Florida Senate - 2012                          SENATOR AMENDMENT
       Bill No. CS for SB 938
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                Barcode 894892                          
       
                              LEGISLATIVE ACTION                        
                    Senate             .             House              
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                  Floor: WD            .                                
             03/06/2012 04:52 PM       .                                
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       Senator Richter moved the following:
       
    1         Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
    2  
    3         Delete everything after the enacting clause
    4  and insert:
    5         Section 1. Subsections (1) and (7) of section 626.015,
    6  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
    7         626.015 Definitions.—As used in this part:
    8         (1) “Adjuster” means a public adjuster as defined in s.
    9  626.854, a public adjuster apprentice as defined in s. 626.8541,
   10  or an all-lines adjuster as defined in s. 626.8548 independent
   11  adjuster as defined in s. 626.855, or company employee adjuster
   12  as defined in s. 626.856.
   13         (7) “Home state” means the District of Columbia and any
   14  state or territory of the United States in which an insurance
   15  agent or adjuster maintains his or her principal place of
   16  residence or principal place of business and is licensed to act
   17  as an insurance agent or adjuster.
   18         Section 2. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 626.0428,
   19  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
   20         626.0428 Agency personnel powers, duties, and limitations.—
   21         (2) An No employee of an agent or agency may not bind
   22  insurance coverage unless licensed and appointed as an a general
   23  lines agent or customer representative.
   24         (3) An No employee of an agent or agency may not initiate
   25  contact with any person for the purpose of soliciting insurance
   26  unless licensed and appointed as an a general lines agent or
   27  customer representative. As to title insurance, an employee of
   28  an agent or agency may not initiate contact with any individual
   29  proposed insured for the purpose of soliciting title insurance
   30  unless licensed as a title insurance agent or exempt from such
   31  licensure pursuant to s. 626.8417(4).
   32         Section 3. Subsection (1) and paragraph (b) of subsection
   33  (2) of section 626.171, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
   34         626.171 Application for license as an agent, customer
   35  representative, adjuster, service representative, managing
   36  general agent, or reinsurance intermediary.—
   37         (1) The department may shall not issue a license as agent,
   38  customer representative, adjuster, service representative,
   39  managing general agent, or reinsurance intermediary to any
   40  person except upon written application therefor filed with the
   41  department it, meeting the qualifications for the license
   42  applied for as determined by the department qualification
   43  therefor, and payment in advance of all applicable fees. The Any
   44  such application must shall be made under the oath of the
   45  applicant and be signed by the applicant. An applicant may
   46  permit a third party to complete, submit, and sign an
   47  application on the applicant’s behalf, but is responsible for
   48  ensuring that the information on the application is true and
   49  correct and is accountable for any misstatements or
   50  misrepresentations. The department shall accept the uniform
   51  application for nonresident agent licensing. The department may
   52  adopt revised versions of the uniform application by rule.
   53         (2) In the application, the applicant shall set forth:
   54         (b) A statement indicating the method the applicant used or
   55  is using to meet any required prelicensing education, knowledge,
   56  experience, or instructional requirements for the type of
   57  license applied for. Proof that he or she has completed or is in
   58  the process of completing any required prelicensing course.
   59  
   60  However, the application must contain a statement that an
   61  applicant is not required to disclose his or her race or
   62  ethnicity, gender, or native language, that he or she will not
   63  be penalized for not doing so, and that the department will use
   64  this information exclusively for research and statistical
   65  purposes and to improve the quality and fairness of the
   66  examinations.
   67         Section 4. Section 626.191, Florida Statutes, is amended to
   68  read:
   69         626.191 Repeated applications.—The failure of an applicant
   70  to secure a license upon an application does shall not preclude
   71  the applicant from applying again. However as many times as
   72  desired, but the department may shall not consider give
   73  consideration to or accept any further application by the same
   74  applicant individual for a similar license dated or filed within
   75  30 days after subsequent to the date the department denied the
   76  last application, except as provided under in s. 626.281.
   77         Section 5. Subsection (2) of section 626.221, Florida
   78  Statutes, is amended to read:
   79         626.221 Examination requirement; exemptions.—
   80         (2) However, an no such examination is not shall be
   81  necessary for in any of the following cases:
   82         (a) An applicant for renewal of appointment as an agent,
   83  customer representative, or adjuster, unless the department
   84  determines that an examination is necessary to establish the
   85  competence or trustworthiness of the such applicant.
   86         (b) An applicant for a limited license as agent for travel
   87  insurance, motor vehicle rental personal accident insurance,
   88  baggage and motor vehicle excess liability insurance, credit
   89  life or disability insurance, credit insurance, credit property
   90  insurance, in-transit and storage personal property insurance,
   91  or portable electronics communications equipment property
   92  insurance or communication equipment inland marine insurance
   93  under s. 626.321.
   94         (c) In the discretion of the department, an applicant for
   95  reinstatement of license or appointment as an agent, customer
   96  representative, company employee adjuster, or all-lines
   97  independent adjuster whose license has been suspended within the
   98  4 years before prior to the date of application or written
   99  request for reinstatement.
  100         (d) An applicant who, within the 4 years before prior to
  101  application for license and appointment as an agent, customer
  102  representative, or adjuster, was a full-time salaried employee
  103  of the department who and had continuously been such an employee
  104  with responsible insurance duties for at least not less than 2
  105  continuous years and who had been a licensee within the 4 years
  106  before prior to employment by the department with the same class
  107  of license as that being applied for.
  108         (e) An applicant A person who has been licensed as an all
  109  lines adjuster and appointed as an independent adjuster or
  110  company employee adjuster as to all property, casualty, and
  111  surety insurances may be licensed and appointed as a company
  112  employee adjuster or independent adjuster, as to these kinds of
  113  insurance, without additional written examination if an
  114  application for licensure is filed with the department within 48
  115  months following the date of cancellation or expiration of the
  116  prior appointment.
  117         (f) A person who has been licensed as a company employee
  118  adjuster or independent adjuster for motor vehicle, property and
  119  casualty, workers’ compensation, and health insurance may be
  120  licensed as such an adjuster without additional written
  121  examination if his or her application for licensure is filed
  122  with the department within 48 months after cancellation or
  123  expiration of the prior license.
  124         (f)(g) An applicant for a temporary license, except as
  125  otherwise provided in this code.
  126         (g)(h) An applicant for a license as a life or health agent
  127  license who has received the designation of chartered life
  128  underwriter (CLU) from the American College of Life Underwriters
  129  and who has been engaged in the insurance business within the
  130  past 4 years, except that the applicant such an individual may
  131  be examined on pertinent provisions of this code.
  132         (h)(i) An applicant for license as a general lines agent,
  133  customer representative, or adjuster who has received the
  134  designation of chartered property and casualty underwriter
  135  (CPCU) from the American Institute for Property and Liability
  136  Underwriters and who has been engaged in the insurance business
  137  within the past 4 years, except that the applicant such an
  138  individual may be examined on pertinent provisions of this code.
  139         (i)(j) An applicant for license as a customer
  140  representative who has earned the designation of Accredited
  141  Advisor in Insurance (AAI) from the Insurance Institute of
  142  America, the designation of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)
  143  from the Society of Certified Insurance Service Counselors, the
  144  designation of Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR)
  145  from the Independent Insurance Agents of America, the
  146  designation of Certified Professional Service Representative
  147  (CPSR) from the National Foundation for Certified Professional
  148  Service Representatives, the designation of Certified Insurance
  149  Service Representative (CISR) from the Society of Certified
  150  Insurance Service Representatives, or the designation of
  151  Certified Insurance Representative (CIR) from the National
  152  Association of Christian Catastrophe Insurance Adjusters. Also,
  153  an applicant for license as a customer representative who has
  154  earned an associate degree or bachelor’s degree from an
  155  accredited college or university and has completed with at least
  156  9 academic hours of property and casualty insurance curriculum,
  157  or the equivalent, or has earned the designation of Certified
  158  Customer Service Representative (CCSR) from the Florida
  159  Association of Insurance Agents, or the designation of
  160  Registered Customer Service Representative (RCSR) from a
  161  regionally accredited postsecondary institution in this state,
  162  or the designation of Professional Customer Service
  163  Representative (PCSR) from the Professional Career Institute,
  164  whose curriculum has been approved by the department and which
  165  whose curriculum includes comprehensive analysis of basic
  166  property and casualty lines of insurance and testing at least
  167  equal to that of standard department testing for the customer
  168  representative license. The department shall adopt rules
  169  establishing standards for the approval of curriculum.
  170         (j)(k) An applicant for license as a resident or
  171  nonresident all-lines an independent or company employee
  172  adjuster who has the designation of Accredited Claims Adjuster
  173  (ACA) from a regionally accredited postsecondary institution in
  174  this state, Professional Claims Adjuster (PCA) from the
  175  Professional Career Institute, Professional Property Insurance
  176  Adjuster (PPIA) from the HurriClaim Training Academy, Certified
  177  Adjuster (CA) from ALL LINES Training, or Certified Claims
  178  Adjuster (CCA) from the Association of Property and Casualty
  179  Claims Professionals whose curriculum has been approved by the
  180  department and which whose curriculum includes comprehensive
  181  analysis of basic property and casualty lines of insurance and
  182  testing at least equal to that of standard department testing
  183  for the all-lines adjuster license. The department shall adopt
  184  rules establishing standards for the approval of curriculum.
  185         (k)(l) An applicant qualifying for a license transfer under
  186  s. 626.292, if the applicant:
  187         1. Has successfully completed the prelicensing examination
  188  requirements in the applicant’s previous home state which are
  189  substantially equivalent to the examination requirements in this
  190  state, as determined by the department;
  191         2. Has received the designation of chartered property and
  192  casualty underwriter (CPCU) from the American Institute for
  193  Property and Liability Underwriters and has been engaged in the
  194  insurance business within the past 4 years if applying to
  195  transfer a general lines agent license; or
  196         3. Has received the designation of chartered life
  197  underwriter (CLU) from the American College of Life Underwriters
  198  and has been engaged in the insurance business within the past 4
  199  years, if applying to transfer a life or health agent license.
  200         (l)(m) An applicant for a license as a nonresident agent
  201  license, if the applicant:
  202         1. Has successfully completed prelicensing examination
  203  requirements in the applicant’s home state which are
  204  substantially equivalent to the examination requirements in this
  205  state, as determined by the department, as a requirement for
  206  obtaining a resident license in his or her home state;
  207         2. Held a general lines agent license, life agent license,
  208  or health agent license before prior to the time a written
  209  examination was required;
  210         3. Has received the designation of chartered property and
  211  casualty underwriter (CPCU) from the American Institute for
  212  Property and Liability Underwriters and has been engaged in the
  213  insurance business within the past 4 years, if an applicant for
  214  a nonresident license as a general lines agent; or
  215         4. Has received the designation of chartered life
  216  underwriter (CLU) from the American College of Life Underwriters
  217  and has been in the insurance business within the past 4 years,
  218  if an applicant for a nonresident license as a life agent or
  219  health agent.
  220         Section 6. Subsection (2) of section 626.231, Florida
  221  Statutes, is amended to read:
  222         626.231 Eligibility; application for examination.—
  223         (2) A person required to take an examination for a license
  224  may be permitted to take an examination before prior to
  225  submitting an application for licensure pursuant to s. 626.171
  226  by submitting an application for examination through the
  227  department’s Internet website or the website of a person
  228  designated by the department to administer the examination. The
  229  department may require In the application, the applicant to
  230  provide the following information as part of the application
  231  shall set forth:
  232         (a) His or her full name, date of birth age, social
  233  security number, e-mail address, residence address, business
  234  address, and mailing address.
  235         (b) The type of license which that the applicant intends to
  236  apply for.
  237         (c) The name of any required prelicensing course he or she
  238  has completed or is in the process of completing.
  239         (d) The method by which the applicant intends to qualify
  240  for the type of license if other than by completing a
  241  prelicensing course.
  242         (e) The applicant’s gender (male or female).
  243         (f) The applicant’s native language.
  244         (g) The highest level of education achieved by the
  245  applicant.
  246         (h) The applicant’s race or ethnicity (African American,
  247  white, American Indian, Asian, Hispanic, or other).
  248  
  249  However, the application form must contain a statement that an
  250  applicant is not required to disclose his or her race or
  251  ethnicity, gender, or native language, that he or she will not
  252  be penalized for not doing so, and that the department will use
  253  this information exclusively for research and statistical
  254  purposes and to improve the quality and fairness of the
  255  examinations.
  256         Section 7. Subsection (6) of section 626.241, Florida
  257  Statutes, is amended to read:
  258         626.241 Scope of examination.—
  259         (6) In order to reflect the differences between adjusting
  260  claims for an insurer and adjusting claims for an insured, the
  261  department shall create an examination for applicants seeking
  262  licensure as a public adjuster and a separate examination for
  263  applicants seeking licensure as an all-lines a company employee
  264  adjuster or independent adjuster.
  265         (a) Examinations given applicants for a license as an all
  266  lines adjuster must shall cover adjusting in all lines of
  267  insurance, other than life and annuity; or, in accordance with
  268  the application for the license, the examination may be limited
  269  to adjusting in:
  270         (a) Automobile physical damage insurance;
  271         (b) Property and casualty insurance;
  272         (c) Workers’ compensation insurance; or
  273         (d) Health insurance.
  274         (b) An No examination for workers’ on worker’s compensation
  275  insurance or health insurance is not shall be required for
  276  public adjusters.
  277         Section 8. Subsection (1) of section 626.251, Florida
  278  Statutes, is amended to read:
  279         626.251 Time and place of examination; notice.—
  280         (1) The department, or a person designated by the
  281  department, shall provide mail written notice of the time and
  282  place of the examination to each applicant for examination and
  283  each applicant for license required to take an examination who
  284  will be eligible to take the examination as of the examination
  285  date. The notice shall be e-mailed so mailed, postage prepaid,
  286  and addressed to the applicant at the e-mail his or her address
  287  shown on the application for license or examination at such
  288  other address as requested by the applicant in writing filed
  289  with the department prior to the mailing of the notice. Notice
  290  is shall be deemed given when so mailed.
  291         Section 9. Section 626.281, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  292  read:
  293         626.281 Reexamination.—
  294         (1) An Any applicant for license or applicant for
  295  examination who has either:
  296         (a) Taken an examination and failed to make a passing
  297  grade, or
  298         (b) Failed to appear for the examination or to take or
  299  complete the examination at the time and place specified in the
  300  notice of the department,
  301  
  302  may take additional examinations, after filing with the
  303  department or its designee an application for reexamination
  304  together with applicable fees. The failure of an applicant to
  305  pass an examination, or the failure to appear for the
  306  examination, or to take or complete the examination does not
  307  preclude the applicant from taking subsequent examinations.
  308         (2) Applicants may not take an examination for a license
  309  type more than five times in a 12-month period.
  310         (3)(2) The department may require an any individual whose
  311  license as an agent, customer representative, or adjuster has
  312  expired or has been suspended to pass an examination before
  313  prior to reinstating or relicensing the individual as to any
  314  class of license. The examination fee must shall be paid for as
  315  to each examination.
  316         Section 10. Section 626.2815, Florida Statutes, is amended
  317  to read:
  318         626.2815 Continuing education required; application;
  319  exceptions; requirements; penalties.—
  320         (1) The purpose of this section is to establish
  321  requirements and standards for continuing education courses for
  322  individuals persons licensed to solicit, or sell, or adjust
  323  insurance in the state.
  324         (2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the
  325  provisions of this section applies apply to individuals persons
  326  licensed to engage in the sale of insurance or adjustment of
  327  insurance claims in this state for all lines of insurance for
  328  which an examination is required for licensing and to each
  329  insurer, employer, or appointing entity, including, but not
  330  limited to, those created or existing pursuant to s. 627.351.
  331  The provisions of This section does shall not apply to an any
  332  individual who holds person holding a license for the sale of
  333  any line of insurance for which an examination is not required
  334  by the laws of this state or who holds a, nor shall the
  335  provisions of this section apply to any limited license as a
  336  crop or hail and multiple-peril crop insurance agent the
  337  department may exempt by rule. Licensees who are unable to
  338  comply with the continuing education requirements due to active
  339  duty in the military may submit a written request for a waiver
  340  to the department.
  341         (3)(a) Each licensee person subject to the provisions of
  342  this section must, except as set forth in paragraphs (b), (c),
  343  and (d), and (f), complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing
  344  education courses every 2 years in basic or higher-level courses
  345  prescribed by this section or in other courses approved by the
  346  department.
  347         (a) Each licensee person subject to the provisions of this
  348  section must complete, as part of his or her required number of
  349  continuing education hours, 3 hours of continuing education,
  350  approved by the department, every 2 years on the subject matter
  351  of ethics. Each licensed general lines agent and customer
  352  representative subject to this section must complete, as part of
  353  his or her required number of continuing education hours, 1 hour
  354  of continuing education, approved by the department, every 2
  355  years on the subject matter of premium discounts available on
  356  property insurance policies based on various hurricane
  357  mitigation options and the means for obtaining the discounts.
  358         (b) A licensee person who has been licensed for a period of
  359  6 or more years must complete 20 hours of continuing education
  360  every 2 years in intermediate or advanced-level courses
  361  prescribed by this section or in other courses approved by the
  362  department.
  363         (c) A licensee who has been licensed for 25 years or more
  364  and is a CLU or a CPCU or has a Bachelor of Science degree in
  365  risk management or insurance with evidence of 18 or more
  366  semester hours in upper-level insurance-related courses must
  367  complete 10 hours of continuing education courses every 2 years
  368  in courses prescribed by this section or in other courses
  369  approved by the department.
  370         (d) An individual Any person who holds a license as a
  371  customer representative, limited customer representative, title
  372  agent, motor vehicle physical damage and mechanical breakdown
  373  insurance agent, crop or hail and multiple-peril crop insurance
  374  agent, or as an industrial fire insurance or burglary insurance
  375  agent and who is not a licensed life or health insurance agent,
  376  must shall be required to complete 10 hours of continuing
  377  education courses every 2 years.
  378         (e) An individual Any person who holds a license to solicit
  379  or sell life or health insurance and a license to solicit or
  380  sell property, casualty, surety, or surplus lines insurance must
  381  complete the continuing education requirements by completing
  382  courses in life or health insurance for one-half of the total
  383  hours required and courses in property, casualty, surety, or
  384  surplus lines insurance for one-half of the total hours
  385  required. However, a licensee who holds an industrial fire or
  386  burglary insurance license and who is a licensed life or health
  387  agent must shall be required to complete 4 hours of continuing
  388  education courses every 2 years related to industrial fire or
  389  burglary insurance and the remaining number of hours of
  390  continuing education courses required related to life or health
  391  insurance.
  392         (f) An individual subject to chapter 648 must complete a
  393  minimum of 14 hours of continuing education courses every 2
  394  years.
  395         (g) Excess hours accumulated during any 2-year compliance
  396  period may be carried forward to the next compliance period.
  397         (h) An individual teaching an approved course of
  398  instruction or lecturing at any approved seminar and attending
  399  the entire course or seminar qualifies for the same number of
  400  classroom hours as would be granted to a person taking and
  401  successfully completing such course or seminar. Credit is
  402  limited to the number of hours actually taught unless a person
  403  attends the entire course or seminar. An individual who is an
  404  official of or employed by a governmental entity in this state
  405  and serves as a professor, instructor, or other position or
  406  office, the duties and responsibilities of which are determined
  407  by the department to require monitoring and review of insurance
  408  laws or insurance regulations and practices, is exempt from this
  409  section.
  410         (4)(f)1.Except as provided in subparagraph 2., Compliance
  411  with continuing education requirements is a condition precedent
  412  to the issuance, continuation, reinstatement, or renewal of any
  413  appointment subject to this section. However:
  414         (a)2.a. An appointing entity, except one that appoints
  415  individuals who are employees or exclusive independent
  416  contractors of the appointing entity, may not require, directly
  417  or indirectly, as a condition of such appointment or the
  418  continuation of such appointment, the taking of an approved
  419  course or program by any appointee or potential appointee which
  420  that is not of the appointee’s choosing.
  421         (b)b. Any entity created or existing pursuant to s. 627.351
  422  may require employees to take training of any type relevant to
  423  their employment but may not require appointees who are not
  424  employees to take any approved course or program unless the
  425  course or program deals solely with the appointing entity’s
  426  internal procedures or products or with subjects substantially
  427  unique to the appointing entity.
  428         (g) A person teaching any approved course of instruction or
  429  lecturing at any approved seminar and attending the entire
  430  course or seminar shall qualify for the same number of classroom
  431  hours as would be granted to a person taking and successfully
  432  completing such course, seminar, or program. Credit shall be
  433  limited to the number of hours actually taught unless a person
  434  attends the entire course or seminar. Any person who is an
  435  official of or employed by any governmental entity in this state
  436  and serves as a professor, instructor, or in any other position
  437  or office the duties and responsibilities of which are
  438  determined by the department to require monitoring and review of
  439  insurance laws or insurance regulations and practices shall be
  440  exempt from this section.
  441         (h) Excess classroom hours accumulated during any
  442  compliance period may be carried forward to the next compliance
  443  period.
  444         (5)(i) For good cause shown, the department may grant an
  445  extension of time during which the requirements of imposed by
  446  this section may be completed, but such extension of time may
  447  not exceed 1 year.
  448         (6)(j) A nonresident licensee who must complete continuing
  449  education requirements in his or her home state may use the home
  450  state requirements to also meet this state’s continuing
  451  education requirements as well, if the licensee’s resident’s
  452  home state recognizes reciprocity with this state’s continuing
  453  education requirements. A nonresident licensee whose home state
  454  does not have a continuing education requirement but is licensed
  455  for the same class of business in another state that has which
  456  does have a continuing education requirement may comply with
  457  this section by furnishing proof of compliance with the other
  458  state’s requirement if that state has a reciprocal agreement
  459  with this state relative to continuing education. A nonresident
  460  licensee whose home state does not have such continuing
  461  education requirements, and who is not licensed as a nonresident
  462  licensee agent in a state that has continuing education
  463  requirements and reciprocates with this state, must meet the
  464  continuing education requirements of this state.
  465         (7)(k) Any person who holds a license to solicit or sell
  466  life insurance in this state must complete a minimum of 3 hours
  467  in continuing education, approved by the department, on the
  468  subject of suitability in annuity and life insurance
  469  transactions. This requirement does not apply to an agent who
  470  does not have any active life insurance or annuity contracts. In
  471  applying this exemption, the department may require the filing
  472  of a certification attesting that the agent has not sold life
  473  insurance or annuities during the continuing education
  474  compliance cycle in question and does not have any active life
  475  insurance or annuity contracts. A licensee may use the hours
  476  obtained under this paragraph to satisfy the requirement for
  477  continuing education in ethics under paragraph (3)(a).
  478         (8)(4) The following courses may be completed in order to
  479  meet the elective continuing education course requirements:
  480         (a) Any part of the Life Underwriter Training Council Life
  481  Course Curriculum: 24 hours; Health Course: 12 hours.
  482         (b) Any part of the American College “CLU” diploma
  483  curriculum: 24 hours.
  484         (c) Any part of the Insurance Institute of America’s
  485  program in general insurance: 12 hours.
  486         (d) Any part of the American Institute for Property and
  487  Liability Underwriters’ Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter
  488  (CPCU) professional designation program: 24 hours.
  489         (e) Any part of the Certified Insurance Counselor program:
  490  21 hours.
  491         (f) Any part of the Accredited Advisor in Insurance: 21
  492  hours.
  493         (g) In the case of title agents, completion of the
  494  Certified Land Closer (CLC) professional designation program and
  495  receipt of the designation: 24 hours.
  496         (h) In the case of title agents, completion of the
  497  Certified Land Searcher (CLS) professional designation program
  498  and receipt of the designation: 24 hours.
  499         (i) Any insurance-related course that which is approved by
  500  the department and taught by an accredited college or university
  501  per credit hour granted: 12 hours.
  502         (j) Any course, including courses relating to agency
  503  management or errors and omissions, developed or sponsored by an
  504  any authorized insurer or recognized agents’ association or
  505  insurance trade association or an any independent study program
  506  of instruction, subject to approval by the department, qualifies
  507  for the equivalency of the number of classroom hours assigned
  508  thereto by the department. However, unless otherwise provided in
  509  this section, continuing education hours may not be credited
  510  toward meeting the requirements of this section unless the
  511  course is provided by classroom instruction or results in a
  512  monitored examination. A monitored examination is not required
  513  for:
  514         1. An independent study program of instruction presented
  515  through interactive, online technology that the department
  516  determines has sufficient internal testing to validate the
  517  student’s full comprehension of the materials presented; or
  518         2. An independent study program of instruction presented on
  519  paper or in printed material which that imposes a final closed
  520  book examination that meets the requirements of the department’s
  521  rule for self-study courses. The examination may be taken
  522  without a proctor if provided the student presents to the
  523  provider a sworn affidavit certifying that the student did not
  524  consult any written materials or receive outside assistance of
  525  any kind or from any person, directly or indirectly, while
  526  taking the examination. If the student is an employee of an
  527  agency or corporate entity, the student’s supervisor or a
  528  manager or owner of the agency or corporate entity must also
  529  sign the sworn affidavit. If the student is self-employed, a
  530  sole proprietor, or a partner, or if the examination is
  531  administered online, the sworn affidavit must also be signed by
  532  a disinterested third party. The sworn affidavit must be
  533  received by the approved provider before prior to reporting
  534  continuing education credits to the department.
  535         (9)(k) Each person or entity sponsoring a course for
  536  continuing education credit must furnish, within 21 30 days
  537  after completion of the course, in a form satisfactory to the
  538  department or its designee, a written and certified roster
  539  showing the name and license number of all persons successfully
  540  completing such course and requesting credit, accompanied by the
  541  required fee.
  542         (10)(5) The department may immediately terminate or shall
  543  refuse to renew the appointment of an any agent or adjuster who
  544  has been notified by the department that who has not had his or
  545  her continuing education requirements have not been certified,
  546  unless the agent or adjuster has been granted an extension or
  547  waiver by the department. The department may not issue a new
  548  appointment of the same or similar type, with any insurer, to a
  549  licensee an agent who was denied a renewal appointment for
  550  failing failure to complete continuing education as required
  551  until the licensee agent completes his or her continuing
  552  education requirement.
  553         (6)(a) There is created an 11-member continuing education
  554  advisory board to be appointed by the Chief Financial Officer.
  555  Appointments shall be for terms of 4 years. The purpose of the
  556  board is to advise the department in determining standards by
  557  which courses may be evaluated and categorized as basic,
  558  intermediate, or advanced. The board shall submit
  559  recommendations to the department of changes needed in such
  560  criteria not less frequently than every 2 years. The department
  561  shall require all approved course providers to submit courses
  562  for approval to the department using the criteria. All
  563  materials, brochures, and advertisements related to the approved
  564  courses must specify the level assigned to the course.
  565         (b) The board members shall be appointed as follows:
  566         1. Seven members representing agents of which at least one
  567  must be a representative from each of the following
  568  organizations: the Florida Association of Insurance Agents; the
  569  Florida Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors; the
  570  Professional Insurance Agents of Florida, Inc.; the Florida
  571  Association of Health Underwriters; the Specialty Agents’
  572  Association; the Latin American Agents’ Association; and the
  573  National Association of Insurance Women. Such board members must
  574  possess at least a bachelor’s degree or higher from an
  575  accredited college or university with major coursework in
  576  insurance, risk management, or education or possess the
  577  designation of CLU, CPCU, CHFC, CFP, AAI, or CIC. In addition,
  578  each member must possess 5 years of classroom instruction
  579  experience or 5 years of experience in the development or design
  580  of educational programs or 10 years of experience as a licensed
  581  resident agent. Each organization may submit to the department a
  582  list of recommendations for appointment. If one organization
  583  does not submit a list of recommendations, the Chief Financial
  584  Officer may select more than one recommended person from a list
  585  submitted by other eligible organizations.
  586         2. Two members representing insurance companies at least
  587  one of whom must represent a Florida Domestic Company and one of
  588  whom must represent the Florida Insurance Council. Such board
  589  members must be employed within the training department of the
  590  insurance company. At least one such member must be a member of
  591  the Society of Insurance Trainers and Educators.
  592         3. One member representing the general public who is not
  593  directly employed in the insurance industry. Such board member
  594  must possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or higher from an
  595  accredited college or university with major coursework in
  596  insurance, risk management, training, or education.
  597         4. One member, appointed by the Chief Financial Officer,
  598  who represents the department.
  599         (c) The members of the board shall serve at the pleasure of
  600  the Chief Financial Officer. Each board member shall be entitled
  601  to reimbursement for expenses pursuant to s. 112.061. The board
  602  shall designate one member as chair. The board shall meet at the
  603  call of the chair or the Chief Financial Officer.
  604         (11)(7) The department may contract services relative to
  605  the administration of the continuing education program to a
  606  private entity. The contract shall be procured as a contract for
  607  a contractual service pursuant to s. 287.057.
  608         Section 11. Effective October 1, 2014, subsections (3) and
  609  (7) of section 626.2815, Florida Statutes, as amended by this
  610  act, are amended, and subsections (8) through (11) of that
  611  section are redesignated as subsections (7) through (10),
  612  respectively, to read:
  613         626.2815 Continuing education requirements.—
  614         (3) Each licensee except a title insurance agent subject to
  615  this section must, except as set forth in paragraphs (b), (c),
  616  (d), and (f), complete a 5-hour update course every 2 years
  617  which is specific to the license held by the licensee. The
  618  course must be developed and offered by providers and approved
  619  by the department. The content of the course must address all
  620  lines of insurance for which examination and licensure are
  621  required and include the following subject areas: insurance law
  622  updates, ethics for insurance professionals, disciplinary trends
  623  and case studies, industry trends, premium discounts,
  624  determining suitability of products and services, and other
  625  similar insurance-related topics the department determines are
  626  relevant to legally and ethically carrying out the
  627  responsibilities of the license granted. A licensee who holds
  628  multiple insurance licenses must complete an update course that
  629  is specific to at least one of the licenses held. Except as
  630  otherwise specified, any remaining required hours of continuing
  631  education are elective and may consist of any continuing
  632  education course approved by the department under this section
  633  minimum of 24 hours of continuing education courses every 2
  634  years in basic or higher-level courses prescribed by this
  635  section or in other courses approved by the department.
  636         (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e),
  637  and (i), each licensee must also complete 19 3 hours of elective
  638  continuing education courses, approved by the department, every
  639  2 years on the subject matter of ethics. Each licensed general
  640  lines agent and customer representative must complete 1 hour of
  641  continuing education, approved by the department, every 2 years
  642  on the subject matter of premium discounts available on property
  643  insurance policies based on various hurricane mitigation options
  644  and the means for obtaining the discounts.
  645         (b) A licensee who has been licensed for 6 or more years
  646  must also complete a minimum of 15 20 hours of elective
  647  continuing education every 2 years in intermediate or advanced
  648  level courses prescribed by this section or in other courses
  649  approved by the department.
  650         (c) A licensee who has been licensed for 25 years or more
  651  and is a CLU or a CPCU or has a Bachelor of Science degree in
  652  risk management or insurance with evidence of 18 or more
  653  semester hours in upper-level insurance-related courses must
  654  also complete a minimum of 5 10 hours of elective continuing
  655  education courses every 2 years in courses prescribed by this
  656  section or in other courses approved by the department.
  657         (d) An individual who holds a license as a customer
  658  representative, limited customer representative, title agent,
  659  motor vehicle physical damage and mechanical breakdown insurance
  660  agent, or an industrial fire insurance or burglary insurance
  661  agent and who is not a licensed life or health agent, must also
  662  complete a minimum of 5 10 hours of continuing education courses
  663  every 2 years.
  664         (e) An individual who holds a license to solicit or sell
  665  life or health insurance and a license to solicit or sell
  666  property, casualty, surety, or surplus lines insurance must
  667  complete courses in life or health insurance for one-half of the
  668  total hours required and courses in property, casualty, surety,
  669  or surplus lines insurance for one-half of the total hours
  670  required. However, a licensee who holds an industrial fire or
  671  burglary insurance license and who is a licensed life or health
  672  agent must complete 4 hours of continuing education courses
  673  every 2 years related to industrial fire or burglary insurance
  674  and the remaining number of hours of continuing education
  675  courses related to life or health insurance.
  676         (e)(f)The 5-hour update course and a minimum of 9 14 hours
  677  of elective continuing education courses every 2 years.
  678         (f) Elective continuing education courses for public
  679  adjusters must be specifically designed for public adjusters and
  680  approved by the department. Notwithstanding this subsection,
  681  public adjusters for workers’ compensation insurance or health
  682  insurance are not required to take continuing education courses
  683  pursuant to this section.
  684         (g) Excess hours accumulated during any 2-year compliance
  685  period may be carried forward to the next compliance period.
  686         (h) An individual teaching an approved course of
  687  instruction or lecturing at any approved seminar and attending
  688  the entire course or seminar qualifies for the same number of
  689  classroom hours as would be granted to a person taking and
  690  successfully completing such course or seminar. Credit is
  691  limited to the number of hours actually taught unless a person
  692  attends the entire course or seminar. An individual who is an
  693  official of or employed by a governmental entity in this state
  694  and serves as a professor, instructor, or other position or
  695  office, the duties and responsibilities of which are determined
  696  by the department to require monitoring and review of insurance
  697  laws or insurance regulations and practices, is exempt from this
  698  section.
  699         (i) For compliance periods beginning on or after October 1,
  700  2014, any person who holds a license as a title insurance agent
  701  must complete a minimum of 10 hours of continuing education
  702  credit every 2 years in title insurance and escrow management
  703  specific to this state and approved by the department, which
  704  shall include at least 3 hours of continuing education on the
  705  subject matter of ethics, rules, or compliance with state and
  706  federal regulations relating specifically to title insurance and
  707  closing services.
  708         (7) Any person who holds a license to solicit or sell life
  709  insurance in this state must complete a minimum of 3 hours in
  710  continuing education, approved by the department, on the subject
  711  of suitability in annuity and life insurance transactions. This
  712  requirement does not apply to an agent who does not have any
  713  active life insurance or annuity contracts. In applying this
  714  exemption, the department may require the filing of a
  715  certification attesting that the agent has not sold life
  716  insurance or annuities during the continuing education
  717  compliance cycle in question and does not have any active life
  718  insurance or annuity contracts. A licensee may use the hours
  719  obtained under this paragraph to satisfy the requirement for
  720  continuing education in ethics under paragraph (3)(a).
  721         Section 12. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 626.292,
  722  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  723         626.292 Transfer of license from another state.—
  724         (1) An Any individual licensed in good standing in another
  725  state may apply to the department to have the license
  726  transferred to this state to obtain a Florida resident agent or
  727  all-lines adjuster license for the same lines of authority
  728  covered by the license in the other state.
  729         (2) To qualify for a license transfer, an individual
  730  applicant must meet the following requirements:
  731         (a) The individual must shall become a resident of this
  732  state.
  733         (b) The individual must shall have been licensed in another
  734  state for a minimum of 1 year immediately preceding the date the
  735  individual became a resident of this state.
  736         (c) The individual must shall submit a completed
  737  application for this state which is received by the department
  738  within 90 days after the date the individual became a resident
  739  of this state, along with payment of the applicable fees set
  740  forth in s. 624.501 and submission of the following documents:
  741         1. A certification issued by the appropriate official of
  742  the applicant’s home state identifying the type of license and
  743  lines of authority under the license and stating that, at the
  744  time the license from the home state was canceled, the applicant
  745  was in good standing in that state or that the state’s Producer
  746  Database records, maintained by the National Association of
  747  Insurance Commissioners, its affiliates, or subsidiaries,
  748  indicate that the agent or all-lines adjuster is or was licensed
  749  in good standing for the line of authority requested.
  750         2. A set of the individual applicant’s fingerprints in
  751  accordance with s. 626.171(4).
  752         (d) The individual must shall satisfy prelicensing
  753  education requirements in this state, unless the completion of
  754  prelicensing education requirements was a prerequisite for
  755  licensure in the other state and the prelicensing education
  756  requirements in the other state are substantially equivalent to
  757  the prelicensing requirements of this state as determined by the
  758  department. This paragraph does not apply to all-lines
  759  adjusters.
  760         (e) The individual must shall satisfy the examination
  761  requirement under s. 626.221, unless exempted exempt thereunder.
  762         Section 13. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 626.311,
  763  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  764         626.311 Scope of license.—
  765         (2) Except with respect as to a limited license as a credit
  766  life or disability insurance agent, the license of a life agent
  767  covers shall cover all classes of life insurance business.
  768         (3) Except with respect as to a limited license as a travel
  769  personal accident insurance agent, the license of a health agent
  770  covers shall cover all kinds of health insurance; and such no
  771  license may not shall be issued limited to a particular class of
  772  health insurance.
  773         Section 14. Subsections (1) and (4) of section 626.321,
  774  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  775         626.321 Limited licenses.—
  776         (1) The department shall issue to a qualified applicant
  777  individual, or a qualified individual or entity under paragraphs
  778  (c), (d), (e), and (i), a license as agent authorized to
  779  transact a limited class of business in any of the following
  780  categories of limited lines insurance:
  781         (a) Motor vehicle physical damage and mechanical breakdown
  782  insurance.—License covering insurance against only the loss of
  783  or damage to a any motor vehicle that which is designed for use
  784  upon a highway, including trailers and semitrailers designed for
  785  use with such vehicles. Such license also covers insurance
  786  against the failure of an original or replacement part to
  787  perform any function for which it was designed. The applicant
  788  for such a license shall pass a written examination covering
  789  motor vehicle physical damage insurance and mechanical breakdown
  790  insurance. A licensee under this paragraph may not No individual
  791  while so licensed shall hold a license as an agent for as to any
  792  other or additional kind or class of insurance coverage except
  793  as to a limited license for credit insurance life and disability
  794  insurances as provided in paragraph (e). Effective October 1,
  795  2012, all licensees holding such limited license and appointment
  796  may renew the license and appointment, but no new or additional
  797  licenses may be issued pursuant to this paragraph, and a
  798  licensee whose limited license under this paragraph has been
  799  terminated, suspended, or revoked may not have such license
  800  reinstated.
  801         (b) Industrial fire insurance or burglary insurance.
  802  License covering only industrial fire insurance or burglary
  803  insurance. The applicant for such a license must shall pass a
  804  written examination covering such insurance. A licensee under
  805  this paragraph may not No individual while so licensed shall
  806  hold a license as an agent for as to any other or additional
  807  kind or class of insurance coverage except for as to life
  808  insurance and health insurance insurances.
  809         (c) Travel insurance.—License covering only policies and
  810  certificates of travel insurance, which are subject to review by
  811  the office under s. 624.605(1)(q). Policies and certificates of
  812  travel insurance may provide coverage for risks incidental to
  813  travel, planned travel, or accommodations while traveling,
  814  including, but not limited to, accidental death and
  815  dismemberment of a traveler; trip cancellation, interruption, or
  816  delay; loss of or damage to personal effects or travel
  817  documents; baggage delay; emergency medical travel or evacuation
  818  of a traveler; or medical, surgical, and hospital expenses
  819  related to an illness or emergency of a traveler. Any Such
  820  policy or certificate may be issued for terms longer than 60
  821  days, but each policy or certificate, other than a policy or
  822  certificate providing coverage for air ambulatory services only,
  823  each policy or certificate must be limited to coverage for
  824  travel or use of accommodations of no longer than 60 days. The
  825  license may be issued only:
  826         1. To a full-time salaried employee of a common carrier or
  827  a full-time salaried employee or owner of a transportation
  828  ticket agency and may authorize the sale of such ticket policies
  829  only in connection with the sale of transportation tickets, or
  830  to the full-time salaried employee of such an agent. No Such
  831  policy may not shall be for a duration of more than 48 hours or
  832  more than for the duration of a specified one-way trip or round
  833  trip.
  834         2. To an entity or individual that is:
  835         a. The developer of a timeshare plan that is the subject of
  836  an approved public offering statement under chapter 721;
  837         b. An exchange company operating an exchange program
  838  approved under chapter 721;
  839         c. A managing entity operating a timeshare plan approved
  840  under chapter 721;
  841         d. A seller of travel as defined in chapter 559; or
  842         e. A subsidiary or affiliate of any of the entities
  843  described in sub-subparagraphs a.-d.
  844  
  845  A licensee shall require each employee who offers policies or
  846  certificates under this subparagraph to receive initial training
  847  from a general lines agent or an insurer authorized under
  848  chapter 624 to transact insurance within this state. For an
  849  entity applying for a license as a travel insurance agent, the
  850  fingerprinting requirement of this section applies only to the
  851  president, secretary, and treasurer and to any other officer or
  852  person who directs or controls the travel insurance operations
  853  of the entity.
  854         (d) Motor vehicle rental insurance.—
  855         1. License covering only insurance of the risks set forth
  856  in this paragraph when offered, sold, or solicited with and
  857  incidental to the rental or lease of a motor vehicle and which
  858  applies only to the motor vehicle that is the subject of the
  859  lease or rental agreement and the occupants of the motor
  860  vehicle:
  861         a. Excess motor vehicle liability insurance providing
  862  coverage in excess of the standard liability limits provided by
  863  the lessor in the lessor’s lease to a person renting or leasing
  864  a motor vehicle from the licensee’s employer for liability
  865  arising in connection with the negligent operation of the leased
  866  or rented motor vehicle.
  867         b. Insurance covering the liability of the lessee to the
  868  lessor for damage to the leased or rented motor vehicle.
  869         c. Insurance covering the loss of or damage to baggage,
  870  personal effects, or travel documents of a person renting or
  871  leasing a motor vehicle.
  872         d. Insurance covering accidental personal injury or death
  873  of the lessee and any passenger who is riding or driving with
  874  the covered lessee in the leased or rented motor vehicle.
  875         2. Insurance under a motor vehicle rental insurance license
  876  may be issued only if the lease or rental agreement is for no
  877  more than 60 days, the lessee is not provided coverage for more
  878  than 60 consecutive days per lease period, and the lessee is
  879  given written notice that his or her personal insurance policy
  880  providing coverage on an owned motor vehicle may provide
  881  coverage of such risks and that the purchase of the insurance is
  882  not required in connection with the lease or rental of a motor
  883  vehicle. If the lease is extended beyond 60 days, the coverage
  884  may be extended one time only for a period not to exceed an
  885  additional 60 days. Insurance may be provided to the lessee as
  886  an additional insured on a policy issued to the licensee’s
  887  employer.
  888         3. The license may be issued only to the full-time salaried
  889  employee of a licensed general lines agent or to a business
  890  entity that offers motor vehicles for rent or lease if insurance
  891  sales activities authorized by the license are in connection
  892  with and incidental to the rental or lease of a motor vehicle.
  893         a. A license issued to a business entity that offers motor
  894  vehicles for rent or lease encompasses shall encompass each
  895  office, branch office, or place of business making use of the
  896  entity’s business name in order to offer, solicit, and sell
  897  insurance pursuant to this paragraph.
  898         b. The application for licensure must list the name,
  899  address, and phone number for each office, branch office, or
  900  place of business that is to be covered by the license. The
  901  licensee shall notify the department of the name, address, and
  902  phone number of any new location that is to be covered by the
  903  license before the new office, branch office, or place of
  904  business engages in the sale of insurance pursuant to this
  905  paragraph. The licensee must shall notify the department within
  906  30 days after closing or terminating an office, branch office,
  907  or place of business. Upon receipt of the notice, the department
  908  shall delete the office, branch office, or place of business
  909  from the license.
  910         c. A licensed and appointed entity is directly responsible
  911  and accountable for all acts of the licensee’s employees.
  912         (e) Credit life or disability insurance.—License covering
  913  only credit life, credit or disability insurance, credit
  914  property, credit unemployment, involuntary unemployment,
  915  mortgage life, mortgage guaranty, mortgage disability,
  916  guaranteed automobile protection (GAP) insurance, and any other
  917  form of insurance offered in connection with an extension of
  918  credit which is limited to partially or wholly extinguishing a
  919  credit obligation that the department determines should be
  920  designated a form of limited line credit insurance. Effective
  921  October 1, 2012, all valid licenses held by persons for any of
  922  the lines of insurance listed in this paragraph shall be
  923  converted to a credit insurance license. Licensees who wish to
  924  obtain a new license reflecting such change must request a
  925  duplicate license and pay a $5 fee as specified in s.
  926  624.501(15). The license may be issued only to an individual
  927  employed by a life or health insurer as an officer or other
  928  salaried or commissioned representative, to an individual
  929  employed by or associated with a lending or financial
  930  institution or creditor, or to a lending or financial
  931  institution or creditor, and may authorize the sale of such
  932  insurance only with respect to borrowers or debtors of such
  933  lending or financing institution or creditor. However, only the
  934  individual or entity whose tax identification number is used in
  935  receiving or is credited with receiving the commission from the
  936  sale of such insurance shall be the licensed agent of the
  937  insurer. No individual while so licensed shall hold a license as
  938  an agent as to any other or additional kind or class of life or
  939  health insurance coverage. An entity holding a limited license
  940  under this paragraph is also authorized to sell credit insurance
  941  and credit property insurance.
  942         (f) Credit insurance.—License covering only credit
  943  insurance, as such insurance is defined in s. 624.605(1)(i), and
  944  no individual or entity so licensed shall, during the same
  945  period, hold a license as an agent as to any other or additional
  946  kind of life or health insurance with the exception of credit
  947  life or disability insurance as defined in paragraph (e). The
  948  same licensing provisions as outlined in paragraph (e) apply to
  949  entities licensed as credit insurance agents under this
  950  paragraph.
  951         (g) Credit property insurance.—A license covering only
  952  credit property insurance may be issued to any individual except
  953  an individual employed by or associated with a financial
  954  institution as defined in s. 655.005 and authorized to sell such
  955  insurance only with respect to a borrower or debtor, not to
  956  exceed the amount of the loan.
  957         (f)(h)Crop hail and multiple-peril crop insurance.—License
  958  for insurance covering crops subject to unfavorable weather
  959  conditions, fire or lightening, flood, hail, insect infestation,
  960  disease, or other yield-reducing conditions or perils which is
  961  provided by the private insurance market, or which is subsidized
  962  by the Federal Group Insurance Corporation including multi-peril
  963  crop insurance only crop hail and multiple-peril crop insurance.
  964  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the limited license
  965  may be issued to a bona fide salaried employee of an association
  966  chartered under the Farm Credit Act of 1971, 12 U.S.C. ss. 2001
  967  et seq., who satisfactorily completes the examination prescribed
  968  by the department pursuant to s. 626.241(5). The limited agent
  969  must be appointed by, and his or her limited license requested
  970  by, a licensed general lines agent. All business transacted by
  971  the limited agent must be on shall be in behalf of, in the name
  972  of, and countersigned by the agent by whom he or she is
  973  appointed. Sections 626.561 and 626.748, relating to records,
  974  apply to all business written pursuant to this section. The
  975  limited licensee may be appointed by and licensed for only one
  976  general lines agent or agency.
  977         (g)(i)In-transit and storage personal property insurance;
  978  communications equipment property insurance, communications
  979  equipment inland marine insurance, and communications equipment
  980  service warranty agreement sales.—
  981         1. A License for insurance covering only the insurance of
  982  personal property not held for resale, covering the risks of
  983  transportation or storage in rented or leased motor vehicles,
  984  trailers, or self-service storage facilities, as the latter are
  985  defined in s. 83.803. Such license, may be issued, without
  986  examination, only to employees or authorized representatives of
  987  lessors who rent or lease motor vehicles, trailers, or self
  988  service storage facilities and who are authorized by an insurer
  989  to issue certificates or other evidences of insurance to lessees
  990  of such motor vehicles, trailers, or self-service storage
  991  facilities under an insurance policy issued to the lessor. A
  992  person licensed under this paragraph must shall give a
  993  prospective purchaser of in-transit or storage personal property
  994  insurance written notice that his or her homeowner’s policy may
  995  provide coverage for the loss of personal property and that the
  996  purchase of such insurance is not required under the lease
  997  terms.
  998         2. A license covering only communications equipment, for
  999  the loss, theft, mechanical failure, malfunction of or damage
 1000  to, communications equipment. The license may be issued only to:
 1001         a. Employees or authorized representatives of a licensed
 1002  general lines agent;
 1003         b. The lead business location of a retail vendor of
 1004  communications equipment and its branch locations; or
 1005         c. Employees, agents, or authorized representatives of a
 1006  retail vendor of communications equipment.
 1007  
 1008  The license authorizes the sale of such policies, or
 1009  certificates under a group master policy, only with respect to
 1010  the sale of, or provision of communications service for,
 1011  communications equipment. A general lines agent is not required
 1012  to obtain a license under this subparagraph to offer or sell
 1013  communications equipment property insurance or communication
 1014  equipment inland marine insurance. The license also authorizes
 1015  sales of service warranty agreements covering only
 1016  communications equipment to the same extent as if licensed under
 1017  s. 634.419 or s. 634.420. The provisions of this chapter
 1018  requiring submission of fingerprints do not apply to
 1019  communications equipment licenses issued to qualified entities
 1020  under this subparagraph. Licensees offering policies under this
 1021  subparagraph must receive initial training from, and have a
 1022  contractual relationship with, a general lines agent. For the
 1023  purposes of this subparagraph, the term “communications
 1024  equipment” means handsets, pagers, personal digital assistants,
 1025  portable computers, automatic answering devices, and other
 1026  devices or accessories used to originate or receive
 1027  communications signals or service, and includes services related
 1028  to the use of such devices, such as consumer access to a
 1029  wireless network; however, the term does not include
 1030  telecommunications switching equipment, transmission wires, cell
 1031  site transceiver equipment, or other equipment and systems used
 1032  by telecommunications companies to provide telecommunications
 1033  service to consumers. A branch location of a retail vendor of
 1034  communications equipment licensed pursuant to paragraph (2)(b)
 1035  may, in lieu of obtaining an appointment from an insurer or
 1036  warranty association as provided in paragraph (2)(c), obtain a
 1037  single appointment from the associated lead business location
 1038  licensee licensed under paragraph (2)(a) and pay the prescribed
 1039  appointment fee under s. 624.501 provided the lead business
 1040  location has a single appointment from each insurer or warranty
 1041  association represented and such appointment provides that it
 1042  applies to the lead business location and all of its branch
 1043  locations. Any branch location individually appointed by an
 1044  insurer under paragraph (2)(c) prior to January 1, 2006, may
 1045  replace its appointments with an appointment from its lead
 1046  location at no charge. Branch location appointments shall be
 1047  renewed on the first annual anniversary of licensure of the lead
 1048  business location occurring more than 24 months after the
 1049  initial appointment date and every 24 months thereafter.
 1050  Notwithstanding s. 624.501, after July 1, 2006, the renewal fee
 1051  applicable to such branch location appointments shall be $30 per
 1052  appointment.
 1053         (h) Portable electronics insurance.—License for property
 1054  insurance or inland marine insurance that covers only loss,
 1055  theft, mechanical failure, malfunction, or damage for portable
 1056  electronics.
 1057         1. The license may be issued only to:
 1058         a. Employees or authorized representatives of a licensed
 1059  general lines agent; or
 1060         b. The lead business location of a retail vendor that sells
 1061  portable electronics insurance. The lead business location must
 1062  have a contractual relationship with a general lines agent.
 1063         2. Employees or authorized representatives of a licensee
 1064  under subparagraph 1. may sell or offer for sale portable
 1065  electronics coverage without being subject to licensure as an
 1066  insurance agent if:
 1067         a. Such insurance is sold or offered for sale at a licensed
 1068  location or at one of the licensee’s branch locations if the
 1069  branch location is appointed by the licensed lead business
 1070  location or its appointing insurers;
 1071         b. The insurer issuing the insurance directly supervises or
 1072  appoints a general lines agent to supervise the sale of such
 1073  insurance, including the development of a training program for
 1074  the employees and authorized representatives of vendors that are
 1075  directly engaged in the activity of selling or offering the
 1076  insurance; and
 1077         c. At each location where the insurance is offered,
 1078  brochures or other written materials that provide the
 1079  information required by this subparagraph are made available to
 1080  all prospective customers. The brochures or written materials
 1081  may include information regarding portable electronics
 1082  insurance, service warranty agreements, or other incidental
 1083  services or benefits offered by a licensee.
 1084         3. Individuals not licensed to sell portable electronics
 1085  insurance may not be paid commissions based on the sale of such
 1086  coverage. However, a licensee who uses a compensation plan for
 1087  employees and authorized representatives which includes
 1088  supplemental compensation for the sale of noninsurance products,
 1089  in addition to a regular salary or hourly wages, may include
 1090  incidental compensation for the sale of portable electronics
 1091  insurance as a component of the overall compensation plan.
 1092         4. Brochures or other written materials related to portable
 1093  electronics insurance must:
 1094         a. Disclose that such insurance may duplicate coverage
 1095  already provided by a customer’s homeowners’ insurance policy,
 1096  renters’ insurance policy, or other source of coverage;
 1097         b. State that enrollment in insurance coverage is not
 1098  required in order to purchase or lease portable electronics or
 1099  services;
 1100         c. Summarize the material terms of the insurance coverage,
 1101  including the identity of the insurer, the identity of the
 1102  supervising entity, the amount of any applicable deductible and
 1103  how it is to be paid, the benefits of coverage, and key terms
 1104  and conditions of coverage, such as whether portable electronics
 1105  may be repaired or replaced with similar make and model
 1106  reconditioned or nonoriginal manufacturer parts or equipment;
 1107         d. Summarize the process for filing a claim, including a
 1108  description of how to return portable electronics and the
 1109  maximum fee applicable if the customer fails to comply with
 1110  equipment return requirements; and
 1111         e. State that an enrolled customer may cancel coverage at
 1112  any time and that the person paying the premium will receive a
 1113  refund of any unearned premium.
 1114         5. A licensed and appointed general lines agent is not
 1115  required to obtain a portable electronics insurance license to
 1116  offer or sell portable electronics insurance at locations
 1117  already licensed as an insurance agency, but may apply for a
 1118  portable electronics insurance license for branch locations not
 1119  otherwise licensed to sell insurance.
 1120         6. A portable electronics license authorizes the sale of
 1121  individual policies or certificates under a group or master
 1122  insurance policy. The license also authorizes the sale of
 1123  service warranty agreements covering only portable electronics
 1124  to the same extent as if licensed under s. 634.419 or s.
 1125  634.420.
 1126         7. A licensee may bill and collect the premium for the
 1127  purchase of portable electronics insurance provided that:
 1128         a. If the insurance is included with the purchase or lease
 1129  of portable electronics or related services, the licensee
 1130  clearly and conspicuously discloses that insurance coverage is
 1131  included with the purchase. Disclosure of the stand-alone cost
 1132  of the premium for same or similar insurance must be made on the
 1133  customer’s bill and in any marketing materials made available at
 1134  the point of sale. If the insurance is not included, the charge
 1135  to the customer for the insurance must be separately itemized on
 1136  the customer’s bill.
 1137         b. Premiums are incidental to other fees collected, are
 1138  maintained in a manner that is readily identifiable, and are
 1139  accounted for and remitted to the insurer or supervising entity
 1140  within 60 days of receipt. Licensees are not required to
 1141  maintain such funds in a segregated account.
 1142         c. All funds received by a licensee from an enrolled
 1143  customer for the sale of the insurance are considered funds held
 1144  in trust by the licensee in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit
 1145  of the insurer. Licensees may receive compensation for billing
 1146  and collection services.
 1147         8. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the terms
 1148  for the termination or modification of coverage under a policy
 1149  of portable electronics insurance are those set forth in the
 1150  policy.
 1151         9. Notice or correspondence required by the policy, or
 1152  otherwise required by law, may be provided by electronic means
 1153  if the insurer or licensee maintains proof that the notice or
 1154  correspondence was sent. Such notice or correspondence may be
 1155  sent on behalf of the insurer or licensee by the general lines
 1156  agent appointed by the insurer to supervise the administration
 1157  of the program. For purposes of this subparagraph, an enrolled
 1158  customer’s provision of an electronic mail address to the
 1159  insurer or licensee is deemed to be consent to receive notices
 1160  and correspondence by electronic means if a conspicuously
 1161  located disclosure is provided to the customer indicating the
 1162  same.
 1163         10. The provisions of this chapter requiring submission of
 1164  fingerprints do not apply to licenses issued to qualified
 1165  entities under this paragraph.
 1166         11. A branch location that sells portable electronics
 1167  insurance may, in lieu of obtaining an appointment from an
 1168  insurer or warranty association, obtain a single appointment
 1169  from the associated lead business location licensee and pay the
 1170  prescribed appointment fee under s. 624.501 if the lead business
 1171  location has a single appointment from each insurer or warranty
 1172  association represented and such appointment applies to the lead
 1173  business location and all of its branch locations. Branch
 1174  location appointments shall be renewed 24 months after the
 1175  initial appointment date of the lead business location and every
 1176  24 months thereafter. Notwithstanding s. 624.501, the renewal
 1177  fee applicable to such branch location appointments is $30 per
 1178  appointment.
 1179         12. For purposes of this paragraph:
 1180         a. “Branch location” means any physical location in this
 1181  state at which a licensee offers its products or services for
 1182  sale.
 1183         b. “Portable electronics” means personal, self-contained,
 1184  easily carried by an individual, battery-operated electronic
 1185  communication, viewing, listening, recording, gaming, computing
 1186  or global positioning devices, including cell or satellite
 1187  phones, pagers, personal global positioning satellite units,
 1188  portable computers, portable audio listening, video viewing or
 1189  recording devices, digital cameras, video camcorders, portable
 1190  gaming systems, docking stations, automatic answering devices,
 1191  and other similar devices and their accessories, and service
 1192  related to the use of such devices.
 1193         c. “Portable electronics transaction” means the sale or
 1194  lease of portable electronics or a related service, including
 1195  portable electronics insurance.
 1196         (4) Except as otherwise expressly provided, a person
 1197  applying for or holding a limited license is shall be subject to
 1198  the same applicable requirements and responsibilities that as
 1199  apply to general lines agents in general, if licensed as to
 1200  motor vehicle physical damage and mechanical breakdown
 1201  insurance, credit property insurance, industrial fire insurance
 1202  or burglary insurance, motor vehicle rental insurance, credit
 1203  insurance, crop hail and multiple-peril crop insurance, in
 1204  transit and storage personal property insurance, or portable
 1205  electronics insurance communications equipment property
 1206  insurance or communications equipment inland marine insurance,
 1207  baggage and motor vehicle excess liability insurance, or credit
 1208  insurance; or as apply to life agents or health agents in
 1209  general, as applicable the case may be, if licensed as to travel
 1210  personal accident insurance or credit life or credit disability
 1211  insurance.
 1212         Section 15. Section 626.342, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1213  to read:
 1214         626.342 Furnishing supplies to unlicensed life, health, or
 1215  general lines agent prohibited; civil liability.—
 1216         (1) An insurer, a managing general agent, an insurance
 1217  agency, or an agent, directly or through a any representative,
 1218  may not furnish to an any agent any blank forms, applications,
 1219  stationery, or other supplies to be used in soliciting,
 1220  negotiating, or effecting contracts of insurance on its behalf
 1221  unless such blank forms, applications, stationery, or other
 1222  supplies relate to a class of business for with respect to which
 1223  the agent is licensed and appointed, whether for that insurer or
 1224  another insurer.
 1225         (2) An Any insurer, general agent, insurance agency, or
 1226  agent who furnishes any of the supplies specified in subsection
 1227  (1) to an any agent or prospective agent not appointed to
 1228  represent the insurer and who accepts from or writes any
 1229  insurance business for such agent or agency is subject to civil
 1230  liability to an any insured of such insurer to the same extent
 1231  and in the same manner as if such agent or prospective agent had
 1232  been appointed or authorized by the insurer or such agent to act
 1233  on in its or his or her behalf. The provisions of this
 1234  subsection do not apply to insurance risk apportionment plans
 1235  under s. 627.351.
 1236         (3) This section does not apply to the placing of surplus
 1237  lines business under the provisions of ss. 626.913-626.937.
 1238         Section 16. Subsection (1) of section 626.381, Florida
 1239  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1240         626.381 Renewal, continuation, reinstatement, or
 1241  termination of appointment.—
 1242         (1) The appointment of an appointee continues shall
 1243  continue in force until suspended, revoked, or otherwise
 1244  terminated, but is subject to a renewal request filed by the
 1245  appointing entity in the appointee’s birth month as to natural
 1246  persons or the month the original appointment was issued license
 1247  date as to entities and every 24 months thereafter, accompanied
 1248  by payment of the renewal appointment fee and taxes as
 1249  prescribed in s. 624.501.
 1250         Section 17. Section 626.536, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1251  to read:
 1252         626.536 Reporting of administrative actions.—Each agent and
 1253  insurance agency shall submit to the department, Within 30 days
 1254  after the final disposition of an any administrative action
 1255  taken against a licensee the agent or insurance agency by a
 1256  governmental agency or other regulatory agency in this or any
 1257  other state or jurisdiction relating to the business of
 1258  insurance, the sale of securities, or activity involving fraud,
 1259  dishonesty, trustworthiness, or breach of a fiduciary duty, the
 1260  licensee or insurance agency must submit a copy of the order,
 1261  consent to order, or other relevant legal documents to the
 1262  department. The department may adopt rules to administer
 1263  implementing the provisions of this section.
 1264         Section 18. Section 626.551, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1265  to read:
 1266         626.551 Notice of change of address, name.—A Every licensee
 1267  must shall notify the department, in writing, within 30 60 days
 1268  after a change of name, residence address, principal business
 1269  street address, mailing address, contact telephone numbers,
 1270  including a business telephone number, or e-mail address. A
 1271  licensee licensed agent who has moved his or her principal place
 1272  of residence and principal place of business from this state
 1273  shall have his or her license and all appointments immediately
 1274  terminated by the department. Failure to notify the department
 1275  within the required time period shall result in a fine not to
 1276  exceed $250 for the first offense and, for subsequent offenses,
 1277  a fine of at least $500 or suspension or revocation of the
 1278  license pursuant to s. 626.611, s. 626.6115, or s. 626.621, or
 1279  s. 626.6215 for a subsequent offense. The department may adopt
 1280  rules to administer and enforce this section.
 1281         Section 19. Subsection (14) is added to section 626.621,
 1282  Florida Statutes, to read:
 1283         626.621 Grounds for discretionary refusal, suspension, or
 1284  revocation of agent’s, adjuster’s, customer representative’s,
 1285  service representative’s, or managing general agent’s license or
 1286  appointment.—The department may, in its discretion, deny an
 1287  application for, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew or continue
 1288  the license or appointment of any applicant, agent, adjuster,
 1289  customer representative, service representative, or managing
 1290  general agent, and it may suspend or revoke the eligibility to
 1291  hold a license or appointment of any such person, if it finds
 1292  that as to the applicant, licensee, or appointee any one or more
 1293  of the following applicable grounds exist under circumstances
 1294  for which such denial, suspension, revocation, or refusal is not
 1295  mandatory under s. 626.611:
 1296         (14) Failure to comply with any civil, criminal, or
 1297  administrative action taken by the child support enforcement
 1298  program under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C.
 1299  ss. 651 et seq., to determine paternity or to establish, modify,
 1300  enforce, or collect support.
 1301         Section 20. Subsection (4) of section 626.641, Florida
 1302  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1303         626.641 Duration of suspension or revocation.—
 1304         (4) During the period of suspension or revocation of a the
 1305  license or appointment, and until the license is reinstated or,
 1306  if revoked, a new license issued, the former licensee or
 1307  appointee may shall not engage in or attempt or profess to
 1308  engage in any transaction or business for which a license or
 1309  appointment is required under this code or directly or
 1310  indirectly own, control, or be employed in any manner by an any
 1311  insurance agent, or agency, or adjuster, or adjusting firm.
 1312         Section 21. Subsection (1) of section 626.651, Florida
 1313  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1314         626.651 Effect of suspension, revocation upon associated
 1315  licenses and appointments and licensees and appointees.—
 1316         (1) Upon suspension, revocation, or refusal to renew or
 1317  continue any one license of a licensee an agent or customer
 1318  representative, or upon suspension or revocation of eligibility
 1319  to hold a license or appointment, the department shall at the
 1320  same time likewise suspend or revoke all other licenses,
 1321  appointments, or status of eligibility held by the licensee or
 1322  appointee under this code.
 1323         Section 22. Subsection (4) of section 626.730, Florida
 1324  Statutes, is amended, and subsection (5) of that section is
 1325  created, to read:
 1326         626.730 Purpose of license.—
 1327         (4) This section does not prohibit the licensing under a
 1328  licensee holding a limited license for credit insurance or as to
 1329  motor vehicle physical damage and mechanical breakdown insurance
 1330  from being or credit property insurance of any person employed
 1331  by or associated with a motor vehicle sales or financing agency,
 1332  a retail sales establishment, or a consumer loan office for the
 1333  purpose of insuring, other than a consumer loan office owned by
 1334  or affiliated with a financial institution as defined in s.
 1335  655.005, with respect to insurance of the interest of such
 1336  entity agency in a motor vehicle sold or financed by it or in
 1337  personal property if used as collateral for a loan.
 1338         (5) This section does not apply with respect to the
 1339  interest of a real estate mortgagee in or as to insurance
 1340  covering such interest or in the real estate subject to such
 1341  mortgage.
 1342         Section 23. Section 626.732, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1343  to read:
 1344         626.732 Requirement as to knowledge, experience, or
 1345  instruction.—
 1346         (1) Except as provided in subsection (4) (3), an no
 1347  applicant for a license as a general lines agent or personal
 1348  lines agent, except for a chartered property and casualty
 1349  underwriter (CPCU), may not other than as to a limited license
 1350  as to baggage and motor vehicle excess liability insurance,
 1351  credit property insurance, credit insurance, in-transit and
 1352  storage personal property insurance, or communications equipment
 1353  property insurance or communication equipment inland marine
 1354  insurance, shall be qualified or licensed unless, within the 4
 1355  years immediately preceding the date the application for license
 1356  is filed with the department, the applicant has:
 1357         (a) Taught or successfully completed classroom courses in
 1358  insurance, 3 hours of which must shall be on the subject matter
 1359  of ethics, satisfactory to the department at a school, college,
 1360  or extension division thereof, approved by the department. To
 1361  qualify for licensure as a personal lines agent, the applicant
 1362  must complete a total of 52 hours of classroom courses in
 1363  insurance;
 1364         (b) Completed a correspondence course in insurance, 3 hours
 1365  of which must shall be on the subject matter of ethics, which is
 1366  satisfactory to the department and regularly offered by
 1367  accredited institutions of higher learning in this state or
 1368  extensions thereof and approved by the department, and have,
 1369  except if he or she is applying for a limited license under s.
 1370  626.321, for licensure as a general lines agent, has had at
 1371  least 6 months of responsible insurance duties as a
 1372  substantially full-time bona fide employee in all lines of
 1373  property and casualty insurance set forth in the definition of
 1374  general lines agent under s. 626.015 or, for licensure as a
 1375  personal lines agent, has completed at least 3 months in
 1376  responsible insurance duties as a substantially full-time
 1377  employee in property and casualty insurance sold to individuals
 1378  and families for noncommercial purposes;
 1379         (c) For licensure as a general lines agent, Completed at
 1380  least 1 year in responsible insurance duties as a substantially
 1381  full-time bona fide employee in all lines of property and
 1382  casualty insurance, exclusive of aviation and wet marine and
 1383  transportation insurances but not exclusive of boats of less
 1384  than 36 feet in length or aircraft not held out for hire, as set
 1385  forth in the definition of a general lines agent under s.
 1386  626.015, but without the education requirement described
 1387  mentioned in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) or, for licensure as
 1388  a personal lines agent, has completed at least 6 months in
 1389  responsible insurance duties as a substantially full-time
 1390  employee in property and casualty insurance sold to individuals
 1391  and families for noncommercial purposes without the education
 1392  requirement in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b);
 1393         (d)1.For licensure as a general lines agent, Completed at
 1394  least 1 year of responsible insurance duties as a licensed and
 1395  appointed customer representative or limited customer
 1396  representative in commercial or personal lines of property and
 1397  casualty insurance and 40 hours of classroom courses approved by
 1398  the department covering the areas of property, casualty, surety,
 1399  health, and marine insurance; or
 1400         2. For licensure as a personal lines agent, completed at
 1401  least 6 months of responsible duties as a licensed and appointed
 1402  customer representative or limited customer representative in
 1403  property and casualty insurance sold to individuals and families
 1404  for noncommercial purposes and 20 hours of classroom courses
 1405  approved by the department which are related to property and
 1406  casualty insurance sold to individuals and families for
 1407  noncommercial purposes;
 1408         (e)1.For licensure as a general lines agent, Completed at
 1409  least 1 year of responsible insurance duties as a licensed and
 1410  appointed service representative in either commercial or
 1411  personal lines of property and casualty insurance and 80 hours
 1412  of classroom courses approved by the department covering the
 1413  areas of property, casualty, surety, health, and marine
 1414  insurance.; or
 1415         2. For licensure as a personal lines agent, completed at
 1416  least 6 months of responsible insurance duties as a licensed and
 1417  appointed service representative in property and casualty
 1418  insurance sold to individuals and families for noncommercial
 1419  purposes and 40 hours of classroom courses approved by the
 1420  department related to property and casualty insurance sold to
 1421  individuals and families for noncommercial purposes; or
 1422         (2) Except as provided under subsection (4), an applicant
 1423  for a license as a personal lines agent, except for a chartered
 1424  property and casualty underwriter (CPCU), may not be qualified
 1425  or licensed unless, within the 4 years immediately preceding the
 1426  date the application for license is filed with the department,
 1427  the applicant has:
 1428         (a) Taught or successfully completed classroom courses in
 1429  insurance, 3 hours of which must be on the subject matter of
 1430  ethics, at a school, college, or extension division thereof,
 1431  approved by the department. To qualify for licensure, the
 1432  applicant must complete a total of 52 hours of classroom courses
 1433  in insurance;
 1434         (b) Completed a correspondence course in insurance, 3 hours
 1435  of which must be on the subject matter of ethics, which is
 1436  regularly offered by accredited institutions of higher learning
 1437  in this state or extensions thereof and approved by the
 1438  department, and completed at least 3 months of responsible
 1439  insurance duties as a substantially full-time employee in the
 1440  area of property and casualty insurance sold to individuals and
 1441  families for noncommercial purposes;
 1442         (c) Completed at least 6 months of responsible insurance
 1443  duties as a substantially full-time employee in the area of
 1444  property and casualty insurance sold to individuals and families
 1445  for noncommercial purposes, but without the education
 1446  requirement described in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b);
 1447         (d) Completed at least 6 months of responsible duties as a
 1448  licensed and appointed customer representative or limited
 1449  customer representative in property and casualty insurance sold
 1450  to individuals and families for noncommercial purposes and 20
 1451  hours of classroom courses approved by the department which are
 1452  related to property and casualty insurance sold to individuals
 1453  and families for noncommercial purposes;
 1454         (e) Completed at least 6 months of responsible insurance
 1455  duties as a licensed and appointed service representative in
 1456  property and casualty insurance sold to individuals and families
 1457  for noncommercial purposes and 40 hours of classroom courses
 1458  approved by the department related to property and casualty
 1459  insurance sold to individuals and families for noncommercial
 1460  purposes; or
 1461         (f) For licensure as a personal lines agent, Completed at
 1462  least 3 years of responsible duties as a licensed and appointed
 1463  customer representative in property and casualty insurance sold
 1464  to individuals and families for noncommercial purposes.
 1465         (3)(2)If Where an applicant’s qualifications as required
 1466  under subsection (1) or subsection (2) in paragraph (1)(b)or
 1467  paragraph (1)(c) are based in part upon the periods of
 1468  employment in at responsible insurance duties prescribed
 1469  therein, the applicant shall submit with the license application
 1470  for license, on a form prescribed by the department, an the
 1471  affidavit of his or her employer setting forth the period of
 1472  such employment, that the employment same was substantially
 1473  full-time, and giving a brief abstract of the nature of the
 1474  duties performed by the applicant.
 1475         (4)(3) An individual who was or became qualified to sit for
 1476  an agent’s, customer representative’s, or adjuster’s examination
 1477  at or during the time he or she was employed by the department
 1478  or office and who, while so employed, was employed in
 1479  responsible insurance duties as a full-time bona fide employee
 1480  may shall be permitted to take an examination if application for
 1481  such examination is made within 90 days after the date of
 1482  termination of his or her employment with the department or
 1483  office.
 1484         (5)(4) Classroom and correspondence courses under
 1485  subsections (1) and (2) subsection (1) must include instruction
 1486  on the subject matter of unauthorized entities engaging in the
 1487  business of insurance. The scope of the topic of unauthorized
 1488  entities must shall include the Florida Nonprofit Multiple
 1489  Employer Welfare Arrangement Act and the Employee Retirement
 1490  Income Security Act, 29 U.S.C. ss. 1001 et seq., as it relates
 1491  to the provision of health insurance by employers and the
 1492  regulation thereof.
 1493         (6) This section does not apply to an individual holding
 1494  only a limited license for travel insurance, motor vehicle
 1495  rental insurance, credit insurance, in-transit and storage
 1496  personal property insurance, or portable electronics insurance.
 1497         Section 24. Section 626.8411, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1498  to read:
 1499         626.8411 Application of Florida Insurance Code provisions
 1500  to title insurance agents or agencies.—
 1501         (1) The following provisions of part II, as applicable to
 1502  general lines agents or agencies, also apply to title insurance
 1503  agents or agencies:
 1504         (a) Section 626.734, relating to liability of certain
 1505  agents.
 1506         (b) Section 626.175, relating to temporary licenses.
 1507         (b)(c) Section 626.747, relating to branch agencies.
 1508         (c) Section 626.749, relating to place of business in
 1509  residence.
 1510         (d) Section 626.753, relating to sharing of commissions.
 1511         (e) Section 626.754, relating to rights of agent following
 1512  termination of appointment.
 1513         (2) The following provisions of part I do not apply to
 1514  title insurance agents or title insurance agencies:
 1515         (a) Section 626.112(7), relating to licensing of insurance
 1516  agencies.
 1517         (b) Section 626.231, relating to eligibility for
 1518  examination.
 1519         (c) Section 626.572, relating to rebating, when allowed.
 1520         (d) Section 626.172, relating to agent in full-time charge.
 1521         Section 25. Subsection (1) of section 626.8419, Florida
 1522  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1523         626.8419 Appointment of title insurance agency.—
 1524         (1) The title insurer engaging or employing the title
 1525  insurance agency must file with the department, on printed forms
 1526  furnished by the department, an application certifying that the
 1527  proposed title insurance agency meets all of the following
 1528  requirements:
 1529         (a) The agency must have obtained a fidelity bond in an
 1530  amount, not less than $50,000, acceptable to the insurer
 1531  appointing the agency. If a fidelity bond is unavailable
 1532  generally, the department must adopt rules for alternative
 1533  methods to comply with this paragraph.
 1534         (b) The agency must have obtained errors and omissions
 1535  insurance in an amount acceptable to the insurer appointing the
 1536  agency. The amount of the coverage may not be less than $250,000
 1537  per claim and an aggregate limit with a deductible no greater
 1538  than $10,000. If errors and omissions insurance is unavailable
 1539  generally, the department must adopt rules for alternative
 1540  methods to comply with this paragraph.
 1541         (c) Notwithstanding s. 626.8418(2), the agency must have
 1542  obtained a surety bond in an amount not less than $35,000 made
 1543  payable to the title insurer or title insurers appointing the
 1544  agency. The surety bond must be for the benefit of any
 1545  appointing title insurer damaged by a violation by the title
 1546  insurance agency of its contract with the appointing title
 1547  insurer. If the surety bond is payable to multiple title
 1548  insurers, the surety bond must provide that each title insurer
 1549  is to be notified in the event a claim is made upon the surety
 1550  bond or the bond is terminated.
 1551         (d) The surety bond must remain in effect and unimpaired as
 1552  long as the agency is appointed by a title insurer. The agency
 1553  must provide written proof to the appointing title insurer or
 1554  insurers on an annual basis evidencing that the surety bond is
 1555  still in effect and unimpaired.
 1556         (e) A title insurer may not provide the surety bond
 1557  directly or indirectly on behalf of the agency.
 1558         Section 26. Section 626.8548, Florida Statutes, is created
 1559  to read:
 1560         626.8548 “All-lines adjuster” defined.—An “all-lines
 1561  adjuster” is a person who is self-employed or employed by an
 1562  insurer, a wholly owned subsidiary of an insurer, or an
 1563  independent adjusting firm or other independent adjuster, and
 1564  who undertakes on behalf of an insurer or other insurers under
 1565  common control or ownership to ascertain and determine the
 1566  amount of any claim, loss, or damage payable under an insurance
 1567  contract or undertakes to effect settlement of such claim, loss,
 1568  or damage. The term does not apply to life insurance or annuity
 1569  contracts.
 1570         Section 27. Section 626.855, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1571  to read:
 1572         626.855 “Independent adjuster” defined.—An “independent
 1573  adjuster” means a is any person licensed as an all-lines
 1574  adjuster who is self-appointed self-employed or appointed and is
 1575  associated with or employed by an independent adjusting firm or
 1576  other independent adjuster, and who undertakes on behalf of an
 1577  insurer to ascertain and determine the amount of any claim,
 1578  loss, or damage payable under an insurance contract or
 1579  undertakes to effect settlement of such claim, loss, or damage.
 1580         Section 28. Section 626.856, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1581  to read:
 1582         626.856 “Company employee adjuster” defined.—A “company
 1583  employee adjuster” means is a person licensed as an all-lines
 1584  adjuster who is appointed and employed on an insurer’s staff of
 1585  adjusters or a wholly owned subsidiary of the insurer, and who
 1586  undertakes on behalf of such insurer or other insurers under
 1587  common control or ownership to ascertain and determine the
 1588  amount of any claim, loss, or damage payable under a contract of
 1589  insurance, or undertakes to effect settlement of such claim,
 1590  loss, or damage.
 1591         Section 29. Section 626.858, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
 1592         Section 30. Section 626.8584, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1593  to read:
 1594         626.8584 “Nonresident all-lines independent adjuster”
 1595  defined.—A “nonresident all-lines independent adjuster” means is
 1596  a person who:
 1597         (1) Is not a resident of this state;
 1598         (2) Is a currently licensed as an independent adjuster in
 1599  his or her state of residence for all lines of insurance except
 1600  life and annuities the type or kinds of insurance for which the
 1601  licensee intends to adjust claims in this state or, if a
 1602  resident of a state that does not license such independent
 1603  adjusters, meets the qualifications has passed the department’s
 1604  adjuster examination as prescribed in s. 626.8734(1)(b); and
 1605         (3) Is licensed as an all-lines adjuster and self-appointed
 1606  or appointed and a self-employed independent adjuster or
 1607  associated with or employed by an independent adjusting firm or
 1608  other independent adjuster, by an insurer admitted to do
 1609  business in this state or a wholly-owned subsidiary of an
 1610  insurer admitted to do business in this state, or by other
 1611  insurers under the common control or ownership of such insurer.
 1612         Section 31. Section 626.863, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1613  to read:
 1614         626.863 Claims referrals to Licensed independent adjusters
 1615  required; insurers’ responsibility.—
 1616         (1) An insurer may shall not knowingly refer any claim or
 1617  loss for adjustment in this state to any person purporting to be
 1618  or acting as an independent adjuster unless the person is
 1619  currently licensed as an all-lines adjuster and appointed as an
 1620  independent adjuster under this code.
 1621         (2) Before referring any claim or loss, the insurer shall
 1622  ascertain from the department whether the proposed independent
 1623  adjuster is currently licensed as an all-lines adjuster and
 1624  appointed as an independent adjuster such. Having once
 1625  ascertained that a particular person is so licensed and
 1626  appointed, the insurer may assume that he or she will continue
 1627  to be so licensed and appointed until the insurer has knowledge,
 1628  or receives information from the department, to the contrary.
 1629         (3) This section does not apply to catastrophe or emergency
 1630  adjusters as provided for in this part.
 1631         Section 32. Section 626.864, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1632  to read:
 1633         626.864 Adjuster license types.—
 1634         (1) A qualified individual may be licensed and appointed as
 1635  either:
 1636         (a) A public adjuster; or
 1637         (b) An all-lines independent adjuster; or
 1638         (c) A company employee adjuster.
 1639         (2) The same individual may shall not be concurrently
 1640  licensed appointed as a public adjuster and an all-lines
 1641  adjuster to more than one of the adjuster types referred to in
 1642  subsection (1).
 1643         (3) An all-lines adjuster may be appointed as an
 1644  independent adjuster or company employee adjuster, but not both
 1645  concurrently.
 1646         Section 33. Subsection (1) of section 626.865, Florida
 1647  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1648         626.865 Public adjuster’s qualifications, bond.—
 1649         (1) The department shall issue a license to an applicant
 1650  for a public adjuster’s license upon determining that the
 1651  applicant has paid the applicable fees specified in s. 624.501
 1652  and possesses the following qualifications:
 1653         (a) Is a natural person at least 18 years of age.
 1654         (b) Is a United States citizen or legal alien who possesses
 1655  work authorization from the United States Bureau of Citizenship
 1656  and Immigration Services and a bona fide resident of this state.
 1657         (c) Is trustworthy and has such business reputation as
 1658  would reasonably assure that the applicant will conduct his or
 1659  her business as insurance adjuster fairly and in good faith and
 1660  without detriment to the public.
 1661         (d) Has had sufficient experience, training, or instruction
 1662  concerning the adjusting of damages or losses under insurance
 1663  contracts, other than life and annuity contracts, is
 1664  sufficiently informed as to the terms and effects of the
 1665  provisions of those types of insurance contracts, and possesses
 1666  adequate knowledge of the laws of this state relating to such
 1667  contracts as to enable and qualify him or her to engage in the
 1668  business of insurance adjuster fairly and without injury to the
 1669  public or any member thereof with whom the applicant may have
 1670  business as a public adjuster, or has been licensed and employed
 1671  as a resident insurance company adjuster or independent adjuster
 1672  in this state on a continual basis for the past year.
 1673         (e) Is licensed as a public adjuster apprentice under s.
 1674  626.8651 and complies with the requirements of that license
 1675  throughout the licensure period.
 1676         Section 34. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) and subsection
 1677  (7) of section 626.8651, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1678         626.8651 Public adjuster apprentice license;
 1679  qualifications.—
 1680         (1) The department shall issue a license as a public
 1681  adjuster apprentice to an applicant who is:
 1682         (b) A United States citizen or legal alien who possesses
 1683  work authorization from the United States Bureau of Citizenship
 1684  and Immigration Services and is a resident of this state.
 1685         (7) An appointing public adjusting firm may not maintain
 1686  more than 12 public adjuster apprentices simultaneously.
 1687  However, a supervising public adjuster may not be responsible
 1688  for more than three public adjuster apprentices simultaneously
 1689  and shall be accountable for the acts of all public adjuster
 1690  apprentices which are related to transacting business as a
 1691  public adjuster apprentice. This subsection does not apply to a
 1692  public adjusting firm that adjusts claims primarily for
 1693  commercial entities with operations in more than one state and
 1694  that does not directly or indirectly perform adjusting services
 1695  for insurers or individual homeowners.
 1696         Section 35. Section 626.866, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1697  to read:
 1698         626.866 All-lines adjuster Independent adjuster’s
 1699  qualifications.—The department shall issue a license to an
 1700  applicant for an all-lines adjuster independent adjuster’s
 1701  license to an applicant upon determining that the applicable
 1702  license fee specified in s. 624.501 has been paid and that the
 1703  applicant possesses the following qualifications:
 1704         (1) Is a natural person at least 18 years of age.
 1705         (2) Is a United States citizen or legal alien who possesses
 1706  work authorization from the United States Bureau of Citizenship
 1707  and Immigration Services and a bona fide resident of this state.
 1708         (3) Is trustworthy and has such business reputation as
 1709  would reasonably assure that the applicant will conduct his or
 1710  her business as insurance adjuster fairly and in good faith and
 1711  without detriment to the public.
 1712         (4) Has had sufficient experience, training, or instruction
 1713  concerning the adjusting of damage or loss under insurance
 1714  contracts, other than life and annuity contracts, is
 1715  sufficiently informed as to the terms and the effects of the
 1716  provisions of such types of contracts, and possesses adequate
 1717  knowledge of the insurance laws of this state relating to such
 1718  contracts as to enable and qualify him or her to engage in the
 1719  business of insurance adjuster fairly and without injury to the
 1720  public or any member thereof with whom he or she may have
 1721  relations as an insurance adjuster and to adjust all claims in
 1722  accordance with the policy or contract and the insurance laws of
 1723  this state.
 1724         (5) Has passed any required written examination or has met
 1725  one of the exemptions prescribed under s. 626.221.
 1726         Section 36. Section 626.867, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
 1727         Section 37. Section 626.869, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1728  to read:
 1729         626.869 License, adjusters; continuing education.—
 1730         (1) Having An applicant for a license as an all-lines
 1731  adjuster qualifies the licensee to adjust may qualify and his or
 1732  her license when issued may cover adjusting in any one of the
 1733  following classes of insurance:
 1734         (a) all lines of insurance except life and annuities.
 1735         (b) Motor vehicle physical damage insurance.
 1736         (c) Property and casualty insurance.
 1737         (d) Workers’ compensation insurance.
 1738         (e) Health insurance.
 1739  
 1740  No examination on workers’ compensation insurance or health
 1741  insurance shall be required for public adjusters.
 1742         (2) All individuals who on October 1, 1990, hold an
 1743  adjuster’s license and appointment limited to fire and allied
 1744  lines, including marine or casualty or boiler and machinery, may
 1745  remain licensed and appointed under the limited license and may
 1746  renew their appointment, but a no license or appointment that
 1747  which has been terminated, not renewed, suspended, or revoked
 1748  may not shall be reinstated, and no new or additional licenses
 1749  or appointments may not shall be issued.
 1750         (3) All individuals who on October 1, 2012, hold an
 1751  adjuster’s license and appointment limited to motor vehicle
 1752  physical damage and mechanical breakdown, property and casualty,
 1753  workers’ compensation, or health insurance may remain licensed
 1754  and appointed under such limited license and may renew their
 1755  appointment, but a license that has been terminated, suspended,
 1756  or revoked may not be reinstated, and new or additional licenses
 1757  may not be issued. The applicant’s application for license shall
 1758  specify which of the foregoing classes of business the
 1759  application for license is to cover.
 1760         (4)(a)An Any individual holding a license as a public
 1761  adjuster or an all-lines a company employee adjuster must
 1762  complete all continuing education requirements as specified in
 1763  s. 626.2815. or independent adjuster for 24 consecutive months
 1764  or longer must, beginning in his or her birth month and every 2
 1765  years thereafter, have completed 24 hours of courses, 2 hours of
 1766  which relate to ethics, in subjects designed to inform the
 1767  licensee regarding the current insurance laws of this state, so
 1768  as to enable him or her to engage in business as an insurance
 1769  adjuster fairly and without injury to the public and to adjust
 1770  all claims in accordance with the policy or contract and the
 1771  laws of this state.
 1772         (b) Any individual holding a license as a public adjuster
 1773  for 24 consecutive months or longer, beginning in his or her
 1774  birth month and every 2 years thereafter, must have completed 24
 1775  hours of courses, 2 hours of which relate to ethics, in subjects
 1776  designed to inform the licensee regarding the current laws of
 1777  this state pertaining to all lines of insurance other than life
 1778  and annuities, the current laws of this state pertaining to the
 1779  duties and responsibilities of public adjusters as set forth in
 1780  this part, and the current rules of the department applicable to
 1781  public adjusters and standard or representative policy forms
 1782  used by insurers, other than forms for life insurance and
 1783  annuities, so as to enable him or her to engage in business as
 1784  an adjuster fairly and without injury to the public and to
 1785  adjust all claims in accordance with the policy or contract and
 1786  laws of this state. In order to receive credit for continuing
 1787  education courses, public adjusters must take courses that are
 1788  specifically designed for public adjusters and approved by the
 1789  department, provided, however, no continuing education course
 1790  shall be required for public adjusters for workers’ compensation
 1791  insurance or health insurance.
 1792         (c) The department shall adopt rules necessary to implement
 1793  and administer the continuing education requirements of this
 1794  subsection. For good cause shown, the department may grant an
 1795  extension of time during which the requirements imposed by this
 1796  section may be completed, but such extension of time may not
 1797  exceed 1 year.
 1798         (d) A nonresident public adjuster must complete the
 1799  continuing education requirements provided by this section;
 1800  provided, a nonresident public adjuster may meet the
 1801  requirements of this section if the continuing education
 1802  requirements of the nonresident public adjuster’s home state are
 1803  determined to be substantially comparable to the requirements of
 1804  this state’s continuing education requirements and if the
 1805  resident’s state recognizes reciprocity with this state’s
 1806  continuing education requirements. A nonresident public adjuster
 1807  whose home state does not have such continuing education
 1808  requirements for adjusters, and who is not licensed as a
 1809  nonresident adjuster in a state that has continuing education
 1810  requirements and reciprocates with this state, must meet the
 1811  continuing education requirements of this section.
 1812         (5) The regulation of continuing education for licensees,
 1813  course providers, instructors, school officials, and monitor
 1814  groups shall be as provided for in s. 626.2816.
 1815         Section 38. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section
 1816  626.8697, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1817         626.8697 Grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of
 1818  adjusting firm license.—
 1819         (2) The department may, in its discretion, deny, suspend,
 1820  revoke, or refuse to continue the license of any adjusting firm
 1821  if it finds that any of the following applicable grounds exist
 1822  with respect to the firm or any owner, partner, manager,
 1823  director, officer, or other person who is otherwise involved in
 1824  the operation of the firm:
 1825         (c) Violation of an any order or rule of the department,
 1826  office, or commission.
 1827         Section 39. Subsections (1) and (5) of section 626.872,
 1828  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1829         626.872 Temporary license.—
 1830         (1) The department may, in its discretion, issue a
 1831  temporary license as an all-lines independent adjuster or as a
 1832  company employee adjuster, subject to the following conditions:
 1833         (a) The applicant must be an employee of an adjuster
 1834  currently licensed by the department, an employee of an
 1835  authorized insurer, or an employee of an established adjusting
 1836  firm or corporation who which is supervised by a currently
 1837  licensed all-lines independent adjuster.
 1838         (b) The application must be accompanied by a certificate of
 1839  employment and a report as to the applicant’s integrity and
 1840  moral character on a form prescribed by the department and
 1841  executed by the employer.
 1842         (b)(c) The applicant must be a natural person of at least
 1843  18 years of age, must be a bona fide resident of this state,
 1844  must be trustworthy, and must have a such business reputation
 1845  that as would reasonably ensure assure that the applicant will
 1846  conduct his or her business as an adjuster fairly and in good
 1847  faith and without detriment to the public.
 1848         (c)(d) The applicant’s employer is responsible for the
 1849  adjustment acts of the temporary any licensee under this
 1850  section.
 1851         (d)(e) The applicable license fee specified must be paid
 1852  before issuance of the temporary license.
 1853         (e)(f) The temporary license is shall be effective for a
 1854  period of 1 year, but is subject to earlier termination at the
 1855  request of the employer, or if the licensee fails to take an
 1856  examination as an all-lines independent adjuster or company
 1857  employee adjuster within 6 months after issuance of the
 1858  temporary license, or if the temporary license is suspended or
 1859  revoked by the department.
 1860         (5) The department may shall not issue a temporary license
 1861  as an all-lines independent adjuster or as a company employee
 1862  adjuster to an any individual who has ever held such a license
 1863  in this state.
 1864         Section 40. Section 626.873, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
 1865         Section 41. Paragraph (e) of subsection (1) and subsection
 1866  (2) of section 626.8732, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1867         626.8732 Nonresident public adjuster’s qualifications,
 1868  bond.—
 1869         (1) The department shall, upon application therefor, issue
 1870  a license to an applicant for a nonresident public adjuster’s
 1871  license upon determining that the applicant has paid the
 1872  applicable license fees required under s. 624.501 and:
 1873         (e) Has been licensed and employed as a public adjuster in
 1874  the applicant’s state of residence on a continual basis for the
 1875  past year 3 years, or, if the applicant’s state of residence
 1876  does not issue licenses to individuals who act as public
 1877  adjusters, the applicant has been licensed and employed as a
 1878  resident insurance company or independent adjuster, insurance
 1879  agent, insurance broker, or other insurance representative in
 1880  his or her state of residence or any other state on a continual
 1881  basis for the past year 3 years. This paragraph does not apply
 1882  to individuals who are licensed to transact only life insurance
 1883  and annuity business.
 1884         (2) The applicant shall furnish the following with his or
 1885  her application:
 1886         (a) A complete set of his or her fingerprints. The
 1887  applicant’s fingerprints must be certified by an authorized law
 1888  enforcement officer. The department may not authorize an
 1889  applicant to take the required examination or issue a
 1890  nonresident public adjuster’s license to the applicant until the
 1891  department has received a report from the Florida Department of
 1892  Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation relative
 1893  to the existence or nonexistence of a criminal history report
 1894  based on the applicant’s fingerprints.
 1895         (b) If currently licensed as a resident public adjuster in
 1896  the applicant’s state of residence, a certificate or letter of
 1897  authorization from the licensing authority of the applicant’s
 1898  state of residence, stating that the applicant holds a current
 1899  or comparable license to act as a public adjuster and has held
 1900  the license continuously for the past year 3 years. The
 1901  certificate or letter of authorization must be signed by the
 1902  insurance commissioner or his or her deputy or the appropriate
 1903  licensing official and must disclose whether the adjuster has
 1904  ever had any license or eligibility to hold any license
 1905  declined, denied, suspended, revoked, or placed on probation or
 1906  whether an administrative fine or penalty has been levied
 1907  against the adjuster and, if so, the reason for the action.
 1908         (c) If the applicant’s state of residence does not require
 1909  licensure as a public adjuster and the applicant has been
 1910  licensed as a resident insurance adjuster, agent, broker, or
 1911  other insurance representative in his or her state of residence
 1912  or any other state, a certificate or letter of authorization
 1913  from the licensing authority stating that the applicant holds or
 1914  has held a license to act as such an insurance adjuster, agent,
 1915  or other insurance representative and has held the license
 1916  continuously for the past year 3 years. The certificate or
 1917  letter of authorization must be signed by the insurance
 1918  commissioner or his or her deputy or the appropriate licensing
 1919  official and must disclose whether or not the adjuster, agent,
 1920  or other insurance representative has ever had any license or
 1921  eligibility to hold any license declined, denied, suspended,
 1922  revoked, or placed on probation or whether an administrative
 1923  fine or penalty has been levied against the adjuster and, if so,
 1924  the reason for the action.
 1925         Section 42. Section 626.8734, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1926  to read:
 1927         626.8734  Nonresident all-lines adjuster license
 1928  independent adjuster’s qualifications.—
 1929         (1) The department shall, upon application therefor, issue
 1930  a license to an applicant for a nonresident all-lines adjuster
 1931  independent adjuster’s license upon determining that the
 1932  applicant has paid the applicable license fees required under s.
 1933  624.501 and:
 1934         (a) Is a natural person at least 18 years of age.
 1935         (b) Has passed to the satisfaction of the department a
 1936  written Florida all-lines adjuster independent adjuster’s
 1937  examination of the scope prescribed in s. 626.241(6); however,
 1938  the requirement for the examination does not apply to any of the
 1939  following:
 1940         1. An applicant who is licensed as an all-lines a resident
 1941  independent adjuster in his or her home state if of residence
 1942  when that state has entered into requires the passing of a
 1943  written examination in order to obtain the license and a
 1944  reciprocal agreement with the appropriate official of that state
 1945  has been entered into by the department; or
 1946         2. An applicant who is licensed as a nonresident all-lines
 1947  independent adjuster in a state other than his or her home state
 1948  of residence when the state of licensure requires the passing of
 1949  a written examination in order to obtain the license and a
 1950  reciprocal agreement with the appropriate official of the state
 1951  of licensure has been entered into with by the department.
 1952         (c) Is licensed as an all-lines adjuster and is self
 1953  appointed, or appointed and employed by an independent adjusting
 1954  firm or other independent adjuster, or is an employee of an
 1955  insurer admitted to do business in this state, a wholly owned
 1956  subsidiary of an insurer admitted to business in this state, or
 1957  other insurers under the common control or ownership of such
 1958  insurers self-employed or associated with or employed by an
 1959  independent adjusting firm or other independent adjuster.
 1960  Applicants licensed as nonresident all-lines independent
 1961  adjusters under this section must be appointed as an independent
 1962  adjuster or company employee adjuster such in accordance with
 1963  the provisions of ss. 626.112 and 626.451. Appointment fees as
 1964  in the amount specified in s. 624.501 must be paid to the
 1965  department in advance. The appointment of a nonresident
 1966  independent adjuster continues shall continue in force until
 1967  suspended, revoked, or otherwise terminated, but is subject to
 1968  biennial renewal or continuation by the licensee in accordance
 1969  with procedures prescribed in s. 626.381 for licensees in
 1970  general.
 1971         (d) Is trustworthy and has such business reputation as
 1972  would reasonably ensure assure that he or she will conduct his
 1973  or her business as a nonresident all-lines independent adjuster
 1974  fairly and in good faith and without detriment to the public.
 1975         (e) Has had sufficient experience, training, or instruction
 1976  concerning the adjusting of damages or losses under insurance
 1977  contracts, other than life and annuity contracts; is
 1978  sufficiently informed as to the terms and effects of the
 1979  provisions of those types of insurance contracts; and possesses
 1980  adequate knowledge of the laws of this state relating to such
 1981  contracts as to enable and qualify him or her to engage in the
 1982  business of insurance adjuster fairly and without injury to the
 1983  public or any member thereof with whom he or she may have
 1984  business as an all-lines independent adjuster.
 1985         (2) The applicant must shall furnish the following with his
 1986  or her application:
 1987         (a) A complete set of his or her fingerprints. The
 1988  applicant’s fingerprints must be certified by an authorized law
 1989  enforcement officer.
 1990         (b) If currently licensed as an all-lines a resident
 1991  independent adjuster in the applicant’s home state of residence,
 1992  a certificate or letter of authorization from the licensing
 1993  authority of the applicant’s home state of residence, stating
 1994  that the applicant holds a current license to act as an all
 1995  lines independent adjuster. The Such certificate or letter of
 1996  authorization must be signed by the insurance commissioner, or
 1997  his or her deputy or the appropriate licensing official, and
 1998  must disclose whether the adjuster has ever had a any license or
 1999  eligibility to hold any license declined, denied, suspended,
 2000  revoked, or placed on probation or whether an administrative
 2001  fine or penalty has been levied against the adjuster and, if so,
 2002  the reason for the action. Such certificate or letter is not
 2003  required if the nonresident applicant’s licensing status can be
 2004  verified through the Producer Database maintained by the
 2005  National Association of Insurance Commissioners, its affiliates,
 2006  or subsidiaries.
 2007         (c) If the applicant’s home state of residence does not
 2008  require licensure as an all-lines independent adjuster and the
 2009  applicant has been licensed as a resident insurance adjuster,
 2010  agent, broker, or other insurance representative in his or her
 2011  home state of residence or any other state within the past 3
 2012  years, a certificate or letter of authorization from the
 2013  licensing authority stating that the applicant holds or has held
 2014  a license to act as an insurance adjuster, agent, or other
 2015  insurance representative. The certificate or letter of
 2016  authorization must be signed by the insurance commissioner, or
 2017  his or her deputy or the appropriate licensing official, and
 2018  must disclose whether the adjuster, agent, or other insurance
 2019  representative has ever had a any license or eligibility to hold
 2020  any license declined, denied, suspended, revoked, or placed on
 2021  probation or whether an administrative fine or penalty has been
 2022  levied against the adjuster and, if so, the reason for the
 2023  action. Such certificate or letter is not required if the
 2024  nonresident applicant’s licensing status can be verified through
 2025  the Producer Database maintained by the National Association of
 2026  Insurance Commissioners, its affiliates, or subsidiaries.
 2027         (3) The usual and customary records pertaining to
 2028  transactions under the license of a nonresident all-lines
 2029  independent adjuster must be retained for at least 3 years after
 2030  completion of the adjustment and must be made available in this
 2031  state to the department upon request. The failure of a
 2032  nonresident all-lines independent adjuster to properly maintain
 2033  records and make them available to the department upon request
 2034  constitutes grounds for the immediate suspension of the license
 2035  issued under this section.
 2036         (4) After licensure as a nonresident independent adjuster,
 2037  As a condition of doing business in this state as a nonresident
 2038  independent adjuster, the appointee must licensee must annually
 2039  on or before January 1, on a form prescribed by the department,
 2040  submit an affidavit to the department certifying that the
 2041  licensee is familiar with and understands the insurance laws and
 2042  administrative rules of this state and the provisions of the
 2043  contracts negotiated or to be negotiated. Compliance with this
 2044  filing requirement is a condition precedent to the issuance,
 2045  continuation, reinstatement, or renewal of a nonresident
 2046  independent adjuster’s appointment.
 2047         Section 43. Section 626.8736, Florida Statutes, is amended
 2048  to read:
 2049         626.8736 Nonresident independent or public adjusters;
 2050  service of process.—
 2051         (1) Each licensed nonresident independent or public
 2052  adjuster or all-lines adjuster appointed as an independent
 2053  adjuster shall appoint the Chief Financial Officer and his or
 2054  her successors in office as his or her attorney to receive
 2055  service of legal process issued against such the nonresident
 2056  independent or public adjuster in this state, upon causes of
 2057  action arising within this state out of transactions under his
 2058  license and appointment. Service upon the Chief Financial
 2059  Officer as attorney constitutes shall constitute effective legal
 2060  service upon the nonresident independent or public adjuster.
 2061         (2) The appointment of the Chief Financial Officer for
 2062  service of process is shall be irrevocable for as long as there
 2063  could be any cause of action against the nonresident independent
 2064  or public adjuster or all-lines adjuster appointed as an
 2065  independent adjuster arising out of his or her insurance
 2066  transactions in this state.
 2067         (3) Duplicate copies of legal process against the
 2068  nonresident independent or public adjuster or all-lines adjuster
 2069  appointed as an independent adjuster shall be served upon the
 2070  Chief Financial Officer by a person competent to serve a
 2071  summons.
 2072         (4) Upon receiving the service, the Chief Financial Officer
 2073  shall forthwith send one of the copies of the process, by
 2074  registered mail with return receipt requested, to the defendant
 2075  nonresident independent or public adjuster or all-lines adjuster
 2076  appointed as an independent adjuster at his or her last address
 2077  of record with the department.
 2078         (5) The Chief Financial Officer shall keep a record of the
 2079  day and hour of service upon him or her of all legal process
 2080  received under this section.
 2081         Section 44. Subsection (1) of section 626.874, Florida
 2082  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2083         626.874 Catastrophe or emergency adjusters.—
 2084         (1) In the event of a catastrophe or emergency, the
 2085  department may issue a license, for the purposes and under the
 2086  conditions which it shall fix and for the period of emergency as
 2087  it shall determine, to persons who are residents or nonresidents
 2088  of this state, who are at least 18 years of age, who are United
 2089  States citizens or legal aliens who possess work authorization
 2090  from the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration
 2091  Services, and who are not licensed adjusters under this part but
 2092  who have been designated and certified to it as qualified to act
 2093  as adjusters by all-lines independent resident adjusters, or by
 2094  an authorized insurer, or by a licensed general lines agent to
 2095  adjust claims, losses, or damages under policies or contracts of
 2096  insurance issued by such insurers. The fee for the license is
 2097  shall be as provided in s. 624.501(12)(c).
 2098         Section 45. Subsection (1) of section 626.875, Florida
 2099  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2100         626.875 Office and records.—
 2101         (1) Each appointed Every licensed independent adjuster and
 2102  every licensed public adjuster must shall have and maintain in
 2103  this state a place of business in this state which is accessible
 2104  to the public and keep therein the usual and customary records
 2105  pertaining to transactions under the license. This provision
 2106  does shall not be deemed to prohibit maintenance of such an
 2107  office in the home of the licensee.
 2108         Section 46. Section 626.876, Florida Statutes, is amended
 2109  to read:
 2110         626.876 Exclusive employment; public adjusters, independent
 2111  adjusters.—
 2112         (1) An No individual licensed and appointed as a public
 2113  adjuster may not shall be so employed during the same period by
 2114  more than one public adjuster or public adjuster firm or
 2115  corporation.
 2116         (2) An No individual licensed as an all-lines adjuster and
 2117  appointed as an independent adjuster may not shall be so
 2118  employed during the same period by more than one independent
 2119  adjuster or independent adjuster firm or corporation.
 2120         Section 47. Subsection (2) of section 626.8796, Florida
 2121  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2122         626.8796 Public adjuster contracts; fraud statement.—
 2123         (2) A public adjuster contract relating to a property and
 2124  casualty claim must contain the full name, permanent business
 2125  address, and license number of the public adjuster; the full
 2126  name of the public adjusting firm; and the insured’s full name
 2127  and street address, together with a brief description of the
 2128  loss. The contract must state the percentage of compensation for
 2129  the public adjuster’s services; the type of claim, including an
 2130  emergency claim, nonemergency claim, or supplemental claim; the
 2131  signatures of the public adjuster and all named insureds; and
 2132  the signature date. If all of the named insureds’ signatures are
 2133  not available, the public adjuster must submit an affidavit
 2134  signed by the available named insureds attesting that they have
 2135  authority to enter into the contract and settle all claim issues
 2136  on behalf of the named insureds. An unaltered copy of the
 2137  executed contract must be remitted to the insurer within 30 days
 2138  after execution. A public adjusting firm that adjusts claims
 2139  primarily for commercial entities with operations in more than
 2140  one state and that does not directly or indirectly perform
 2141  adjusting services for insurers or individual homeowners is
 2142  deemed to comply with the requirements of this subsection if, at
 2143  the time a proof of loss is submitted, the public adjusting firm
 2144  remits to the insurer an affidavit signed by the public adjuster
 2145  or public adjuster apprentice that identifies:
 2146         (a) The full name, permanent business address, and license
 2147  number of the public adjuster or public adjuster apprentice.
 2148         (b) The full name of the public adjusting firm.
 2149         (c) The insured’s full name and street address, together
 2150  with a brief description of the loss.
 2151         (d) An attestation that the compensation for public
 2152  adjusting services will not exceed the limitations provided by
 2153  law.
 2154         (e) The type of claim, including an emergency claim,
 2155  nonemergency claim, or supplemental claim.
 2156         Section 48. Subsections (5), (6), and (7) of section
 2157  626.927, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 2158         626.927 Licensing of surplus lines agent.—
 2159         (5) The applicant must file and thereafter maintain the
 2160  bond as required under s. 626.928.
 2161         (5)(6) Examinations as to surplus lines, as required under
 2162  subsections (1) and (2), are shall be subject to the provisions
 2163  of part I as applicable to applicants for licenses in general.
 2164  No such examination shall be required as to persons who held a
 2165  Florida surplus lines agent’s license as of January 1, 1959,
 2166  except when examinations subsequent to issuance of an initial
 2167  license are provided for in general under part I.
 2168         (6)(7)An Any individual who has been licensed by the
 2169  department as a surplus lines agent as provided in this section
 2170  may be subsequently appointed without additional written
 2171  examination if his or her application for appointment is filed
 2172  with the department within 48 months after next following the
 2173  date of cancellation or expiration of the prior appointment. The
 2174  department may, in its discretion, require an any individual to
 2175  take and successfully pass an examination as for original
 2176  issuance of license as a condition precedent to the
 2177  reinstatement or continuation of the licensee’s current license
 2178  or reinstatement or continuation of the licensee’s appointment.
 2179         Section 49. Section 626.928, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
 2180         Section 50. Section 626.933, Florida Statutes, is amended
 2181  to read:
 2182         626.933 Collection of tax and service fee.—If the tax or
 2183  service fee payable by a surplus lines agent under the this
 2184  Surplus Lines Law is not so paid within the time prescribed, it
 2185  the same shall be recoverable in a suit brought by the
 2186  department against the surplus lines agent and the surety or
 2187  sureties on the bond filed by the surplus lines agent under s.
 2188  626.928. The department may authorize the Florida Surplus Lines
 2189  Service Office to file suit on its behalf. All costs and
 2190  expenses incurred in a suit brought by the office which are not
 2191  recoverable from the agent or surety shall be borne by the
 2192  office.
 2193         Section 51. Subsection (1) of section 626.935, Florida
 2194  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2195         626.935 Suspension, revocation, or refusal of surplus lines
 2196  agent’s license.—
 2197         (1) The department shall deny an application for, suspend,
 2198  revoke, or refuse to renew the appointment of a surplus lines
 2199  agent and all other licenses and appointments held by the
 2200  licensee under this code, on upon any of the following grounds:
 2201         (a) Removal of the licensee’s office from the licensee’s
 2202  state of residence.
 2203         (b) Removal of the accounts and records of his or her
 2204  surplus lines business from this state or the licensee’s state
 2205  of residence during the period when such accounts and records
 2206  are required to be maintained under s. 626.930.
 2207         (c) Closure of the licensee’s office for a period of more
 2208  than 30 consecutive days.
 2209         (d) Failure to make and file his or her affidavit or
 2210  reports when due as required by s. 626.931.
 2211         (e) Failure to pay the tax or service fee on surplus lines
 2212  premiums, as provided for in the this Surplus Lines Law.
 2213         (f) Failure to maintain the bond as required by s. 626.928.
 2214         (f)(g) Suspension, revocation, or refusal to renew or
 2215  continue the license or appointment as a general lines agent,
 2216  service representative, or managing general agent.
 2217         (g)(h) Lack of qualifications as for an original surplus
 2218  lines agent’s license.
 2219         (h)(i) Violation of this Surplus Lines Law.
 2220         (i)(j) For any other applicable cause for which the license
 2221  of a general lines agent could be suspended, revoked, or refused
 2222  under s. 626.611 or s. 626.621.
 2223         Section 52. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
 2224  627.952, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 2225         627.952 Risk retention and purchasing group agents.—
 2226         (1) Any person offering, soliciting, selling, purchasing,
 2227  administering, or otherwise servicing insurance contracts,
 2228  certificates, or agreements for any purchasing group or risk
 2229  retention group to any resident of this state, either directly
 2230  or indirectly, by the use of mail, advertising, or other means
 2231  of communication, shall obtain a license and appointment to act
 2232  as a resident general lines agent, if a resident of this state,
 2233  or a nonresident general lines agent if not a resident. Any such
 2234  person shall be subject to all requirements of the Florida
 2235  Insurance Code.
 2236         (b) Any person required to be licensed and appointed under
 2237  by this subsection, in order to place business through Florida
 2238  eligible surplus lines carriers, must shall, if a resident of
 2239  this state, be licensed and appointed as a surplus lines agent.
 2240  Any such person, If not a resident of this state, such person
 2241  must shall be licensed and appointed as a surplus lines agent in
 2242  her or his state of residence and shall file and thereafter
 2243  maintain a fidelity bond in favor of the people of the State of
 2244  Florida executed by a surety company admitted in this state and
 2245  payable to the State of Florida; provided, however, any
 2246  activities carried out by such nonresident is pursuant to this
 2247  part shall be limited to the provision of insurance for
 2248  purchasing groups. The bond must shall be continuous in form and
 2249  maintained in the amount of not less than $50,000, aggregate
 2250  liability set out in s. 626.928. The bond must shall remain in
 2251  force and effect until the surety is released from liability by
 2252  the department or until the bond is canceled by the surety. The
 2253  surety may cancel the bond and be released from further
 2254  liability thereunder upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the
 2255  department. The cancellation does shall not affect any liability
 2256  incurred or accrued thereunder before the termination of the 30
 2257  day period. Upon receipt of a notice of cancellation, the
 2258  department shall immediately notify the agent.
 2259         Section 53. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 635.051,
 2260  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 2261         635.051 Licensing and appointment of mortgage guaranty
 2262  insurance agents.—
 2263         (1) Effective October 1, 2012, a person may not transact
 2264  mortgage guaranty insurance unless licensed and appointed as a
 2265  credit insurance agent in accordance with the applicable
 2266  provisions of the insurance code. Mortgage guaranty licenses
 2267  held by persons on October 1, 2012, shall be transferred to a
 2268  credit insurance agent license. Persons who wish to obtain a new
 2269  license identification card that reflects this change must
 2270  submit the $5 fee as prescribed in s. 624.501(15). Agents of
 2271  mortgage guaranty insurers shall be licensed and appointed and
 2272  shall be subject to the same qualifications and requirements
 2273  applicable to general lines agents under the laws of this state,
 2274  except that:
 2275         (a) Particular preliminary specialized education or
 2276  training is not required of an applicant for such an agent’s
 2277  license, and continuing education is not required for renewal of
 2278  the agent’s appointment if, as part of the application for
 2279  license and appointment, the insurer guarantees that the
 2280  applicant will receive the necessary training to enable him or
 2281  her properly to hold himself or herself out to the public as a
 2282  mortgage guaranty insurance agent and if the department, in its
 2283  discretion, accepts such guaranty;
 2284         (b) The agent’s license and appointment shall be a limited
 2285  license, limited to the handling of mortgage guaranty insurance
 2286  only; and
 2287         (c) An examination may be required of an applicant for such
 2288  a license if the insurer fails to provide the guaranty described
 2289  in paragraph (a).
 2290         (2) Any general lines agent licensed under chapter 626 is
 2291  qualified to represent a mortgage guaranty insurer without
 2292  additional licensure examination.
 2293         Section 54. Subsection (1) of section 648.34, Florida
 2294  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2295         648.34 Bail bond agents; qualifications.—
 2296         (1) An application for licensure as a bail bond agent must
 2297  be submitted on forms prescribed by the department. The
 2298  application must include the applicant’s full name; date of
 2299  birth; social security number; residence, business, and mailing
 2300  addresses; contact telephone numbers, including a business
 2301  telephone number; and e-mail address.
 2302         Section 55. Subsection (2) of section 648.38, Florida
 2303  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2304         648.38 Licensure examination for bail bond agents; time;
 2305  place; fees; scope.—
 2306         (2) The department or a person designated by the department
 2307  shall provide mail written notice of the time and place of the
 2308  examination to each applicant for licensure required to take an
 2309  examination who will be eligible to take the examination as of
 2310  the examination date. The notice shall be e-mailed so mailed,
 2311  postage prepaid, and addressed to the applicant at the e-mail
 2312  his or her address shown on his or her application for licensure
 2313  or at such other address as requested by the applicant in
 2314  writing filed with the department prior to the mailing of the
 2315  notice. Notice shall be deemed given when so mailed.
 2316         Section 56. Section 648.385, Florida Statutes, is amended
 2317  to read:
 2318         648.385 Continuing education required; application;
 2319  exceptions; requirements; penalties.—
 2320         (1) The purpose of this section is to establish
 2321  requirements and standards for continuing education courses for
 2322  persons authorized to write bail bonds in this state.
 2323         (2)(a) Each person subject to the provisions of this
 2324  chapter must complete a minimum of 14 hours of continuing
 2325  education courses every 2 years as specified in s. 626.2815 in
 2326  courses approved by the department. Compliance with continuing
 2327  education requirements is a condition precedent to the issuance,
 2328  continuation, or renewal of any appointment subject to the
 2329  provisions of this chapter.
 2330         (b) A person teaching any approved course of instruction or
 2331  lecturing at any approved seminar and attending the entire
 2332  course or seminar shall qualify for the same number of classroom
 2333  hours as would be granted to a person taking and successfully
 2334  completing such course, seminar, or program. Credit shall be
 2335  limited to the number of hours actually taught unless a person
 2336  attends the entire course or seminar.
 2337         (c) For good cause shown, the department may grant an
 2338  extension of time during which the requirements imposed by this
 2339  section may be completed, but such extension of time may not
 2340  exceed 1 year.
 2341         (3)(a) Any bail-related course developed or sponsored by
 2342  any authorized insurer or recognized bail bond agents’
 2343  association, or any independent study program of instruction,
 2344  subject to approval by the department, qualifies for the
 2345  equivalency of the number of classroom hours assigned to such
 2346  course by the department. However, unless otherwise provided in
 2347  this section, continuing education credit may not be credited
 2348  toward meeting the requirements of this section unless the
 2349  course is provided by classroom instruction or results in a
 2350  monitored examination.
 2351         (b) Each person or entity sponsoring a course for
 2352  continuing education credit must furnish, within 30 days after
 2353  completion of the course, in a form satisfactory to the
 2354  department or its designee, a written and certified roster
 2355  showing the name and license number of all persons successfully
 2356  completing such course and requesting credit, accompanied by the
 2357  required fee. The department shall refuse to issue, continue, or
 2358  renew the appointment of any bail bond agent who has not had the
 2359  continuing education requirements certified unless the agent has
 2360  been granted an extension by the department.
 2361         Section 57. Section 648.421, Florida Statutes, is amended
 2362  to read:
 2363         648.421 Notice of change of address or telephone number.
 2364  Each licensee under this chapter shall notify in writing the
 2365  department, insurer, managing general agent, and the clerk of
 2366  each court in which the licensee is registered within 10 working
 2367  days after a change in the licensee’s principal business address
 2368  or telephone number. The licensee shall also notify the
 2369  department within 10 working days after a change of the name,
 2370  address, or telephone number of each agency or firm for which he
 2371  or she writes bonds and any change in the licensee’s name, home
 2372  address, e-mail address, or telephone number.
 2373         Section 58. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
 2374  act, this act shall take effect October 1, 2012.
 2375  
 2376  ================= T I T L E  A M E N D M E N T ================
 2377         And the title is amended as follows:
 2378         Delete everything before the enacting clause
 2379  and insert:
 2380                        A bill to be entitled                      
 2381         An act relating to insurance agents and adjusters;
 2382         amending s. 626.015, F.S.; revising the definitions of
 2383         “adjuster” and “home state”; amending s. 626.0428,
 2384         F.S.; revising provisions relating to who may bind
 2385         insurance coverage; amending s. 626.171, F.S.;
 2386         providing that an applicant is responsible for the
 2387         information in an application even if completed by a
 2388         third party; requiring an application to include a
 2389         statement about the method used to meet certain
 2390         requirements; amending s. 626.191, F.S.; revising
 2391         provisions relating to when an applicant may apply for
 2392         a license after an initial application is denied by
 2393         the Department of Financial Services; amending s.
 2394         626.221, F.S.; revising provisions relating to license
 2395         examinations; conforming provisions relating to all
 2396         lines adjusters; deleting an exemption from
 2397         examination for certain adjusters; amending s.
 2398         626.231, F.S.; providing for submitting an application
 2399         for examination on a designee’s website; amending s.
 2400         626.241, F.S.; revising the scope of the examination
 2401         for an all-lines adjuster; amending s. 626.251, F.S.;
 2402         providing for e-mailing notices of examinations;
 2403         amending s. 626.281, F.S.; specifying how many times
 2404         an applicant may take an examination during a year;
 2405         amending s. 626.2815, F.S.; revising provisions
 2406         relating to continuing education requirements;
 2407         providing that persons on active military duty may
 2408         seek a waiver; providing for an update course and the
 2409         contents of such course; deleting requirements
 2410         relating specifically to certain types of insurance;
 2411         providing education requirements for bail bond agents
 2412         and public adjusters; eliminating the continuing
 2413         education advisory board; amending s. 626.292, F.S.;
 2414         conforming provisions to changes made by the act
 2415         relating to all-lines adjusters; amending s. 626.311,
 2416         F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act
 2417         relating to limited licenses; amending s. 626.321,
 2418         F.S.; revising provisions relating to limited
 2419         licenses; prohibiting the future issuance of new
 2420         limited licenses for motor vehicle physical damage and
 2421         mechanical breakdown insurance; combining limited
 2422         licenses relating to credit insurance; specifying
 2423         events covered by crop hail and multiple-peril crop
 2424         insurance; revising in-transit and storage personal
 2425         property insurance to create a limited license for
 2426         portable electronics insurance; amending s. 626.342,
 2427         F.S.; clarifying that the prohibition relating to the
 2428         furnishing of supplies to unlicensed agents applies to
 2429         all unlicensed agents; amending s. 626.381, F.S.;
 2430         revising provisions relating to the reporting of
 2431         administrative actions; amending s. 626.536, F.S.;
 2432         clarifying requirements for reporting administrative
 2433         actions taken against a licensee; amending s. 626.551,
 2434         F.S.; shortening the time within which a licensee must
 2435         report to the department a change in certain
 2436         information; authorizing the Department of Financial
 2437         Services to adopt rules relating to notification of a
 2438         change of address; amending s. 626.621, F.S.; adding
 2439         failure to comply with child support requirements as
 2440         grounds for action against a license; amending s.
 2441         626.641, F.S.; clarifying provisions relating to the
 2442         suspension or revocation of a license or appointment;
 2443         amending s. 626.651, F.S.; revising provisions
 2444         relating to the suspension or revocation of licenses;
 2445         amending ss. 626.730 and 626.732, F.S.; revising
 2446         provisions relating to the purpose of the general
 2447         lines and personal lines license and certain
 2448         requirements related to general lines and personal
 2449         lines agents; conforming provisions to changes made by
 2450         the act relating to limited licenses; amending s.
 2451         626.8411, F.S.; revising requirements and exemptions
 2452         relating to title insurance agents or agencies;
 2453         amending s. 626.8419, F.S.; requiring title insurance
 2454         agencies to obtain surety bonds payable to appointing
 2455         title insurers under certain circumstances; providing
 2456         that such surety bonds must require notification of
 2457         title insurers under certain circumstances; requiring
 2458         title insurance agencies to periodically provide
 2459         certain evidence relating to surety bonds; restricting
 2460         title insurers from providing surety bonds under
 2461         certain circumstances; creating s. 626.8548, F.S.;
 2462         defining the term “all-lines adjuster”; amending s.
 2463         626.855, F.S.; revising the definition of “independent
 2464         adjuster”; amending s. 626.856, F.S.; revising the
 2465         definition of “company employee adjuster”; repealing
 2466         s. 626.858, F.S., relating to defining “nonresident
 2467         company employee adjuster”; amending s. 626.8584,
 2468         F.S.; revising the definition of “nonresident all
 2469         lines adjuster”; amending s. 626.863, F.S.; conforming
 2470         provisions to changes made by the act relating to all
 2471         lines adjusters; amending s. 626.864, F.S.; revising
 2472         provisions relating to adjuster license types;
 2473         amending s. 626.865, F.S.; deleting the requirement
 2474         that an applicant for public adjuster be a resident of
 2475         the state; requiring an applicant for public adjuster
 2476         to be licensed as a public adjuster apprentice;
 2477         amending s. 626.8651, F.S.; deleting the requirement
 2478         that an applicant for public adjuster apprentice be a
 2479         resident of the state; providing that a limitation on
 2480         the number of public adjuster apprentices does not
 2481         apply to a public adjusting firm that adjusts claims
 2482         exclusively for institutions that service or guarantee
 2483         mortgages; amending s. 626.866, F.S.; conforming
 2484         provisions to changes made by the act relating to all
 2485         lines adjusters; repealing s. 626.867, F.S., relating
 2486         to qualifications for company employee adjusters;
 2487         amending s. 626.869, F.S.; revising provisions
 2488         relating to an all-lines adjuster license; ceasing the
 2489         issuance of certain adjuster licenses; revising
 2490         continuing education requirements; amending s.
 2491         626.8697, F.S.; revising provisions relating to the
 2492         violation of rules resulting in the suspension or
 2493         revocation of an adjuster’s license; amending s.
 2494         626.872, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made
 2495         by the act relating to all-lines adjusters; repealing
 2496         s. 626.873, F.S., relating to licensure for
 2497         nonresident company employee adjusters; amending s.
 2498         626.8732, F.S.; revising the requirements for
 2499         nonresident public adjuster licensure; amending s.
 2500         626.8734, F.S.; amending provisions relating to
 2501         nonresident all-lines adjusters; providing for
 2502         verifying an applicant’s status through the National
 2503         Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Producer
 2504         Database; amending ss. 626.8736, 626.874, 626.875, and
 2505         626.876, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made
 2506         by the act relating to all-lines adjusters; amending
 2507         s. 626.8796, F.S.; requiring a public adjusting firm
 2508         that adjusts claims exclusively for institutions that
 2509         guarantee or service mortgages to provide an affidavit
 2510         to an insurer with certain information; amending s.
 2511         626.927, F.S.; deleting a requirement that a licensed
 2512         surplus lines agent maintain a bond; repealing s.
 2513         626.928, F.S., relating to a surplus lines agent’s
 2514         bond; amending ss. 626.933, 626.935, and 627.952,
 2515         F.S.; conforming cross-references; amending s.
 2516         635.051, F.S.; requiring persons transacting mortgage
 2517         guaranty insurance to be licensed and appointed as a
 2518         credit insurance agent; amending s. 648.34, F.S.;
 2519         requiring application information for bail bond
 2520         agents; amending s. 648.38, F.S.; revising the notice
 2521         of examination requirements for bail bond agents;
 2522         amending s. 648.385, F.S.; revising continuing
 2523         education courses for bail bond agents, to conform to
 2524         changes made by the act; amending s. 648.421, F.S.;
 2525         requiring a bail bond agent to provide notification of
 2526         a change in his or her e-mail address; providing
 2527         effective dates.