An Act to Create a Liaison Program to Self-insured Entities and
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1470
Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
Sponsors: POIRIER
Amends: 24-A MRSA §238

Legislative Document
No. 1470
H.P. 962
House of Representatives, April 3, 2025
An Act to Create a Liaison Program to Self-insured Entities and 
Consumers
Reference to the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services 
suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative POIRIER of Skowhegan.
Cosponsored by Representatives: FAULKINGHAM of Winter Harbor, FOLEY of Wells, 
MORRIS of Turner, Senator: HAGGAN of Penobscot.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  24-A MRSA §238 is enacted to read:
§238.  Consumer assistance related to coverage and claims for reimbursement from 
self-insured entity
1.  Self-insured entity defined.  For the purposes of this section, "self-insured entity" 
means an employer or other entity that assumes the financial risk of potential loss in lieu 
of purchasing an insurance policy for health, worker's compensation, property, automobile 
or general liability coverage from an insurer authorized to transact insurance in this State 
pursuant to this Title.  
2.  Liaison program.  The bureau shall establish a liaison program, referred to in this 
section as "the program," to provide assistance to consumers related to coverage and claims 
for reimbursements from a self-insured entity as set forth in this section.
3.  Duties.  The duties of the program include:
A.  Providing information to consumers on how to contact the program for assistance 
through the bureau's publicly accessible website and through a toll-free number;
B.  Providing information to consumers on the bureau's publicly accessible website 
regarding state and federal laws, rules and regulations for self-insurance and the rights 
and responsibilities of consumers related to coverage and claims for reimbursements 
from a self-insured entity; 
C.  Assisting consumers with inquiries and complaints related to coverage and claims 
for reimbursements from a self-insured entity, including referral to an appropriate 
regulatory authority, if any; and
D.  Acting as a liaison between consumers, regulatory authorities and self-insured 
entities to facilitate the resolution of complaints.
4.  Consumer complaint process.  The bureau shall establish a process to receive 
complaints from consumers regarding coverage or reimbursement of claims from a self-
insured entity. 
5.  Confidentiality.  Complaints, records and correspondence relating to the program 
are confidential to the same extent as complaints, records and correspondence relating to 
consumer complaints are confidential under section 216.
6.  Procedures for data collection.  The bureau may establish procedures for 
collecting, tracking and quantifying requests for assistance and complaints.
7.  Aggregate information.  The bureau shall compile and publish aggregate 
information regarding complaints received under subsection 4 on its publicly accessible 
website.
8.  Staffing resources.  The bureau may consider staffing resources and any limitations 
on those resources when establishing guidelines regarding the assistance provided through 
the program and complaint process.
9.  Rules.  The bureau may adopt rules to implement this section.  Rules adopted 
pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, 
subchapter 2‑A.
10.  No legal representation.  This section does not authorize the bureau to act as a 
legal representative of a consumer in any manner through the program or complaint 
process.
SUMMARY
This bill directs the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of 
Insurance to establish a liaison program, including a complaint process, to provide 
assistance to consumers seeking coverage or reimbursement of claims from a self-insured 
entity.