BILL NUMBER: S661
SPONSOR: GIANARIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to prohibiting the impo-
sition of different rates for premiums for the provision of disability
insurance
 
PURPOSE:
To remove gender discrimination from disability insurance premium rates
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill amends the insurance law, adding a new § 3215-a
to prohibit insurance companies from charging different rates for disa-
bility insurance on the basis of gender.
Section two of the bill sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Gender discrimination is currently not only allowed, but also standard
practice for disability insurance rates. New York was ahead of its time
in preventing health insurance companies from charging different rates,
a provision of law later included in Obamacare. The same logic for
health insurance premiums should also apply to disability insurance. As
a result, this legislation would make it cheaper for businesses to hire
women. Accordingly, this bill is essential as New York does everything
it can to protect women and promote equality.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S450 (Gianaris) PASSED SENATE / A3781 (Glick) died in insurance
2023: S450 (Gianaris) PASSED SENATE / A3781 (Glick) died in insurance
2022: S1187-A (Gianaris) PASSED SENATE / A6642-A (Glick) died in insur-
ance
2021: S1187 (Gianaris) PASSED SENATE / A6642 (Glick) died in insurance
2020: S3664-B (Gianaris) PASSED SENATE / A3024-B (Glick) died ininsur-
ance
2019: S3664-A (Gianaris) PASSED SENATE / A3024-A (Glick) died in insur-
ance
2018: S7416 (Gianaris) died in Insurance / A9595 (Glick) died in insur-
ance
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding one
year after it shall have become a law, and shall apply to policies and
contracts issued, renewed, modified, altered or amended on or after such
date.