Req. No. 7762 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 STATE OF OKLAHOMA 1st Session of the 58th Legislature (2021) COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 2403 By: Russ COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE An Act relating to licenses and certificates; amending 36 O.S. 2011, Section 617, which relates to insurance certificates; requiring suspension of license or certificate for failure to qualify for renewal; imposing reinstatement fees; allowing termination of license or certificate after certain time period; providing exemption; amending 36 O.S. 2011, Section 618, which relates to mandatory revocation or suspension; requiring suspension of license or certificate for failure to qualify for renewal; imposing reinstatement fees; allowing termination of license or certificate after certain time period; providin g exemption; amending 36 O.S. 2011, Section 619, which relates to revocation or suspension of insurance certificate; requiring suspension of certificate for failure to qualify for renewal; imposing reinstatement fees; allowing termination of certificate af ter certain time period; providing exemption; amending Section 2, Chapter 321, O.S.L. 2014, as amended by Section 2, Chapter 145, O.S.L. 2015 (36 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section 1415.3), which relates to insurance navigators; requiring suspension of registration for failure to qualify for renewal; imposing reinstatement fees; allowing termination of registration after certain time period; providing exemption; amending 36 O.S. 2011, Sections 1435.13, as amended by Section 3, Chapter 294, O.S.L. 2019 and 1435.29, as amended by Section 7, Chapter 11, O.S.L. 2012 (36 O.S. Supp. 2020, Sections 1435.13 and 1435.29), which relate to the Oklahoma Producer Licensing Act; requiring suspension Req. No. 7762 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 of license for failure to qualify for renewal; imposing reinstatement fees; allowin g termination of license after certain time period; providing exemption; providing continuing education exemption; amending 36 O.S. 2011, Section 2727.1, which relates to fraternal benefit societies; requiring suspension of license for failure to qualify f or renewal; imposing reinstatement fees; allowing termination of license after certain time period; providing exemption; amending 36 O.S. 2011, Section 4055.4, which relates to the Viatical Settlements Act of 2008, requiring suspension of license for failu re to qualify for renewal; imposing reinstatement fees; allowing termination of license after certain time period; providing exemption; amending 36 O.S. 2011, Sections 6217, as last amended by Section 14, Chapter 269, O.S.L. 2013 and 6220, as last amended by Section 10, Chapter 294, O.S.L. 2019 (36 O.S. Supp. 2020, Sections 6217 and 6220), which relate to the Insurance Adjusters Licensing Act; providing continuing education exemption; requiring suspension of license for failure to qualify for renewal; imposing reinstatement fees; allowing termination of license after certain time period; providing exemption; amending 36 O.S. 2011, Sections 6560 and 6561, which relate to the Hospital and Medical Services Utilization Review Act; requiring suspension of license for failure to qualify for renewal; imposing reinstatement fees; allowing termination of license after certain time period; providing exemption; amending 59 O.S. 2011, Sections 1304, as amended by Section 1, Chapter 150, O.S.L. 2013, 1308.1, as amended by Section 1, Chapter 259, O.S.L. 2019 and 1309, as last amended by Section 3, Chapter 110, O.S.L. 2015 (59 O.S. Supp. 2020, Sections 1304, 1308.1 and 1309), which relate to bail bondsmen; requiring suspension of license for failure to qualify for renewal; i mposing reinstatement fees; allowing termination of license after certain time period; providing exemption; providing continuing education exemption; eliminating automatic expiration; and providing an effective date. Req. No. 7762 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 36 O.S. 2011, Section 617, is amended to read as follows: Section 617. A. All certificates of authority shall, beginning November 1, 2002, be perpetual and automatically renewed a s of March 1 of each year, unless the insurer fails to qualify for renewal pursuant to the requirements of the Insurance Code. If the insurer or holder of the license or certificate fails to qualify for a renewal, the license or certificate shall be suspe nded. Once the insurer or holder of the license or certificate meets the requirements for renewal, the license or certificate shall be reinstated after the insurer or holder of the license or certificate pays a fee of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) i f the license or certificate has been suspended for less than twelve (12) months and a fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) if the license or certificate has been suspended for less than twenty -four (24) months. The Department shall only terminate a lice nse or certificate that failed to renew after the twenty -four-month suspension period required under this subsection and upon notification by first -class mail. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to an insurer or holder of a license or certi ficate that willfully and knowingly violates any provision of this Code as to which refusal, suspension, or revocation is mandatory. Req. No. 7762 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 B. The Insurance Commissioner may amend a certificate of authority at any time to accord with changes in the insurer's charter or insuring powers. SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 36 O.S. 2011, Section 618, is amended to read as follows: Section 618. A. The Insurance Commissioner shall refuse to renew or shall revoke or suspend an insurer's certificate of authority: 1. If such action is required by any provision of this Code ,; or 2. If the insurer no longer meets the requirements for the authority originally granted, on account of deficiency in assets or otherwise. B. If the insurer or holder of the license or certificate fails to qualify for a renewal, the license or certificate shall be suspended. Once the insurer or holder of the license or certificate meets the requirements for renewal, the license or certificate shall be reinstated after the insurer or holder of the license or certificate pays a fee of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) if the license or certificate has been suspended for less than twelve (12) months and a fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) if the license or certificate has been sus pended for less than twenty -four (24) months. The Department shall only terminate a license or certificate that failed to renew after the twenty -four-month Req. No. 7762 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 suspension period required under this subsection and upon notification by first -class mail. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to an insurer or holder of a license or certificate that willfully and knowingly violates any provision of this Code as to which refusal, suspension, or revocation is mandatory. SECTION 3. AMENDATORY 36 O.S. 2011, Section 619, is amended to read as follows: Section 619. A. The Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Insurance Commissioner may , after opportunity for a hearing, refuse to renew, or may revoke or suspend an insure r's certificate of authority, in addition to other grounds in this Code, if the insurer: 1. Violates any provision of this Code other than those as to which refusal, suspension, or revocation is mandatory; 2. Knowingly fails to comply with any lawful rul e or order of the Insurance Commissioner; 3. Is found by the Insurance Commissioner to be in unsound condition or in such condition as to render its further transaction of insurance in this state hazardous to its policyholders or to the people of this state; 4. Without reasonable cause compels claimants under its policies to accept less than the amount due them or to bring suit against it to secure full payment; Req. No. 7762 Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 5. Refuses to be examined or to produce its accounts, records, and files for examination by t he Insurance Commissioner when required; 6. Fails to pay any final judgment rendered against it in this state within thirty (30) days after the judgment becomes final; or 7. Is affiliated with and under the same general management or interlocking directo rate or ownership as another insurer which transacts direct insurance in this state without having a certificate of authority therefor, except as permitted to a surplus line insurer pursuant to Sections 1101 through 1120 of this title. B. In addition to o r in lieu of any applicable revocation or suspension of an insurer's certificate of authority, any insurer who knowingly and willfully violates this Code may be subject to a civil penalty of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for each occurrence. C. In addition to or in lieu of any sanction, the Commissioner may require an insurer to restrict its insurance writings, obtain additional contributions to surplus, withdraw from the state, reinsure all or part of its business, increase capital, surp lus, deposits or any other account for the security of policyholders or creditors, or provide independent actuarial review. D. If the insurer fails to qualify for a renewal, the insurance certificate shall be suspended. Once the insurer meets the requirements for renewal, the insurance certificate shall be Req. No. 7762 Page 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 reinstated after the insurer pays a fee of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) if the certificate has been suspended for less than twelve (12) months and a fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) if the certificate has been suspended for less than twenty -four (24) months. The Department shall only terminate a certificate that failed to renew after the twenty -four-month suspension period required under this subsection and upon notification by first -class mail. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to an insurer that willfully and knowingly violates any provision of this Code as to which refusal, suspension, or revocation is mandatory. SECTION 4. AMENDATORY Section 2, C hapter 321, O.S.L. 2014, as amended by Section 2, Chapter 145, O.S.L. 2015 (36 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section 1415.3), is amended to read as follows: Section 1415.3 A. No navigator shall provide assistance with regard to health benefit plans as a navigator in this state under the provisions of the federal act unless registered in accordance with this act. The Insurance Commissioner must maintain a registry of navigators. B. An individual applying for a navigator registration shall make application on a form d eveloped by the Commissioner and shall declare under penalty of refusal, suspension, or revocation of the registration that the statements made in the application are true, correct, and complete to the best of the applicant's knowledge. The Req. No. 7762 Page 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Commissioner may not allow any applicant to register who does not meet or conform to the following qualifications or requirements: 1. The applicant shall establish to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that he or she has read and will comply with written materials provided by the Commissioner concerning ethics, consumer privacy, the insurance laws of this state, and any other topic or topics the Commissioner deems necessary and attests to such understanding and intent to comply with all state statutes and rules; 2. The applicant shall attest to an understanding of the disclosure and recordkeeping requirements of the registry and the ability to provide and maintain such documents; 3. An applicant shall be not less than eighteen (18) years of age and of good moral char acter; 4. The applicant shall successfully complete a criminal history and regulatory background investigation in the manner that the Commissioner requires; 5. The applicant shall identify the entity with which he or she is, or will be, affiliated and su pervised; and 6. The applicant shall pay a registration fee prescribed by the Commissioner not to exceed Fifty Dollars ($50.00). C. An entity applying for a navigator entity registration shall make application on a form developed by the Commissioner and shall declare under penalty of refusal, suspension or revocation of the Req. No. 7762 Page 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 registration that the statements made in the application are true, correct and complete to the best of the applicant's knowledge. The Commissioner shall not issue a registration to an y entity applicant that does not meet or conform to the following qualifications or requirements: 1. Establishes policies and procedures to ensure that acts that may be performed only by a registered navigator or licensed producer are performed by persons who are appropriately registered or licensed; 2. Acknowledges and accepts legal responsibility for the acts of the individual navigators that it employs, supervises, or is affiliated with that are performed in this state and that are within the scope of the navigator's apparent authority; and 3. Pays a registration fee prescribed by the Commissioner not to exceed Fifty Dollars ($50.00). D. The Except as otherwise required under this subsection, the registration of an individual navigator or navigator en tity shall expire one year after issuance. An individual applicant for a renewal registration shall provide proof that he or she has completed continuing education as required under the federal act and shall establish to the satisfaction of the Commission er that he or she has read and will comply with written materials provided by the Commissioner concerning ethics, consumer privacy, the insurance laws of this state and any other topic or topics the Commissioner deems Req. No. 7762 Page 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 necessary and attests to such understa nding and intent to comply with all state statutes and rules. If the navigator fails to qualify for a renewal, the registration shall be suspended. Once the navigator meets the requirements for renewal, the registration shall be reinstated after the navi gator pays a fee of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) if the registration has been suspended for less than twelve (12) months and a fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) if the registration has been suspended for less than twenty-four (24) months. The D epartment shall only terminate a registration that failed to renew after the twenty -four-month suspension period required under this subsection and upon notification by first -class mail. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to a navigator tha t willfully and knowingly violates any provision of this Code as to which refusal, suspension, or revocation is mandatory. E. A registered individual navigator must: 1. Provide a disclaimer in a form prescribed by the Commissioner to each individual or g roup whom the navigator assists, which shall include the name of the navigator and the navigator entity; 2. Record the name and contact information for each individual or group whom the navigator assists in enrolling on the exchange and the date of contact and provide such information to the navigator entity immediately; Req. No. 7762 Page 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 3. Allow for an on-site inspection of operations and records specifically related to the fulfillment of the enrollment or assistance with enrollment duties as required by this act by the navigator at any time, including providing summary reports as requested by the Commissioner, which shall not include personally identifiable information. Provided, however, a registered individual navigator shall, upon inquiry by the Commissioner, verify the name, contact information, and date of contact for an individual or group assisted in enrolling on the exchange by the navigator; 4. Report to the Commissioner any administrative action taken by a governmental agency against the navigator in this stat e or in any other jurisdiction within thirty (30) calendar days of the final disposition of the matter; 5. Report to the Commissioner any criminal prosecution of the navigator taken in any jurisdiction within thirty (30) calendar days of the initial pretr ial hearing date; and 6. Notify the Commissioner within ten (10) calendar days of any action by an exchange or related party that restricts or terminates the navigator's authorization to act as a navigator. F. A registered navigator entity must: 1. Maintain a record of all individuals employed or overseen as a navigator for a period of three (3) years following the termination of the employment or oversight of the individual as a navigator; Req. No. 7762 Page 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2. Maintain all records required to be provided to the navigator entity by registered navigators for a period of three (3) years following the termination of the employment or oversight of each individual as a navigator; 3. Allow for an on-site inspection of operations and records specifically related to the fulfillm ent of the enrollment or assistance with enrollment duties as required by this act by the navigator at any time, including providing summary reports as requested by the Commissioner, which shall not include personally identifiable information. Provided, h owever, a registered navigator entity shall, upon inquiry by the Commissioner, verify the name, contact information, and date of contact for an individual or group assisted in enrolling on the exchange by any navigator employed or overseen by the navigator entity; 4. Provide the Commissioner with a list of all individual navigators that it employs, supervises or is affiliated with, in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner; and 5. Report to the Commissioner any termination of employment, engagement, affiliation or other relationship with an individual navigator within thirty (30) days, using a format prescribed by the Commissioner, if the navigator is terminated for failing to comply with any requirement of this title. G. Any person who acts as a navigat or without holding an active registration at the time of the action shall be guilty of a Req. No. 7762 Page 13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 misdemeanor and shall be punished by the imposition of a fine of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) or imprisonment in the county jail for not less than three (3) months nor more than six (6) months, or be punished by both such fine and imprisonment. H. Any navigator who violates the provisions of this act shall be subject to a civil fine of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each occurrence. I. Any navigator entity that allows an individual who is employed or overseen by the navigator entity to interact with individuals or groups performing any of the functions of a navigator without an active registrat ion shall be subject to a civil fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each individual or group with whom the unregistered individual interacts as a navigator and a civil fine of not more than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for each day the unregistered individual performs acts as a navigator. J. Any navigator entity that fails to retain the documentation required by this act shall be subject to a civil fine of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each occurrence. SECTION 5. AMENDATORY 36 O.S. 2011, Section 1435.13, as amended by Section 3, Chapter 294, O.S.L. 2019 (36 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section 1435.13), is amended to read as follows: Section 1435.13 A. The Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Insurance Commissioner may place on probation, censure, Req. No. 7762 Page 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 suspend, revoke or refuse to issue or renew a license issued pursuant to the Oklahoma Producer Licensing Act or may levy a civil penalty in accordance with subsectio n D of this section or any combination of actions, for any one or more of the following causes: 1. Providing incorrect, misleading, incomplete or materially untrue information in the license application; 2. Violating any insurance laws, or violating any regulation, subpoena or order of the Insurance Commissioner or of another state's Insurance Commissioner; 3. Obtaining or attempting to obtain a license through misrepresentation or fraud; 4. Improperly withholding, misappropriating or converting any monies or properties received in the course of doing insurance business; 5. Intentionally misrepresenting the terms of an actual or proposed insurance contract or application for insurance; 6. Having been convicted of a felony; 7. Having admitted or been f ound to have committed any insurance unfair trade practice or fraud; 8. Using fraudulent, coercive, or dishonest practices, or demonstrating incompetence, untrustworthiness or financial irresponsibility in the conduct of business in this state or elsewhere; Req. No. 7762 Page 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 9. Having an insurance producer license, or its equivalent, denied, suspended, censured, placed on probation or revoked in any other state, province, district or territory; 10. Forging another's name to an application for insurance or to any document related to an insurance transaction; 11. Improperly using notes or any other reference material to complete an examination for an insurance license; 12. Knowingly accepting insurance business from an individual who is not licensed; 13. Failing to comply with an administrative or court order imposing a child support obligation; 14. Failing to pay state income tax or comply with any administrative or court order directing payment of state income tax; 15. Failing to respond to an inquiry from the Departme nt as required in Section 1250.4 of this title; or 16. Any cause for which an original issuance of a license could have been refused. B. 1. In the event that the action by the Insurance Commissioner is to nonrenew or to deny an application for a license , the Insurance Commissioner shall notify the applicant or licensee and advise the applicant or licensee, in writing, of the reason for the denial or nonrenewal of the applicant's or licensee's license. The applicant or licensee may make written demand up on the Insurance Commissioner within thirty (30) days of the date of notification of Req. No. 7762 Page 16 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 the notification by the Insurance Commissioner for a hearing before the Insurance Commissioner or an independent hearing examiner to determine the reasonableness of the In surance Commissioner's action. The hearing shall be heard within a reasonable time period and shall be held pursuant to the Oklahoma Administrative Procedures Act. 2. If the licensee fails to qualify for a renewal, the license shall be suspended. Once t he licensee meets the requirements for renewal, the license shall be reinstated after the licensee pays a fee of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) if the license has been suspended for less than twelve (12) months and a fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) if the license has been suspended for less than twenty-four (24) months. The Department shall only terminate a license that failed to renew after the twenty -four-month suspension period required under this subsection and upon notification by first-class mail. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to a licensee that willfully and knowingly violates any provision of this Code as to which refusal, suspension, or revocation is mandatory. C. The license of a business entity may be suspended, r evoked or refused if the Insurance Commissioner finds, after opportunity for hearing, that an individual licensee's violation was known or should have been known by one or more of the partners, officers or managers acting on behalf of the partnership or co rporation and the Req. No. 7762 Page 17 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 violation was neither reported to the Insurance Commissioner nor corrective action taken. D. In addition to or in lieu of any applicable denial, probation, censure, suspension or revocation of a license, a person may, after opportunity f or hearing, be subject to a civil fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for each occurrence. The penalty may be enforced in the same manner in which civil judgments may be enforced. E. Every licensee licensed pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Producer Licensing Act shall keep at the licensee's place of business the usual and customary records pertaining to transactions authorized by the license. All records as to any particular transactions shall be kept available and open to the inspection of the Commissioner at any time during business hours during the three (3) years immediately following the date of completion of the transaction. The Commissioner may require a financial or market c onduct examination during any investigation of a licensee. The cost of such examination shall be apportioned among all of the appointing insurers of the licensee. F. The Insurance Commissioner shall retain the authority to enforce the provisions of and i mpose any penalty or remedy authorized by the Oklahoma Producer Licensing Act and Title 36 of the Oklahoma Statutes against any person who is under investigation Req. No. 7762 Page 18 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 for or charged with a violation of the Oklahoma Producer Licensing Act or Title 36 of the Okla homa Statutes even if the person's license or registration has been surrendered or has lapsed by operation of law. G. Files pertaining to investigations or legal matters which contain information concurring a current and ongoing investigation of allegations of violations of the Oklahoma Insurance Code by a licensed agent shall not be available for public inspection without proper judicial authorization; however, a licensee under investigation for alleged violations of the Oklahoma Insurance Code, or against whom an action for alleged violations of the Oklahoma Insurance Code has been commenced, may view evidence and complaints pertaining to the investigation, other than privileged information, at reasonable times at the Commissioner's office. All qualifica tion examination materials, booklets and answers for any license authorized to be issued by the Commissioner under any statute shall not be available for public inspection. The residence address, residence telephone number, birth date, and Social Security number of a licensee shall not be available for public inspection. A separate business or mailing address provided by the licensee shall be considered a public record. If the residence and business addresses or residence and business telephone numbers a re the same, such addresses or telephone numbers shall be considered a public record. Req. No. 7762 Page 19 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 H. The Commissioner shall promptly notify all appointing insurers, where applicable, and the licensee regarding any censure, suspension, revocation or termination of lic ense by the Commissioner. I. Upon suspension, revocation or termination of the license of a resident or nonresident of this state, the Commissioner shall notify the Central Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, or its appropriate nonprofit affiliates and the Insurance Commissioner of each state for whom the Commissioner has executed a certificate of licensure status. J. The Commissioner may issue a duplicate license for any lost, stolen or destroyed license issued pursuant to the Oklahoma Producer Licensing Act upon an affidavit of the licensee prescribed by the Commissioner concerning the facts of such loss, theft or destruction. SECTION 6. AMENDATORY 36 O.S. 2011, Section 1435.29, as amended by Section 7 , Chapter 11, O.S.L. 2012 (36 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section 1435.29), is amended to read as follows: Section 1435.29 A. 1. Each insurance producer, with the exception of title producers and, aircraft title producers , producers that have maintained an insuran ce producer license for thirty (30) or more years or any other producer exempt by rule, shall, biennially, complete not less than twenty -one (21) clock Req. No. 7762 Page 20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 hours of continuing insurance education. Such education may include a written or oral examination. 2. Each customer service representative shall, biennially, complete not less than ten (10) clock hours of continuing insurance education. 3. Licensees, with the exception of title producers and aircraft title producers or any other producer exempt by rule, s hall complete, in addition to the foregoing, three (3) clock hours of ethics course work in this same period. 4. Each title producer and aircraft title producer shall, biennially, complete not less than sixteen (16) clock hours of continuing insurance edu cation, two (2) hours of which shall be ethics course work, which shall cover the line for which the producer is licensed. Such education may include a written or oral examination. B. 1. The Insurance Commissioner shall approve courses and providers of continuing education. The Insurance Department may use one or more of the following to review and provide a nonbinding recommendation to the Insurance Commissioner on approval or disapproval of courses and providers of continuing education: a. employees of the Insurance Commissioner, b. a continuing education advisory committee, or c. an independent service whose normal business activities include the review and approval of Req. No. 7762 Page 21 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 continuing education courses and providers. The Commissioner may negotiate agreeme nts with such independent service to review documents and other materials submitted for approval of courses and providers and provide the Commissioner with its nonbinding recommendation. The Commissioner may require such independent service to collect the fee charged by the independent service for reviewing materials provided for review directly from the course providers. The Insurance Commissioner has sole authority to approve courses and providers of continuing education. If the Insurance Commissioner uses one of the entities listed above to provide a nonbinding recommendation, the Commissioner shall adopt or decline to adopt the recommendation within thirty (30) days of receipt of the recommendation. In the event the Insurance Commissioner takes no action within said thirty -day period, the recommendation made to the Commissioner will be deemed to have been adopted by the Commissioner. The Insurance Commissioner may certify providers and courses offered for license examination study. The Insurance Depar tment shall use employees of the Insurance Commissioner to review and certify license examination study program providers and courses. Req. No. 7762 Page 22 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2. Each insurance company shall be allowed to provide continuing education to insurance producers and customer service representatives as required by this section; provided that such continuing education meets the general standards for education otherwise established by the Insurance Commissioner. 3. An insurance producer who, during the time period prior to renewal, participates in a professional designation program, approved by the Insurance Commissioner, shall be deemed to have met the biennial requirement for continuing education. The curriculum for the program shall total a minimum of twenty - four (24) hours within a tw enty-four-month period. Each approved professional designation program included in this section shall be reviewed for quality and compliance every three (3) years in accordance with standardized criteria promulgated by rule. Continuation of approved stat us is contingent upon the findings of the review. The list of professional designation programs approved under this paragraph shall be made available to producers and providers annually. 4. The Insurance Department may promulgate rules providing that courses or programs offered by professional associations shall qualify for presumptive continuing education credit approval. The rules shall include standardized criteria for reviewing the professional associations' mission, membership, and other relevant information, and shall provide a procedure for the Department to Req. No. 7762 Page 23 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 disallow all or part of a presumptively approved course. Professional association courses approved in accordance with this paragraph shall be reviewed every three (3) years to determine whether they continue to qualify for continuing education credit. 5. Subject to approval by the Commissioner, the active membership of the licensed producer or broker in local, regional, state, or national professional insurance organizations or associations may be approved for up to one (1) annual hour of instruction. The hour shall be credited upon timely filing with the Commissioner, or designee of the Commissioner, and appropriate written evidence acceptable to the Commissioner of such active membership in the organization or association. 6. The active service of a licensed producer as a member of a continuing education advisory committee, as described in paragraph 1 of this subsection, shall be deemed to qualify for continuing education credit on an hour -for-hour basis. C. 1. Annual fees and course submission fees shall be set forth as a rule by the Commissioner. The fees are payable to the Insurance Commissioner. Provided, public -funded educational institutions, federal agencies, nonprofit organization s, not-for- profit organizations, and Oklahoma state agencies shall be exempt from this subsection. 2. The Commissioner may assess a civil penalty, after notice and opportunity for hearing, against a continuing education provider Req. No. 7762 Page 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 who fails to comply with t he requirements of the Oklahoma Producer Licensing Act, of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), for each occurrence. The civil penalty may be enforced in the same manner in which civil judgments may be enforced. D. Failure of an insurance producer or customer service representative to comply with the requirements of the Oklahoma Producer Licensing Act may, after notice and opportunity for hearing, result in censure, suspension, nonrenewal of license or a civil penalty of up to Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or by both such penalty and civil penalty. Said civil penalty may be enforced in the same manner in which civil judgments may be enforced. E. Limited lines producers and nonresident agents who have successfully completed an equivalent or greater requirement shall be exempt from the provisions of this section. F. Members of the Legislature shall be exempt from this section. G. The Commissioner shall adopt and promulgate such rules as are necessary for effective administration of this section. SECTION 7. AMENDATORY 36 O.S. 2011, Section 2727.1, is amended to read as follows: Section 2727.1 A. Societies which are authorized prior to the effective date of this act to transact business in this state may continue such business until the last day of February next Req. No. 7762 Page 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 succeeding the effective date of this act. The authority of such societies and of all societies licensed on and after the effective date of this act may be renewed annu ally, to terminate in all cases on the last day of the succeeding February. However, a license so issued shall continue in full force and effect until the new license is issued or specifically refused. For each such license or renewal the society shall pay to the Insurance Commissioner the fee stated in Section 321 of Title 36 of the Oklahoma Statutes. A duly certified copy or duplicate of such license shall be prima facie evidence that the licensee is a fraternal benefit society within the meaning of this article. B. If the society fails to qualify for a renewal, the license shall be suspended. Once the licensee meets the requirements for renewal, the license shall be reinstated after the society pays a fee of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) if the license has been suspended for less than twelve (12) months and a fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) if the license has been suspended for less than twenty-four (24) months. The Department shall only terminate a license that failed to renew after the twenty-four-month suspension period required under this subsection and upon notification by first-class mail. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to a society that willfully and knowingly violates any provision of this Code as to which refus al, suspension or revocation is mandatory. Req. No. 7762 Page 26 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SECTION 8. AMENDATORY 36 O.S. 2011, Section 4055.4, is amended to read as follows: Section 4055.4 A. The Insurance Commissioner may refuse to issue, suspend, revoke or refuse to renew t he license of a viatical settlement provider or viatical settlement broker if the Commissioner finds that: 1. There was any material misrepresentation in the application for the license; 2. The licensee or any officer, partner, member or key management personnel has been convicted of fraudulent or dishonest practices, is subject to a final administrative action or is otherwise shown to be untrustworthy or incompetent; 3. The viatical settlement provider demonstrates a pattern of unreasonable payments to viators; 4. The licensee or any officer, partner, member or key management personnel has been found guilty of, or has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, any felony, or to a misdemeanor involving fraud or moral turpitude, regardless of whether a judgmen t of conviction has been entered by the court; 5. The viatical settlement provider has entered into any viatical settlement contract that has not been approved pursuant to the Viatical Settlements Act of 2008; 6. The viatical settlement provider has fail ed to honor contractual obligations set out in a viatical settlement contract; Req. No. 7762 Page 27 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 7. The licensee no longer meets the requirements for initial licensure; 8. The viatical settlement provider has assigned, transferred or pledged a viaticated policy to a perso n other than a viatical settlement provider licensed in this state, viatical settlement purchaser, an accredited investor or qualified institutional buyer as defined respectively in Rule 501(a) or Rule 144A promulgated under the Federal Securities Act of 1 933, as amended, financing entity, special purpose entity, or related provider trust; or 9. The licensee or any officer, partner, member or key management personnel has violated any provision of the Viatical Settlements Act of 2008. B. The Commissioner m ay suspend, revoke or refuse to renew the license of a viatical settlement broker or a life insurance producer operating as a viatical settlement broker pursuant to the Viatical Settlements Act of 2008 if the Commissioner finds that the viatical settlement broker or life insurance producer has violated the provisions of the Viatical Settlements Act of 2008 or has otherwise engaged in bad-faith conduct with one or more viators. C. If the Commissioner denies a license application or suspends, revokes or refu ses to renew the license of a viatical settlement provider, viatical settlement broker or suspends, revokes, or refuses to renew a license of a life insurance producer operating as a viatical settlement broker pursuant to the Viatical Req. No. 7762 Page 28 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Settlements Act of 20 08 the Commissioner shall conduct a hearing in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act. D. If the licensee fails to qualify for a renewal, the license shall be suspended. Once the licensee meets the requirements for renewal, the license shall b e reinstated after the licensee pays a fee of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) if the license has been suspended for less than twelve (12) months and a fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) if the license has been suspended for less than twenty-four (24) months. The Department shall only terminate a license that failed to renew after the twenty -four-month suspension period required under this subsection and upon notification by first-class mail. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to a licensee that willfully and knowingly violates any provision of this Code as to which refusal, suspension or revocation is mandatory. SECTION 9. AMENDATORY 36 O.S. 2011, Section 6217, as last amended by Section 14, Chapter 269, O.S. L. 2013 (36 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section 6217), is amended to read as follows: Section 6217. A. All licenses issued pursuant to the provisions of the Insurance Adjusters Licensing Act shall continue in force not longer than twenty -four (24) months. The ren ewal dates for the licenses may be staggered throughout the year by notifying licensees in writing of the expiration and renewal date being Req. No. 7762 Page 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 assigned to the licensees by the Insurance Commissioner and by making appropriate adjustments in the biennial licens ing fee. B. Any licensee applying for renewal of a license as an adjuster shall have completed not less than twenty -four (24) clock hours of continuing insurance education, of which three (3) hours shall be in ethics, within the previous twenty -four (24) months prior to renewal of the license , provided that anyone who has maintained a license as an adjuster for thirty (30) or more years shall be exempt from any continuing insurance education requirements. The Insurance Commissioner shall approve courses a nd providers of continuing education for insurance adjusters as required by this section. The Insurance Department may use one or more of the following to review and provide a nonbinding recommendation to the Insurance Commissioner on approval or disapprov al of courses and providers of continuing education: 1. Employees of the Insurance Commissioner; 2. A continuing education advisory committee. The continuing education advisory committee is separate and distinct from the Advisory Board established by Se ction 6221 of this title; or 3. An independent service whose normal business activities include the review and approval of continuing education courses and providers. The Commissioner may negotiate agreements with such independent service to review docum ents and other materials Req. No. 7762 Page 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 submitted for approval of courses and providers and present the Commissioner with its nonbinding recommendation. The Commissioner may require such independent service to collect the fee charged by the independent service for revie wing materials provided for review directly from the course providers. C. An adjuster who, during the time period prior to renewal, participates in an approved professional designation program shall be deemed to have met the biennial requirement for conti nuing education. Each course in the curriculum for the program shall total a minimum of twenty -four (24) hours. Each approved professional designation program included in this section shall be reviewed for quality and compliance every three (3) years in accordance with standardized criteria promulgated by rule. Continuation of approved status is contingent upon the findings of the review. The list of professional designation programs approved under this subsection shall be made available to producers an d providers annually. D. The Insurance Department may promulgate rules providing that courses or programs offered by professional associations shall qualify for presumptive continuing education credit approval. The rules shall include standardized criter ia for reviewing the professional associations' mission, membership, and other relevant information, and shall provide a procedure for the Department to disallow a presumptively approved course. Professional association Req. No. 7762 Page 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 courses approved in accordance with this subsection shall be reviewed every three (3) years to determine whether they continue to qualify for continuing education credit. E. The active service of a licensed adjuster as a member of a continuing education advisory committee, as described in paragraph 2 of subsection B of this section, shall be deemed to qualify for continuing education credit on an hour -for-hour basis. F. 1. Each provider of continuing education shall, after approval by the Commissioner, submit an annual fee. A fee may be assessed for each course submission at the time it is first submitted for review and upon submission for renewal at expiration. Annual fees and course submission fees shall be set forth as a rule by the Commissioner. The fees are payable to the Insurance Commissioner and shall be deposited in the State Insurance Commissioner Revolving Fund, created in Section 307.3 of this title, for the purposes of fulfilling and accomplishing the conditions and purposes of the Oklahoma Producer Licensing Act and the Ins urance Adjusters Licensing Act. Public -funded educational institutions, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, not -for-profit organizations and Oklahoma state agencies shall be exempt from this subsection. 2. The Commissioner may assess a civil penal ty, after notice and opportunity for hearing, against a continuing education provider who fails to comply with the requirements of the Insurance Adjusters Req. No. 7762 Page 32 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Licensing Act, of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($50 0.00), for each occurrence. The civil penalty may be enforced in the same manner in which civil judgments may be enforced. G. Subject to the right of the Commissioner to suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a license of an adjuster, any such license may b e renewed by filing on the form prescribed by the Commissioner on or before the expiration date a written request by or on behalf of the licensee for such renewal and proof of completion of the continuing education requirement set forth in subsection B of this section, accompanied by payment of the renewal fee. H. If the request, proof of compliance with the continuing education requirement and fee for renewal of a license as an adjuster are filed with the Commissioner prior to the expiration of the existing license, the licensee may continue to act pursuant to said license, unless revoked or suspended prior to the expiration date, until the issuance of a renewal license or until the expiration of ten (10) days after the Commissioner has refused to renew the license and has mailed notice of said refusal to the licensee. Any request for renewal filed after the date of expiration may be considered by the Commissioner as an application for a new license. I. If the licensee fails to qualify for a renewal, the license shall be suspended. Once the licensee meets the requirements for Req. No. 7762 Page 33 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 renewal, the license shall be reinstated after the licensee pays a fee of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) if the license has been suspended for less than twelve (12) months and a fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) if the license has been suspended for less than twenty-four (24) months. The Department shall only terminate a license that failed to renew after the twenty -four-month suspension period required under this subsection and upon notification by first-class mail. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to a licensee that willfully and knowingly violates any provision of this Code as to which refusal, suspension or revocation is mandatory. SECTION 10. AMENDATORY 36 O.S. 2011, Section 6220, as last amended by Section 10, Chapter 294, O.S.L. 2019 (36 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section 6220), is amended to read as follows: Section 6220. A. The Commissioner may censure, suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew a license after hearing for any of the following causes: 1. Material misrepresentation or fraud in obtaining an adjuster's license; 2. Any cause for which original issuance of a license could have been refused; 3. Misappropriation, conver sion to the personal use of the licensee, or illegal withholding of monies required to be held by the licensee in a fiduciary capacity; Req. No. 7762 Page 34 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 4. Material misrepresentation of the terms and effect of any insurance contract, with intent to deceive, or engaging in , or attempting to engage in, any fraudulent transaction with respect to a claim or loss that the licensee or the trainee is adjusting and, in the case of a public adjuster, misrepresentation of the services offered or the fees or commission to be charged; 5. Conviction of or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to a felony pursuant to the laws of this state, any other state, the United States, or any foreign country; 6. If in the conduct of business affairs, the licensee or trainee has shown himself to be, and is so deemed by the Commissioner, incompetent, untrustworthy or a source of injury to the public; 7. Refusal to comply with any lawful order of the Commissioner; 8. Violation of any provision of the Insurance Adjusters Licensing Act; 9. Adjusting losses or negotiating claim settlements arising pursuant to provisions of insurance contracts on behalf of an insurer or insured without proper licensing from the Commissioner and authority from the licensed insurer or the insured party; 10. Failing to respond to any inquiry (including electronic communications) from the Department within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of such inquiry; 11. Forging another's name to any document; Req. No. 7762 Page 35 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 12. Improperly using notes or any other reference material to complete an examination for an insurance license; 13. Having admitted or been found to have committed any insurance unfair trade practice or insurance fraud; 14. Having an insurance adjuster license or its equivalent denied, suspended, censured, placed on probati on or revoked in any other state, province, district or territory; 15. Failing to inform the Department, by any means acceptable to the Department, of a change of address, change of legal name or change of information submitted on the application within t hirty (30) days of the change; or 16. Providing services as a public adjuster, company adjuster or independent adjuster on the same claim. B. In addition to or in lieu of any applicable denial, suspension, or revocation of a license, any person violating the provisions of the Insurance Adjusters Licensing Act may be subject to a civil fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for each violation. This fine may be enforced in the same manner in which civil judgment may be enforced. C. If the license of an adjuster is suspended, revoked, or not renewed, the licensee shall surrender the license to the Commissioner. D. The Commissioner shall not reinstate a license to any person whose license has been suspended, revoked, or refused renewal until Req. No. 7762 Page 36 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 the Commissioner determines that the cause or causes for the suspension, revocation, or nonrenewal of the license no longer exist. E. The Department shall retain the authority to enforce the provisions of and impose any penalty or remedy authorized by th is title against any person who is under investigation for or charged with a violation even if the person's license or registration has been surrendered or has lapsed by operation of law. F. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, association, company or corporation to act as an adjuster without first obtaining a license pursuant to the Insurance Adjusters Licensing Act. Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as set for th in Section 10 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The restriction set forth in this subsection shall apply regardless of whether the person, firm, association, company or corporation has obtained power of attorney from an insurance claimant or has en tered into any other agreement with an insurance claimant to act on the behalf of the claimant. G. If the licensee fails to qualify for a renewal, the license shall be suspended. Once the licensee meets the requirements for renewal, the license shall be reinstated after the licensee pays a fee of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) if the license has been suspended for less than twelve (12) months and a fee of Five Hundred Req. No. 7762 Page 37 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Dollars ($500.00) if the license has been suspended for less than twenty-four (24) months. The Department shall only terminate a license that failed to renew after the twenty -four-month suspension period required under this subsection and upon notification by first-class mail. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to a licensee that willfully and knowingly violates any provision of this Code as to which refusal, suspension or revocation is mandatory. SECTION 11. AMENDATORY 36 O.S. 2011, Section 6560, is amended to read as follows: Section 6560. A. A Except as otherwise provided in this section, a certificate expires is suspended on the first anniversary of its effective date unless the certificate is renewed for a one - year term as provided in this section. B. Before the certificate expires is suspended, a certificate may be renewed for an additional one -year term, if the applicant: 1. Otherwise is entitled to the certificate; 2. Pays the Insurance Commissioner an annual renewal fee in the amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00); 3. Submits to the Commissioner: a. a renewal application on the form that the Commissioner requires, and b. satisfactory evidence of compliance with any requirement for certificate renewal; Req. No. 7762 Page 38 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 4. Establishes and maintains a complaint system which has been approved by the Commissioner and which provides reasonable procedures for the resolution of written complaints concerning utilization review; and 5. Maintains records of written complaints for five (5) years from the time the complaints are filed and submits to the Commissioner a summary report at such times and in such format as the Commissioner may require. C. If the applicant fails to qualify for a renewal as provided in subsection B of this section, the certificate shall be suspended. Once the applicant meets the requ irements for renewal, the certificate shall be reinstated after the applicant pays a fee of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) if the certificate has been suspended for less than twelve (12) months and a fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) if the certif icate has been suspended for less than twenty-four (24) months. The Department shall only terminate a certificate that failed to renew after the twenty -four-month suspension period required under this subsection and upon notification by first -class mail. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to a certificate that willfully and knowingly violates any provision of this Code as to which refusal, suspension or revocation is mandatory. SECTION 12. AMENDATORY 36 O.S. 2011, S ection 6561, is amended to read as follows: Req. No. 7762 Page 39 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Section 6561. A. The Insurance Commissioner may refuse to issue or renew or may suspend or revoke a certificate if the holder does not comply with performance assurances under this section, violates any provisi on of the Hospital and Medical Services Utilization Review Act, or violates any rule adopted pursuant thereto. B. The Commissioner shall deny or refuse to renew a certificate to any applicant if, upon review of the application, the Commissioner finds that the applicant proposing to conduct utilization review does not: 1. Have available the services of a sufficient number of qualified medical professionals supervised by appropriate health care providers to carry out the applicant's utilization review activities. Said sufficiency shall be based on standards and criteria pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph b of paragraph 1 of Section 8 of this act; 2. Meet any applicable rules the Commissioner adopted pursuant to the Hospital and Medical Services Uti lization Review Act relating to the qualifications of private review agents or the performance of utilization review; and 3. Provide assurances satisfactory to the Commissioner that: a. the procedure and policies of the private review agent shall protect the confidentiality of medical records, and Req. No. 7762 Page 40 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 b. the review agent shall be reasonably accessible in this state to patients, hospitals and health care providers as required by this act. C. Before denying, not renewing, or revoking a certificate, the Commissioner shall provide the applicant or certificate holder with reasonable time to supply additional information demonstrating compliance with the requirements of the Hospital and Medical Services Utilization Review Act and the opportunity to request a hearing. If an applicant or certificate holder requests a hearing, the Commissioner shall send a hearing notice and conduct a hearing in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act. D. Any person aggrieved by a final decision of the Commissioner in a contested case may appeal the decision as provided for in the Administrative Procedures Act. E. If the applicant fails to qualify for a renewal as provided in subsection B of this section, the certificate shall be suspended. Once the applicant meets the requ irements for renewal, the certificate shall be reinstated after the applicant pays a fee of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) if the certificate has been suspended for less than twelve (12) months and a fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) if the certif icate has been suspended for less than twenty-four (24) months. The Department shall only terminate a certificate that failed to renew after the twenty -four-month suspension period required under this subsection and upon Req. No. 7762 Page 41 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 notification by first -class mail. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to a certificate that willfully and knowingly violates any provision of this Code as to which refusal, suspension or revocation is mandatory. SECTION 13. AMENDATORY 59 O.S. 2011, S ection 1304, as amended by Section 1, Chapter 150, O.S.L. 2013 (59 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section 1304), is amended to read as follows: Section 1304. A. Each bail bondsman license issued shall expire be suspended biennially at 12:00 o'clock midnight on the las t day of the birth month of the bondsman, unless revoked or suspended prior thereto by the Insurance Commissioner. B. If the bondman fails to qualify for a renewal as provided in section 1309 of this title, the license shall be suspended. Once the bondsman meets the requirements for renewal, the license shall be reinstated after the applicant pays a fee of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) if the license has been suspended for less than twelve (12) months and a fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) if the license has been suspended for less than twenty -four (24) months. The Department shall only terminate a license that failed to renew after the twenty -four-month suspension period required under this subsection and upon notification by first -class mail. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to a license that willfully and knowingly violates any provision of this Code as to which refusal, suspension or revocation is mandatory. Req. No. 7762 Page 42 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SECTION 14. AMENDATORY 59 O.S. 2011, Sect ion 1308.1, as amended by Section 1, Chapter 259, O.S.L. 2019 (59 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section 1308.1), is amended to read as follows: Section 1308.1 A. In order to be eligible to take the examination required to be licensed as a bail bondsman, each person shall complete not less than sixteen (16) clock hours of education in subjects pertinent to the duties and responsibilities of a bail bondsman, including all laws and regulations related thereto. Further, each licensee shall complete biennially not less th an sixteen (16) clock hours of continuing education in the subjects prior to renewal of the license , provided that licensees that have maintained a license as a bail bondsman for thirty (30) or more years shall be exempt from any continuing education requi rements. Such continuing education shall not include a written or oral examination. Provided, any person licensed as a bail bondsman prior to November 1, 1989, shall not be required to complete sixteen (16) clock hours of education prior to licensure but shall be subject to the sixteen-hour continuing education requirement in order to renew the license, except that a licensed bail bondsman who is sixty -five (65) years of age or older and who has been licensed as a bail bondsman for fifteen (15) years or mo re shall be exempt from both the education and continuing education requirements of this section. Req. No. 7762 Page 43 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 B. Education shall be provided for bail bondsman licensure as required by this section; provided that the Insurance Commissioner shall approve the courses of fered and provided further such education meets the general standards for education established by the Insurance Commissioner. The education provider shall submit biennially a fee of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), payable to the Insurance Commissioner which shall be deposited with the State Treasurer for the purposes of fulfilling and accomplishing the conditions and purposes of this section. C. Any person who falsely represents to the Insurance Commissioner that compliance with this section has been met s hall be subject, after notice and hearing, to the penalties and fines set out in Section 1310 of this title. D. The Commissioner shall adopt and promulgate such rules as are necessary for effective administration of this section. SECTION 15. AMENDATORY 59 O.S. 2011, Section 1309, as last amended by Section 3, Chapter 110, O.S.L. 2015 (59 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section 1309), is amended to read as follows: Section 1309. A. A renewal license shall be issued by the Insurance Commissioner to a licensee who has continuously maintained same in effect, without further examination, upon payment of a renewal fee of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for a cash, property, surety, or professional bail bondsman or One Thousand Dollars Req. No. 7762 Page 44 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ($1,000.00) for a multicounty agent bondsman, and proof of completion of sixteen (16) hours of continuing education as required by Section 1308.1 of this title. The renewal fee for licenses expiring September 15, 2012, shall be prorated to the birth month of the bondsman. Thereafter the renewal fee shall be submitted biennially by the last day of the birth month of the bondsman. Such licensee shall in all other respects be required to comply with and be subject to the provisions of Section 1301 et seq. of this title. B. An individual holding a professional bondsman license or multicounty agent bondsman license shall also provide an annual audited financial statement prepared by an accounting firm or individual holding a permit to practice public accounting in this state in accordance with the Statements on Auditing Standards promulgated by the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants showing assets, liabilities, and net worth, the annual statement to be as of a date not earlier than June 30. The statements shall be attested to by an unqualified opinion of the accounting firm or individual holding a permit to practice public accounting in this state that prepared the statement or statements. The statement shall be submitted annuall y by the last day of September. C. An individual holding a property bondsman license shall also provide an annual county assessor's written statement stating the property's assessed value for each property used to post bonds and a Req. No. 7762 Page 45 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 written statement from a ny lien holder stating the current payoff amount on each lien for each property used to post bonds. The written statements shall be submitted annually by the last day of September. D. If the license is not renewed or the renewal fee is not paid by the last day of the birth month of the bondsman, the license shall expire be suspended automatically pursuant to Section 1304 of this title. After expiration, the license may be reinstated for up to one (1) year following the expiration date. If after the one - year date the license has not been reinstated, the licensee shall be required to apply for a license as a new applicant. E. Reinstatement fees shall be double the original fee. SECTION 16. This act shall become effective November 1, 2021. 58-1-7762 AMM 02/24/21