Sec. 2053.009. GRIEVANCE. (a) The office of public insurance counsel or an insured who is aggrieved with respect to a filing made under Section 2053.003 that is in effect may apply to the department in writing for a hearing on the filing. The application must specify the grounds for the applicant's grievance.

(b) The commissioner shall hold a hearing on an application filed under Subsection (a) not later than the 30th day after the date the department receives the application if the department determines that:

(1) the application is made in good faith;

(2) the applicant would be aggrieved as alleged if the grounds specified in the application were established; and

(3) the grounds specified in the application otherwise justify holding the hearing.

(c) The department shall provide written notice of a hearing under Subsection (b) to the applicant and to each insurance company that made the filing not later than the 10th day before the date of the hearing. The notice must specify:

(1) which of the grounds specified in the application are in question; and

(2) whether the insurance company's entire filing will be considered at the hearing or whether the hearing is limited to consideration of the grounds specified in the application.

(d) If, after the hearing, the commissioner determines that the filing does not meet the requirements of this subchapter, the commissioner shall issue an order specifying:

(1) in what respects the filing fails to meet those requirements;

(2) the date the filing is no longer in effect, which must be within a reasonable period that is not less than 60 days after the date the order is issued; and

(3) whether the order applies with respect to all insureds affected by the filing or only with respect to the applicant, if the applicant was an aggrieved insured.

(e) The department shall send copies of the order issued under Subsection (d) to the applicant and each affected insurance company.

(f) An order issued under Subsection (d) does not affect an insurance policy or contract made or issued before the expiration of the period stated in the order.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 727 (H.B. 2017), Sec. 2, eff. April 1, 2007.