24-A §2387-A. Public Advocate - Maine Statutes

Title 24-A: MAINE INSURANCE CODE

Chapter 25: RATES AND RATING ORGANIZATIONS

Subchapter 2-B: WORKERS' COMPENSATION RATING ACT HEADING: PL 1991, C. 885, PT. B, §12 (NEW)

§2387-A. Public Advocate

1. Participation and duties. The Public Advocate shall represent the interests of insureds and policyholders in matters under this subchapter within the jurisdiction of the superintendent, including, but not limited to:

A. Rate filings under this chapter; [1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §12 (NEW); 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §13 (AFF).]

B. Rulemaking; [1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §12 (NEW); 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §13 (AFF).]

C. Petitions by insurers to terminate license authority, or withdrawal plans submitted pursuant to section 415-A; [1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §12 (NEW); 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §13 (AFF).]

D. Proceedings by the superintendent concerning the reasonableness and adequacy of the service provided by any insurer; [1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §12 (NEW); 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §13 (AFF).]

E. Proceedings by the superintendent concerning the reasonableness and adequacy of the rates charged by any insurer; and [1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §12 (NEW); 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §13 (AFF).]

F. Proceedings instituted by the superintendent concerning an insurer's license authority. [1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §12 (NEW); 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §13 (AFF).]

The Public Advocate has the same right to request data as any other party before the superintendent and may petition the superintendent, for good cause shown, to be allowed such other information as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

[ 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §12 (NEW); 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §13 (AFF) .]

2. Petition. The Public Advocate has the right to request that the superintendent investigate the reasonableness of the service provided by, or the rates charged by, insurers.

[ 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §12 (NEW); 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §13 (AFF) .]

3. Expert witnesses. The Public Advocate may employ witnesses and pay appropriate compensation and expenses to employ such witnesses. The funds for expert witnesses are available as indicated in section 2386.

[ 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §12 (NEW); 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §13 (AFF) .]

4. Appeal from superintendent's orders. The Public Advocate has the same rights of appeal from the superintendent's orders or decisions to which the Public Advocate has been a party as other parties.

[ 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §12 (NEW); 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §13 (AFF) .]

5. Application. This section applies to any proceeding under former section 2367 or section 2386-A for policy years 1988 through 1992 and for any other proceeding initiated prior to January 1, 1993 or any continuation or appeal of a proceeding initiated prior to January 1, 1993.

[ 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §12 (NEW); 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §13 (AFF) .]

SECTION HISTORY

1991, c. 885, §B12 (NEW). 1991, c. 885, §B13 (AFF).