of an application altered without notice to or consent of the applicant; ' (j) Failing, after payment of a claim, to inform insureds or beneficiaries, upon request by them, of the coverage under which payment has been made; ' (k) Delaying investigation or payment of claims by requiring a claimant or the physician of the claimant to submit a preliminary claim report and then requiring subsequent submission of loss forms when both require essentially the same information; ' (L) Failing to promptly settle claims under one coverage of a policy where liability has become reasonably clear in order to influence settlements under other coverages of the policy; { - or - } ' (m) Failing to promptly provide the proper explanation of the basis relied on in the insurance policy in relation to the facts or applicable law for the denial of a claim { + ; or ' (n) Threatening to present criminal charges to obtain an advantage in settling a claim + }. ' (2) No insurer shall refuse, without just cause, to pay or settle claims arising under coverages provided by its policies with such frequency as to indicate a general business practice in this state, which general business practice is evidenced by: ' (a) A substantial increase in the number of complaints against the insurer received by the Department of Consumer and Business Services; ' (b) A substantial increase in the number of lawsuits filed against the insurer or its insureds by claimants; or ' (c) Other relevant evidence. ' (3)(a) No health maintenance organization, as defined in ORS 750.005, shall unreasonably withhold the granting of participating provider status from a class of statutorily authorized health care providers for services rendered within the lawful scope of practice if the health care providers are licensed as such and reimbursement is for services mandated by statute. ' (b) Any health maintenance organization that fails to comply with paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be subject to discipline under ORS 746.015. ' (c) This subsection does not apply to group practice health maintenance organizations that are federally qualified pursuant to Title XIII of the Health Maintenance Organization Act. ' { + SECTION 20. + } { + The amendments to ORS 163.165 by section 4 of this Act become operative on July 1, 1999. + } ' . ----------