00                             SENATE BILL NO. 280                                                                         
01 "An Act relating to approval of insurance policy forms or associated materials in                                       
02 foreign languages, and providing that the English version of policy forms or associated                                 
03 materials is the official version if certain conditions are met."                                                       
04 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
05    * Section 1. AS 21.42 is amended by adding a new section to read:                                                  
06            Sec. 21.42.175. Foreign language translations. (a) The director may approve                                
07       an insurance policy form or associated material in a language other than English if the                           
08       insurance policy form or associated material                                                                      
09                 (1)  is provided along with a copy of the same material in English; and                                 
10                 (2)  discloses, in both English and the language other than English, that                               
11       the English language version is the official version and the foreign language version is                          
12       for informational purposes only.                                                                                  
13            (b)  The English language version of an insurance policy form or associated                                  
14       material shall be the official version for purposes of application and interpretation if                          
01       the insurance policy form or associated material                                                                  
02                 (1)  is provided along with a copy of the same material in English; and                                 
03                 (2)  discloses, in both English and the language other than English, that                               
04       the English language version is the official version and the foreign language version is                          
05       for informational purposes only.                                                                                  
06            (c)  An insurer that knowingly misrepresents information in an insurance                                     
07       policy form or associated material translated into a language other than English is                               
08       subject to the general penalty for violations of this title under AS 21.90.020.