Bill
H 3257
SC-style bill bans insurers from requiring genetic tests, using genetic data for underwriting without consent, or denying coverage or raising premiums solely on genetics.
Note on source material
- The materials you provided include two different, unrelated bills merged together: (A) a Massachusetts House bill (House No. 3257 / H.3257) that would create a property tax abatement for parents with children in private schools, and (B) a South Carolina bill (adds multiple sections to Title 38) that would prohibit insurers from basing coverage decisions or premium differentials solely on genetic information. The file label you gave (“H 3257” / “Genetic protections in insurance policies”) matches the genetic-protections subject but the embedded Massachusetts text concerns tax abatements. Below are concise, separate summaries of each bill so readers can see the purpose, key provisions, affected parties, and procedural status.
1) Summary — Genetic protections in insurance (South Carolina-style bill)
Overview
- Purpose: Prevent certain insurers from requiring genetic tests, from using genetic information for underwriting without consent, and from canceling/limiting/denying coverage or setting premium differentials based solely on genetic information.
Key provisions
- New statutory sections added (proposed): 38-63-120, 38-65-140, 38-71-300, 38-72-120 (Title 38 chapters covering life, accident & health, disability-related insurance).
- Definitions: “Genetic information” defined as results from genetic testing that detect variations/mutations (including carrier status) associated with disease risk when asymptomatic. Excludes routine exams or tests unless specifically used to obtain genetic info.
- Prohibitions:
- Insurers may not require applicants or insureds to take genetic tests as a condition of insurability, nor require whole-genome sequencing. These rights may not be waived.
- Insurers may not request, obtain, or use genetic information for underwriting without an individual’s signed, written consent.
- Even with consent, insurers may not cancel, limit, or deny coverage based solely on genetic information.
- Scope / applicability: Applies to life insurers, health insurers, and accident & health insurance (expressly including disability income coverages). Exceptions apply to accident-only policies, hospital indemnity/fixed indemnity, dental, and vision policies.
- Medical-record carveouts: Insurers may access medical records for application exams and may consider medical diagnoses in records (including those based on genetic test results).
Affected parties
- Prospective and current insureds and applicants for life, health, accident & health, and disability income insurance in the state where enacted.
- Insurers issuing these lines in the state.
Procedural / timeline notes (from provided content)
- Multiple filings and versions present (dates listed in the source: prefiled 12/05/2024; filed/introduced early 2025). Exact legislative status in your jurisdiction would require confirmation; portions of the source are truncated.
2) Summary — Real-estate tax abatement for parents with children in private schools (Massachusetts House No. 3257)
Overview
- Purpose: Provide local real-estate tax relief to homeowners with minor children enrolled in private schools where the parent pays tuition.
Key provisions
- Amendment to Section 5 of Chapter 59 (Mass. General Laws): authorizes an abatement of $1,000 of taxable valuation of real estate for each minor child (including adopted children) enrolled in a private school for which the parent pays tuition (as provided under section 7 of chapter 76).
- Eligibility conditions:
- The real estate must be owned and occupied by the person as their domicile.
- Applicants must annually furnish proof of the child’s enrollment to local assessors.
Affected parties
- Homeowners in Massachusetts who are domiciled at the property and who pay private-school tuition for their minor (including adopted) children.
Procedural / timeline notes (from provided content)
- Filed/prefiled: documents show filed 1/16/2025 / prefiled 12/05/2024; presented by Rep. Justin Thurber (with Rep. David F. DeCoste listed as a petitioner). The bill text bears the House number 3257 and was referred to the Committee on Revenue in February 2025.
Important caveat / recommendation
- Because the materials combine two distinct measures (different subject matter and different jurisdictions), confirm which specific bill and jurisdiction you want summarized or tracked. If you want a deep dive (legislative history, fiscal impact estimates, committee reports, or model statutory language comparison), tell me which bill (genetic-insurance protections or MA tax-abatement) and I will expand accordingly.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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