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Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Reid Hartzoge/Amy Fulk
Date: August 9, 2001 Phone: (919) 733-5612/733-6854
GOV. EASLEY SIGNS NEW PRIVACY LAW TO PROTECT CONSUMERS
Senate Bill 641 Will Limit Insurers From Sharing Customer Information
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today signed into law a new privacy act that gives North Carolina some of the strongest consumer protection laws in the country. Bill sponsors Sen. Allen Wellons, Sen. David Weinstein and Sen. Cal Cunningham were present for the signing.
“Consumers have the right to know whether the businesses they use are making money at the expense of their privacy,” Easley said. “North Carolinians should feel relieved to know their personal insurance information will be kept confidential.”
The new law – sponsored by Sen. Wellons, chairman of the Senate’s consumer protection committee – limits insurance companies or agents from sharing their clients’ personal information without their permission. Under the law:
♦ Insurance companies or agents cannot share their customers’ bank account or credit card numbers with other businesses for marketing purposes;
♦ Consumers’ medical records cannot be disclosed for marketing purposes unless the customer grants permission, and
♦ Insurance companies must send annual notices to customers that spell out what kind of personal information the companies have on file, as well as company policies about disclosing that information.
The law also protects homeowners who pay for mortgage guaranty insurance, even though the homeowner is not an insured person under the policy.
Wellons said that as technology continues to advance and make it easier to share and disseminate information, it is important to make sure consumer protections keep pace.
“New technologies make it a snap for other people to gain access to your private information,” Wellons said. “We need to make sure that progress and privacy go hand in hand so consumers can have the peace of mind they deserve.”
###
Object Description
| Title | Easley, Michael. Press Release, 2001-08-09, Gov. Easley Signs New Privacy Law To Protect Consumers |
| Other Title | 2001-08-09, Gov. Easley Signs New Privacy Law To Protect Consumers |
| Creator |
North Carolina. Office of the Governor Easley, Michael F., 1950- |
| Date | 2001-08-09 |
| Subjects |
Easley, Michael F., 1950- Governors--North Carolina Press releases--North Carolina |
| Time Period | (1990-current) Contemporary |
| Description | RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today signed into law a new privacy act that gives North Carolina some of the strongest consumer protection laws in the country. Bill sponsors Sen. Allen Wellons, Sen. David Weinstein and Sen. Cal Cunningham were present for the signing. |
| Collection | Michael F. Easley. Governors' Papers. State Archives of North Carolina |
| Type | Text |
| Format | Press releases |
| Digital Collection | Governors Papers, Modern |
| Digital Format | application/pdf |
Description
| Title | Page 1 |
| Full Text | Michael F. Easley Governor State of North Carolina Office of the Governor Governor's Press Office State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001 (919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005 FAX (919) 733-5166 For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Reid Hartzoge/Amy Fulk Date: August 9, 2001 Phone: (919) 733-5612/733-6854 GOV. EASLEY SIGNS NEW PRIVACY LAW TO PROTECT CONSUMERS Senate Bill 641 Will Limit Insurers From Sharing Customer Information RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today signed into law a new privacy act that gives North Carolina some of the strongest consumer protection laws in the country. Bill sponsors Sen. Allen Wellons, Sen. David Weinstein and Sen. Cal Cunningham were present for the signing. “Consumers have the right to know whether the businesses they use are making money at the expense of their privacy,” Easley said. “North Carolinians should feel relieved to know their personal insurance information will be kept confidential.” The new law – sponsored by Sen. Wellons, chairman of the Senate’s consumer protection committee – limits insurance companies or agents from sharing their clients’ personal information without their permission. Under the law: ♦ Insurance companies or agents cannot share their customers’ bank account or credit card numbers with other businesses for marketing purposes; ♦ Consumers’ medical records cannot be disclosed for marketing purposes unless the customer grants permission, and ♦ Insurance companies must send annual notices to customers that spell out what kind of personal information the companies have on file, as well as company policies about disclosing that information. The law also protects homeowners who pay for mortgage guaranty insurance, even though the homeowner is not an insured person under the policy. Wellons said that as technology continues to advance and make it easier to share and disseminate information, it is important to make sure consumer protections keep pace. “New technologies make it a snap for other people to gain access to your private information,” Wellons said. “We need to make sure that progress and privacy go hand in hand so consumers can have the peace of mind they deserve.” ### |