HCS HB 1841 -- LIFE INSURANCE PRODUCER LICENSE EXAMINATIONS

SPONSOR:  Hobbs (Wilson, 130)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Insurance Policy by a vote of 11 to 0.

This substitute requires the Director of the Department of
Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration
or a vendor under contract with the department to review life
insurance producer license examinations if, during any 12-month
period beginning on September 1, the overall pass rate of
first-time examinees is less than 70%.  The department must
collect certain specified demographic information, in conformance
with the appropriate privacy laws, from examinees and compile an
annual report based on the review.  The report must indicate if
there was any disparity in the pass rate based on the demographic
information.  The department director may establish procedures to
collect the necessary information to implement the provisions of
the substitute.  Beginning December 1, 2011, the department
director must deliver an annual report on the review to the
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of
Representatives, and President Pro Tem of the Senate no later
than December 1.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2011, FY 2012, and
FY 2013.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will allow the
Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional
Registration to collect demographic information in order to
determine if the examination is fair to all examinees regardless
of gender, race, or national origin.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Wilson (130);
American Council of Life Insurers; Tom Bond, Primerica Life
Insurance Company; Life Insurance Association of Missouri; and
Prudential.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say the bill is not
lowering the guidelines for the test but is to make sure the
questions are not discriminatory in nature.

Testifying on the bill was Department of Insurance, Financial
Institutions and Professional Registration.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:12 pm