Oregon Rings in the New Year with New Consumer Protection Laws

Salem, Oregon- As the clock strikes midnight on January 1, 2024, Oregonians will see a host of new laws take effect, ushering in a wave of consumer protection measures. The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR), part of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS), the state’s primary consumer protection and business regulatory agency, is at the forefront, releasing a comprehensive guide to navigate the changes.

Senate Bill (SB) 82: This legislation fortifies consumer protections for homeowners grappling with wildfire-related issues. Insurers are now mandated to explain, using property-specific characteristics, any policy non-renewals or rate increases. The bill emphasizes insurers’ incorporation of wildfire risk mitigation actions in their plans and extends the timeframe for repairing or replacing fire-damaged property. Notably, it prohibits the use of statewide wildfire risk maps as grounds for policy cancellation or premium hikes.

SB 192: Directed at containing prescription drug costs, SB 192 tasks the Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board with developing upper payment limits. Pharmacy benefit managers are now required to provide price transparency reports to DCBS, enhancing visibility into industry practices affecting drug prices in the state.

SB 536: This legislation introduces new disclosure and care obligations for the sale of annuities in Oregon, including permitting the sale of registered index-linked annuities. It mandates a four-hour training course for producers and brokers, ensuring a higher standard of expertise in this sector.

SB 628: Focused on pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections, SB 628 mandates health benefit plan coverage for specific treatments, reinforcing support for affected children.

SB 797: Ensuring comprehensive coverage, SB 797 mandates health insurance policies to cover medically necessary prosthetic and orthotic devices, enhancing accessibility for those in need.

SB 1041: This law prevents health benefit plans from imposing out-of-pocket expenses on supplemental and diagnostic breast examinations, prioritizing preventative care.

SB 1529: Originally passed in 2022 and amended in 2023, SB 1529 requires health benefit plan coverage of primary care or behavioral health visits with a minimal co-pay and automatic assignment of members to primary care providers if not chosen within the initial 90 days.

HB 2002: Empowering individuals to make decisions about reproductive health, HB 2002 establishes a statutory requirement for health benefit plans to cover gender-affirming treatment and shields healthcare providers from adverse actions for offering legal reproductive health or gender-affirming care services.

HB 2052: Targeting data privacy, this law mandates data brokers to register with DCBS before engaging in the collection, sale, or licensing of personal data in Oregon.

HB 2282: Updates to the Oregon state law codification of the Affordable Care Act preventive services coverage requirements ensure continued access to coverage in case of legal challenges to ACA requirements.

HB 2574: Addressing HIV prevention, HB 2574 prohibits cost sharing for health benefit plan coverage of post-exposure prophylactic drugs. It also mandates policies and procedures for dispensing such drugs in all Oregon hospitals.

HB 2982: Responding to disaster scenarios, HB 2982 compels homeowners insurance issuers to offer 70 percent of property contents coverage without requiring a detailed inventory in the event of a total loss due to a declared disaster.

HB 2994: Expanding hearing-related coverage, HB 2994 requires health benefit plans to cover bilateral cochlear implants, hearing aids, and other hearing assistive technology. The bill ensures reimbursement for prescribed services and mandates specific information in benefit determination notices for hearing-related claims.

Officials remark that Oregonians can welcome the new year with confidence, knowing these laws aim to bolster consumer protections and enhance the well-being of the community.