Sec. 4151.307. EMERGENCY CERTIFICATE SUSPENSION. (a) The commissioner may suspend the certificate of an administrator without notice or hearing if the commissioner determines that:

(1) the administrator is insolvent or impaired;

(2) an order for receivership, conservatorship, rehabilitation, or any other delinquency regarding the administrator has been entered in any state; or

(3) the financial condition or business practices of the administrator otherwise pose an imminent threat to the public health, safety, or welfare of the residents of this state.

(b) On determining that grounds exist under Subsection (a) to suspend the administrator's certificate of authority, the commissioner may issue an order suspending the certificate. The commissioner shall immediately serve notice of the suspension on the holder.

(c) The notice required by Subsection (b) must:

(1) be personally served on the holder or be sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the holder's last known address according to the department's records;

(2) state the grounds for the suspension; and

(3) inform the holder of the right to a hearing on the suspension order.

(d) An administrator whose certificate of authority is suspended under this section is entitled to request a hearing on the suspension not later than the 30th day after the date of receipt of notice of the suspension. Not later than the 10th day after the date a hearing is requested, the commissioner shall issue a notice of hearing.

(e) The hearing must be held not later than the 10th day after the date notice of hearing is issued, unless the parties agree to a later date.

(f) A hearing on a suspension order under this section is subject to Chapter 2001, Government Code, and to Subchapter A, Chapter 40. After the hearing, the administrative law judge shall recommend to the commissioner whether to uphold, vacate, or modify the suspension order.

(g) A suspension order issued under this section remains in effect until further action is taken by the commissioner.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1176 (H.B. 472), Sec. 1.21, eff. September 1, 2007.