§18. Suspension or revocation of insurers' licenses; fines; orders

            A. The commissioner of insurance may, as a penalty, in accordance with R.S. 49:977.3, refuse to renew, or may suspend or revoke, the certificate of authority or license of any insurer, person, or entity violating any of the provisions of this Code, or in lieu of suspension or revocation of a certificate or license duly issued, the commissioner may levy a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars for each violation per insurer, person, or entity, up to one hundred thousand dollars aggregate for all violations in a calendar year per insurer, person, or entity, when such violations warrant the refusal, suspension, or revocation of such certificate or license, or the imposition of the fine. The commissioner is also authorized to order any insurer, person, or entity to cease and desist any such action that violates any provision of this Code. An aggrieved party affected by the commissioner's decision, act, or order may demand a hearing in accordance with Chapter 12 of this Title, R.S. 22:2191 et seq. If the insurer has demanded a timely hearing, the penalty or fine ordered by the commissioner shall not be imposed until such time as the division of administrative law makes a finding that the penalty or fine is warranted in a proper hearing held in the manner provided in Chapter 12 of this Title.

            B. The commissioner may deny, refuse to renew, suspend, or revoke any certificate of authority of any health insurer that writes a limited benefit line of health insurance or otherwise issues a health policy in the same limited benefit line in the state or for a citizen of the state within five years after it has ceased to write such limited benefit line of health insurance in the state. A limited benefit line of health insurance means a specified form of health benefit coverage as defined in R.S. 22:47(2)(c).

            Acts 1958, No. 125. Amended by Acts 1964, No. 147, §1; Acts 1991, No. 517, §1; Acts 1993, No. 663, §2, eff. June 16, 1993; Redesignated from R.S. 22:1457 by Acts 2008, No. 415, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 317, §1; Acts 2009, No. 503, §1; Acts 2012, No. 319, §1.