The bill seeks to amend the General Laws in Chapters 27-4 and 27-4.8 to prevent discrimination against individuals with a prescription for an opioid antagonist when they apply for life insurance coverage. It prohibits life insurance companies from denying coverage or setting different policy conditions based solely on the individual's prescription for an opioid antagonist. The term "opioid antagonist" replaces the specific reference to "the drug naloxone," broadening the scope of the protection. The bill also states that if coverage is denied in violation of these provisions, the denial is void, and the insurer must reconsider the application as if coverage had been granted from the start.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies that group life insurance policies must adhere to certain descriptions and that the term "employees" may include a variety of individuals associated with the employer, such as retired or former employees and directors. It allows for the premium to be paid by either the employer or the insured employees, or both. While insurers can still exclude or limit coverage based on individual insurability, they cannot do so solely because a person has a prescription for an opioid antagonist. The bill also details the requirements for policies issued to creditors to insure debtors and the conditions for insurance payout. The amendments aim to ensure that a prescription for an opioid antagonist is not used as the sole factor for exclusion or limitation in group life insurance policies, and the bill would take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
7719: 27-4-1.1, 27-4.8-1