STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________

6685

2023-2024 Regular Sessions

IN SENATE

May 4, 2023 ___________

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 2618 2 to read as follows: 3 § 2618. 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:

EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD00061-01-3

S. 6685 2

1 (1) adjust any algorithm or equation used to construct actuarial 2 tables or otherwise determine the cost of coverage; 3 (2) make any distinction or discrimination between persons as to the 4 premiums or rates charged for motor vehicle insurance policies or the 5 terms of coverage or in any other manner whatsoever; 6 (3) demand or require a greater premium from any person than such 7 insurer requires at that time from other individuals or entities in 8 similar cases; or 9 (4) refuse to issue, renew, or sell a policy after appropriate appli- 10 cation therefor. 11 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.