Bill > H0759

This bill expands the authority of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) or the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) to investigate improper conduct by including mediators and neutral evaluators, individuals who help resolve disputes, in addition to existing categories. It also introduces several protections for residential property insurance policyholders, preventing claims from being denied or policies canceled based on certain credit information, and establishing specific requirements for the assignment of post-loss benefits to ensure fairness and transparency in agreements for repair or replacement services. The bill revises rules for property insurance mediation programs, clarifies grounds for challenging an umpire's impartiality, and redefines "neutral evaluator" while outlining reasons for denying or revoking their approval. Furthermore, it creates a "Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights" to inform policyholders of their rights during the claims process, though this bill of rights does not create a new legal avenue for lawsuits. Finally, it sets requirements for emergency mitigation repair agreements and revises the qualifications for mediators of personal injury claims, including grounds for denying or revoking their approval.