2012 -- H 7026

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LC00266

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- MOTOR VEHICLE DAMAGE APPRAISERS

     Introduced By: Representatives Kennedy, San Bento, Marcello, E Coderre, and Naughton

     Date Introduced: January 05, 2012

     Referred To: House Corporations

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 27-10.1 of the General Laws entitled "Motor Vehicle Damage

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Appraisers" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     27-10.1-11. Emergency licenses. – (a) Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this

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chapter, the commissioner may grant emergency licenses to permit an experienced motor vehicle

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appraiser to act as a motor vehicle physical damage appraiser in this state without a Rhode Island

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license if:

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     (1) The appraiser is either a licensed appraiser in another state which requires a license or

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regularly appraises motor vehicle damage in another state where such licensing is not required

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and works for an insurance company authorized to do business in Rhode Island;

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     (2) He or she is engaged in emergency insurance appraisal work during the period of

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emergency only, as determined by the commissioner.

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     (b) The experienced appraiser may work in this state either for an employer who is an

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appraiser licensed by this state, or for a regular employer of one or more appraisers licensed by

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this state, or for an insurance company authorized to do business in this state; provided, that the

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employer or insurer shall furnish to the commissioner a notice in writing or electronically

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promptly after the beginning of any emergency insurance appraisal work. The appraiser may

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appraise claims within or outside the state.

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     Emergency licenses permitted under this section shall not exceed one hundred twenty

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(120) days, unless extended by the commissioner.

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     (c) As used in this section, "emergency insurance appraisal work" means and includes,

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but is not limited to, appraisal of motor vehicle damage during the term of an emergency license

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following an event or catastrophe as determined by the commissioner, or a state of disaster

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declared by the governor of the state of Rhode Island or by the president of the United States

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under applicable federal law.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC00266

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- MOTOR VEHICLE DAMAGE APPRAISERS

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     This act would permit the insurance commissioner to grant emergency licenses to permit

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certain experienced motor vehicle appraisers to act as motor vehicle physical damage appraisers

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during periods of emergency.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC00266

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