00SENATE BILL NO. 14                                                                                                      
01 "An Act relating to insurance covering an insured who is a victim of domestic                                           
02 violence and requiring certain disclosures by an insurer."                                                              
03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
04    * Section 1.  AS 21.36 is amended by adding new sections to read:                                                    
05  Sec. 21.36.430.  Insurance for domestic violence victims; records.  (a)  An                                           
06 insurer offering insurance in this state may not (1) refuse to issue or renew insurance                                 
07 coverage; (2) cancel an existing policy of insurance; (3) deny a covered claim; or (4)                                  
08 increase the premium on an insurance policy if the refusal, cancellation, denial, or                                    
09 increase results only from the fact that the person was a victim of domestic violence.                                  
10  (b)  The provisions of (a) of this section may not prevent an insurer from                                            
11 underwriting or rating for a medical condition, including a medical condition resulting                                 
12 from domestic violence, in the same manner as it would for a person who is not a                                        
13 victim of domestic violence.                                                                                            
14  Sec. 21.36.440. Required disclosure for failure to provide coverage to an                                             

01 applicant.  An insurer who refuses to provide insurance coverage to an applicant                                        
02 initially applying for insurance shall                                                                                  
03   (1)  inform the applicant that the applicant has a right to know the                                                 
04 reason for the refusal; and                                                                                             
05   (2)  upon receipt of a written request from the applicant, provide a                                                 
06 written explanation of the refusal to the applicant.                                                                    
07  Sec. 21.36.450.  Definition.  In AS 21.36.430 - 21.36.440, "insurer" includes                                         
08   (1)  an insurer, as defined in AS 21.90.900;                                                                         
09   (2)  a group health plan, as defined in 29 U.S.C. 1167(1) (Employee                                                  
10 Retirement Income Security Act of 1974);                                                                                
11   (3)  a health maintenance organization, as defined in AS 21.86.900;                                                  
12   (4)  a hospital service corporation or medical service corporation, as                                               
13 defined in AS 21.87.330;                                                                                                
14   (5)  a writing carrier, as defined in AS 21.55.500; and                                                              
15   (6)  an entity offering a service benefit plan, as referred to in 42 U.S.C.                                          
16 1396g-1.                                                                                                                
17    * Sec. 2.  This Act applies to a policy of insurance that is entered into or renewed on or                           
18 after the effective date of this Act.