Service contracts entered into prior to January 1, 1998, and renewals thereof, may but are not required to comply with this chapter. Providers and other persons are not required to comply with this chapter until January 1, 1998. A provider or other person may, but is not required to, implement the requirements of this chapter prior to January 1, 1998. The failure of a provider or other person to comply with this chapter or otherwise to administer a service contract plan, in the manner required by this chapter prior to January 1, 1998, shall not be admissible in any court, arbitration, or alternative dispute resolution proceedings or otherwise used to prove that the action of any person or the service contract was unlawful or otherwise improper.