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New Jersey permits electronic applications for temporary resident insurance producer licenses
On August 3, the New Jersey issued Bulletin No. 20-28, which permits qualified individual applicants seeking a temporary resident insurance producer license in New Jersey to submit the application for licensure electronically through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). Applicants also have the option of submitting paper applications in lieu of filing an application electronically. The guidance sets forth the qualifications for licensure and procedures to apply for a temporary insurance producer license. It also specifies the electronic application procedures through NIPR and the applicable timelines.
New Jersey Bureau of Securities begins annual examinations of investment advisors
On June 12, the New Jersey Bureau of Securities, within the Office of the Attorney General Division of Consumer Affairs, announced that its annual investment adviser examinations are underway. This year’s examination will include questions asking investment adviser firms, among other things, about the impact of Covid-19 on operations and the steps taken to protect senior investors. The examination intends to survey the impact Covid-19 has had on investment advisers and to assess their business continuity plans.
New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance extends no-action position regarding temporary work from home
On May 28, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance issued Bulletin No. 20-26 to certain licensees regarding temporarily working from home due to Covid-19. The bulletin extends the department’s no-action position regarding licensure for certain branch office locations due to individuals temporarily working from home first announced in Bulletin No 20-06 (covered here). The no-action position is only effective with a submission that includes specified materials and may be subject to pre-conditions and operating, reporting, and other requirements. Licensees who have already submitted materials to the department in response to Bulletin No. 20-06 are not required to resubmit those materials.
New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance issues bulletin regarding reductions in premiums
On May 12, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance issued Bulletin No. 20-22 to certain insurance-related entities, including licensed, admitted, and surplus lines insurers transacting property and casualty insurance in New Jersey. In light of the reduced risk of loss for certain insurance as a result of Covid-19, the bulletin requires premium reductions for those lines of insurance. Where applicable, insurers are ordered to make an initial premium refund or other adjustment to adversely impacted New Jersey policy-holders, and for each month that the public health emergency is in effect. Instructions are provided for submitting the components of the refund program via the System for Electronic Rates and Forms Filing. Insurers that can demonstrate that their rates are not excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, or that otherwise contend they should not be subject to the terms of the bulletin, may submit the basis for this position and supporting documentation by June 1, 2020.
New Jersey Department of Banking extends filing deadlines for certain annual reports
On May 12, the New Jersey Department of Banking Insurance issued a bulletin regarding the extension of deadlines for certain entities and individual regulated by the Division of Banking to file annual reports. Certain enumerated licensees, including check cashers, insurance premium finance companies, motor vehicle installment sellers, and money transmitters, are granted an extension until June 1 to file annual reports. However, licensees must file their subsequent annual report by April 1, 2021. Mortgage lenders and mortgage brokers who are required to file an annual report on or before May 1, are also granted an extension to June 1. The next annual report must be filed by May 1, 2021.
New Jersey governor issues an executive order to provide short-term support for renters
On April 24, the New Jersey governor issued an executive order allowing tenants to request that their landlords use their security deposits to offset or pay back rent. The order is effective immediately and will be in place until 60 days after the public health emergency has terminated.
New Jersey regulator extends license application deadlines
On April 23, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance extended the deadline for license and registration applications under New Jersey’s Mortgage Servicers Licensing Act to June 12, 2020. Persons required to seek licensure under the act include entities that are in the business of servicing residential mortgage loans, and which are not already licensed as residential mortgage lenders and entities licensed as residential mortgage lenders or correspondent residential mortgage lenders conducting business in New Jersey.
States offer relief to student loan borrowers not covered by CARES Act
On April 23 and 21, nine states announced a multi-state initiative to provide student loan relief options for borrowers with privately held student loans not covered by the CARES Act. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, and Washington outlined within their announcements specific measures for borrowers with commercially-owned Federal Family Education Loan Program loans and borrowers with private student loans who are struggling to make payments due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The announcements also noted that Virginia is participating in the initiative as well. These relief options, offered in conjunction with the listed private student loan servicers, include (i) a minimum 90-days of forbearance relief; (ii) a waiver of late fees; (iii) no negative credit reporting; (iv) a 90-day moratorium on collection lawsuits; and (v) enrollment in applicable borrower assistance programs, such as income-based repayment. The states cautioned that enrollment in these relief options is not automatic, and recommended borrowers contact their student loan servicer to see what options best suit their needs.
In addition, California, Colorado, Connecticut, New Jersey, Vermont, and Washington recommended that regulated student loan servicers with limited ability to take these actions due to investor restrictions or contractual obligations “should instead proactively work with loan holders whenever possible to relax those restrictions or obligations.”
New Jersey passes legislation permitting remote notarization during state of emergency
On April 14, New Jersey passed legislation permitting remote notarization using communication technology for the duration of the public health emergency and state of emergency, provided certain requirements stipulated in the legislation are met.
New Jersey mandates 90-day grace period for insurance policyholders
On April 10, the New Jersey Department of Business and Insurance issued Bulletin 20-17 directing insurance premium finance companies to provide a 90-day grace period to pay insurance premiums to any clients experiencing a financial hardship due to Covid-19. In addition, the bulletin directs companies to (i) waive late payment fees, finance charges, and delinquency charges and not report late payments to credit rating agencies; (ii) allow payments not paid during the 90-day period to be paid over 12 months or the remainder of the policy term, whichever is longer; and (iii) ensure that late payments are not considered in future premium calculations.