SB 974 Summary

• Requires the California Health Benefit Exchange board to allow applicants to indicate whether they want assistance from a certified insurance agent or certified enrollment counselor when applying for health care coverage, without unreasonable delay.

• Prohibits the Exchange from disclosing personal information obtained from applications to certified insurance agents or certified enrollment counselors until the applicant has been given the opportunity to indicate their preference for assistance.

• Prohibits disclosure of personal information to agents or counselors if the applicant indicates they do not want assistance, with an exception allowing information sharing with the same agent or counselor of record who assisted with an existing application.

• Defines "personal information" as specified in Section 1798.3 of the Civil Code and applies to information obtained from health care coverage applications.

• Declares the act an urgency statute taking effect immediately to protect applicant privacy rights through the Exchange.