Bill Text: NY S07667 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Prohibits motor vehicle insurers from discrimination on the basis of socioeconomic factors in determining algorithms used to construct actuarial tables, coverage terms, premiums and/or rates.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-05 - REFERRED TO INSURANCE [S07667 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-S07667-Introduced.html

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                STATE OF NEW YORK
        ________________________________________________________________________

                                          7667

                    IN SENATE

                                    February 5, 2020
                                       ___________

        Introduced  by  Sen.  PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
          printed to be committed to the Committee on Insurance

        AN ACT to amend the insurance law,  in  relation  to  prohibiting  motor
          vehicle insurers from discriminating based on socioeconomic factors

          The  People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
        bly, do enact as follows:

     1    Section 1. The insurance law is amended by adding a new  section  2617
     2  to read as follows:
     3    § 2617. Rating factors prohibited. (a) Any insurer or insurance compa-
     4  ny  group doing business in the state as a motor vehicle insurer may not
     5  use classification plans, rules or rates, rating plans or  modifications
     6  of any of the foregoing, based in whole or in part on the factors speci-
     7  fied  in  this section. Any classification plans, rules or rates, rating
     8  plans or modifications issued by said insurer or insurance company group
     9  using the following factors in whole or  in  part  shall  be  deemed  to
    10  violate  public policy and are subject to disapproval by the superinten-
    11  dent:
    12    (1) age;
    13    (2) marital status;
    14    (3) sex;
    15    (4) sexual orientation;
    16    (5) educational background or education level attained;
    17    (6) employment status or occupation;
    18    (7) income level;
    19    (8) consumer credit information or score;
    20    (9) ownership or interest in real property;
    21    (10) any indication of a consumer's price elasticity of demand; and
    22    (11) any other characteristic indicating or tending  to  indicate  the
    23  socioeconomic status of an individual.
    24    (b)  It shall further be unlawful to consider the factors specified in
    25  subdivision (a) of this section to:
    26    (1) adjust any algorithm  or  equation  used  to  construct  actuarial
    27  tables or otherwise determine the cost of coverage;

         EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                              [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                   LBD10478-01-9
        S. 7667                             2

     1    (2)  make  any distinction or discrimination between persons as to the
     2  premiums or rates charged for motor vehicle insurance  policies  or  the
     3  terms of coverage or in any other manner whatsoever;
     4    (3)  demand  or  require  a  greater premium from any person than such
     5  insurer requires at that time from  other  individuals  or  entities  in
     6  similar cases; or
     7    (4)  refuse to issue, renew, or sell a policy after appropriate appli-
     8  cation therefor.
     9    § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.