(a) If the commissioner finds after a public hearing that liability insurance for long-term health care facilities, residential care facilities for the elderly, or physicians who provide or oversee the provision of services to residents in long-term health care facilities or residential care facilities for the elderly is not readily available in the voluntary insurance market, and that the public interest requires this availability, the commissioner may authorize the formation of a market assistance program to assist in securing that insurance for long-term health care facilities, residential care facilities for the elderly, or physicians who provide or oversee the provision of services to residents in long-term health care facilities or residential care facilities for the elderly. The commissioner may require insurers, agents, and brokers to attend public hearings and meetings concerning either the need for a market assistance program or the organization and formation of a program. The commissioner may also assist in securing insurance for long-term health care facilities, residential care facilities for the elderly, or physicians who provide or oversee the provision of services to residents in long-term health care facilities or residential care facilities for the elderly for which commercial liability insurance is not readily available by forming a risk pooling arrangement as permitted by the Federal Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986.

(b) The commissioner may develop appropriate standards and regulations to implement the market assistance program and risk pooling arrangement authorized by this section.

(Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 899, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2004.)