2026 -- H 7861

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LC005703

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES AND RESERVES

     Introduced By: Representatives Giraldo, Alzate, Cruz, Donovan, and Morales

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Legislative findings.

     The Legislature hereby finds that:

     (1) Recent advances in genetic science have led to improvements in the diagnosis,

treatment, and understanding of a significant number of human diseases;

     (2) Genetic testing can help individuals take steps to avoid disease entirely or identify

disease earlier, maximizing an individual's health and lifespan and reducing health care costs for

patients, families, and communities in the long term;

     (3) Concerns about ability to access insurance create a disincentive from seeking genetic

testing for some individuals, preventing the full realization of opportunity for genetic testing;

     (4) The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, 29 U.S.C. 1182, prohibits

genetic information from being used as a condition of eligibility, to set premium rates, or impose

preexisting condition exclusions for health insurance;

     (5) The intent of section 2 of this act is to reduce barriers to the benefits of genetic testing

by protecting genetic information from being used to impact access to life insurance, group

disability insurance, or long-term care insurance coverage.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 27-4 of the General Laws entitled "Life Insurance Policies and

Reserves" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     27-4-4.1. Use of genetic testing information prohibited.

     (a) In the absence of clinical diagnosis of a condition, or manifestation of a disease, life

insurers, disability insurers, and long-term care insurers shall not:

     (1) Cancel, limit, or deny coverage, or establish differentials in premium rates based on

genetic information collected, used, or stored for healthcare treatment; or

     (2) Require or solicit genetic information, use genetic test results, or consider an

individual's decision or action relating to genetic testing in any manner or for any purpose related

to life insurance, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance.

     (b) For purposes of this section, the term “manifestation of a disease” means the outward

signs, symptoms, or physical evidence that a disease is present.

     (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to:

     (1) Prevent life insurers, disability insurers, and long-term care insurers from reviewing an

individual's medical record as part of an application;

     (2) Prohibit requiring an applicant for insurance coverage to answer questions regarding

family health history; or

     (3) Prohibit a life insurer, disability insurer, or long-term care insurer from considering a

clinical diagnosis or manifestation of a disease included in an individual's medical record for

insurance purposes.

     (d) For the purposes of this section:

     (1) "Genetic information" has the same meaning as defined in § 27-18-52.1(c); and

     (2) "Genetic test" has the same meaning as defined in section § 27-18-52(c).

     SECTION 3. Chapter 27-34.2 of the General Laws entitled "Long-Term Care Insurance"

is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     27-34.2-5.1. Use of genetic testing information prohibited.

     (a) In the absence of clinical diagnosis of a condition, or manifestation of a disease, life

insurers, disability insurers providing disability income protection coverage, and long-term care

insurers shall not:

     (1) Cancel, limit, or deny coverage, or establish differentials in premium rates based on

genetic information collected, used, or stored for healthcare treatment; or

     (2) Require or solicit genetic information, use genetic test results, or consider an

individual's decision or action relating to genetic testing in any manner or for any purpose related

to life insurance, disability income protection insurance, or long-term care insurance.

     (b) For purposes of this section, the term “manifestation of a disease” means the outward

signs, symptoms, or physical evidence that a disease is present.

     (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to:

     (1) Prevent life insurers, disability insurers providing disability income protection

LC005703 - Page 2 of 4

coverage, and long-term care insurers from reviewing an individual's medical record as part of an

application;

     (2) Prohibit requiring an applicant for insurance coverage to answer questions regarding

family health history; or

     (3) Prohibit a life insurer, disability insurer providing disability income protection

coverage, or long-term care insurer from considering a clinical diagnosis or manifestation of a

disease included in an individual's medical record for insurance purposes.

     (d) For the purposes of this section:

     (1) "Disability income protection coverage" means a policy with benefits limited to income

protection or the provision of income when an insured is unable to work due to injury or illness;

     (2) "Genetic information" has the same meaning as defined in § 27-18-52.1(c); and

     (3) "Genetic test" has the same meaning as defined in section § 27-18-52(c).

     SECTION 4. The title of Chapter 27-34.2 of the General Laws entitled "Long-Term Care

Insurance" is hereby amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 27-34.2

Long-Term Care Insurance

CHAPTER 27-34.2

LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE AND DISABILITY INCOME PROTECTION

COVERAGE

     SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES AND RESERVES

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     This act would prohibit the use of genetic information for purposes of determining

eligibility, setting premium rates, or imposing preexisting condition exclusions for life insurance,

disability insurance providing disability income protection, or long-term care insurance.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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