Bill H.137 amends various sections of Vermont's insurance regulations to enhance confidentiality in investigation and examination reports, adjust filing requirements for insurers, and address unfair discrimination in insurance related to affordable housing. The bill establishes that all records of investigations and examinations by the Commissioner are confidential and not subject to public disclosure or civil action. It modifies the timeline for insurers to file rate information with the Commissioner from 15 days after the effective date to 30 days prior. Additionally, it introduces a new provision that prohibits insurers from discriminating against properties based on affordability status or tenant income levels. The bill also updates the Commissioner’s discretion regarding record disclosure and the approval process for captive insurance companies, clarifying their operational requirements and governance standards.

Moreover, the bill includes provisions for studying regulatory models to protect account holders from fraud and provide protections for victims of coerced debt. The Commissioner of Financial Regulation is tasked with consulting stakeholders and submitting reports on findings and recommendations by specified deadlines. It also mandates the posting of information about requested premium rate increases for Medicare supplement insurance on the Department's website, with public scrutiny required for increases exceeding 10 percent. The bill repeals the independent analysis requirement for Medicare supplement insurance rate increases and extends the moratorium on virtual-currency kiosks until July 1, 2026. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with specific sections related to Medicare supplement insurance becoming effective on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 8-23, 8-3303, 8-4688(a), 8-4688, 8-6002(a), 8-6002, 8-6004(d), 8-6004, 8-6006, 8-6006a(a), 8-6006a, 8-6007(b), 8-6007, 8-6011(a), 8-6011, 8-6024(c), 8-6024, 8-6045, 8-6048d(c)(2), 8-6048d, 8-6048d(c), 8-6052(g), 8-6052
As Passed By the House -- Official: 8-23, 8-3303, 8-4688(a), 8-4688, 8-6002(a), 8-6002, 8-6004(d), 8-6004, 8-6006, 8-6006a(a), 8-6006a, 8-6007(b), 8-6007, 8-6011(a), 8-6011, 8-6024(c), 8-6024, 8-6045, 8-6048d(c)(2), 8-6048d, 8-6048d(c), 8-6052(g), 8-6052, 8-4724, 8-2504, 9-42, 8-4062b, 8-2577(f), 8-2577
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 8-23, 8-3303, 8-4688(a), 8-4688, 8-4724, 8-6002(a), 8-6002, 8-6004(d), 8-6004, 8-6006, 8-6006a(a), 8-6006a, 8-6007(b), 8-6007, 8-6011(a), 8-6011, 8-6024(c), 8-6024, 8-6045, 8-6048d(c)(2), 8-6048d, 8-6048d(c), 8-6052(g), 8-6052, 8-2504, 9-42, 8-4062b, 8-2577(f), 8-2577