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History
- Print number 960b
- Amend and recommit to insurance
- Referred to insurance
- Print number 960a
- Amend and recommit to insurance
- Referred to insurance
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to providing health insurance coverage to domestic partners of insured persons
In Senate Committee · Insurance · Sponsor Daniel O'Donnell
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to health insurance benefits for domestic partners
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would require a health plan to provide health insurance coverage for domestic partners, when such coverage is requested by an employer group or individual purchasing health insurance, but does not impose any mandates on employers.
Summary of specific provisions
Sections one and two of the bill amend Insurance Law §3216, which governs individual accident and health insurance policies. section one of the bill amends paragraph 3 of subsection (a) by revising the definition of family and adding a definition of domestic partner. Section two of the bill requires the superintendent of insurance to promulgate regulations that establish qualification standards for domestic partners under commercial health insurance policies issued to individuals. Such regulations shall limit coverage to one domestic partner and provide coverage for children of domestic partners of the insured. The regulations shall also provide for various forms of proof of domestic partnership as well as notification procedures to the insurer of the termination of a domestic partnership.
Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the bill make similar changes to Insurance law
§§ 3221, 4304, and 4305 with respect to health coverage policies issued by commercial insurers to groups, and to individual and group coverage issued by non-profit insurers and HMOs. section 6 of the bill is the effective date. The A-print corrects a typographical error in section 5 of the bill, on page 7, line 21. The B-print makes technical amendments to reflect, and conform to, legislation that chaptered in 2009.
Justification
Current law and regulations permit insurers, non-profit health plans and HMOs to offer health insurance coverage for domestic partners. Many insurers and health plans, however, refuse to provide domestic partner coverage to individuals and smaller employer groups. This legislation would allow employer groups and individuals to successfully request that their health plan provide benefits to qualified domestic partners. The bill does not impose any mandates on employers. This legislation also includes safeguards to prevent abuse of the new domestic partnership provisions by requiring qualification standards for domestic partners and prohibiting coverage of more than one domestic partner at the same time.
Prior legislative history
A.3251-A/S.3873 (2007-08: passed Assembly both years; technical amendment made in the Assembly in 2008 but not in the Senate); A.2224/S.5635 (2005-06; passed Assembly both years); A.11464 (2004; passed Assembly)
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.