The bill amends Sections 27-18-25, 27-19-75, and 27-20-71 of the General Laws in Rhode Island to enhance protections against unfair discrimination in health-benefit plans. It introduces new definitions for "health-benefit plan" and "healthcare entity," and explicitly prohibits discrimination based on actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin (including language), sex (including sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions), age, disability, or any combination thereof. The legislation ensures that individuals cannot be excluded from participation in, denied benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any health-benefit plan for these reasons.

Additionally, the bill outlines specific prohibitions for healthcare entities, including denying, canceling, delaying, limiting, or refusing to issue or renew a health-benefit plan based on the aforementioned characteristics; implementing discriminatory marketing practices or benefit designs; denying or limiting coverage for claims; and having categorical coverage exclusions or limitations for health services related to gender transition or other gender-affirming care, or reproductive health care. It emphasizes that any denial of coverage must be based on legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons, free from bias or unlawful animus. The act is set to take effect upon passage, reinforcing the commitment to equitable healthcare access for all individuals.

Statutes affected:
6368: 27-18-25, 27-19-75, 27-20-71, 27-41-88