33-20-1302. Definitions. As used in this part, unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply:
     (1) (a) "Viatical settlement broker" means an individual who, for a fee, commission, or other consideration:
     (i) offers or advertises the availability of viatical settlement contracts;
     (ii) introduces holders of life insurance policies or certificates insuring the lives of individuals with a terminal illness or condition to viatical settlement providers; or
     (iii) offers or attempts to negotiate viatical settlement contracts between the policyholders or certificate holders and one or more viatical settlement providers.
     (b) Viatical settlement broker does not mean an attorney, accountant, or financial planner retained to represent the policyholder or certificate holder unless compensation paid to the attorney, accountant, or consultant is paid by the viatical settlement provider.
     (2) "Viatical settlement contract" means a written agreement between a viatical settlement provider and the holder of a group or individual life insurance policy insuring the life of an individual with a terminal illness or condition or between a viatical settlement provider and the certificate holder of a policy in which:
     (a) the terms establish that the viatical settlement provider pays something of value in return for the policyholder's or certificate holder's assignment, transfer, sale, devise, or bequest of the death benefit or ownership of the insurance policy or certificate to the viatical settlement provider; and
     (b) the policyholder or certificate holder holds an irrevocable right under the policy or certificate to name the beneficiary.
     (3) (a) "Viatical settlement provider" means a person who solicits, enters into, or negotiates viatical settlement contracts or offers to enter into or negotiate viatical settlement contracts.
     (b) A viatical settlement provider may use the term "life settlement provider" to describe the business transacted under the license and may use the term "life settlement contract" instead of "viatical settlement contract".
     (c) Viatical settlement provider does not mean:
     (i) a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, credit union, or other licensed lending institution that takes an assignment of a life insurance policy only as collateral for a loan;
     (ii) an insurer issuing a life insurance policy providing accelerated benefits pursuant to 33-20-127 or pursuant to the laws of the state to which the policy was subject when issued;
     (iii) an individual who enters into a single agreement in a calendar year for the transfer of life insurance policies for any value less than the expected death benefit; or
     (iv) any corporation, partnership, or partner that purchases a life insurance contract of an employee or retiree of the corporation or of a partner. The settlement made on any contract exempt under this section must be reasonable and subject to the standards imposed on licensees under 33-20-1304.

     History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 298, L. 1997.