(a) The commissioner may order the creation of an unincorporated, not-for-profit, temporary joint underwriting association for liability insurance, constituting a legal entity separate and distinct from all its members. The purpose of the association shall be to provide a market for liability insurance on a self-supporting basis, without subsidy from association members.
(b) If the commissioner determines after a public hearing that liability insurance for long-term health care facilities, residential care facilities for the elderly, or physicians who provide or oversee the provision of services to residents in long-term health care facilities or residential care facilities for the elderly is readily available through the voluntary market, the association created pursuant to subdivision (a) shall cease its underwriting operations.
(c) The commissioner may develop appropriate standards and regulations to implement the joint underwriting association authorized by this section.
(Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 899, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2004.)