Bill > S06069

This bill creates the office of insurance consumer advocate within the New York State Department of Financial Services, which will consist of five members (three appointed by the Secretary of State and two by the superintendent). The office will have several key responsibilities, including assessing the impact of insurance regulatory actions on consumers, particularly by reviewing health insurance rate change applications, appearing at public hearings as a consumer representative, and having rights to examine witnesses and access department records. The office can also recommend insurance-related legislation to the state legislature that would benefit consumers. Importantly, the office will be funded through an assessment on domestic insurers and licensed U.S. branches of alien insurers domiciled in New York State, with the assessment designed to cover the costs of creating, administering, and operating the office. The bill emphasizes that the office's members will not receive compensation but will be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses, and it is explicitly stated that the office will not prevent other consumer advocates from appearing at official proceedings.

Business and Industry

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S6069