BILL NUMBER: SB 1974	CHAPTERED  09/03/02

	CHAPTER  358
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 3, 2002
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  AUGUST 31, 2002
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 15, 2002
	PASSED THE SENATE  MAY 8, 2002
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 10, 2002

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Polanco

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2002

   An act to add Section 394 to the Insurance Code, relating to
insurance.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1974, Polanco.  Insurance policies.
   Existing law provides for the regulation of insurers by the
Insurance Commissioner.  Existing law requires an insurance policy to
meet certain requirements, including specifying the parties to an
insurance contract and the risks insured against.
   This bill would authorize the commissioner to approve insurance
policies and associated materials in languages other than English if
certain conditions are satisfied.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 394 is added to the Insurance Code, to read:
   394.  (a) The commissioner may approve insurance policies and
associated materials in languages other than English if the following
conditions are met:
   (1) The policyholder is given a copy of the same material in
English.
   (2) The English version is the official version.
   (3) A policyholder document in a language other than English shall
contain a disclosure statement in both that language and in English
that states that the English version is the official version and the
foreign language version is for informational purposes only.
   (b) An insurer that knowingly misrepresents information provided
in a language other than English shall be subject to Article 6.5
(commencing with Section 790) of Chapter 1 of Part 2.