Assembly Bill 623 proposes significant amendments to Wisconsin's insurance laws, focusing on the administration of the Wisconsin Healthcare Stability Plan and the regulation of navigators who assist individuals in purchasing health insurance. A key 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 related to navigators, ensuring that background check requirements apply only to natural persons seeking navigator licenses.

Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions for the registration and regulation of navigator entities and individual navigators, requiring entities to demonstrate appropriate policies to ensure that only licensed individuals perform licensable acts. It holds these entities legally responsible for the actions of their employed navigators. The bill mandates that navigator applicants undergo criminal and regulatory background checks and complete a minimum of 16 hours of prelicensing training, followed by annual training. It also emphasizes the importance of accurate communication regarding health benefit plans, replacing terms like "navigator" with "individual navigator" and "navigator entity" to clarify roles and responsibilities within the insurance sector.

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