Licensed health care providers would be unable to contact those injured in automobile accidents, unless they clearly provide their names and the clinics where they work.
Rep. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka) and Sen. Paul Gazelka (R-Brainerd) sponsor
HF2749/
SF2342* that would require this information to be disclosed to consumers. Violating the statute could result in license revocation.
Passed 128-0 by the House April 25, the bill awaits action by Gov. Mark Dayton. It passed 63-0 in the Senate March 27.
Abeler explained that the bill would impact companies that may promise specific financial damages to those injured, or use actors posing as law enforcement to attract customers.
“When you get these people in a room for this topic, they are most comfortable sitting at the perimeter looking in, because they are so uncomfortable about what might happen to them,” he said.
While he was hoping the legislation would expand to address areas like treatment guidelines and fee schedules, Abeler said he was pleased with the bill.
“I hope this is the beginning to working together in this area. This has been hard-fought.”