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|
As Introduced
122nd General Assembly
Regular Session
1997-1998 | S. B. No. 154 |
SENATORS NEIN-GILLMOR-SUHADOLNIK
A BILL
To amend sections 1751.38, 3901.021, 3905.011, 3905.02, 3905.06, 3905.07,
3905.18, 3905.20, 3905.27, 3905.40,
3905.481, 3905.49, 3923.121, 3931.101, 3931.11, 3941.02, 3953.21, 3953.23,
3960.11, and 4745.01; to amend, for the purpose of adopting new numbers
as indicated in parentheses, sections 3905.011 (3905.012) and
3905.02 (3905.03); to enact new sections 3905.01, 3905.011, and
3905.02 and sections 3905.013, 3905.014, 3905.471, 3905.491, 3905.492, and
3905.54; and to repeal sections 3905.01, 3905.03, and 3905.05 of the Revised
Code to revise the Insurance Agents Law.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That sections 1751.38, 3901.021, 3905.011, 3905.02, 3905.06,
3905.07, 3905.18, 3905.20,
3905.27, 3905.40, 3905.481, 3905.49, 3923.121, 3931.101, 3931.11, 3941.02,
3953.21, 3953.23, 3960.11, and 4745.01 be amended; sections 3905.011
(3905.012)
and 3905.02 (3905.03) be amended for the purpose of adopting new
section numbers as indicated in parentheses; and new sections
3905.01, 3905.011, and 3905.02 and sections 3905.013, 3905.014,
3905.471, 3905.491, 3905.492, and 3905.54 of the Revised Code be enacted
to read as follows:
Sec. 1751.38. (A) As
used in this section, "agent" means a person appointed by a
health insuring corporation to engage in the solicitation or
enrollment of subscribers or enrollees.
(B) Agents of health
insuring corporations shall be licensed pursuant to section
3905.01 3905.02 or 3905.18 of the
Revised
Code.
(C) Sections 3905.01,
3905.03, 3905.05 3905.02, 3905.16 to 3905.18, 3905.181, 3905.19,
3905.23, 3905.40, 3905.41, 3905.42, 3905.46 to 3905.48,
3905.481, 3905.482, 3905.486, 3905.49, 3905.50, 3905.71 to
3905.79, and 3905.99 of the Revised Code shall apply to health
insuring corporations and the agents of health insuring
corporations in the same manner in which these sections apply to
insurers and agents of insurers.
Sec. 3901.021. Two-thirds of all fees collected under
section 3905.01 3905.02, division (E) of section 3905.18, and
division
(A)(6) of section 3905.26 of the Revised Code shall be paid into
the state treasury to the credit of the department of insurance
operating fund, which is hereby created. The remaining one-third
shall be credited to the general revenue fund. If the
superintendent of insurance is authorized by the controlling
board to increase the fees pursuant to section 3905.011
3905.012 of the
Revised Code, the board may also direct that an amount equal to
the increase, up to three-fourths of all fees collected after the
increase pursuant to section 3905.011 3905.012 of the Revised
Code, shall
be credited to the department of insurance operating fund, with
the remaining portion to be credited to the general revenue fund.
All operating expenses of the department of insurance except
those expenses defined under section 3901.07 of the Revised Code
shall be paid from the department of insurance operating fund.
Sec. 3905.01. (A) NO
PERSON SHALL PROCURE AN APPLICATION OR QUOTE PREMIUMS FOR, DISCUSS COVERAGES
OF, OR SOLICIT, NEGOTIATE,
EFFECT, PROCURE, PLACE, WRITE, DELIVER, RENEW, OR BIND, A POLICY OF INSURANCE
OR ENGAGE IN DIRECT RESPONSE OR MASS MARKETING ADVERTISING
THROUGH ANY MEDIUM FOR RISKS RESIDING, LOCATED, OR TO BE
PERFORMED IN THIS STATE, UNLESS THE PERSON IS LICENSED BY
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS
CHAPTER.
(B) DIVISION
(A) OF THIS SECTION DOES NOT
APPLY TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING PERSONS:
(1) AN INSURER AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3901.32 OF THE
REVISED
CODE;
(2) ANY PERSON WHO FURNISHES INFORMATION REGARDING GROUP
INSURANCE, ENROLLS INDIVIDUALS IN GROUP INSURANCE PLANS, ISSUES
CERTIFICATES UNDER SUCH PLANS, OR OTHERWISE ASSISTS IN
ADMINISTERING SUCH PLANS, IF NO COMMISSION OR OTHER FORM OF
COMPENSATION RELATED TO PREMIUM OR SALES VOLUME IS PAID FOR SUCH
SERVICES;
(3) ANY EMPLOYEE OF A CREDITOR WHO MAKES INSURANCE PRODUCTS AVAILABLE ONLY
IN CONNECTION WITH A CREDIT TRANSACTION, INCLUDING CREDIT LIFE INSURANCE,
CREDIT DISABILITY OR ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE, CREDIT PROPERTY INSURANCE,
INVOLUNTARY UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, INDIVIDUAL LIFE INSURANCE, AND INDIVIDUAL
DISABILITY OR ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE, IF THE ENTIRE PREMIUM IS FINANCED
AS PART OF THE CREDIT TRANSACTION AND THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET:
(a) IF THE INSURANCE PRODUCT IS AN INDIVIDUAL LIFE INSURANCE
POLICY, A LICENSED AGENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INSURANCE TRANSACTION.
(b) IF THE EMPLOYEE OF THE CREDITOR IS PAID BY THE INSURANCE
AGENT OR BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY, THE EMPLOYEE HOLDS A LIMITED AUTHORITY
LICENSE.
FOR PURPOSES OF DIVISION (B)(3) OF THIS SECTION, "CREDIT PROPERTY
INSURANCE" MEANS INSURANCE COVERING REASONABLE RISKS OF LOSS, DAMAGE, AND
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY USED AS SECURITY FOR A LOAN, WHICH INSURANCE MAY ALSO
COVER OTHER PROPERTY THAT IS INCIDENTAL TO THE PROPERTY USED AS SECURITY FOR
THE LOAN.
(4) ANY EMPLOYER, OR
OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF AN EMPLOYER,
TO THE EXTENT THAT THE EMPLOYER, OFFICER, OR EMPLOYEE IS ENGAGED
IN THE ADMINISTRATION OR OPERATION OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
PROGRAM INVOLVING THE USE OF INSURANCE FOR THE EMPLOYER'S
EMPLOYEES OR THE EMPLOYEES OF A SUBSIDIARY OR AFFILIATE OF THE
EMPLOYER, PROVIDED THAT THE EMPLOYER, OFFICER, OR EMPLOYEE IS
NOT COMPENSATED, EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN ANY MANNER BY
AN INSURANCE AGENT OR BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY ISSUING THE
INSURANCE.
(C) DIVISION
(A) OF THIS SECTION DOES NOT
APPLY TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES WHEN PERFORMED BY AN
EMPLOYEE OF, AND AT THE DIRECTION OF, AN INSURER OR LICENSED INSURANCE
AGENT:
(1) THE ACCEPTANCE OF PREMIUMS OTHER THAN THE INITIAL
PREMIUM;
(2) THE GATHERING OF INFORMATION THAT IS NOT REQUIRED OR
USED FOR UNDERWRITING PURPOSES, SUCH AS NAMES, ADDRESSES,
EXPIRATION DATES OF CURRENT INSURANCE, AND NAMES OF CURRENT
INSURERS;
(3) THE SETTING OF APPOINTMENTS FOR INSURANCE AGENTS,
PROVIDED THAT THE PERSON SETTING THE APPOINTMENT DOES NOT
COMMUNICATE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT INSURANCE;
(4) THE PROVISION OF INFORMATION ABOUT EXISTING INSURANCE
POLICIES, IF THE PERSON DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY ADVICE,
SUGGESTIONS, OR RECOMMENDATIONS, EXPLAIN BENEFITS, OR INTERPRET
COVERAGE PROVISIONS;
(5) THE PERFORMANCE OF CLERICAL OR MINISTERIAL
DUTIES.
(D) THE SUPERINTENDENT
MAY ADOPT RULES IN ACCORDANCE WITH
CHAPTER 119. OF THE
REVISED
CODE TO SET FORTH THE SPECIFIC ACTS THAT COMPRISE ANY OF THE
ACTIVITIES DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION, THE PERFORMANCE OF WHICH EITHER REQUIRES
OR
DOES NOT REQUIRE LICENSURE AS AN AGENT.
Sec. 3905.011. (A) AS
USED IN THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS 3905.013 AND 3905.014 OF THE
REVISED
CODE, "INSURER" HAS THE SAME
MEANING AS IN SECTION 3901.32 OF THE
REVISED
CODE.
(B) ANY PERSON WHO IS
LICENSED AS AN AGENT UNDER SECTION 3905.02 OR 3905.18 OF THE
REVISED
CODE IS ELIGIBLE TO BE
APPOINTED BY ONE OR MORE INSURERS AUTHORIZED TO DO BUSINESS IN
THIS STATE.
(C)(1) PRIOR TO
APPOINTING AN AGENT, AN INSURER SHALL CERTIFY TO THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULES ADOPTED BY
THE SUPERINTENDENT UNDER SECTION 3905.014 OF THE
REVISED
CODE, THAT THE PERSON IS COMPETENT, FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE, AND
SUITABLE TO REPRESENT THE INSURER.
(2) NO AGENT SHALL REPRESENT TO THE PUBLIC THAT THE AGENT
HAS AUTHORITY TO REPRESENT A PARTICULAR INSURER UNTIL THE
INSURER HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT AUTHORITY BY APPOINTMENT OF THE
AGENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH DIVISION
(C)(1) OF THIS SECTION.
(D)(1) NO INSURER SHALL PAY
A COMMISSION, FEE, OR OTHER TYPE OF CONSIDERATION, OR GIVE ANY
OTHER THING OF VALUE, TO A PERSON WHO IS NOT LICENSED BY
THE SUPERINTENDENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS CHAPTER FOR THE SALE
OF, OR FOR ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT CONNECTION WITH THE SALE OF,
ANY INSURANCE SOLD BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE INSURER.
(2) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION PROHIBITS AN INSURER FROM ENTERING INTO A
COMPENSATION AGREEMENT WITH A CREDITOR WHO MAKES INSURANCE PRODUCTS AVAILABLE
ONLY IN CONNECTION WITH A CREDIT TRANSACTION, INCLUDING CREDIT LIFE INSURANCE,
CREDIT DISABILITY OR ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE, CREDIT PROPERTY INSURANCE,
INVOLUNTARY UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, INDIVIDUAL LIFE INSURANCE, AND INDIVIDUAL
DISABILITY OR ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE, IF THE ENTIRE
PREMIUM IS FINANCED AS PART OF THE CREDIT TRANSACTION. FOR PURPOSES OF
DIVISION (D)(2) OF THIS SECTION, "CREDIT PROPERTY INSURANCE" HAS THE
SAME MEANING AS IN DIVISION (B)(3) OF SECTION 3905.01 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 3905.011 3905.012. The superintendent of insurance may
increase the agent's license APPOINTMENT fees imposed on
domestic, foreign,
and alien insurance companies pursuant to division (B)(C) of
section
3905.01 3905.02, division (E) of section 3905.18, and division
(E) of
section 3905.20 of the Revised Code to not more than twenty
dollars, if all of the following conditions are met:
(A) The superintendent submits his A request for the
increase to the following committees HOUSE COMMITTEE AND SENATE
COMMITTEE THAT HAVE PRIMARY JURISDICTION OVER INSURANCE ISSUES, for
their review and
recommendations:
(1) The house insurance committee;
(2) The senate financial institutions and insurance
committee;
(3) The insurance/civil justice reform review committee
established by Am. Sub. H.B. 1 of the 117th general assembly.
(B) The superintendent submits both of the following to
the controlling board:
(1) The request for the increase;
(2) The recommendations of the house insurance committee,
the AND senate financial institutions and insurance committee,
and
the insurance/civil justice reform review committee COMMITTEES
DESCRIBED IN DIVISION (A) OF THIS SECTION.
(C) On or before January 1, 1990, the controlling board,
after receipt of the request for the increase and the
recommendations pursuant to division (B) of this section,
approves the request for the increase.
Sec. 3905.013. (A)(1)
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN DIVISION
(A)(2) OF THIS SECTION, ANY
PERSON LICENSED AS AN AGENT UNDER SECTION 3905.02 OR 3905.18 OF
THE REVISED
CODE, OR APPOINTED AS A
SOLICITOR UNDER SECTION 3905.03 OF THE
REVISED
CODE, MAY AT ANY TIME SURRENDER
ANY OR ALL LICENSES OR APPOINTMENTS HELD BY THE PERSON.
(2) NO PERSON SHALL SURRENDER THE PERSON'S LICENSES OR
APPOINTMENTS IF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE IS INVESTIGATING ANY
ALLEGATION OF WRONGDOING BY THE PERSON OR HAS INITIATED PROCEEDINGS UNDER
CHAPTER 119. of the Revised Code AND NOTICE OF AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A HEARING HAS
BEEN ISSUED TO THE PERSON, AND ANY ATTEMPT TO SO SURRENDER IS INVALID.
(B)(1) IF AN INSURER OR
AGENT CANCELS THE APPOINTMENT OF AN AGENT OR SOLICITOR DUE TO
FRAUD, MISREPRESENTATION, THEFT, CONVERSION, OR ANY OTHER
CULPABLE MISAPPROPRIATION, THE INSURER OR AGENT SHALL PROMPTLY
NOTIFY THE SUPERINTENDENT. THE NOTICE SHALL
INCLUDE A COMPLETE STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND THE REASONS FOR
THE CANCELLATION.
(2) IN THE ABSENCE OF FRAUD OR ACTUAL MALICE, AN INSURER OR
AGENT IS IMMUNE FROM ANY CIVIL LIABILITY THAT OTHERWISE MIGHT BE
INCURRED OR IMPOSED AS A RESULT OF ANY ACTION TAKEN BY THE
INSURER OR AGENT TO COMPLY WITH DIVISION
(B)(1) OF THIS SECTION.
(C) THE SUPERINTENDENT
MAY SUSPEND OR REVOKE A LICENSE OR APPOINTMENT, OR TAKE ANY
OTHER DISCIPLINARY ACTION AUTHORIZED BY THIS CHAPTER, REGARDLESS
OF WHETHER THE PERSON IS APPOINTED OR OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED TO
REPRESENT AN INSURER OR AGENT.
Sec. 3905.014. (A) THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE MAY ADOPT RULES IN ACCORDANCE WITH
CHAPTER 119. OF THE
REVISED
CODE FOR PURPOSES OF
IMPLEMENTING SECTIONS 3905.01 TO 3905.03 AND 3905.18 OF THE
REVISED
CODE, INCLUDING RULES THAT DO
THE FOLLOWING:
(1) SET FORTH REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE
ISSUANCE OF AN AGENT'S LICENSE;
(2) PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A LIMITED
AUTHORITY LICENSE FOR A SPECIFIC LINE OF INSURANCE, AND SET FORTH ANY
PRELICENSING EDUCATION, EXAMINATION, OR CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS THE
SUPERINTENDENT CONSIDERS APPROPRIATE FOR SUCH A LICENSE;
(3) SET FORTH THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH A TESTING
FACILITY MAY REFUSE TO ISSUE AN AGENT'S LICENSE TO AN APPLICANT.
NOTWITHSTANDING CHAPTER 119.
OF THE REVISED
CODE, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A
HEARING SHALL NOT BE GRANTED TO SUCH AN APPLICANT UNTIL THE
SUPERINTENDENT HAS CONDUCTED AN INVESTIGATION OF THE
MATTER.
(4) ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR CERTIFYING AN INSURER'S
APPOINTMENT OF AN AGENT;
(5) ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR THE SURRENDER OF
LICENSES OR APPOINTMENTS.
(B) THE SUPERINTENDENT
MAY CONTRACT WITH ONE OR MORE VENDORS TO PROVIDE ANY SERVICES
NECESSARY FOR THE PROCESSING AND MAINTAINING OF LICENSING AND
APPOINTMENT RECORDS UNDER SECTIONS 3905.02, 3905.03, AND 3905.18
OF THE REVISED
CODE.
Sec. 3905.02. (A) AN
APPLICANT FOR A LICENSE AS AN OTHER THAN LIFE INSURANCE AGENT
SHALL SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR SUCH A LICENSE TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
INSURANCE.
THE APPLICATION SHALL BE ON A FORM FURNISHED BY THE
SUPERINTENDENT AND BE ACCOMPANIED BY A STATEMENT UNDER OATH BY
THE APPLICANT WHICH GIVES THE APPLICANT'S NAME, AGE, RESIDENCE,
PRESENT OCCUPATION, OCCUPATION FOR THE FIVE YEARS NEXT PRECEDING
THE DATE OF THE APPLICATION, AND SUCH OTHER INFORMATION AS THE
SUPERINTENDENT MAY REQUIRE.
THE APPLICANT SHALL ALSO REQUEST A CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK CONDUCTED BY THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF THE BUREAU
OF CRIMINAL IDENTIFICATION AND INVESTIGATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION
109.572 of the Revised Code, AND SUBMIT
THE BUREAU'S WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THAT REQUEST, ON A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE, WITH THE APPLICATION. THE
FAILURE OF AN APPLICANT TO SUBMIT THE BUREAU'S RESPONSE TO THE
APPLICANT'S REQUEST FOR A CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK IS GROUNDS TO
REFUSE TO ISSUE A LICENSE UNDER THIS SECTION. THE
APPLICANT SHALL PAY ANY FEE REQUIRED BY THE BUREAU FOR
CONDUCTING THE CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK.
IF THE APPLICANT WITHIN THE PRECEDING TWO YEARS HAS NOT
BEEN LICENSED AS AN INSURANCE AGENT, THE APPLICANT SHALL SUBMIT
TO A HEARING AND EXAMINATION AS TO THE QUALIFICATIONS SET FORTH
IN DIVISION (B) OF THIS
SECTION. THE EXAMINATION AND HEARING SHALL BE HELD AND A
DECISION RENDERED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE WITHIN FORTY-FIVE DAYS
AFTER THE DATE OF APPLICATION FOR A LICENSE.
(B) THE SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE
SHALL ISSUE TO AN APPLICANT A LICENSE THAT STATES IN SUBSTANCE
THAT THE PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO DO THE BUSINESS OF AN OTHER
THAN LIFE INSURANCE AGENT IN THIS STATE, IF THE SUPERINTENDENT
IS SATISFIED THAT THE APPLICANT IS A SUITABLE PERSON AND INTENDS
TO HOLD SELF OUT IN GOOD FAITH AS AN AGENT; THAT THE APPLICANT
IS HONEST, TRUSTWORTHY, AND UNDERSTANDS THE DUTIES AND
OBLIGATIONS OF AN AGENT, AND IS FAMILIAR WITH THE INSURANCE LAWS
OF THIS STATE AND WITH THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THE POLICIES
AND CONTRACTS OF INSURANCE THE APPLICANT PROPOSES TO EFFECT;
THAT IN APPLYING FOR THE LICENSE IT IS NOT THE APPLICANT'S
PURPOSE OR INTENTION PRINCIPALLY TO SOLICIT OR PLACE INSURANCE
ON THE APPLICANT'S OWN PROPERTY OR THAT OF RELATIVES, EMPLOYERS,
OR EMPLOYEES OR THAT FOR WHICH THEY OR THE APPLICANT IS AGENT,
CUSTODIAN, VENDOR, BAILEE, TRUSTEE, OR PAYEE; AND THAT THE
APPLICANT HAS COMPLETED THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH
IN SECTION 3905.48 OF THE REVISED CODE.
THE SUPERINTENDENT MAY SUSPEND OR REVOKE SUCH A LICENSE AS
PROVIDED IN SECTION 3905.482 OF THE
REVISED
CODE, AND MAY SUSPEND, REVOKE,
REFUSE TO CONTINUE, OR REFUSE TO ISSUE SUCH A LICENSE
AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 3905.49 OF THE
REVISED
CODE. UNLESS REVOKED OR
SUSPENDED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OR SURRENDERED BY THE AGENT, SUCH A LICENSE
CONTINUES IN FORCE FOR THE LIFE OF THE AGENT.
(C)(1) EACH INSURANCE
COMPANY SHALL CERTIFY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE BEFORE THE THIRTIETH
DAY OF JUNE EACH YEAR THE NAMES
AND ADDRESSES OF THE AGENTS FOR WHOM IT REQUESTS APPOINTMENTS OR
THE CONTINUANCE OF APPOINTMENTS. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION
3905.012 OF THE REVISED
CODE, ALL DOMESTIC, FOREIGN,
AND ALIEN COMPANIES SHALL PAY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT A FEE OF
TWENTY DOLLARS FOR EVERY SUCH APPOINTMENT WHEN ISSUED AND FOR
EACH CONTINUANCE THEREAFTER. SUCH AN APPOINTMENT, UNLESS
CANCELED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY, MAY BE CONTINUED IN FORCE
PAST THE THIRTIETH DAY OF JUNE
NEXT AFTER ITS ISSUE AND AFTER THE THIRTIETH DAY OF
JUNE OF EACH SUCCEEDING YEAR
PROVIDED THAT THE APPOINTEE IS LICENSED AND IS ELIGIBLE FOR
THE APPOINTMENT.
(2) AN INSURANCE COMPANY SHALL BE BOUND BY THE ACTS OF
THE PERSON NAMED IN THE APPOINTMENT WITHIN THAT PERSON'S
APPARENT AUTHORITY AS ITS AGENT.
(3) DIVISION (C) OF THIS
SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES, INCLUDING
FRATERNALS, NOR TO DOMESTIC MUTUAL PROTECTIVE ASSESSMENT FIRE
ASSOCIATIONS AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3939.01 OF THE
REVISED
CODE.
(D) EACH LICENSED AGENT
SHALL NOTIFY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE OF ANY CHANGE IN THE AGENT'S
RESIDENTIAL OR BUSINESS ADDRESS NO LATER THAN THIRTY DAYS AFTER
THE CHANGE.
(E) THE SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE
MAY PRESCRIBE THE FORMS TO BE USED AS EVIDENCE OF THE ISSUANCE
OF LICENSES AND APPOINTMENTS UNDER THIS SECTION AND MAY ISSUE
ONE OR MORE CERTIFICATES, IN A FORM SUITABLE FOR OFFICE DISPLAY,
TO COVER ANY NUMBER OF INSURANCE COMPANIES WITH WHICH AN AGENT
HAS APPOINTMENTS.
(F)(1) THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE SHALL NOT ISSUE OR CONTINUE THE LICENSE OF A
CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ORGANIZED
UNDER THE LAWS OF THIS OR ANY OTHER STATE UNLESS THE
CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY IS
QUALIFIED TO DO BUSINESS IN THIS STATE UNDER THE APPLICABLE
PROVISIONS OF TITLE
XVII OF THE
REVISED
CODE.
(2) THE FAILURE OF A CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, OR
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY TO BE IN GOOD STANDING WITH THE
SECRETARY OF STATE OR TO MAINTAIN A VALID APPOINTMENT OF
STATUTORY AGENT IS GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF ITS
LICENSE.
(3) BY APPLYING FOR A LICENSE AS AN AGENT UNDER THIS
SECTION, AN INDIVIDUAL, CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF
THIS STATE.
Sec. 3905.02 3905.03. (A) Any agent authorized and licensed
as
provided in section 3905.01 3905.02 of the Revised Code, and
representing APPOINTED TO REPRESENT
one or more insurance corporations within this state, may employ
APPOINT
as many solicitors as the agent desires to represent the agent and the agent's
agency, but such THE solicitors shall not represent themselves,
by
advertisement or otherwise, as agents of insurance companies for
which their employer may be the authorized agent, and such THE
solicitors shall in all instances represent themselves only as
solicitors for said THE agent. Upon
EACH AGENT THAT
EMPLOYS A PERSON AS A SOLICITOR SHALL CERTIFY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
INSURANCE THAT THE PERSON IS COMPETENT, FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE, AND SUITABLE
TO REPRESENT THE AGENT. UPON written notice by any such
agent
that the agent has employed such a person as a solicitor, the
superintendent of insurance shall issue to the solicitor a
license AN APPOINTMENT in the form prepared by the superintendent,
if the
superintendent is
satisfied that:
(1) The applicant is a suitable person and intends to hold
self out in good faith as a solicitor;.
(2) The applicant is honest and trustworthy;.
(3) The applicant has training or instruction in the
business and understands the duties and obligations of a
solicitor;.
(4) The applicant IS LICENSED UNDER SECTION 3905.02 of the Revised Code, is
familiar with the insurance laws, and
IS FAMILIAR with the provisions of the policies and contracts of
insurance
the applicant proposes to solicit;.
(5) In applying for such license it IT is not THE
appointee's
purpose or intention principally to solicit or place insurance on
THE appointee's own property or that of relatives, employers, or
employees or that for which they or the appointee is agent,
custodian, vendor, bailee, trustee, or payee. Notice
(6) ON AND AFTER
JULY 1, 1987, THE APPLICANT HAS
COMPLETED THE PRELICENSING EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH
IN SECTION 3905.48 OF THE
REVISED
CODE.
NOTICE
shall be
upon a form furnished by the superintendent and shall be
accompanied by a statement under oath by the solicitor which
shall give GIVES the applicant's SOLICITOR'S name,
age, residence,
present occupation, the
applicant's SOLICITOR'S occupation for the five years next
preceding the date of the
notice, the kinds of insurance for which the applicant
SOLICITOR wishes
license to solicit, and such other information as the superintendent
requires, upon a blank furnished by the superintendent.
(6) On and after July 1, 1987, the applicant has completed
the pre-licensing educational requirements set forth in section
3905.48 of the Revised Code.
(B) If such THE appointee within the preceding two years has
not been appointed as a licensed IN THIS STATE AS AN insurance
solicitor or has not
had an appointment as a licensed insurance solicitor
continued by an insurance agent licensed in this state FOR OTHER
THAN LIFE INSURANCE UNDER SECTION 3905.02 of the Revised Code, the appointee shall
submit to a hearing and examination as to the qualifications set
forth in divisions (A)(1) to (5) of this section.
(C) For the purpose of licensing solicitors, insurance
shall be considered as of three classes: fire insurance,
including marine and inland transportation; casualty insurance;
and surety insurance. A solicitor who did not hold a license as
solicitor prior to January 1, 1967, may be licensed APPOINTED
only if the
solicitor is
qualified for the same class or classes of insurance for which
the agent employing the solicitor is licensed. Each
solicitor's license
shall state the class or classes A SOLICITOR MAY SOLICIT ONLY THOSE
LINES OF INSURANCE for which issued and no BOTH THE
solicitor shall be licensed for AND the same kind of
insurance by
more than one APPOINTING agent ARE LICENSED. Unless such
license
NO SOLICITOR SHALL BE APPOINTED BY MORE THAN ONE
AGENT.
UNLESS THE SOLICITOR'S LICENSE is revoked or suspended
by the superintendent or unless the agent by written notice to
the superintendent cancels the solicitor's authority as such
solicitor, or unless such license is canceled by the
superintendent upon written notice from the solicitor that the
solicitor's authority has been canceled by the agent, such
license and any other license issued to a solicitor APPOINTMENT
may, in the
discretion of the superintendent, and at the request of the agent
who employs the solicitor and the payment of the required fee, be
continued past the thirtieth day of June next after its issue and
after the thirtieth day of June each succeeding year. Each agent
shall certify, to the superintendent of insurance, before the
thirtieth day of June each year, the names and addresses of the
solicitors the agent has employed during the preceding year,
indicating those for whom the agent wishes licenses APPOINTMENTS
to be continued.
The agent giving written notice shall pay to the
superintendent a fee of twenty dollars for every such license
APPOINTMENT and
for each continuance thereof. The issuance of a solicitor's
license APPOINTMENT shall be limited to a natural person who is
a resident of
this state or to a natural person who is employed by a licensed resident
agent and is conducting business only from within this state.
The superintendent may suspend or revoke such a license as provided in
section 3905.482 of the Revised Code, and may
suspend, revoke, refuse to continue or renew, or refuse to issue
such a license as provided in section 3905.49 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 3905.06. Sections 3905.01 to 3905.06 of the Revised Code do not apply to
companies or associations transacting the business of life insurance or
their
agent or to associations organized and operating under sections 3939.01 to
3939.09 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 3905.07. No person shall act in this state as special
representative, state agent, field representative, state, district, or local
manager, or in any similar capacity by whatever title designated,
unless the person is licensed by the superintendent of
insurance. Upon written notice by an insurance company authorized to transact
business in this state of its employment of a person to act as
such representative and that the person's duties are to appoint,
supervise, or dismiss agents, to aid them in soliciting,
negotiating, and receiving applications of and handling orders
for insurance, and to aid the employer generally in the
transaction of its business in this state, but not to solicit
insurance on that person's own behalf, the superintendent
shall issue a license as special representative to such THE
person. Such THE license
shall state in substance that the company is authorized to do
business in this state and that the person named therein IN THE
LICENSE is a
constituted special representative of the company in this state
in the transaction of such business within the person's apparent authority
as the company is authorized to transact therein. If such THE
special
representative signs policies for the company,
the special representative must qualify as
an agent under section 3905.01 3905.02 of the Revised Code.
Unless the company, by written notice to the superintendent,
cancels the special representative's authority to act for it,
such license may, in the discretion of the superintendent and at
the request of the company and payment of the required fee, be
continued past the thirtieth day of June next after issue and the
thirtieth day of June of each succeeding year. Each company
shall pay a fee of five dollars for each such license and each
continuance thereof.
Sec. 3905.18. (A) Upon written notice by AN APPLICANT FOR A
LICENSE AS a life insurance
company authorized to transact business in this state of its
appointment of a person to act as its agent in this state, and
upon issuance of the certificate verified by an executive officer
or managing agent thereof, that such company has investigated the
character and record of such person and satisfied itself that he
is trustworthy and qualified to act as its agent, and that he
has
completed the educational requirements set forth in section
3905.48 of the Revised Code, SHALL SUBMIT TO the superintendent of
insurance
shall, on receipt of such certification, furnish to the agent an
application for AN agent's license, which shall contain such
questions touching the applicant's fitness to be licensed as an
agent as the superintendent determines. If such appointee
THE APPLICATION SHALL BE ACCOMPANIED BY A STATEMENT UNDER
OATH BY THE APPLICANT THAT GIVES THE APPLICANT'S NAME, AGE,
RESIDENCE, PRESENT OCCUPATION, OCCUPATION FOR THE FIVE YEARS
NEXT PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE APPLICATION, AND SUCH OTHER
INFORMATION AS THE SUPERINTENDENT MAY REQUIRE.
THE APPLICANT SHALL ALSO REQUEST A CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK CONDUCTED BY THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF THE BUREAU
OF CRIMINAL IDENTIFICATION AND INVESTIGATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION
109.572 of the Revised Code, AND SUBMIT
THE BUREAU'S WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THAT REQUEST, ON A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE, WITH THE APPLICATION. THE
FAILURE OF AN APPLICANT TO SUBMIT THE BUREAU'S RESPONSE TO THE
APPLICANT'S REQUEST FOR A CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK IS GROUNDS TO
REFUSE TO ISSUE A LICENSE UNDER THIS SECTION. THE
APPLICANT SHALL PAY ANY FEE REQUIRED BY THE BUREAU FOR
CONDUCTING THE CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK.
IF THE APPLICANT
within
the preceding two years has not been appointed as a licensed AS
A life
insurance agent or has not had his appointment as a licensed
life
insurance agent continued by an insurance company authorized to
transact business in this state, the appointee APPLICANT
shall submit to an
examination as to his THE APPLICANT'S knowledge of life and
sickness and accident
insurance and the laws of this state governing his activities as
a life insurance agent. Unless
(B) UNLESS it appears
that the appointee
APPLICANT is
not of good reputation and character, is not a trustworthy
person, is not suitable to be licensed, or has not completed such
THE
educational requirements SET FORTH IN SECTION 3905.48 of the Revised Code, the
superintendent OF INSURANCE shall issue to him THE
APPLICANT a
license which shall state, in substance, that the company PERSON
is
authorized to do THE business OF A LIFE INSURANCE AGENT in this
state, and that the person
named therein is a constituted agent of the company in this state
for the transaction of such business. Each notice and
certificate shall be upon forms furnished by the superintendent
and shall be accompanied by a statement under oath by the
appointee which shall give his name, age,
residence, present
occupation, occupation for the five years next preceding the date
of the notice, and such other information as the superintendent
requires, upon a blank furnished by him.
(B) The superintendent may suspend or revoke such a
license as provided in section 3905.482 of the Revised Code, and
may suspend, revoke, refuse to continue or renew, or refuse to
issue such a license as provided in section 3905.49 of the
Revised Code. Every such UNLESS REVOKED OR SUSPENDED BY THE
SUPERINTENDENT OR SURRENDERED BY THE AGENT, SUCH A LICENSE CONTINUES IN FORCE
FOR THE LIFE OF THE AGENT.
EACH insurance company shall, upon the
termination of the employment APPOINTMENT of any such agent,
forthwith file
with the superintendent a statement of the termination of such
employment THE APPOINTMENT.
(C) Upon written notice by a life insurance company
authorized to transact business in this state of its appointment
of a corporation, PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY to
act as its agent in this state, the
superintendent of insurance shall furnish such THE
corporation, PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY with
an application for agent's license which shall contain such
questions as will enable the superintendent to determine that
such THE corporation, PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY was organized for the purpose of acting as an
insurance agent,; that each employee of such THE
corporation, PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY who will
negotiate for, place, or renew policies or agreements of life
insurance on behalf of such THE corporation,
PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY has been issued a life
insurance agent's license pursuant to division (A) of this
section; that the voting shares of such corporation are
beneficially owned by natural persons who are residents of this
state; that such THE corporation, PARTNERSHIP, OR
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY and such THE life insurance
company have
executed a written agreement whereby the rights and duties of
each are set forth; and that in applying for such THE license it
is
not the appointee's purpose or intention principally to solicit
or place insurance on the lives of the appointee's officers,
employees, or shareholders, or the lives of relatives of such
officers, employees, or shareholders, or upon the lives of
persons for whom they, their relatives, or the appointee is
agent, custodian, vendor, bailee, trustee, or payee. Unless it
appears that such THE corporation, PARTNERSHIP, OR
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY was not organized for such purpose
or that each such employee has not been so licensed or that the
voting shares of such corporation are not so beneficially owned
or that such a written agreement has not been executed, the
superintendent shall issue to such THE corporation,
PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY a license which
shall state STATES, in substance, that such THE
corporation, PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY is a life
insurance agent.
(D) If the superintendent of insurance, at any time
subsequent to the issuance of a life insurance agent's license to
a corporation, PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, finds
that such THE corporation, PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY has ceased to have as
its purpose acting as an insurance agent or that each employee of
such THE corporation, PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY who negotiates for, places, or renews
policies
or agreements of life insurance on behalf of such THE
corporation, PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY has
not been issued a life insurance agent's license or that the
voting shares of such corporation are not beneficially owned by
natural persons who are residents of this state or that the
principal use of such THE license has been to solicit,
place, or
effect insurance on the lives of the appointee's officers,
employees, or shareholders, or on the lives of the relatives of
such officers, employees, or shareholders, or upon the lives of
persons for whom they, or their relatives, or the appointee is
agent, custodian, vendor, bailee, trustee, or payee, or for any
other cause shown he, THE SUPERINTENDENT may after
hearing revoke
the life insurance
agent's license issued to such THE corporation,
PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY or suspend such
THE license until such condition as he THE SUPERINTENDENT
finds
existing ceases to
exist. The finding of the superintendent, either in refusing to
grant a license or in revoking a license, shall be in writing,
and shall state the facts upon which his THE action is based.
The
action of the superintendent in granting, revoking, continuing,
or refusing to grant, revoke, or continue such THE license,
shall be
subject to review in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised
Code.
(E) Unless THE AGENT'S LICENSE IS revoked OR SUSPENDED by the
superintendent OF INSURANCE, or unless the
company by written notice to the superintendent cancels the
agent's authority to act for it, a life insurance agent's
license, and any other license issued to an agent APPOINTMENT
may, in the
discretion of the superintendent and at the request of the
company and payment of the required fee, be continued past the
thirtieth day of June next after its issue and after the
thirtieth day of June in each succeeding year. Except as
provided in section 3905.011 3905.012 of the Revised Code, all
domestic,
foreign, and alien companies shall pay a fee of twenty dollars
for every such license APPOINTMENT and for each continuance
thereafter.
While such license AN APPOINTMENT remains in force, a
foreign
company shall be
bound by the acts of the person named therein IN THE
APPOINTMENT, within his THE
PERSON'S APPARENT
authority as its acknowledged agent.
(F) The superintendent OF INSURANCE may prescribe the forms to be used
as evidence of the issuance of licenses AND APPOINTMENTS under this
section and
may issue one or more certificates, in a form suitable for office
display, to cover any number of insurance companies with which an
agent is licensed HAS APPOINTMENTS.
(G)(1) THE SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE SHALL
NOT ISSUE OR CONTINUE THE LICENSE OF A CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP,
OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF THIS OR
ANY OTHER STATE UNLESS THE CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY IS QUALIFIED TO DO BUSINESS IN THIS STATE
UNDER THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF
TITLE
XVII OF THE
REVISED
CODE.
(2) THE FAILURE OF A CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, OR
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY TO BE IN GOOD STANDING WITH THE
SECRETARY OF STATE OR TO MAINTAIN A VALID APPOINTMENT OF
STATUTORY AGENT IS GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF ITS
LICENSE.
(3) BY APPLYING FOR A LICENSE AS AN AGENT UNDER THIS
SECTION, AN INDIVIDUAL, CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF
THIS STATE.
Sec. 3905.20. (A) Any person licensed as a life insurance
agent for a life insurance company authorized to deliver or issue
for delivery in this state
SHALL, UPON SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF AN EXAMINATION AS
TO THE PERSON'S KNOWLEDGE OF
policies, annuities, or AND other
contracts providing variable or fixed and variable benefits or
contractual payments ISSUED BY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES pursuant to
section 3911.011 of the Revised
Code shall, upon written application of such company,
satisfactory completion of an examination as to his
knowledge of
such policies, annuities, and contracts and the nature thereof,
payment of the required fee, and compliance with the
pre-licensing PRELICENSING educational requirements of section
3905.48 of the
Revised Code, be licensed by the superintendent of insurance as a
variable contract agent.
(B) The superintendent may suspend or revoke such a
license as provided in section 3905.482 of the Revised Code, and
may suspend, revoke, refuse to continue or renew, or refuse to
issue such a license as provided in section 3905.49 of the
Revised Code. Revocation of such THE person's license as a life
insurance agent or failure to renew such license is cause for
revoking such THE person's license as a variable contract agent.
Every such UNLESS REVOKED OR SUSPENDED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OR
SURRENDERED BY THE AGENT, A VARIABLE CONTRACT AGENT'S LICENSE CONTINUES IN
FORCE FOR THE LIFE OF THE AGENT.
EACH LIFE insurance company shall, upon termination of the
employment APPOINTMENT of any such person as a variable contract
agent,
forthwith file with the superintendent a statement of the
termination of such employment THE APPOINTMENT.
(C) Any corporation, PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
licensed as a life insurance agent for
AND APPOINTED BY a life insurance company authorized to deliver or
issue
for
delivery in this state policies, annuities, or other contracts
providing variable or fixed and variable benefits or contractual
payments pursuant to section 3911.011 of the Revised Code, may,
upon written application of such company and upon a proper
showing that all of such THE corporation's,
PARTNERSHIP'S, OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY'S employees who will
negotiate for, place, or renew any such policies, annuities, or
contracts on behalf of such THE corporation,
PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY have been issued
licenses
as variable contract agents pursuant to division (A) of this
section, be licensed by the superintendent of insurance as a
variable contract agent.
(D) The superintendent of insurance may, for cause shown
and after hearing, revoke the variable contract agent's license
issued to such corporation, PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANY, or suspend such THE license until
such
condition as he THE SUPERINTENDENT finds existing ceases to
exist. The revocation
or suspension of such THE corporation's,
PARTNERSHIP'S, OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY'S license as a life
insurance
agent or failure to renew such license shall be cause for
revoking or suspending, as the case may be, such THE
corporation's, PARTNERSHIP'S, OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY'S
license as a variable contract agent. The finding of the
superintendent, either in refusing to grant a license or in
revoking a license, shall be in writing and state the facts upon
which his THE SUPERINTENDENT'S action is based. The action of
the superintendent in
granting, revoking, continuing, or refusing to grant, revoke, or
continue such license, shall be subject to review in accordance
with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.
(E) Unless revoked or suspended by the superintendent OR SURRENDERED BY
THE CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, or
unless the company by written notice to the superintendent
cancels the agent's authority to act for it, a variable contract
agent's license, and any other license issued to an agent may, in
the discretion of the superintendent and at the request of the
company and payment of the required fee, beCONTINUES IN FORCE UNTIL THE CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, OR LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANY CEASES TO EXIST.
(F) EACH LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY SHALL CERTIFY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT BEFORE THE
THIRTIETH DAY OF JUNE EACH YEAR
THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF THE VARIABLE CONTRACT AGENTS FOR WHOM
IT REQUESTS APPOINTMENTS OR THE CONTINUANCE OF APPOINTMENTS.
SUCH AN APPOINTMENT, UNLESS CANCELED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY,
MAY BE
continued IN FORCE past the
thirtieth day of June next after its issue and after the
thirtieth day of June in each succeeding year. Except as
provided in section 3905.011 3905.012 of the Revised Code, all
domestic,
foreign, and alien companies shall pay a fee of twenty dollars
for every such license APPOINTMENT WHEN ISSUED and for each
continuance thereafter.
While such license APPOINTMENT remains in force, a
foreign
company shall be
bound by the acts of the person named therein IN THE
APPOINTMENT, within his THE
PERSON'S APPARENT
authority as its authorized agent.
Sec. 3905.27. The superintendent of insurance may open an
account in the name of each insurance company authorized to do
business in this state and in the name of any authorized
insurance agent, and charge said THE accounts with all fees
incurred
by such companies or agents in accordance with sections 3905.01,
3905.02, 3905.03, 3905.07, 3905.26, 3919.26, and 3931.03 of the
Revised
Code, and other statutes imposing fees. The statutory fee for
each service requested shall be charged against the proper
account forthwith upon the rendition of the service.
Not later than the tenth day of each calendar month the
superintendent shall render an itemized statement to each company
or agent whose account has been charged during the month next
preceding, showing the amount of all fees charged during said
THAT
month and demanding that payment thereof be made not later than
the first day of the month next following.
The failure of any insurance company within said THAT time to
pay the amount of such fees in accordance with such THE monthly
statement, or, if said THE statement or account is found to be
incorrect, in accordance with a corrected monthly statement
rendered by the superintendent, is grounds for the revocation of
its certificate of authority to do business in this state. In
the event of such an order of revocation, the superintendent
shall forthwith cause a notice thereof to be published once in at
least one newspaper at the seat of the government and also, if a
domestic company, once in at least one newspaper published in the
county where its home office is located, or, if a foreign or
alien company, once in at least one newspaper published in a
county of this state where an agency of such THE company is
located.
After the publication of such THE notice, no agent of
such THE company
shall procure applications for insurance or issue policies.
In the event of the failure of any agent within the time
fixed to pay the amount of fees charged against his THE AGENT'S
account in
accordance with the monthly statement rendered by the
superintendent, such THE agent's license may be revoked in the
manner
provided by sections 3905.01 3905.02 and 3905.18 of the
Revised Code.
Sec. 3905.40. The superintendent of insurance shall issue no A
NONRESIDENT license to any
person as agent of an insurance company if such person WHO is a
resident of a ANOTHER
state which, by its laws, prohibits residents of this state from acting as
agents of insurance companies in such state; if the superintendent is
satisfied that any person holding a license as such agent is a resident of
such state, he
shall revoke such license
OR A PROVINCE OF CANADA,
IF THE PERSON DEMONSTRATES COMPLIANCE WITH THE RELEVANT LAWS OF
THAT STATE OR PROVINCE AND IF THE LAWS OF THAT STATE OR PROVINCE
PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A SIMILAR LICENSE TO AN
OHIO RESIDENT WHO DEMONSTRATES
COMPLIANCE WITH THE RELEVANT LAWS OF THIS STATE.
Sec. 3905.471. (A) NO INDIVIDUAL, CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP,
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, OR ASSOCIATION SHALL ACT AS AN INSURANCE AGENT, OR
ADVERTISE OR ASSUME TO ACT AS AN INSURANCE AGENT, WITHOUT FIRST BEING LICENSED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS CHAPTER.
(B) WHOEVER VIOLATES THIS SECTION IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR OF
THE FIRST DEGREE.
Sec. 3905.481. (A)(1) Except as provided in division (B)
of this section, each person who is issued a license as an agent
or solicitor on and OR after July 1, 1993, THE
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS AMENDMENT shall complete in
accordance with division (A)(1) of this section at least thirty
hours of continuing education instruction offered in a course or
program of study approved by the superintendent of insurance in
consultation with the insurance agent education advisory
council. The person shall complete the initial thirty hours of
continuing
education instruction during a period not to exceed twenty-four
months commencing on the first day of January of PERSON'S BIRTHDAY
IN the year
immediately following the year of the issuance of the license and
ending on the thirty-first day of December of PERSON'S BIRTHDAY
IN the second THIRD year
following the year of the issuance of the license. Thereafter,
the person shall complete at least thirty hours of continuing
education instruction in every subsequent twenty-four-month
period commencing on the first day of January and ending on the
thirty-first day of December of the following year.
(2) Except as provided in division (B) of this section,
each person who, on July 1, 1993 THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS
AMENDMENT, holds a license as an agent or
solicitor issued prior to that date shall complete, no later than
December 31, 1995, at least thirty hours of continuing education
instruction offered in a course or program of study approved by
the superintendent in consultation with the council, AS FOLLOWS:
(a) IF THE PERSON HAS BEEN LICENSED CONTINUOUSLY SINCE AT LEAST
DECEMBER 31, 1993, THIRTY HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION BETWEEN
JANUARY 1, 1996, AND THE PERSON'S BIRTHDAY IN 1998;
(b) IF THE PERSON WAS FIRST LICENSED IN 1994 OR 1996 AND HAS BEEN
LICENSED CONTINUOUSLY SINCE THEN, THIRTY HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION BETWEEN
JANUARY 1, 1997, AND THE PERSON'S BIRTHDAY IN 1999;
(c) IF THE PERSON WAS FIRST LICENSED IN 1995 AND HAS BEEN
CONTINUOUSLY LICENSED SINCE THEN, THIRTY HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION BETWEEN
JANUARY 1, 1998, AND THE PERSON'S BIRTHDAY IN 2000.
Thereafter
THEREAFTER,
the person shall complete at least thirty hours of such
continuing education instruction in every subsequent
twenty-four-month period commencing on the first day of January
of every even-numbered year and ending on the thirty-first day of
December of every odd-numbered year PERSON'S BIRTHDAY.
(B) Division (A) of this section does not apply to any
person or class of persons, as determined by the superintendent
in consultation with the council.
(C) A person may comply with division (A) of this section
by demonstrating to the council that the
person has
completed the minimum
number of hours required by that division in a substantially
similar course or program of study offered in another state.
Sec. 3905.49. (A)
AS USED IN THIS SECTION:
(1) "INSURER" HAS THE SAME MEANING AS IN SECTION
3901.32 OF THE REVISED
CODE.
(2) "REFUSAL TO ISSUE OR RENEW" MEANS THE DECISION OF
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE NOT TO PROCESS EITHER THE
INITIAL APPLICATION FOR A LICENSE OR APPOINTMENT AS AN AGENT OR
SOLICITOR, OR THE RENEWAL OF SUCH A LICENSE OR
APPOINTMENT.
(3) "REVOCATION" MEANS THE PERMANENT TERMINATION OF
ALL AUTHORITY TO HOLD ANY LICENSE OR APPOINTMENT AS AGENT OR
SOLICITOR IN THIS STATE.
(4) "SURRENDER FOR CAUSE" MEANS THE VOLUNTARY
TERMINATION OF ALL AUTHORITY TO HOLD ANY LICENSE OR APPOINTMENT
AS AGENT OR SOLICITOR IN THIS STATE, IN LIEU OF A REVOCATION OR
SUSPENSION ORDER.
(5) "SUSPENSION" MEANS THE TERMINATION OF ALL
AUTHORITY TO HOLD ANY LICENSE OR APPOINTMENT AS AGENT OR
SOLICITOR IN THIS STATE, FOR EITHER A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME
OR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME AND UNDER ANY TERMS OR
CONDITIONS DETERMINED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT.
(B)
The superintendent of insurance may
suspend, revoke, refuse to continue or renew, or refuse to issue
OR RENEW any license as an agent, SURPLUS LINE
BROKER, or solicitor LIMITED INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE, OR
IMPOSE ANY OTHER SANCTION AUTHORIZED
under this chapter, if the
superintendent finds any FOR one or more of the following
REASONS:
(1) The person has made a false
OBTAINING OR ATTEMPTING TO OBTAIN ANY LICENSE OR
APPOINTMENT THROUGH MISREPRESENTATION OR FRAUD, INCLUDING MAKING
ANY MATERIALLY UNTRUE
statement with respect to
a material matter in the license AN application FOR A
LICENSE OR APPOINTMENT;
(2) Any cause for which issuance of the license could have
been refused had it existed and been known to the superintendent
at the time of issuance;
(3) The person has violated VIOLATING or failed
FAILING to comply with any
insurance law or any lawful, rule, SUBPOENA, CONSENT
AGREEMENT, or order of the superintendent
or the commissioner of insurance of another state;
(4) The person has obtained or attempted to obtain any
such license through mispresentation or fraud;
(5) The person has improperly withheld, misappropriated,;
(3) MISAPPROPRIATING
or converted CONVERTING to the person's own use any moneys
belonging to
policyholders, insurers PROSPECTIVE POLICYHOLDERS,
beneficiaries, INSURANCE COMPANIES, or others received in the
course of the person's insurance business;
(4) FAILING TO TIMELY SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR
INSURANCE. FOR PURPOSES OF DIVISION
(B)(4) OF THIS SECTION, A
SUBMISSION IS CONSIDERED TIMELY IF IT OCCURS WITHIN THE TIME
PERIOD EXPRESSLY PROVIDED FOR BY THE INSURER, OR WITHIN SEVEN
DAYS AFTER THE AGENT ACCEPTS A PREMIUM OR AN ORDER TO BIND FROM A
POLICYHOLDER OR APPLICANT, WHICHEVER IS LATER.
(6) The person has knowingly misrepresented (5)
KNOWINGLY MISREPRESENTING the
terms, BENEFITS, VALUE, COST, OR EFFECTIVE DATES of
any actual or proposed insurance policy or contract;
(7) The person has been (6) BEING convicted of a
felony. If
a
person has been convicted of a felony based on evidence of acts
or omissions related to the insurance business, the
superintendent shall revoke any license issued to such person for
a period of not less than two years. If the person did not hold
a license at the time of the conviction, no license shall be
issued to the person for a period of two years after the date of
the conviction.;
(8) The person is guilty of (7) BEING CONVICTED OF A
MISDEMEANOR THAT INVOLVES THE MISUSE
OR THEFT OF MONEY OR PROPERTY BELONGING TO ANOTHER, FRAUD,
FORGERY, DISHONEST ACTS, OR BREACH OF A FIDUCIARY DUTY, OR THAT
IS BASED ON ANY ACT OR OMISSION RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OF
INSURANCE, SECURITIES, OR FINANCIAL SERVICES;
(9)(8) COMMITTING
an unfair or deceptive trade
act practice or fraud under any section of Title XXXIX of the
Revised Code OR ANY RULE ADOPTED THEREUNDER;
(9) In the conduct of the person's affairs under a
license, the person has used fraudulent, coercive, or dishonest
practices, or is incompetent, untrustworthy, or financially
irresponsible;
(10) The person's HAVING AN INSURANCE license has been
suspended or revoked in
any other state, province, district, or territory;
(11) The person has forged (10) FORGING OR CAUSING THE
FORGERY OF
another's name to ANY DOCUMENT RELATED TO OR USED IN an
application for insurance TRANSACTION;
(12) The person has cheated
(11) POSSESSING OR USING ANY UNAUTHORIZED MATERIALS DURING A
LICENSING OR CONTINUING EDUCATION EXAMINATION OR CHEATING
on an A LICENSING OR CONTINUING EDUCATION examination for an
insurance license
(B) The license of a partnership or corporation may be
suspended, revoked, or refused if the superintendent finds, after
notice and hearing under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, that
an individual licensee's violation was known or should have been
known by one or more of the partners, officers, directors, or
managers acting on behalf of the partnership or corporation and
such violation was not reported to the department of insurance or
corrective action taken in relation to the violation;
(12) FAILING TO DISCLOSE TO AN APPLICANT FOR INSURANCE
OR POLICYHOLDER UPON ACCEPTING A PREMIUM OR AN
ORDER TO BIND COVERAGE FROM THE APPLICANT OR POLICYHOLDER, THAT
THE PERSON HAS NOT BEEN APPOINTED AS AGENT BY THE
INSURER AND IS NOT AN APPOINTED SOLICITOR OF AN APPOINTED AGENT;
(13) HAVING ANY PROFESSIONAL LICENSE SUSPENDED OR
REVOKED AS A RESULT OF A MISHANDLING OF FUNDS
OR BREACH OF FIDUCIARY
RESPONSIBILITIES;
(14) CAUSING OR PERMITTING A POLICYHOLDER OR APPLICANT
FOR INSURANCE TO DESIGNATE THE PERSON OR THE PERSON'S SPOUSE,
PARENT, CHILD, OR SIBLING AS THE BENEFICIARY OF A POLICY OR
ANNUITY SOLD BY THE PERSON, UNLESS THE PERSON OR A RELATIVE OF
THE PERSON IS THE INSURED OR APPLICANT;
(15) FAILING TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF
ANY WRITTEN INQUIRY FROM THE DEPARTMENT;
(16) FAILING TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT WITH WRITTEN
NOTICE OF ANY CHANGE IN THE PERSON'S RESIDENTIAL OR BUSINESS
ADDRESS WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE CHANGE
OCCURS;
(17) TRANSFERRING OR PLACING INSURANCE WITH AN INSURER
OTHER THAN THE INSURER EXPRESSLY CHOSEN BY THE APPLICANT FOR INSURANCE OR
POLICYHOLDER WITHOUT THE PRIOR CONSENT OF THE APPLICANT OR
POLICYHOLDER OR ABSENT EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES;
(18) ENGAGING IN ANY FRAUDULENT COERCIVE
PRACTICE IN CONNECTION WITH THE BUSINESS OF INSURANCE;
(19) FAILING TO INFORM A POLICYHOLDER OR APPLICANT FOR INSURANCE OF
THE IDENTITY OF THE INSURER OR INSURERS, OR THE IDENTITY OF ANY
OTHER INSURANCE AGENCY, GENERAL AGENT, SURPLUS LINE BROKER, OR
LICENSEE KNOWN TO BE INVOLVED IN PROCURING, PLACING, OR CONTINUING
THE INSURANCE FOR THE POLICYHOLDER OR APPLICANT, UPON THE BINDING OF THE
COVERAGE;
(20) IN THE CASE OF AN AGENT THAT IS A CORPORATION,
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, OR PARTNERSHIP, FAILING TO REPORT AN
INDIVIDUAL LICENSEE'S VIOLATION TO THE DEPARTMENT WHEN THE
VIOLATION WAS KNOWN OR SHOULD HAVE BEEN KNOWN BY ONE OR MORE OF
THE PARTNERS, OFFICERS, MANAGERS, OR MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION,
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, OR PARTNERSHIP;
(21) SUBMITTING OR USING A DOCUMENT IN THE CONDUCT OF
THE BUSINESS OF INSURANCE WHEN THE PERSON KNEW OR SHOULD HAVE
KNOWN THAT THE DOCUMENT CONTAINED THE FORGED SIGNATURE OF
ANOTHER PERSON;
(22) MISREPRESENTING THE PERSON'S QUALIFICATIONS OR
USING IN ANY WAY A PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION THAT HAS NOT BEEN
CONFERRED UPON THE PERSON BY THE APPROPRIATE ACCREDITING
ORGANIZATION;
(23) OBTAINING A PREMIUM LOAN OR CAUSING A PREMIUM
LOAN TO BE MADE TO OR IN THE NAME OF AN INSURED WITHOUT THAT
PERSON'S KNOWLEDGE AND WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION;
(24) FAILING TO NOTIFY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF ANY
DISCIPLINARY ACTION TAKEN BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY OF ANOTHER
STATE WITHIN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE ACTION WAS TAKEN;
(25) FAILING TO FILE ANY OF THE REPORTS OR NOTICES
REQUIRED UNDER THIS CHAPTER;
(26) SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR INSURANCE, OR
CAUSING THE ISSUANCE OF AN INSURANCE POLICY OR CONTRACT, ON BEHALF
OF AN APPLICANT WHO DID NOT REQUEST OR AUTHORIZE THE
INSURANCE. DIVISION (B)(26) OF THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO ANY
POLICY ISSUED BY AN OTHER THAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY.
(27) USING PAPER, SOFTWARE, OR ANY OTHER MATERIALS OF
OR PROVIDED BY AN INSURER AFTER THE INSURER HAS TERMINATED THE
AUTHORITY OF THE LICENSEE, IF THE USE OF SUCH MATERIALS WOULD
CAUSE A REASONABLE PERSON TO BELIEVE THAT THE LICENSEE WAS
ACTING ON BEHALF OF OR OTHERWISE REPRESENTING THE
INSURER;
(28) PROVIDING MISLEADING, DECEPTIVE, OR UNTRUE
INFORMATION TO AN APPLICANT FOR INSURANCE OR A POLICYHOLDER
REGARDING A PARTICULAR INSURANCE AGENT, COMPANY, OR
PRODUCT;
(29) SOLICITING, PROCURING AN APPLICATION FOR, OR
PLACING, EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ANY INSURANCE POLICY
WHEN THE PERSON IS NOT AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS CHAPTER TO ENGAGE
IN SUCH ACTIVITY;
(30) SOLICITING, MARKETING, OR SELLING ANY PRODUCT OR
SERVICE THAT OFFERS BENEFITS SIMILAR TO INSURANCE BUT IS NOT
REGULATED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, WITHOUT FULLY DISCLOSING TO THE
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER THAT THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE IS NOT
INSURANCE AND IS NOT REGULATED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT;
(31) FAILING TO FULFILL A REFUND OBLIGATION IN A TIMELY MANNER.
FOR PURPOSES OF DIVISION
(B)(31) OF THIS SECTION, A
REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION EXISTS THAT A REFUND OBLIGATION IS NOT FULFILLED IN A
TIMELY MANNER UNLESS IT IS FULFILLED WITHIN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TIME
PERIODS:
(a) THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE THE
POLICYHOLDER, APPLICANT, OR INSURER TAKES OR REQUESTS ACTION
RESULTING IN A REFUND;
(b) THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THE INSURER'S
REFUND CHECK, IF THE AGENT IS EXPECTED TO ISSUE A PORTION OF THE
TOTAL REFUND;
(c) FORTY-FIVE DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THE
AGENT'S STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT ON WHICH THE REFUND FIRST
APPEARS.
(C) Before denying, revoking, suspending, or refusing to
continue or renew ISSUE any license or imposing any penalty
under this
section OR SECTION 3905.482 of the Revised Code, the superintendent shall provide
THE LICENSEE OR APPLICANT
WITH notice and an
opportunity for hearing, under AS PROVIDED IN Chapter 119. of
the Revised Code,
to the licensee or applicant and any insurer represented by the
licensee or applicant
EXCEPT AS FOLLOWS:
(1)(a) ANY NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY FOR HEARING, THE HEARING
OFFICER'S FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, OR THE
SUPERINTENDENT'S ORDER SHALL BE SERVED BY CERTIFIED MAIL AT THE
LAST KNOWN ADDRESS OF THE LICENSEE OR APPLICANT. SERVICE SHALL
BE EVIDENCED BY RETURN RECEIPT SIGNED BY ANY PERSON.
FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE "LAST KNOWN ADDRESS" IS THE ADDRESS THAT
APPEARS IN THE LICENSING RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE.
(b) IF THE CERTIFIED MAIL ENVELOPE IS RETURNED
WITH AN ENDORSEMENT SHOWING THAT SERVICE WAS REFUSED, OR THAT
THE ENVELOPE WAS UNCLAIMED, THE NOTICE AND ALL SUBSEQUENT NOTICES REQUIRED BY
CHAPTER 119. of the Revised Code MAY BE SERVED BY ORDINARY
MAIL TO THE LAST KNOWN ADDRESS OF THE LICENSEE OR APPLICANT.
THE MAILING SHALL BE EVIDENCED BY A CERTIFICATE OF MAILING.
SERVICE IS DEEMED COMPLETE AS OF THE DATE OF SUCH CERTIFICATE
PROVIDED THAT THE ORDINARY MAIL ENVELOPE IS NOT RETURNED BY THE
POSTAL AUTHORITIES WITH AN ENDORSEMENT SHOWING FAILURE OF
DELIVERY. THE TIME PERIOD IN WHICH TO REQUEST A HEARING, AS
PROVIDED IN CHAPTER 119. OF THE
REVISED
CODE, BEGINS TO RUN ON THE DATE
OF MAILING.
(c) IF SERVICE BY ORDINARY MAIL FAILS, THE
SUPERINTENDENT MAY CAUSE A SUMMARY OF THE SUBSTANTIVE PROVISIONS
OF THE NOTICE TO BE PUBLISHED ONCE A WEEK FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE
WEEKS IN A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION IN THE COUNTY WHERE
THE LAST KNOWN PLACE OF RESIDENCE OR BUSINESS OF THE PARTY IS
LOCATED. THE NOTICE IS CONSIDERED SERVED ON THE DATE OF THE
THIRD PUBLICATION.
(d) ANY NOTICE REQUIRED TO BE SERVED UNDER
CHAPTER 119. OF THE
REVISED
CODE SHALL ALSO BE SERVED UPON
THE PARTY'S ATTORNEY BY ORDINARY MAIL IF THE ATTORNEY HAS
ENTERED AN APPEARANCE IN THE MATTER.
(e) THE SUPERINTENDENT MAY, AT ANY TIME,
PERFECT SERVICE ON A PARTY BY PERSONAL DELIVERY OF THE NOTICE BY
AN EMPLOYEE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
(f) NOTICES REGARDING THE SCHEDULING OF
HEARINGS AND ALL OTHER MATTERS NOT DESCRIBED IN DIVISION
(C)(1)(a)OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE SENT BY ORDINARY MAIL TO THE PARTY AND
TO THE PARTY'S ATTORNEY.
(2) ANY SUBPOENA FOR THE APPEARANCE OF A WITNESS OR
THE PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AT A HEARING, OR
FOR THE PURPOSE OF TAKING TESTIMONY FOR USE AT A HEARING, SHALL
BE SERVED BY CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, BY AN
ATTORNEY OR BY AN EMPLOYEE OF THE DEPARTMENT DESIGNATED BY THE
SUPERINTENDENT. SUCH SUBPOENAS SHALL BE ENFORCED IN THE MANNER
PROVIDED IN SECTION 119.09 OF THE
REVISED
CODE. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION
SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS LIMITING THE SUPERINTENDENT'S OTHER
STATUTORY POWERS TO ISSUE SUBPOENAS.
(D) The IF THE superintendent DETERMINES THAT A VIOLATION
DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION HAS OCCURRED, THE SUPERINTENDENT may modify
any order under this
section and restore a license of or issue a license to a person
if the superintendent finds, after notice and opportunity for
hearing provided to affected parties, that the person can
demonstrate all DO ANY of the following:
(1) The person has made restitution for all pecuniary
losses caused by his ASSESS A CIVIL FORFEITURE IN AN AMOUNT NOT
EXCEEDING TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS PER violation;
(2) The person's character and reputation have been
rehabilitated so that the person possesses the personal
qualifications required for the initial issuance of a license;
ASSESS ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS TO COVER THE EXPENSES INCURRED
BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION, INCLUDING COSTS
INCURRED IN THE INVESTIGATION AND HEARING PROCESSES. ANY COSTS
COLLECTED SHALL BE PAID INTO THE STATE TREASURY TO THE CREDIT OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE OPERATING FUND CREATED IN SECTION
3901.021 OF THE REVISED
CODE.
(3) If the order was an order of revocation based on a
conviction for felony based on evidence of acts or omissions
related to the insurance business, that two years have elapsed
since the effective date of the order, or if the order was an
order denying a license because of such a conviction, that two
years have elapsed since the date of the conviction
SUSPEND ALL OF THE PERSON'S LICENSES FOR ALL LINES OF
INSURANCE FOR EITHER A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME OR AN INDEFINITE
PERIOD OF TIME AND UNDER SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS THE
SUPERINTENDENT MAY DETERMINE;
(4) If required by the superintendent, the person passes
the examination required for an initial issuance of the license
PERMANENTLY REVOKE ALL OF THE PERSON'S LICENSES FOR ALL
LINES OF INSURANCE;
(5) REFUSE TO ISSUE A LICENSE;
(6) REFUSE TO RENEW A LICENSE;
(7) PROHIBIT THE PERSON FROM BEING EMPLOYED IN ANY
CAPACITY IN THE BUSINESS OF INSURANCE AND FROM HAVING ANY
FINANCIAL INTEREST IN ANY INSURANCE AGENCY, COMPANY, OR
THIRD-PARTY ADMINISTRATOR IN THIS STATE. THE SUPERINTENDENT
MAY, IN THE SUPERINTENDENT'S DISCRETION, DETERMINE THE NATURE,
CONDITIONS, AND DURATION OF SUCH RESTRICTIONS.
(8) ORDER CORRECTIVE ACTIONS IN LIEU OF OR IN ADDITION
TO THE OTHER PENALTIES LISTED IN DIVISION
(D) OF THIS SECTION. SUCH AN
ORDER MAY PROVIDE FOR THE SUSPENSION OF CIVIL FORFEITURES,
LICENSE REVOCATION, LICENSE SUSPENSION, OR REFUSAL TO ISSUE OR
RENEW A LICENSE IF THE LICENSEE COMPLIES WITH THE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS OF THE CORRECTIVE ACTION ORDER.
(9) ACCEPT A SURRENDER FOR CAUSE OFFERED BY THE
LICENSEE, WHICH SHALL BE FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS AND SHALL
PROHIBIT THE LICENSEE FROM SEEKING ANY LICENSE AUTHORIZED UNDER
THIS CHAPTER DURING THAT TIME PERIOD. A SURRENDER FOR CAUSE MAY
ALSO INCLUDE A CORRECTIVE ACTION ORDER AS PROVIDED IN DIVISION
(D)(8) OF THIS SECTION.
(E) The superintendent shall MAY consider the following
standards FACTORS in denying a license, imposing suspensions,
revocations, FINES, or refusals of continuations or renewals
of
licenses OTHER PENALTIES, AND ISSUING ORDERS UNDER THIS SECTION:
(1) Whether the person acted in good faith and without
knowledge of his violation and;
(2) WHETHER THE PERSON makes restitution for any
pecuniary losses suffered by other persons as a result of his THE
PERSON'S
actions. In such cases, the maximum suspension shall be ninety
days.
(2) Whether, within the meanings defined in section
2901.22 of the Revised Code, the person acted purposely,
knowingly, recklessly, or negligently;
(3) Whether the amount of money or the nature of the
property involved in the violation would, if it were the subject
of a criminal offense, make a theft offense a misdemeanor or a
felony THE ACTUAL HARM OR POTENTIAL FOR HARM TO OTHERS;
(4) The degree of trust placed in the person by, and the
incompetency, inexperience, or susceptibility to undue influence
or duress VULNERABILITY of, any other person involved
PERSONS WHO WERE OR COULD HAVE BEEN ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE PERSON'S
ACTIONS;
(5) The effect of the violation upon the perception by
insureds and insurance customers of the ethics and integrity of
the insurance industry WHETHER THE PERSON WAS THE SUBJECT OF ANY
PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS BY THE SUPERINTENDENT;
(6) The extent to which NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS ADVERSELY AFFECTED
BY the person's conduct departed from
the customary and usual ethical standards of persons engaged in
the insurance business ACTS OR OMISSIONS;
(7) WHETHER THE PERSON VOLUNTARILY REPORTED THE VIOLATION, AND
THE EXTENT OF THE PERSON'S COOPERATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF
RESPONSIBILITY;
(8) WHETHER THE PERSON OBSTRUCTED OR IMPEDED, OR
ATTEMPTED TO OBSTRUCT OR IMPEDE, THE SUPERINTENDENT'S
INVESTIGATION;
(9) THE PERSON'S EFFORTS TO CONCEAL THE
MISCONDUCT;
(10) REMEDIAL EFFORTS TO PREVENT FUTURE
VIOLATIONS;
(11) IF THE PERSON WAS CONVICTED OF A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE, THE NATURE OF THE OFFENSE, WHETHER THE CONVICTION WAS
BASED ON ACTS OR OMISSIONS TAKEN UNDER ANY PROFESSIONAL LICENSE,
WHETHER THE OFFENSE INVOLVED THE BREACH OF A FIDUCIARY DUTY, THE
AMOUNT OF TIME THAT HAS PASSED, AND THE PERSON'S ACTIVITIES
SUBSEQUENT TO THE CONVICTION;
(12) Such other factors as the superintendent determines to
be appropriate under the circumstances.
(F)(1) A VIOLATION DESCRIBED IN
DIVISION (B)(1), (2), (3),
(5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (17),
(18), (19), (20), (21), (22), (23), (25),
(26), (27), (28), (29), (30), OR (31) OF THIS SECTION IS A
CLASS A OFFENSE FOR WHICH THE
SUPERINTENDENT MAY IMPOSE ANY PENALTY SET FORTH IN DIVISION
(D) OF THIS SECTION.
(2) A VIOLATION DESCRIBED IN DIVISION
(B)(4), (15), (16), OR (24)
OF THIS SECTION IS A CLASS
B OFFENSE FOR WHICH THE
SUPERINTENDENT MAY IMPOSE ANY PENALTY SET FORTH IN DIVISION
(D)(1), (2), (8), OR (9) OF
THIS SECTION.
(G) IF A VIOLATION
DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION HAS CAUSED, IS CAUSING, OR IS ABOUT TO
CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL AND MATERIAL HARM, THE SUPERINTENDENT MAY
ISSUE AN ORDER REQUIRING THAT PERSON TO CEASE AND DESIST FROM
ENGAGING IN THE VIOLATION. NOTICE OF THE ORDER SHALL BE MAILED
BY CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, OR SERVED IN ANY
OTHER MANNER PROVIDED FOR IN THIS SECTION, IMMEDIATELY AFTER ITS
ISSUANCE TO THE PERSON SUBJECT TO THE ORDER AND TO ALL PERSONS
KNOWN TO BE INVOLVED IN THE VIOLATION. THE SUPERINTENDENT MAY
THEREAFTER PUBLICIZE OR OTHERWISE MAKE KNOWN TO ALL INTERESTED
PARTIES THAT THE ORDER HAS BEEN ISSUED.
THE NOTICE SHALL SPECIFY THE PARTICULAR ACT, OMISSION,
PRACTICE, OR TRANSACTION THAT IS SUBJECT TO THE CEASE-AND-DESIST
ORDER AND SHALL SET A DATE, NOT MORE THAN FIFTEEN DAYS AFTER THE
DATE OF THE ORDER, FOR A HEARING ON THE CONTINUATION OR
REVOCATION OF THE ORDER. THE PERSON SHALL COMPLY WITH THE ORDER
IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIPT OF NOTICE OF THE ORDER.
THE SUPERINTENDENT MAY, UPON THE APPLICATION OF A PARTY
AND FOR GOOD CAUSE SHOWN, CONTINUE THE HEARING.
CHAPTER 119. OF THE
REVISED
CODE APPLIES TO SUCH HEARINGS
TO THE EXTENT THAT THAT CHAPTER DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH THE
PROCEDURES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION. THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL,
WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS AFTER OBJECTIONS ARE SUBMITTED TO THE
HEARING OFFICER'S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION, ISSUE A FINAL ORDER
EITHER CONFIRMING OR REVOKING THE CEASE-AND-DESIST ORDER. THE
FINAL ORDER MAY BE APPEALED AS PROVIDED UNDER SECTION 119.12 OF
THE REVISED
CODE.
THE REMEDY UNDER THIS DIVISION IS CUMULATIVE AND
CONCURRENT WITH THE OTHER REMEDIES AVAILABLE UNDER THIS SECTION,
AND MAY BE ENFORCED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AT THE REQUEST OF
THE SUPERINTENDENT AS PROVIDED IN DIVISION
(H) OF THIS SECTION.
(H) IF THE
SUPERINTENDENT HAS REASONABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT AN ORDER
ISSUED UNDER THIS SECTION HAS BEEN VIOLATED IN WHOLE OR IN PART,
THE SUPERINTENDENT MAY REQUEST THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO COMMENCE
AND PROSECUTE ANY APPROPRIATE ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN THE NAME
OF THE STATE AGAINST SUCH PERSON.
THE COURT MAY, IN AN ACTION BROUGHT PURSUANT TO THIS
DIVISION, IMPOSE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
(1) FOR EACH VIOLATION, A CIVIL PENALTY OF NOT MORE
THAN TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS;
(2) INJUNCTIVE RELIEF;
(3) RESTITUTION;
(4) ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE RELIEF.
(I) THIS SECTION
APPLIES TO BOTH RESIDENT AND NONRESIDENT AGENTS WHO ARE LICENSED
UNDER THIS CHAPTER.
(J) NOTHING IN THIS
SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO CREATE OR IMPLY A PRIVATE CAUSE OF
ACTION AGAINST AN AGENT, SOLICITOR, OR INSURER.
Sec. 3905.491. (A)
UPON WRITTEN APPLICATION OF A PERSON WHOSE LICENSE WAS
SUSPENDED, REVOKED, OR SURRENDERED FOR CAUSE UNDER SECTION
3905.49 OF THE REVISED
CODE, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
INSURANCE SHALL HOLD A HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION IMPOSING SUCH SUSPENSION, REVOCATION, OR
SURRENDER SHOULD BE MODIFIED, PROVIDED THAT ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
CONDITIONS ARE MET:
(1) AT LEAST FIVE YEARS HAVE ELAPSED SINCE THE DATE OF
THE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION SOUGHT TO BE MODIFIED;
(2) AT LEAST TWO YEARS HAVE ELAPSED SINCE ANY PREVIOUS
REQUEST FOR A MODIFICATION WAS MADE UNDER THIS SECTION;
(3) THE BURDEN OF PROOF IS ON THE PERSON REQUESTING
THE MODIFICATION.
(B) THE MODIFICATION
OF AN ORDER ISSUED OR CONSENT AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO UNDER
SECTION 3905.49 OF THE REVISED
CODE IS AT THE DISCRETION OF
THE SUPERINTENDENT. THE SUPERINTENDENT MAY MODIFY SUCH AN ORDER
OR AGREEMENT IF THE SUPERINTENDENT FINDS ALL OF THE
FOLLOWING:
(1) AT LEAST FIVE YEARS HAVE ELAPSED SINCE THE DATE OF
THE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION;
(2) THE PERSON IS OF GOOD BUSINESS REPUTE AND IS
SUITABLE TO BE AN INSURANCE AGENT;
(3) THE PERSON HAS MADE RESTITUTION FOR ALL PECUNIARY
LOSSES SUFFERED BY ANY PERSON AS A RESULT OF THE CONDUCT THAT
GAVE RISE TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION;
(4) THE PERSON HAS NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF ANY FELONY OR
OF ANY MISDEMEANOR DESCRIBED IN DIVISION
(B)(7) OF SECTION 3905.49 OF
THE REVISED
CODE UNLESS THE CONVICTION WAS
THE SUBJECT OF A PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION BY THE
SUPERINTENDENT;
(5) THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE PREVIOUS
VIOLATION ARE SUCH THAT IT IS UNLIKELY THE PERSON WOULD COMMIT
SUCH OFFENSES IN THE FUTURE;
(6) THE PERSON'S CHARACTER HAS BEEN
REHABILITATED.
(C) THE ISSUANCE OF
ANY LICENSE PURSUANT TO A MODIFICATION UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL
BE CONDITIONED UPON THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF ALL
PRELICENSING EDUCATION AND EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS.
Sec. 3905.492. (A)(1) ALL RECORDS AND OTHER INFORMATION
OBTAINED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE OR THE
SUPERINTENDENT'S DEPUTIES, EXAMINERS, ASSISTANTS, OR OTHER EMPLOYEES, OR
AGENTS RELATING TO AN INVESTIGATION OF AN APPLICANT FOR LICENSURE UNDER
THIS CHAPTER, OR AN AGENT, SOLICITOR, BROKER, OR OTHER PERSON
LICENSED UNDER THIS CHAPTER OR CHAPTER 3951., 3957., OR 3959. of the Revised Code,
ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND ARE NOT PUBLIC RECORDS AS DEFINED IN SECTION 149.43 of the Revised Code
UNTIL THE APPLICANT OR LICENSEE IS PROVIDED NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR HEARING
PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 119. of the Revised Code WITH RESPECT TO SUCH RECORDS OR
INFORMATION. IF NO ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION IS INITIATED WITH RESPECT TO A
PARTICULAR MATTER ABOUT WHICH THE SUPERINTENDENT OBTAINED RECORDS OR OTHER
INFORMATION AS PART OF AN INVESTIGATION, ALL SUCH RECORDS AND INFORMATION
RELATING TO THAT MATTER SHALL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL FOR THREE YEARS AFTER THE
FILE ON THE MATTER IS
CLOSED.
(2) DIVISION (A)(1)
OF THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO INVESTIGATIONS THAT COULD RESULT
IN ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION UNDER
TITLE
XVII OR
XXXIX OR
CHAPTER 119. OF THE
REVISED
CODE.
(B) THE RECORDS AND OTHER INFORMATION
DESCRIBED IN DIVISION (A) OF
THIS SECTION SHALL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL FOR ALL
PURPOSES EXCEPT WHEN IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT AND
THE SUPERINTENDENT'S DEPUTIES, EXAMINERS, ASSISTANTS, OR OTHER EMPLOYEES, OR
AGENTS
TO TAKE OFFICIAL ACTION REGARDING THE AFFAIRS OF THE APPLICANT
OR LICENSEE OR IN CONNECTION WITH ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CRIMINAL
PROCEEDINGS.
(C) EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED BY ANY COURT OF
THIS STATE TO TESTIFY IN A CIVIL ACTION, IF SUCH TESTIMONY
CONCERNS ANY MATTER RELATED TO RECORDS OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION CONSIDERED
CONFIDENTIAL UNDER THIS SECTION OF WHICH THEY HAVE
KNOWLEDGE.
(D) THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO ANY COMPLAINT OR ACTION UNDER
SECTION 3905.04 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 3905.54. EACH AGENT LICENSED UNDER THIS CHAPTER
SHALL NOTIFY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE IN WRITING OF ALL
OF THE FOLLOWING, AS APPLICABLE:
(A) ANY CHANGE IN THE
AGENT'S RESIDENTIAL OR BUSINESS ADDRESS, WITHIN THIRTY
DAYS AFTER THE CHANGE OCCURS;
(B) ANY FELONY
CONVICTION, OR ANY MISDEMEANOR CONVICTION DESCRIBED IN DIVISION
(B)(7) OF SECTION 3905.49 OF
THE REVISED
CODE, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER
SENTENCING. THE NOTICE SHALL INCLUDE THE NAME OF THE COURT
HAVING JURISDICTION OVER THE MATTER, THE CASE NUMBER, THE
OFFENSE CHARGED, THE SENTENCE IMPOSED, AND A COPY OF THE
JUDGMENT ENTRY.
(C) ANY DISCIPLINARY
ACTION TAKEN BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY OF ANOTHER STATE, WITHIN
SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE ACTION IS TAKEN.
Sec. 3923.121. (A) As used in this section:
(1) "Association" means a voluntary unincorporated
association of insurers formed for the sole purpose of enabling
cooperative action to provide sickness and accident insurance in
accordance with this section.
(2) "Insurer" means any insurance company authorized to do
the business of sickness and accident insurance in this state.
(3) "Insured" means a person covered under a group policy
issued pursuant to this section.
(B) Any insurer may join with one or more other insurers,
in an association, to offer, sell, and issue to a policyholder
selected by the association a policy of group insurance against
major financial loss from sickness and accident covering
residents of this state who are sixty-five years of age or older
and the spouses of such residents. The insurance shall be
offered, issued, and administered in the name of the association.
Membership in the association shall be open to any insurer and
each insurer which participates shall be liable for a specified
percentage of the risks. The policy may be executed on behalf of
the association by a duly authorized person and need not be
countersigned by an agent.
(C) The persons eligible for coverage under the policy
shall be all residents of this state who are sixty-five years of
age or older and their spouses, subject to reasonable
underwriting restrictions to be set forth in the plan of the
association. The policy may provide basic hospital and surgical
coverage, basic medical coverage, major medical coverage, and any
combination of these; provided that it shall not be required as a
condition for obtaining major medical coverage that any basic
coverage be taken.
(D) The association shall file with the superintendent of
insurance any policy, contract, certificate, or other evidence of
insurance, application, or other forms pertaining to such
insurance together with the premium rates to be charged therefor.
The superintendent may approve, disapprove, and withdraw approval
of the forms in accordance with section 3923.02 of the Revised
Code, or the premium rates if by reasonable assumptions such
rates are excessive in relation to the benefits provided. In
determining whether such rates by reasonable assumptions are
excessive in relation to the benefits provided the superintendent
shall give due consideration to past and prospective claim
experience, within and outside this state, and to fluctuations in
such claim experience, to a reasonable risk charge, to
contribution to surplus and contingency funds, to past and
prospective expenses, both within and outside this state, and to
all other relevant factors within and outside this state,
including any differing operating methods of the insurers joining
in the issuance of the policy. In reviewing the forms the
superintendent shall not be bound by the requirements of sections
3923.04 to 3923.07 of the Revised Code with respect
to standard provisions to be included in sickness and accident
policies or forms.
(E) The association may enroll eligible persons for
coverage under the policy through any insurance agent licensed to
sell sickness and accident insurance pursuant to section 3905.01
3905.02,
3905.08, 3905.18, or 3941.02 of the Revised Code.
(F) The association shall file annually with the
superintendent on such date and in such form as the
superintendent may prescribe, a financial summary of its operations.
(G) The association may sue and be sued in its associate
name and for such purposes only shall be treated as a domestic
corporation. Service of process against such THE association
made
upon a managing agent, any member thereof, or any agent
authorized by appointment to receive service of process, shall
have the same force and effect as if such THE service had been
made
upon all members of the association.
(H) Under any policy issued as provided in this section,
the policyholder, or such person as the policyholder shall
designate, shall alone be a member of each domestic mutual
insurance company joining in the issue of the policy and shall be
entitled to one vote by virtue of such policy at the meetings of
each such mutual insurance company. Notice of the annual
meetings of each such mutual insurance company may be given by
written notice to the policyholder or as otherwise prescribed in
said THE policy.
Sec. 3931.101. The provisions of sections 3905.01 to 3905.05,
inclusive, 3905.04 of
the Revised Code, relating to the appointment, licensing, qualification and
regulation of insurance agents, brokers and solicitors shall apply to all
persons authorized to solicit powers of attorney or applications for contracts
of indemnity for any reciprocal exchange, insurance exchange or attorney in
fact as provided for in Chapter 3931,. of the Revised Code,
except a traveling
full time salaried non-commission employee of an attorney whose duties as such
employee are primarily the performance of inspection underwriting, loss
prevention engineering and claim services shall be exempt from this section
and shall be regulated solely by section 3931.11 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 3931.11. Every attorney shall certify to the
superintendent of insurance the names and addresses of the attorney's
traveling full time salaried non-commission employees, primarily
engaged in performing underwriting, loss prevention engineering
and claim services, authorized by the attorney to solicit powers of
attorney or applications for contracts of indemnity specified in
section 3931.01 of the Revised Code. The authority of such
persons shall continue until the first day of the next April,
unless it is cancelled by the attorney and the certificate of
such cancellation is filed with the superintendent, or unless the
license of the attorney or authority of such person is revoked or
suspended by the superintendent. Expiring certificates of
authority of such persons may be renewed in like manner to
continue until the first day of the next April. The
superintendent shall record the names and addresses of such
persons so that their names may conveniently be inspected and
shall thereupon certify and deliver to the attorney a list of the
names of all persons so recorded.
If the superintendent finds that any such person has
wilfully WILLFULLY violated, or failed to comply with, sections
3931.01 to
3931.12, inclusive, of the Revised Code, or has been convicted of
a felony in the United States, or in this or any state, or has
been guilty of any act or acts which if performed by an
agent licensed under section 3905.01 3905.02 of the Revised
Code would
constitute statutory grounds for the revocation of such agent's
license, the superintendent may refuse or revoke the authority of such
THE person
and cancel the person's name on the superintendent's records, and the
superintendent shall
thereupon notify such THE person and the attorney of such
THE revocation. Thereafter
such THE person shall not act as representative of any
attorney until a new certificate of authority by the attorney
thereafter appointing such THE person is filed with and approved
by the superintendent.
No such person shall act for any attorney in placing
insurance or making such contracts of indemnity, unless the
attorney has the license required by section 3931.10 of the
Revised Code, nor unless the unexpired, unrevoked, and
unsuspended certificate of such person's authority is filed with
the superintendent. Any such person shall be individually liable
on any contract of indemnity made, issued, or accepted through
that person as representing any attorney who is not licensed
by the superintendent to make such contracts of indemnity.
Sec. 3941.02. (A) A domestic mutual company may be
organized by not less than twenty persons, to carry on the
business of mutual insurance and to reinsure and to accept
reinsurance as authorized by law and its articles of
incorporation. Such persons shall execute articles of
incorporation which, if not inconsistent with the constitution
and laws of this state and of the United States, shall be
approved by the attorney general and the secretary of state. The
articles and the certificate of approval by the attorney general
shall be recorded by the secretary of state who shall deposit a
copy thereof with the superintendent of insurance.
(B) If the articles of incorporation of a domestic,
foreign, or alien, mutual or stock insurance company empower it,
or if the power of attorney or subscribers' agreement empowers
the attorney in fact of a reciprocal or interinsurance exchange,
to transact any of the kinds of insurance described in division
(A) of section 3929.01 of the Revised Code, such company or
attorney may apply to the superintendent for the appropriate
license or certificate of authority, as provided in section
3925.11, 3927.01, 3931.10, or 3941.06 of the Revised Code, which
application shall state which of the kinds of insurance it
proposes to transact, and the superintendent shall act thereon in
the manner prescribed by that section.
(C) An Ohio agent shall be licensed, upon written
notice of appointment by a domestic, foreign, or alien,
mutual or stock insurance company, to procure, receive, or
forward application for the kinds of insurance the company is
authorized to transact in this state if the agent is then
licensed to write all of the kinds of insurance described in
division (A) of section 3929.01 of the Revised Code, either for
the company or for any other company or companies authorized to
transact insurance business in this state. An Ohio
agent not so licensed shall not procure, receive, or forward
applications for any kind of insurance for the company until
qualified and licensed to procure, receive, or forward
applications for all of the kinds of insurance described in
division (A) of section 3929.01 of the Revised Code, in
accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 3905. of the
Revised Code and in accordance with such rules as the
superintendent may adopt in connection therewith; provided any
company, irrespective of the kinds of insurance it is authorized
to transact, may apply for and obtain the renewal of licenses of
its agents who were licensed on or before July 1, 1945, to
procure, receive, or forward applications for any of the kinds of
insurance described in division (A) of section 3929.01 of the
Revised Code, and such agents shall not be required to be
licensed for all the kinds of insurance transacted by the company
making the applications for such renewals. Nothing in this
section shall be construed to authorize an agent whose license is
renewed under these provisions to procure, receive, or forward
applications for any kind or kinds of insurance other than the
kind or kinds for which the agent was authorized to procure,
receive, or
forward applications on July 1, 1945; provided, the procuring,
receiving, or forwarding of applications by such an agent for any
kind or kinds of insurance other than the kind or kinds the
agent was
authorized to procure, receive, or forward, as of July 1, 1945,
is cause for revocation of the license of the agent by the
superintendent and the acceptance by any insurance company
licensed to do business in this state of an application for any
kind of insurance other than the kind or kinds that the agent was
authorized to procure, receive, or forward, as of July 1, 1945,
is cause for revocation of the license of the company by the
superintendent. Nothing in this section shall be construed to
alter the provisions of sections 2301.373, 3905.05, 3931.101, and
3931.11 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 3953.21. (A) Every title insurance company authorized to transact
business within this state shall certify annually to the superintendent of
insurance the names of all title insurance agents representing it in this
state in accordance with section 3905.01 3905.02 of the
Revised Code.
(B) No bank, trust company, bank and trust company, or other lending
institution, mortgage service, brokerage, mortgage guaranty company, escrow
company, real estate company or any subsidiaries thereof or any individuals so
engaged shall be permitted to act as an agent for a title insurance company.
Sec. 3953.23. (A) Every title insurance agent shall keep his
books of
account and record and vouchers pertaining to the business of title insurance
in such manner that the title insurance company may readily ascertain from
time to time whether the agent has complied with this chapter.
(B) A title insurance agent may engage in the business of handling escrows of
real property transactions directly connected with the business of title
insurance, provided that the agent shall maintain a separate record of all
receipts and disbursements of escrow funds and shall not commingle any such
funds with agent's own funds or with funds held by agent in any other
capacity; and if at any time the superintendent of insurance determines that
an agent has failed to comply with any of the provisions of this section, the
superintendent may revoke the license of said THE agent pursuant
to section
3905.01 3905.02 of the Revised Code, subject to review as
provided for in sections
119.01
to 119.13, inclusive, CHAPTER 119. of the Revised
Code. All agents shall be covered
by a fidelity bond in an amount and with a company satisfactory to the
principal.
Sec. 3960.11. (A) No person shall act or aid in any
manner in soliciting, negotiating, or procuring liability
insurance in this state from a risk retention group unless the
person is licensed as an insurance agent or broker in accordance
with section 3905.01, 3905.03, 3905.02 or 3905.30 of the
Revised Code.
(B) No person shall act or aid in any manner in
soliciting, negotiating, or procuring liability insurance in this
state for a purchasing group from an authorized insurer or a risk
retention group chartered in a state unless the person is
licensed as an insurance agent or broker in accordance with
section 3905.01, 3905.03, 3905.02 or 3905.30 of the Revised
Code.
(C) No person shall act or aid in any manner in
soliciting, negotiating, or procuring liability insurance
coverage in this state for any member of a purchasing group under
a purchasing group's policy unless the person is licensed as an
insurance agent or broker in accordance with section 3905.01,
3905.03, 3905.02 or 3905.30 of the Revised Code.
(D) No person shall act or aid in any manner in
soliciting, negotiating, or procuring liability insurance from an
insurer not authorized to do business in this state on behalf of
a purchasing group located in this state unless the person is
licensed as an insurance agent or surplus lines LINE broker in
accordance with section 3905.01, 3905.03, 3905.02 or 3905.30
of the
Revised Code.
Sec. 4745.01. (A) "Standard renewal procedure," as used in Chapters 905.,
907., 909., 911., 913., 915., 917., 918., 921., 923., 927., 942., 943.,
953., 1321., 3710., 3713., 3717., 3719., 3731., 3742., 3748., 3769.,
3783., 3905., 3921., 3951., 4104., 4105., 4143., 4169., 4561., 4701.,
4703., 4707., 4709., 4713., 4715., 4717., 4723., 4725., 4727.,
4728., 4729., 4731., 4733., 4734., 4735., 4739., 4741., 4747.,
4749., 4753., 4755., 4757., 4759., 4761., 4766., and 4773. of the
Revised Code, means the license renewal procedures specified in
this chapter.
(B) "Licensing agency," as used in this chapter, means any
department, division, board, section of a board, or other state
governmental unit subject to the standard renewal procedure, as
defined in this section, and authorized by the Revised Code to
issue a license to engage in a specific profession, occupation,
or occupational activity, or to have charge of and operate
certain specified equipment, machinery, or premises.
(C) "License," as used in this chapter, means a license,
certificate, permit, card, or other authority issued or conferred
by a licensing agency by authority of which the licensee has or
claims the privilege to engage in the profession, occupation, or
occupational activity, or to have control of and operate certain
specific equipment, machinery, or premises, over which the
licensing agency has jurisdiction.
(D) "Licensee," as used in this chapter, means either the
person to whom the license is issued or renewed by a licensing
agency, or the person, partnership, or corporation at whose
request the license is issued or renewed.
(E) "Renewal" and "renewed," as used in this chapter and
in the chapters of the Revised Code specified in division (A) of
this section, includes the continuing licensing procedure
provided in Chapter 3748. of the Revised Code and
rules adopted under it and in sections 1321.05, 3905.01, 3905.02,
3905.07,
3905.18, and 3921.33 of the Revised Code, and as applied to those
continuing
licenses any reference in this chapter to the date of expiration
of any license shall be construed to mean the due date of the
annual or other fee for the continuing license.
Section 2. That existing sections 1751.38, 3901.021, 3905.011, 3905.02,
3905.06, 3905.07, 3905.18,
3905.20, 3905.27, 3905.40, 3905.481, 3905.49, and 3923.121, 3931.101, 3931.11,
3941.02, 3953.21, 3953.23, 3960.11, and 4745.01 and sections 3905.01, 3905.03,
and 3905.05 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.
Section 3. Sections 1 and 2 of this act, except for sections 3905.011,
3905.013, 3905.02, 3905.03, 3905.18, and 3905.20 of the Revised Code, shall
take effect at the earliest time permitted by law. Sections 3905.011,
3905.013, 3905.02, 3905.03, 3905.18, and 3905.20 of the Revised Code, as
amended or enacted by this act, shall take effect July 1, 1998.
Section 4. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the
Superintendent of Insurance take any action necessary to
administer the Insurance Agents Law, as amended by this act, and
to provide for an orderly transition for those persons licensed
or appointed under that Law as it existed prior to the effective
date of this act.
Section 5. The Department of Insurance shall, no later than July 1, 1999,
issue a new license to each person who, on July 1, 1998, holds a license as an
agent. Any license application that is pending on July 1, 1998, or that is
received by the Department on or after that date, shall be reviewed in
accordance with this act.
Section 6. Section 3941.02 of the Revised Code is presented in this act
as a composite of the section as amended by both
Sub. H.B. 167 and Am. Sub. S.B. 259 of the 121st General Assembly, with the
new language of
neither of the acts shown in capital letters. This is in
recognition of the principle stated in division (B) of section
1.52 of the Revised Code that such amendments are to be
harmonized where not substantively irreconcilable and constitutes
a legislative finding that such is the resulting version in
effect prior to the effective date of this act.
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