It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 27-41-12 of the General Laws in Chapter 27-41 entitled "Health Maintenance Organization" is hereby amended to read as follows:

27-41-12. Investments. -- With the exception of investments made in accordance with section 27-41-5(a)(1) and (a)(2) and section 27-41-5(b), the investable funds of a health maintenance organization shall {ADD may ADD} be invested only in the following {ADD investments and such other investments that the director authorizes by regulation ADD} :

(1) Governmental securities. -- (i) {ADD Obligations of the United States. ADD} In bonds, notes, certificates, bills, or other obligations, or any part thereof, issued, assumed, insured or guaranteed in whole or in part by the United States;

(ii) {ADD Obligations of agencies and instrumentalities of the United States. ADD} (A) In bonds, notes, certificates, bills, or other obligations, or any part thereof, issued, assumed, insured, or guaranteed in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by any agency or instrumentality of the United States, now or hereafter established, expressly including herein, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following:

(I) Federal national mortgage association;

(II) Public housing association;

(III) Federal land banks;

(IV) Federal home loan banks;

(V) Federal intermediate credit banks; and

(VI) Banks for cooperatives;

(B) As used in this subsection, the phrase "any agency or instrumentality of the United States" shall include any persons, agents, agencies, sub-agents or subagencies, divisions, banks, corporations, commissioners, commissions, administrators, administrations, bureaus, boards, or other instrumentalities established by, or under the authority of, the president or the congress of the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof, or to whom the authority to issue, insure, or guarantee stocks, bonds, securities, or other obligations has been delegated by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof;

(2) State and municipal securities. --

The following securities are permitted investments for a health maintenance organization provided that:(A) These securities on the date of purchase are eligible for amortization in accordance with rules and guidelines of the securities valuation office of the national association of insurance commissioners;(B) These securities, on the date of purchase, have a rating of at least an A as established by Moody's investors service, inc. In the event that the Moody's bond ratings are no longer published by Moody's investors service, inc., or in the event that the director determines that the Moody's bond ratings as published by Moody's investors service, inc., are no longer appropriate for the determination of state and municipal bond investments, than an alternative method for the determination of permissible state and municipal bond investments, which is adopted by regulation promulgated by the director, may be established:

(i) {ADD Obligations of the state of Rhode Island. ADD} In bonds, notes, certificates, or other obligations issued, assumed, insured, or guaranteed, as to payment of principal and interest, in whole by the state of Rhode Island;

(ii) {ADD Obligations of other states and territories. ADD} In bonds, notes, certificates, or other obligations issued, assumed, insured, or guaranteed, as to payment of principal and interest in whole by any other state or territory of the United States, including the territory designated as the commonwealth of Puerto Rico;

(iii) {ADD Obligations of political subdivisions of the state of Rhode Island. ADD} In bonds, notes, certificates, or other obligations issued, assumed or guaranteed, as to payment of principal and interest by any county, city, town, incorporated village, district, department, agency, commission, authority, or other political subdivision of the state of Rhode Island; and

(iv) {ADD Obligations of political subdivisions of other states. ADD} In bonds, notes, certificates, or other obligations issued, assumed, or guaranteed, as to payment of principal and interest by any county, city, town, incorporated village, district, department, agency, commission, authority, or other political subdivision of any other state of the United States;

(3) {ADD Deposits in banks and trust companies. ADD} Those deposits must be in insured financial institutions that are members of the federal reserve system or eligible to act as reserve agents as defined in section 19-7-6;

(4) {ADD Commercial paper. ADD} In commercial paper purchased in the open market maturing in twelve (12) months or less of an individual, firm, or corporation whose business is principally in the United States, provided:

(i) That the paper carries one (1) of the top three (3) ratings of a recognized credit agency satisfactory to the director of business regulation;

(ii) That the paper ninety (90) days prior to maturity would qualify as eligible for rediscount with a federal reserve bank; and

(iii) That a recent statement of assets, liabilities, and operations duly certified by a certified public accountant showing a satisfactory credit position is on file with the health maintenance organization; and

(5) Bonds, except those of a parent, provided that:

(i) Those bonds on the date of purchase are eligible for amortization in accordance with rules and guidelines of the securities valuation office of the national association of insurance commissioners, and

(ii) Those bonds on the date of purchase have a rating of at least an A, as established by Moody's investors service, inc.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.