summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
02/18/2026
02/18/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Genetic Information Privacy Act. Removes language exempting insurers that are issuing a long-term care policy from specified provisions. Provides that, with regard to any policy, contract, or plan offered, entered into, issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027 by a health insurer, life insurer, disability insurer, or long-term care insurer authorized to transact insurance in this State, a health insurer, life insurer, disability insurer, or long-term care insurer may not: (1) cancel, limit, or deny coverage or establish differentials in premium rates based on a person's genetic information; or (2) require or solicit an individual's genetic information, use an individual's genetic test results, or consider an individual's decisions or actions relating to genetic information or a genetic test in any manner for any insurance purpose. Provides that the provisions may not be construed as: (1) preventing a life insurer, disability insurer, or long-term care insurer from accessing an individual's medical record as part of an application; or (2) prohibiting a life insurer, disability insurer, or long-term care insurer from considering a clinical diagnosis, such as a manifest disease or disorder, included in an individual's medical record for insurance purposes to the extent otherwise allowable by law. Effective July 1, 2026.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Genetic Information Privacy Act to strengthen protections against the misuse of genetic information by insurance companies. Specifically, starting January 1, 2027, health, life, disability, and long-term care insurers authorized to operate in the state will be prohibited from canceling, limiting, or denying coverage or charging different premium rates based on a person's genetic information. They will also be forbidden from requesting or using an individual's genetic information or test results for any insurance-related purpose. This change removes an existing exemption that allowed long-term care insurers to be excluded from these rules. However, the bill clarifies that these new provisions do not prevent life, disability, or long-term care insurers from accessing an individual's medical records during the application process or from considering a diagnosed clinical condition, like a manifest disease, already present in a medical record for insurance purposes, as long as it's otherwise permitted by law.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading February 19, 2026 (on 02/18/2026)
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