(A) The following groups that have been organized and maintained in good faith for a continuous period of five years or more for purposes other than obtaining insurance may establish, maintain, or operate a group self-insurance program under a multiple employer welfare arrangement that is chartered and created in this state under sections 1739.01 to 1739.22 of the Revised Code:

(1) A chamber of commerce;

(2) A trade association;

(3) An industry association;

(4) A professional association;

(5) A voluntary employee beneficiary association that is exempt from taxation by the internal revenue service under section 501(c)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;

(6) A business league that is exempt from taxation by the internal revenue service under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;

(7) Any other association that the superintendent of insurance may define by rule.

(B) Except as provided in section 9.833 and sections 1739.01 to 1739.22 of the Revised Code, no multiple employer welfare arrangement or other entity by which two or more employers jointly participate in a common employee welfare benefit plan shall operate a group self-insurance program in this state after four months after April 9, 1993.

(C) Sections 1739.01 to 1739.22 of the Revised Code do not apply to any entity that establishes, maintains, or operates a fully insured program.

(D) No person shall establish, operate, or maintain a multiple employer welfare arrangement providing benefits through a group self-insurance program in this state unless the multiple employer welfare arrangement has a valid certificate of authority from the superintendent of insurance.

Amended by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 64, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2015.

Effective Date: 07-02-2004 .