§696. Deputy commissioner for consumer advocacy and diversity; functions; office of consumer advocacy and diversity

A. There is hereby created an office of consumer advocacy and diversity in the Department of Insurance. This office shall be under the direction of the deputy commissioner for consumer advocacy and diversity, who shall be appointed by the commissioner of insurance with advice and concurrence of the Senate and House committees on insurance and who shall serve at the pleasure of the commissioner at a salary fixed by the commissioner that shall not exceed the amount approved for the position by the legislature. The office of consumer advocacy and diversity shall be staffed with no fewer than three full-time professional level civil service employees to manage complaints, inquiries, and outreach. The office of consumer advocacy and diversity shall be staffed with no fewer than two full-time journeyman level civil service employees to assist the professional level employees. The office of consumer advocacy and diversity shall employ an administrative assistant designated by the deputy commissioner who shall be responsible for coordinating and directing travel, scheduling, office management, and any other duties assigned by the deputy commissioner. The office of consumer advocacy and diversity shall be housed within the Louisiana Department of Insurance and, as funding is available, satellite offices may be opened as outlined in the rules and regulations to be implemented by the commissioner of insurance pursuant to this Section. The deputy commissioner for consumer advocacy and diversity shall be directly responsible to and shall perform his functions under the supervision and control of the commissioner of insurance.

B.(1) The office of consumer advocacy and diversity, through the deputy commissioner for consumer advocacy and diversity, shall perform the following duties and functions concerning products or services regulated by the Department of Insurance:

(a) Receive inquiries and complaints from consumers.

(b) Prepare and disseminate such information as the commissioner deems appropriate to inform or assist consumers.

(c) Provide direct assistance and advocacy for consumers who request such assistance or advocacy.

(d) Report, with respect to apparent or potential violations of law or applicable rules or regulations of the department by a person or entity licensed by the department, such apparent or potential violations to the appropriate division or office of the department, which may take such further action as it deems appropriate.

(e) Repealed by Acts 2015, No. 274, §3, eff. June 29, 2015.

(2) The office of consumer advocacy, through the deputy commissioner for consumer advocacy, shall coordinate and administer the homeowner policy premium assistance program created pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 22:2372.

C. The deputy commissioner for consumer advocacy and diversity may be terminated without cause shown. A written report of termination shall be compiled by the commissioner of insurance and delivered to the clerk of the House of Representatives and the secretary of the Senate at least ten days before the termination and shall be disclosed to the members of the respective houses of the legislature upon request.

D. The deputy commissioner for consumer advocacy and diversity shall be responsible for the functions of the division of diversity and opportunity within the department. There shall be an assistant commissioner for diversity and opportunity who shall be appointed by the commissioner. The assistant commissioner for diversity and opportunity shall serve at the pleasure of the commissioner and at a salary fixed by the commissioner, which salary shall not exceed the amount approved for the position by the legislature.

E. The commissioner of insurance may adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Section.

Acts 2007, No. 222, §1, eff. July 2, 2007; Acts 2008, No. 390, §2, eff. June 21, 2008; Acts 2008, No. 415, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2008, No. 469, §2; Acts 2012, No. 694, §1, eff. June 30, 2012; Acts 2015, No. 274, §§2, 3, eff. June 29, 2015.

NOTE: See Acts 2012, No. 811, §19, relative to legislative intent that Act No. 811 supersede Acts 2012, No. 694, which recreated the Dept. of Insurance and statutory entities in the department, and provides that Act No. 694 shall not have the effect of continuing any statutory authority repealed by Act No. 811.