Sep. 20, 2022
HARRISBURG – Legislation to combat cybercrime within Pennsylvania’s insurance industry and help protect consumers passed unanimously in the House of Representatives on Monday, said Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna), prime sponsor of the measure.
House Bill 2499, otherwise known as the Pennsylvania Insurance Data Security Act, would establish standards to mitigate the potential damage of an insurance data breach and protect consumers’ personal information from cybersecurity events.
“No industry is immune to the rise in cybercrime, which is why I sponsored this proposal,” said Pickett. “House Bill 2499 adopts uniform data security standards, investigation and notification requirements in collaboration with the Insurance Department to better protect consumers’ personal and private information from a potential insurance data breach. This bill also updates current company law to protect costly and disruptive regulations while maintaining national accreditation standards.”
Specifically, every insurer based in the Commonwealth would be required to submit an annual written statement to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department certifying that the insurer complies with the risk assessment, information security program and oversight portions of the act. In addition, if an insurer learns that a cybersecurity event has or may have occurred, the insurer or an outside vendor and/or service provider shall conduct a prompt investigation and notify the insurance commissioner within five business days from a determination that a cybersecurity event has occurred.
At least 18 other states have adopted similar legislation based on recommendations from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. House Bill 2499 will next be considered by the Senate.
Pickett currently serves as majority chairman of the House Insurance Committee.
To view of download a broadcast-quality video of Pickett’s comments in support of the bill, visit here.
Representative Tina Pickett
110th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andy Briggs
717-260-6474
abriggs@pahousegop.com
RepPickett.com /
Facebook.com/RepPickett