House Bill No. 6387 Public Act No. 21-156 AN ACT CONCERNING INSURANCE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST LIVING ORGAN DONORS AND ESTABLISHING A CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. Section 38a-1 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2022): Terms used in this title and section 2 of this act, unless it appears from the context to the contrary, shall have a scope and meaning as set forth in this section. (1) "Affiliate" or "affiliated" means a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with another person. (2) "Alien insurer" means any insurer that has been chartered by or organized or constituted within or under the laws of any jurisdiction or country without the United States. (3) "Annuities" means all agreements to make periodical payments where the making or continuance of all or some of the series of the payments, or the amount of the payment, is dependent upon the continuance of human life or is for a specified term of years. This House Bill No. 6387 Public Act No. 21-156 2 of 19 definition does not apply to payments made under a policy of life insurance. (4) "Commissioner" means the Insurance Commissioner. (5) "Control", "controlled by" or "under common control with" means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract other than a commercial contract for goods or nonmanagement services, or otherwise, unless the power is the result of an official position with the person. (6) "Domestic insurer" means any insurer that has been chartered by, incorporated, organized or constituted within or under the laws of this state. (7) "Domestic surplus lines insurer" means any domestic insurer that has been authorized by the commissioner to write surplus lines insurance. (8) "Foreign country" means any jurisdiction not in any state, district or territory of the United States. (9) "Foreign insurer" means any insurer that has been chartered by or organized or constituted within or under the laws of another state or a territory of the United States. (10) "Insolvency" or "insolvent" means, for any insurer, that it is unable to pay its obligations when they are due, or when its admitted assets do not exceed its liabilities plus the greater of: (A) Capital and surplus required by law for its organization and continued operation; or (B) the total par or stated value of its authorized and issued capital stock. For purposes of this subdivision "liabilities" shall include but not be limited to reserves required by statute or by regulations adopted by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 or House Bill No. 6387 Public Act No. 21-156 3 of 19 specific requirements imposed by the commissioner upon a subject company at the time of admission or subsequent thereto. (11) "Insurance" means any agreement to pay a sum of money, provide services or any other thing of value on the happening of a particular event or contingency or to provide indemnity for loss in respect to a specified subject by specified perils in return for a consideration. In any contract of insurance, an insured shall have an interest which is subject to a risk of loss through destruction or impairment of that interest, which risk is assumed by the insurer and such assumption shall be part of a general scheme to distribute losses among a large group of persons bearing similar risks in return for a ratable contribution or other consideration. (12) "Insurer" or "insurance company" includes any person or combination of persons doing any kind or form of insurance business other than a fraternal benefit society, and shall include a receiver of any insurer when the context reasonably permits. (13) "Insured" means a person to whom or for whose benefit an insurer makes a promise in an insurance policy. The term includes policyholders, subscribers, members and beneficiaries. This definition applies only to the provisions of this title and does not define the meaning of this word as used in insurance policies or certificates. (14) "Life insurance" means insurance on human lives and insurances pertaining to or connected with human life. The business of life insurance includes granting endowment benefits, granting additional benefits in the event of death by accident or accidental means, granting additional benefits in the event of the total and permanent disability of the insured, and providing optional methods of settlement of proceeds. Life insurance includes burial contracts to the extent provided by section 38a-464. House Bill No. 6387 Public Act No. 21-156 4 of 19 (15) "Mutual insurer" means any insurer without capital stock, the managing directors or officers of which are elected by its members. (16) "Person" means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a business trust, an unincorporated organization or other legal entity. (17) "Policy" means any document, including attached endorsements and riders, purporting to be an enforceable contract, which memorializes in writing some or all of the terms of an insurance contract. (18) "State" means any state, district, or territory of the United States. (19) "Subsidiary" of a specified person means an affiliate controlled by the person directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries. (20) "Unauthorized insurer" or "nonadmitted insurer" means an insurer that has not been granted a certificate of authority by the commissioner to transact the business of insurance in this state or an insurer transacting business not authorized by a valid certificate. (21) "United States" means the United States of America, its territories and possessions, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective January 1, 2022) (a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, no insurer delivering, issuing for delivery or amending a life insurance policy, long-term care insurance policy or a policy providing disability income protection coverage in this state on or after January 1, 2022, shall, for any such policy issued on or after said date: (1) Decline to provide coverage, or limit the coverage provided, for an individual under such policy solely because the individual is a living House Bill No. 6387 Public Act No. 21-156 5 of 19 organ donor; (2) Preclude an individual from donating all or part of an organ as a condition to maintaining coverage under such policy; or (3) Otherwise engage in discrimination in offering, issuing for delivery, amending or cancelling, or in setting the amount, price or conditions of, coverage for an individual under such policy solely because the individual is a living organ donor. (b) Any violation of this section shall be deemed an unfair method of competition and unfair and deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance under section 38a-816 of the general statutes, as amended by this act. Sec. 3. Section 38a-816 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2022): The following are defined as unfair methods of competition and unfair and deceptive acts or practices in the business of insurance: (1) Misrepresentations and false advertising of insurance policies. Making, issuing or circulating, or causing to be made, issued or circulated, any estimate, illustration, circular or statement, sales presentation, omission or comparison which: (A) Misrepresents the benefits, advantages, conditions or terms of any insurance policy; (B) misrepresents the dividends or share of the surplus to be received, on any insurance policy; (C) makes any false or misleading statements as to the dividends or share of surplus previously paid on any insurance policy; (D) is misleading or is a misrepresentation as to the financial condition of any person, or as to the legal reserve system upon which any life insurer operates; (E) uses any name or title of any insurance policy or class of insurance policies misrepresenting the true nature thereof; (F) is a misrepresentation, including, but not limited to, an intentional misquote of a premium rate, for the purpose of inducing or House Bill No. 6387 Public Act No. 21-156 6 of 19 tending to induce to the purchase, lapse, forfeiture, exchange, conversion or surrender of any insurance policy; (G) is a misrepresentation for the purpose of effecting a pledge or assignment of or effecting a loan against any insurance policy; or (H) misrepresents any insurance policy as being shares of stock. (2) False information and advertising generally. Making, publishing, disseminating, circulating or placing before the public, or causing, directly or indirectly, to be made, published, disseminated, circulated or placed before the public, in a newspaper, magazine or other publication, or in the form of a notice, circular, pamphlet, letter or poster, or over any radio or television station, or in any other way, an advertisement, announcement or statement containing any assertion, representation or statement with respect to the business of insurance or with respect to any person in the conduct of his insurance business, which is untrue, deceptive or misleading. (3) Defamation. Making, publishing, disseminating or circulating, directly or indirectly, or aiding, abetting or encouraging the making, publishing, disseminating or circulating of, any oral or written statement or any pamphlet, circular, article or literature which is false or maliciously critical of or derogatory to the financial condition of an insurer, and which is calculated to injure any person engaged in the business of insurance. (4) Boycott, coercion and intimidation. Entering into any agreement to commit, or by any concerted action committing, any act of boycott, coercion or intimidation resulting in or tending to result in unreasonable restraint of, or monopoly in, the business of insurance. (5) False financial statements. Filing with any supervisory or other public official, or making, publishing, disseminating, circulating or delivering to any person, or placing before the public, or causing, directly or indirectly, to be made, published, disseminated, circulated or House Bill No. 6387 Public Act No. 21-156 7 of 19 delivered to any person, or placed before the public, any false statement of financial condition of an insurer with intent to deceive; or making any false entry in any book, report or statement of any insurer with intent to deceive any agent or examiner lawfully appointed to examine into its condition or into any of its affairs, or any public official to whom such insurer is required by law to report, or who has authority by law to examine into its condition or into any of its affairs, or, with like intent, wilfully omitting to make a true entry of any material fact pertaining to the business of such insurer in any book, report or statement of such insurer. (6) Unfair claim settlement practices. Committing or performing with such frequency as to indicate a general business practice any of the following: (A) Misrepresenting pertinent facts or insurance policy provisions relating to coverages at issue; (B) failing to acknowledge and act with reasonable promptness upon communications with respect to claims arising under insurance policies; (C) failing to adopt and implement reasonable standards for the prompt investigation of claims arising under insurance policies; (D) refusing to pay claims without conducting a reasonable investigation based upon all available information; (E) failing to affirm or deny coverage of claims within a reasonable time after proof of loss statements have been completed; (F) not attempting in good faith to effectuate prompt, fair and equitable settlements of claims in which liability has become reasonably clear; (G) compelling insureds to institute litigation to recover amounts due under an insurance policy by offering substantially less than the amounts ultimately recovered in actions brought by such insureds; (H) attempting to settle a claim for less than the amount to which a reasonable man would have believed he was entitled by reference to written or printed advertising material accompanying or made part of an application; (I) attempting to settle claims on the basis of an application which was altered without notice to, or knowledge or consent of the insured; (J) making claims payments to insureds or House Bill No. 6387 Public Act No. 21-156 8 of 19 beneficiaries not accompanied by statements setting forth the coverage under which the payments are being made; (K) making known to insureds or claimants a policy of appealing from arbitration awards in favor of insureds or claimants for the purpose of compelling them to accept settlements or compromises less than the amount awarded in arbitration; (L) delaying the investigation or payment of claims by requiring an insured, claimant, or the physician of either to submit a preliminary claim report and then requiring the subsequent submission of formal proof of loss forms, both of which submissions contain substantially the same information; (M) failing to promptly settle claims, where liability has become reasonably clear, under one portion of the insurance policy coverage in order to influence settlements under other portions of the insurance policy coverage; (N) failing to promptly provide a reasonable explanation of the basis in the insurance policy in relation to the facts or applicable law for denial of a claim or for the offer of a compromise settlement; (O) using as a basis for cash settlement with a first party automobile insurance claimant an amount which is less than the amount which the insurer would pay if repairs were made unless such amount is agreed to by the insured or provided for by the insurance policy. (7) Failure to maintain complaint handling procedures. Failure of any person to maintain complete record of all the complaints which it has received since the date of its last examination. This record shall indicate the total number of complaints, their classification by line of insurance, the nature of each complaint, the disposition of these complaints, and the time it took to process each complaint. For purposes of this subsection "complaint" means any written communication primarily expressing a grievance. (8) Misrepresentation in insurance applications. Making false or fraudulent statements or representations on or relative to an application for an insurance policy for the purpose of obtaining a fee, commission, House Bill No. 6387 Public Act No. 21-156 9 of 19 money or other benefit from any insurer, producer or individual. (9) Any violation of any one of sections 38a-358, 38a-446, 38a-447, 38a- 488, 38a-825, 38a-826, 38a-828 and 38a-829. None of the following practices shall be considered discrimination within the meaning of section 38a-446 or 38a-488 or a rebate within the meaning of section 38a- 825: (A) Paying bonuses to policyholders or otherwise abating their premiums in whole or in part out of surplus accumulated from nonparticipating insurance, provided any such bonuses or abatement of premiums shall be fair and equitable to policyholders and for the best interests of the company and its policyholders; (B) in the case of policies issued on the industrial debit plan, making allowance to policyholders who have continuously for a specified period made premium payments directly to an office of the insurer in an amount which fairly represents the saving in collection expense; (C) readjustment of the rate of premium for a group insurance policy based on loss or expense experience, or both, at the end of the first or any subsequent policy year, which may be made retroactive for such policy year. (10) Notwithstanding any provision of any policy of insurance, certificate or service contract, whenever such insurance policy or certificate or service contract provides for reimbursement for any services which may be legally performed by any practitioner of the healing arts licensed to practice in this state, reimbursement under such insurance policy, certificate or service contract shall not be denied because of race, color or creed nor shall any insurer make or permit any unfair discrimination against particular individuals or persons so licensed. (11) Favored agent or insurer: Coercion of debtors. (A) No person may (i) require, as a condition precedent to the lending of money or extension of credit, or any renewal thereof, that the person to whom such money or credit is extended or whose obligation the creditor is to acquire or finance, negotiate any policy or contract of insurance through House Bill No. 6387 Public Act No. 21-156 10 of 19 a particular insurer or group of insurers or producer or group of producers; (ii) unreasonably disapprove the insurance policy provided by a borrower for the protection of the property securing the credit or lien; (iii) require directly or indirectly that any borrower, mortgagor, purchaser, insurer or producer pay a separate charge, in connection with the handling of any insurance policy required as security for a loan on real estate or pay a separate charge to substitute the insurance policy of one insurer for that of another; or (iv) use or disclose information resulting from a requirement that a borrower, mortgagor or purchaser furnish insurance of any kind on real property being conveyed or used as collateral security to a loan, when such information is to the advantage of the mortgagee, vendor or lender, or is to the detriment of the borrower, mortgagor, purchaser, insurer or the producer complying with such a requirement. (B) (i) Subparagraph (A)(iii) of this subdivision shall not include the interest which may be charged on premium loans or premium advancements in accordance with the security instrument. (ii) For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii) of this subdivision, such disapproval shall be deemed unreasonable if it is not based solely on reasonable standards uniformly applied, relating to the extent of coverage required and the financial soundness and the services of an insurer. Such standards shall not discriminate against any particular type of insurer, nor shall such standards call for the disapproval of an insurance policy because such policy contains coverage in addition to that required. (iii) The commissioner may investigate the affairs of any person to whom this subdivision applies to determine whether such person has violated this subdivision. If a violation of this subdivision is found, the person in violation shall be subject to the same procedures and penalties as are applicable to other provisions of section 38a-815, subsections (b) and (e) of section 38a-817 and this section. (iv) For purposes of this section, "person" includes any individual, corporation, limited liability company, association, partnership or other legal entity. House Bill No. 6387 Public Act No. 21-156 11 of 19 (12) Refusing to insure, refusing to continue to insure or limiting the amount, extent or kind of coverage available to an individual or charging an individual a different rate for the same coverage because of physical disability, mental or nervous condition as set forth in section 38a-488a or intellectual disability, except where the refusal, limitation or rate differential is based on sound actuarial principles or is related to actual or reasonably anticipated experience. (13) Refusing to insure, refusing to continue to insure or limiting the amount, extent or kind of coverage available to an individual or charging an individual a different rate for the same coverage solely because of blindness or partial blindness. For purposes of this subdivision, "refusal to insure" includes the denial by an insurer of disability insurance coverage on the grounds that the policy defines "disability" as being presumed in the event that the insured is blind or partially blind, except that an insurer may exclude from coverage any disability, consisting solely of blindness or partial blindness, when such condition existed at the time the policy was issued. Any individual who is blind or partially blind shall be subject to the same standards of sound actuarial principles or actual or reasonably anticipated experience as are sighted persons with respect to all other conditions, including the underlying cause of the blindness or partial blindness. (14) Refusing to insure, refusing to continue to insure or limiting the amount, extent or kind of coverage available to an individual or charging an individual a different rate for the same coverage because of exposure to diethylstilbestrol through the female parent. (15) (A) Failure by an insurer, or any other entity responsible for providing payment to a health care provider pursuant to an insurance policy, to pay accident and health claims, including, but not limited to, claims for payment or reimbursement to health care providers, within the time periods set forth in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, unless the Insurance Commissioner determines that a legitimate dispute exists House Bill No. 6387 Public Act No. 21-156 12 of 19 as to coverage, liability or damages or that the claimant has fraudulently caused or contributed to the loss. Any insurer, or any other entity responsible for providing payment to a health care provider pursuant to an insurance policy, who fails to pay such a claim or request within the time periods set forth in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision shall pay the claimant or health care provider the amount of such claim plus interest at the rate of fifteen per cent per annum, in addition to any other penalties which may be imposed pursuant to sections 38a-11, 38a-25, 38a-41 to 38a-53, inclusive, 38a-57 to 38a-60, inclusive, 38a-62 to 38a-64, inclusive, 38a-76, 38a-83, 38a-84, 38a-117 to 38a-124, inclusive, 38a-129 to 38a-140, inclusive, 38a-146 to 38a-155, inclusive, 38a-283, 38a-288 to 38a-290, inclusive, 38a-319, 38a-320, 38a-459, 38a-464, 38a-815 to 38a-819, inclusive, 38a-824 to 38a-826, inclusive, and 38a-828 to 38a-830, inclusive. Whenever the interest due a claimant or health care provider pursuant to this section is less than one dollar, the insurer shall deposit such amount in a separate interest-bearing account in which all such amounts shall be deposited. At the end of each calendar year each such insurer shall donate such amount to The University of Connecticut Health Center. (B) Each insurer or other entity responsible for providing payment to a health care provider pursuant to an insurance policy subject to this section, shall pay claims not later than: (i) For claims filed in paper format, sixty days after receipt by the insurer of the claimant's proof of loss form or the health care provider's request for payment filed in accordance with the insurer's practices or procedures, except that when there is a deficiency in the information needed for processing a claim, as determined in accordance with section 38a-477, the insurer shall (I) send written notice to the claimant or health care provider, as the case may be, of all alleged deficiencies in information needed for processing a claim not later than thirty days after the insurer receives a claim for payment or reimbursement under House Bill No. 6387 Public Act No. 21-156 13 of 19 the contract, and (II) pay claims for payment or reimbursement under the contract not later than thirty days after the insurer receives the information requested; and (ii) For claims filed in electronic format, twenty days after receipt by the insurer of the claimant's proof of loss form or the health care provider's request for payment filed in accordance with the insurer's practices or procedures, except that when there is a deficiency in the information needed for processing a claim, as determined in accordance with section 38a-477, the insurer shall (I) notify the claimant or health care provider, as the case may be, of all alleged deficiencies in information needed for processing a claim not later than ten days after the insurer receives a claim for payment or reimbursement under the contract, and (II) pay claims for payment or reimbursement under the contract not later than ten days after the insurer receives the information requested. (C) As used in this subdivision, "health care provider" means a person licensed to provide health care services under chapter 368d, chapter 368v, chapters 370 to 373, inclusive, 375 to 383c, inclusive, 384a to 384c, inclusive, or chapter 400j. (16) Failure to pay, as part of any claim for a damaged motor vehicle under any automobile insurance policy where the vehicle has been declared to be a constructive total loss, an amount equal to the sum of (A) the settlement amount on such vehicle plus, whenever the insurer takes title to such vehicle, (B) an amount determined by multiplying such settlement amount by a percentage equivalent to the current sales tax rate established in section 12-408. For purposes of this subdivision, "constructive total loss" means the cost to repair or salvage damaged property, or the cost to both repair and salvage such property, equals or exceeds the total value of the property at the time of the loss. (17) Any violation of section 42-260, by an extended warranty House Bill No. 6387 Public Act No. 21-156 14 of 19 provider subject to the provisions of said section, including, but not limited to: (A) Failure to include all statements required in subsections (c) and (f) of section 42-260 in an issued extended warranty; (B) offering an extended warranty without being (i) insured under an adequate extended warranty reimbursement insurance policy or (ii) able to demonstrate that reserves for claims contained in the provider's financial statements are not in excess of one-half the provider's audited net worth; (C) failure to submit a copy of an issued extended warranty form or a copy of such provider's extended warranty reimbursement policy form to the Insurance Commissioner. (18) With respect to an insurance company, hospital service corporation, health care center or fraternal benefit society providing individual or group health insurance coverage of the types specified in subdivisions (1), (2), (4), (6), (10), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469, refusing to insure, refusing to continue to insure or limiting the amount, extent or kind of coverage available to an individual or charging an individual a different rate for the same coverage because such individual has been a victim of family violence. (19) With respect to an insurance company, hospital service corporation, health care center or fraternal benefit society providing individual or group health insurance coverage of the types specified in subdivisions (1), (2), (3), (4), (6), (9), (10), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469, refusing to insure, refusing to continue to insure or limiting the amount, extent or kind of coverage available to an individual or charging an individual a different rate for the same coverage because of genetic information. Genetic information indicating a predisposition to a disease or condition shall not be deemed a preexisting condition in the absence of a diagnosis of such disease or condition that is based on other medical information. An insurance company, hospital service corporation, health care center or fraternal benefit society providing individual health coverage of the types specified in subdivisions (1), (2), House Bill No. 6387 Public Act No. 21-156 15 of 19 (3), (4), (6), (9), (10), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469, shall not be prohibited from refusing to insure or applying a preexisting condition limitation, to the extent permitted by law, to an individual who has been diagnosed with a disease or condition based on medical information other than genetic information and has exhibited symptoms of such disease or condition. For the purposes of this subsection, "genetic information" means the information about genes, gene products or inherited characteristics that may derive from an individual or family member. (20) Any violation of sections 38a-465 to 38a-465q, inclusive. (21) With respect to a managed care organization, as defined in section 38a-478, failing to establish a confidentiality procedure for medical record information, as required by section 38a-999. (22) Any violation of sections 38a-591d to 38a-591f, inclusive. (23) Any violation of section 38a-472j. (24) Any violation of section 2 of this act. Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a chronic kidney disease advisory committee. The advisory committee shall: (1) Work directly with policymakers, public health organizations and educational institutions to: (A) Increase awareness of chronic kidney disease in this state; and (B) Develop health education programs that: (i) Are intended to reduce the burden of kidney disease throughout this state; (ii) Include an ongoing health and wellness campaign that is based House Bill No. 6387 Public Act No. 21-156 16 of 19 on relevant research; (iii) Promote preventive screenings; and (iv) Are promoted through social media and public relations campaigns; (2) Examine chronic kidney disease, kidney transplantation, including, but not limited to, kidney transplantation as a preferred treatment for chronic kidney disease, living and deceased kidney donation and racial disparities in the rates of individuals afflicted with chronic kidney disease; (3) Examine methods to reduce the occurrence of chronic kidney disease by controlling the most common risk factors, diabetes and hypertension, through early detection and preventive efforts at the community level and disease management efforts in the primary care setting; (4) Identify the barriers to the adoption of best practices and the policies available to address such barriers; (5) Develop an equitable, sustainable, cost-effective plan to raise awareness about the importance of early detection, screening, diagnosis and treatment of chronic kidney disease and prevention; and (6) Examine the potential for an opt-out organ or kidney donor registry. (b) The advisory committee shall consist of the following members: (1) The chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health, or their designees; (2) One appointed by the Senate chairperson of the joint standing House Bill No. 6387 Public Act No. 21-156 17 of 19 committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health; (3) One appointed by the House chairperson of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health; (4) One appointed by the Senate ranking member of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health; (5) One appointed by the House ranking member of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health; (6) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall represent the renal provider community; (7) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who shall represent a medical center with a kidney-related program; (8) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives; (9) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; (10) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; (11) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; (12) One appointed by the Governor; (13) The Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's designee; (14) One appointed by the chief executive officer of the National House Bill No. 6387 Public Act No. 21-156 18 of 19 Kidney Foundation; (15) One appointed by the chief executive officer of the American Kidney Fund; and (16) At least three additional members appointed by the chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health, one of whom shall represent the kidney physician community, one of whom sha ll represent a nonprofit organ procurement organization, one of whom shall represent the kidney patient community in this state and such other members that such chairpersons, in their discretion, agree are necessary to represent public health clinics, community health centers, minority health organizations and health insurers. (c) Any member of the advisory committee appointed under subdivision (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11) or (16) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member of the General Assembly. (d) All initial appointments to the advisory committee shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority. (e) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the advisory committee from among the members of the advisory committee. Such chairpersons shall schedule the first meeting of the advisory committee, which shall be held not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section. Meetings of the advisory committee may, at the discretion of the chairpersons of the advisory committee, be conducted on a virtual platform. (f) The administrative staff of the advisory committee shall be selected by the Office of Legislative Management in consultation with the chairpersons of the advisory committee. House Bill No. 6387 Public Act No. 21-156 19 of 19 (g) Not later than January 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the advisory committee shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.