An Act to Amend the Mame Insurance Code as It Relates to Pet Insurance
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 0290
Committee Amendment CA_A_H201 (House)
Amends: 24-A MRSA §3156

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " A " to HP 188, L D 290, "An Act to Amend the 
Mame Insurance Code as It Relates to Pet Insurance" 
Amend the bill by stnkmg out everythmg after the enactmg clause and msertmg the 
followmg 
'Sec. 1. 24-A MRSA §3156, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2021, c 562, § 1, is amended 
to read 
2. Waiting periods. An msurer may issue a pet msurance pohcy that imposes a 
wrutmg period upon effectuation of the pohcy m accordance with subsection 2-A as long 
as that waitmg period does not exceed 3 0 days for illnesses or orthopedic conditions not 
resultmg from an accident A waitmg period for illnesses or orthopedic conditions resultmg 
from an accident is prohibited An msurer may not impose a waitmg period on the renewal 
of existmg coverage An msurer imposmg a waitmg period as permitted by this subsection 
shall mclude a prov1S1on m the pet msurance pohcy contract that allows the waitmg pet 10d 
to be waived upon complet10n of a medical exammation An msurer may require the 
exammation to be conducted by a licensed vetermarian after the purchase of the pohcy A 
medical examinat10n conducted pursuant to this subsection must be paid for by the 
policyholder, unless the pohcy specifies that the insurer will pay for the exammatlon An 
msurer may specify elements to be mcluded as part of the exammation and requue 
documentation of the elements, as long as the specifications do not unreasonably restrict a 
consumer's abihty to waive the wa1tmg period 
Sec, 2. 24-A MRSA §3156, sub-§2-A is enacted to read 
0 
2-A. Effectuation date. An msurer shall 1Ssue coverage to be effective by 12 01 a m 
on the 2nd calendar day after purchase of a pet msurance pohcy subject to the followmg 
exceptions 
A If an msurer elects to conduct mdividuahzed underwntmg on a specific pet, pet 
msurance coverage must be effective by 12 01 a.m on the 2nd calendar day after the 
S 
insurer has determmed that the pet is eligible for coverage. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~ 
ce 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A 
.. to HP 188, L D 290 
B An msurer may delay pet msurance coverage fi om becommg effective m order to 
establish a method for a consumer or group administrator to pay the premmm 
C 
For pet msurance coverage acqmred by a consumer through an employer or 
organization. the coverage effective date of the pet msurance may be delayed to ahgn 
with the ehgibihty and effective date reqmrements of the employer's or organization's 
benefit plan 
D If a pohcy does not include a waiting period for an illness or orthopedic condition. 
an msurer may set a pohcy effectuat10n date that 1s up to 15 calendar days after 
purchase. as long as the pohcy effectuation date is clearly disclosed and no premium is 
charged before the pohcy becomes effective ' 
Amend the bill by relettermg or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or sect10n 
number to read consecutively 
SUMMARY 
This amendment is the minority report of the committee and replaces the bill The 
amendment sets forth the condit10ns for a pet insurance provider to determine a pohcy 
effectuat10n date 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT