BILL NUMBER: S9179
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the insurance law, relating to prohibiting insurance
discrimination on the basis of an insured's marital status following the
death of the insured's spouse
 
PURPOSE: Prohibits insurance discrimination on the basis of an
insured's marital status following the death of the insured's spouse
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends section 2607 of the insurance law of subpart D of part
J of chapter 57 of the laws of 2019, to prohibit insurance companies
from discriminating against applicants or policyholders on the basis of
sex, marital status, or sexual stereotyping. Insurers cannot refuse to
issue, cancel, decline to renew, limit coverage, or charge different
rates because of an individual's sex, marital status, or widowhood. The
protections extend to all types of insurance, including property, casu-
alty, homeowner's, renter's, and automobile insurance.
Section 2: Sets effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This legislation will prohibit insurance companies from discriminating
against individuals based on their marital status following the death of
a spouse. Commonly referred to as the "widow penalty," such practices
unfairly increase premiums, limit coverage, or refuse renewal for
widowed policyholders. This legislation ensures that surviving spouses
have equitable access to insurance coverage, including property, casual-
ty, homeowner's, renter's, and automobile insurance, thereby protecting
vulnerable households from financial hardship and promoting fairness in
the insurance market.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first day of January next Succeeding
the date on which it shall have become a law and shall apply to any
policy issued, delivered, renewed, and/or modified on or after the
effective date of this act.

Statutes affected:
S9179: 2607 insurance law