Assembly Bill 623 amends Wisconsin's insurance laws to enhance the administration of the Wisconsin Healthcare Stability Plan and regulate navigators who assist individuals in purchasing health insurance. A significant change is the removal of the December 31, 2023 deadline for the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) to request a renewal of the federal waiver supporting the healthcare stability plan. The bill also clarifies definitions for "individual navigator" and "navigator entity," ensuring that background check requirements apply solely to natural persons seeking navigator licenses. Additionally, it standardizes terminology and improves clarity regarding licensing and registration requirements for navigators, replacing the term "navigator" with the more specific terms.

The bill introduces new provisions for the registration and licensure of navigators and navigator entities, requiring these entities to demonstrate appropriate policies to ensure that only licensed individuals perform licensable acts. They will also be held legally responsible for the actions of the individual navigators they employ. Individual navigator applicants must undergo criminal and regulatory background checks and provide fingerprints. The bill outlines training requirements, mandating a minimum of 16 hours of prelicensing training and an approved examination, followed by 8 hours of annual training. It also updates prohibited practices to include restrictions on misleading communications related to insurance and navigators, thereby streamlining the regulatory framework while ensuring compliance with federal guidelines.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 601.83(1)(a), 601.83, 628.90(3)(b), 628.90, 628.91