AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES (Requires that any private short-term disability insurance (STDI) carrier that bids to provide coverage to Rhode Island state employees must cover all eligible employees, regardless of age.)

H7858

2026 -- H 7858
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LC005396
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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 -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Introduced By:
Representatives Furtado, McGaw, Donovan, O'Brien, Casey, Solomon,
Casimiro, Alzate, Messier, and Cruz

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Corporations
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 27-18 of the General Laws entitled "Accident and Sickness Insurance
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Policies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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27-18-96. Disability income insurance coverage for state employees -- Age
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nondiscrimination.

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(a) Any insurer, health maintenance organization, or other entity authorized to issue
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disability income insurance or short-term disability insurance in this state that submits a bid,
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proposal, or contract to provide short-term disability insurance coverage to employees of the State
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of Rhode Island shall offer such coverage on a nondiscriminatory basis with respect to age.
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(b) Coverage offered pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be made available to
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all eligible state employees actively employed by the state, regardless of age, including employees
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seventy (70) years of age or older.
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(c) No policy, contract, certificate, rider, or plan document issued pursuant to this section
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shall:
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(1) Exclude an otherwise eligible employee solely on the basis of age;
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(2) Terminate coverage solely due to the attainment of a specified age; or
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(3) Impose different eligibility standards based solely on age.
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(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require coverage for an employee who is
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not otherwise actively employed or eligible under the terms of employment established by the state.
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(e) The provisions of this section shall apply only to disability income or short-term

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disability insurance policies issued or renewed pursuant to a bid, contract, or agreement with the
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State of Rhode Island.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES
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This act would require that any private short-term disability insurance (STDI) carrier that
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bids to provide coverage to Rhode Island state employees would cover all eligible employees,
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regardless of age.
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This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.
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LC005396
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