(1) Market conduct
actions shall be taken as a result of market analysis and shall
focus on the general business practices and compliance activities
of insurers, rather than identifying obviously infrequent or
unintentional random errors that do not cause significant
consumer harm.
(2)(a) The commissioner is authorized to determine the
frequency and timing of such market conduct actions. The timing
shall depend upon the specific market conduct action to be
initiated, unless extraordinary circumstances indicating a risk
to consumers require immediate action.
(b) If the commissioner has information that more than one
insurer is engaged in common practices that may violate statutes
or rules, the commissioner may schedule and coordinate multiple
examinations simultaneously.
(3) The insurer shall be given reasonable opportunity to
resolve matters that arise as a result of a market analysis to
the satisfaction of the commissioner before any additional market
conduct actions are taken against the insurer.
(4) The commissioner shall adopt by rule, under chapter 34.05 RCW, procedures and documents that are substantially
similar to the NAIC work products defined or referenced in this
chapter. Market analysis, market conduct actions, and market
conduct examinations shall be performed in accordance with the
rule.
(5) At the beginning of the next legislative session after
the adoption of the rules adopted under the authority of this
section, the commissioner shall report to the appropriate policy
committees of the legislature what rules were adopted; what
statutory policies these rules were intended to implement; and
such other matters as are indicated for the legislature's
understanding of the role played by the NAIC in regulation of the
insurance industry of Washington.
[2007 c 82 § 7.]