The bill seeks to amend the General Laws in chapters related to life insurance policies to prevent discrimination against individuals who have been prescribed an opioid antagonist. It replaces the specific term "naloxone" with the broader "an opioid antagonist as defined in § 16-21-35(a)" to extend protections. Life insurance companies would be prohibited from denying coverage or discriminating based solely on the possession, prescription, or purchase of an opioid antagonist, unless they have additional actuarial justification. If a coverage denial occurs in violation of this provision, the insurer must reconsider the application, provide coverage retroactively, and cannot include exclusions or limitations in group life insurance policies based solely on a prescription for an opioid antagonist.

The bill's changes apply to life insurance policies issued to trusts, associations, or credit unions for their members or employees, and it specifies that the payment of premiums can come from various sources. The bill emphasizes that no person eligible for coverage can be excluded just because they have a prescription for an opioid antagonist. The bill is intended to take effect immediately upon passage, reflecting the urgency of addressing discrimination in life insurance policies for individuals carrying opioid antagonists. The Legislative Council's explanation highlights the goal of updating terminology to encompass all opioid antagonists, not just naloxone, within the chapters regulating life insurance policies and group life insurance policies.

Statutes affected:
2982: 27-4-1.1, 27-4.8-1