89R8746 RDS-D
 
  By: Kolkhorst, Middleton S.B. No. 1238
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to prohibited insurance discrimination on the basis of an
  insured's marital status following the death of the insured's
  spouse.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 544.002, Insurance Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
         (d)  Notwithstanding Section 544.003, an insurer may not:
               (1)  refuse to continue to insure or provide coverage
  to an individual or limit the amount, extent, or kind of coverage
  available to an individual because the individual is widowed or the
  individual's marital status otherwise reflects the death of a
  spouse; or
               (2)  charge an individual who is widowed or whose
  marital status otherwise reflects the death of a spouse a rate that
  is different from the rate that would be charged if the individual's
  marital status was married.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act does not apply
  to an insurance policy that is delivered, issued for delivery, or
  renewed before the effective date of this Act.  An insurance policy
  that is delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed before the
  effective date of this Act is governed by the law as it existed
  immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is
  continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.