SF3535

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to enhance consumer protection for senior citizens and disabled persons in Minnesota. It allows these individuals to recover benefits from insurers under disability or long-term care insurance policies if those benefits are unjustly denied.

Main Provisions

• Defines "Senior Citizen" and "Disabled Person": The bill specifies that a senior citizen is anyone aged 62 or older. A disabled person is someone with significant impairments that interfere with major life activities.
• Clarifies "Insurance Policy": The bill applies to written agreements providing income benefits due to disability or offering benefits under long-term care policies.
• Right to Private Remedies: It extends the right to pursue private remedies if insurance benefits are denied without a reasonable basis or if the insurer recklessly disregards a lack of such a basis.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill amends current Minnesota statutes to include these new protections, ensuring senior citizens and disabled persons can seek recovery from insurers if their claims under disability or long-term care policies are unjustly denied.

Relevant Terms

senior citizens, disabled persons, consumer protection, insurance policy, disability benefits, long-term care policy, private remedies, insurer, denial of benefits.