MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Insurance; Judiciary B

By: Representative Stevens

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 83-1-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXEMPT COMPLAINTS AND CERTAIN OTHER INFORMATION FILED WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE FROM THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 83-1-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

83-1-21. The commissioner shall keep in his office for public inspection all reports received by him, a record of all his proceedings, including a concise statement of the result of official examinations, an exhibit of the financial condition and methods of all insurers under his supervision, as disclosed by their statements or by official examination, and such other information with regard to them as he may deem it proper to preserve. However, all complaints or other information filed with the Commissioner of Insurance or his staff shall be considered exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act. However, if a third party requests the information, the commissioner shall produce under subpoena the files after deleting all personal information pertaining to the complaining party. The requesting party shall be responsible for the cost of reproducing these materials.

Such reports or records which are no longer useful or necessary may be disposed of in accordance with approved records control schedules. No records, however, may be destroyed without the approval of the Director of the Department of Archives and History.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.