Bill Fights Nonpayment of Holocaust Claims
The state Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a bill by Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Los Angeles) that would give California officials increased power to punish insurance companies that have failed to honor valid claims by Holocaust survivors or their families.
The measure (SB 1530) would prohibit any insurer who has failed to pay a valid claim from doing business in California until the claim has been paid.
It would also provide $4 million for fiscal year 1998-99 to fund research into Holocaust-related insurance policies.
To ensure that Holocaust survivors receive the most independent representation possible, Hayden said, the measure stipulates that the Department of Insurance must avoid any potential or actual conflict of interest in awarding contracts.
The measure now moves to the Assembly.
More to Read
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
