CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1202

Chapter 76, Laws of 2009

61st Legislature
2009 Regular Session



LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES--NONINSURANCE BENEFITS



EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/26/09

Passed by the House March 5, 2009
  Yeas 97   Nays 0

FRANK CHOPP
________________________________________    
Speaker of the House of Representatives


Passed by the Senate April 7, 2009
  Yeas 44   Nays 0


BRAD OWEN
________________________________________    
President of the Senate
 
CERTIFICATE

I, Barbara Baker, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1202 as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on the dates hereon set forth.


BARBARA BAKER
________________________________________    
Chief Clerk
Approved April 13, 2009, 3:37 p.m.








CHRISTINE GREGOIRE
________________________________________    
Governor of the State of Washington
 
FILED
April 14, 2009







Secretary of State
State of Washington


_____________________________________________ 

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1202
_____________________________________________

Passed Legislature - 2009 Regular Session
State of Washington61st Legislature2009 Regular Session

By House Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Representatives Hurst, Bailey, Kelley, Roach, Kirby, and Parker)

READ FIRST TIME 02/10/09.   



     AN ACT Relating to noninsurance benefits included in life insurance policies; adding a new section to chapter 48.23 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 48.24 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 48.23 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) A life insurer may include the following noninsurance benefits as part of a policy of individual life insurance, with the prior approval of the commissioner:
     (a) Will preparation services;
     (b) Financial planning and estate planning services;
     (c) Probate and estate settlement services; and
     (d) Such other services as the commissioner may identify by rule.
     (2) The commissioner may adopt rules to ensure disclosure of the noninsurance benefits permitted under this section, including but not limited to guidelines concerning the provision of the coverage.
     (3) Those providing the services listed in subsection (1) of this section must be appropriately licensed.
     (4) This section does not require the commissioner to approve any particular proposed noninsurance benefit. The commissioner may disapprove any proposed noninsurance benefit that the commissioner determines may tend to promote or facilitate the violation of any other section of this title.
     (5) This section does not expand, limit, or otherwise affect the authority and ethical obligations of those who are authorized by the state supreme court to practice law in this state. This section does not limit the prohibition against the unauthorized practice of law under chapter 2.48 RCW.
     (6) This section does not affect the application of chapter 21.20 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 48.24 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) A life insurer may include the following noninsurance benefits as part of a policy or certificate of group life insurance, with the prior approval of the commissioner:
     (a) Will preparation services;
     (b) Financial planning and estate planning services;
     (c) Probate and estate settlement services; and
     (d) Such other services as the commissioner may identify by rule.
     (2) The commissioner may adopt rules to regulate the disclosure of noninsurance benefits permitted under this section, including but not limited to guidelines regarding the coverage provided under the policy or certificate of insurance.
     (3) Those providing the services listed in subsection (1) of this section must be appropriately licensed.
     (4) This section does not require the commissioner to approve any particular proposed noninsurance benefit. The commissioner may disapprove any proposed noninsurance benefit that the commissioner determines may tend to promote or facilitate the violation of any other section of this title.
     (5) This section does not expand, limit, or otherwise affect the authority and ethical obligations of those who are authorized by the state supreme court to practice law in this state. This section does not limit the prohibition against the unauthorized practice of law under chapter 2.48 RCW.
     (6) This section does not affect the application of chapter 21.20 RCW.


         Passed by the House March 5, 2009.
         Passed by the Senate April 7, 2009.
         Approved by the Governor April 13, 2009.
         Filed in Office of Secretary of State April 14, 2009.