Privacy, Workers’ Compensation Dominate Utah’s Legislative Session

Utah insurers faced a busy and difficult year throughout the Utah 2006 legislative session, the American Insurance Association (AIA) said.

“Insurers had to play a lot of defense this year,” said Steve Suchil, AIA assistant vice president for the western region. “SB 69 requires businesses maintaining personal information to protect that information and notify customers if a [security] breach occurs. AIA lobbied for changes that will make Utah’s law more consistent with other security breach laws across the country.” He noted that AIA wants to make the amendment more workable for businesses while also protecting consumers’ personal information.

“Utah legislators also approved a measure to enable consumers to place a security freeze on their credit report,” Suchil said. “Credit reports will not be provided if a consumer has opted to put a security freeze on their information. This freeze applies to credit-related activities only and should not disrupt insurance transactions.

“Utah also approved a measure, HB 34, to allow the state to purchase workers’ compensation insurance from a private carrier,” he added. “This bill will expand opportunities for private carriers in Utah.”

The Utahlegislature adjourned on March 1, and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has until March 21 to sign or veto legislation.The approved measures will take effect May 1, 2006, AIA said.