§ 36:696 — Deputy commissioner for consumer advocacy and diversity; functions; office of

§696. Deputy commissioner for consumer advocacy and diversity; functions; office of
consumer advocacy and diversity
A. There is hereby created an office of consumer advocacy and diversity in the
Department of Insurance. This office shall be under the direction of the deputy commissioner
for consumer advocacy and diversity, who shall be appointed by the commissioner of
insurance with advice and concurrence of the Senate and House committees on insurance and
who shall serve at the pleasure of the commissioner at a salary fixed by the commissioner
that shall not exceed the amount approved for the position by the legislature. The office of
consumer advocacy and diversity shall be staffed with no fewer than three full-time
professional level civil service employees to manage complaints, inquiries, and outreach. The
office of consumer advocacy and diversity shall be staffed with no fewer than two full-time
journeyman level civil service employees to assist the professional level employees. The
office of consumer advocacy and diversity shall employ an administrative assistant
designated by the deputy commissioner who shall be responsible for coordinating and
directing travel, scheduling, office management, and any other duties assigned by the deputy
commissioner. The office of consumer advocacy and diversity shall be housed within the
Louisiana Department of Insurance and, as funding is available, satellite offices may be
opened as outlined in the rules and regulations to be implemented by the commissioner of
insurance pursuant to this Section. The deputy commissioner for consumer advocacy and
diversity shall be directly responsible to and shall perform his functions under the
supervision and control of the commissioner of insurance.
B.(1) The office of consumer advocacy and diversity, through the deputy
commissioner for consumer advocacy and diversity, shall perform the following duties and
functions concerning products or services regulated by the Department of Insurance:
(a) Receive inquiries and complaints from consumers.
(b) Prepare and disseminate such information as the commissioner deems
appropriate to inform or assist consumers.
(c) Provide direct assistance and advocacy for consumers who request such
assistance or advocacy.
(d) Report, with respect to apparent or potential violations of law or applicable rules
or regulations of the department by a person or entity licensed by the department, such
apparent or potential violations to the appropriate division or office of the department, which
may take such further action as it deems appropriate.
(e) Repealed by Acts 2015, No. 274, §3, eff. June 29, 2015.
(2) The office of consumer advocacy, through the deputy commissioner for consumer
advocacy, shall coordinate and administer the homeowner policy premium assistance
program created pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 22:2372.
C. The deputy commissioner for consumer advocacy and diversity may be terminated
without cause shown. A written report of termination shall be compiled by the commissioner
of insurance and delivered to the clerk of the House of Representatives and the secretary of
the Senate at least ten days before the termination and shall be disclosed to the members of
the respective houses of the legislature upon request.
D. The deputy commissioner for consumer advocacy and diversity shall be
responsible for the functions of the division of diversity and opportunity within the
department. There shall be an assistant commissioner for diversity and opportunity who shall
be appointed by the commissioner. The assistant commissioner for diversity and opportunity
shall serve at the pleasure of the commissioner and at a salary fixed by the commissioner,
which salary shall not exceed the amount approved for the position by the legislature.
E. The commissioner of insurance may adopt rules and regulations necessary to
implement the provisions of this Section.
NOTE: See Acts 2012, No. 811, §19, relative to legislative intent that Act
No. 811 supersede Acts 2012, No. 694, which recreated the Dept. of
Insurance and statutory entities in the department, and provides that Act No.
694 shall not have the effect of continuing any statutory authority repealed by
Act No. 811.

Legislative History

Acts 2007, No. 222, §1, eff. July 2, 2007; Acts 2008, No. 390, §2, eff. June 21, 2008; Acts 2008, No. 415, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2008, No. 469, §2; Acts 2012, No. 694, §1, eff. June 30, 2012; Acts 2015, No. 274, §§2, 3, eff. June 29, 2015.