Montana § 33-16-1035 - Penalties -- Suspension Of License

§ 33-16-1035. Penalties -- Suspension Of License

Penalties -- suspension of license. (1) The commissioner may impose upon a person or organization that violates 33-16-1020 through 33-16-1023 or 33-16-1025 through 33-16-1036 a penalty of not more than $500 for each violation. (2) If the commissioner determines that the violation is willful, the commissioner may impose a penalty of not more than $1,000 for each violation in addition to any other penalty provided by law. (3) The commissioner may suspend the license of an insurer or an advisory organization that fails to comply with any order within the time set by the order or extension granted by the commissioner. The commissioner may not suspend a license for failure to comply with an order until the time prescribed for appeal from the order has expired or, if appealed, until the order has been affirmed. The commissioner may determine the period of a suspension, which remains in effect for the period unless modified or rescinded or until the order upon which the suspension is based is modified, rescinded, or reversed. (4) Unless a consent decree has been entered, a penalty may not be imposed nor may a license be suspended or revoked unless the commissioner, following a hearing, issues a written order with findings of fact. The hearing must be held at least 10 days after written notice to the person or organization specifying the alleged violation. (5) A party aggrieved by an order or decision of the commissioner may, within 30 days after receiving the commissioner's notice, make a written request for a hearing.