Connecticut Insurance and Real Estate Committee raises 18 bill concepts, approves two sets by voice and roll call

Co-chair George Cabrera opened the committee's first meeting of the session and said the panel intended to "have a very robust conversation about the various issues that affect health." Co-chair Representative Kerry Wood outlined an initial package of 18 bill concepts the committee will consider, and the group approved two motions to formally "raise" (move forward) subsets of those concepts for drafting and public hearing.

The committee's nut graf: Members described the items as high-level concepts rather than final bills, and directed staff and the Office of Legislative Research to develop language and arrange public hearings. The concepts the committee previewed include changes to auto physical-damage arbitration, flood-insurance outreach and coverage options, safe-driving course eligibility, flex-rating oversight for auto insurers, assignment-of-benefits practices for roofing claims after storms, law-enforcement behavioral-health assessments and HIPAA protections, volunteer firefighter insurance language, transfer-on-death deeds for real property, and broader insurance…