Modifies provisions relating to the effect of suicide on life insurance policies

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Melissa Douglas

The bill amends how suicide affects life insurance payouts, including definitions, exclusions, and beneficiary rights, potentially changing eligibility and timing of death benefits

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

#insurance-life #mentalhealth

Bill Summary – Missouri HB 2719 (2026)

Purpose and intent

HB 2719 amends existing Missouri law to modify how suicide affects life insurance policies. The bill aims to adjust the statutory treatment of suicide in relation to policy benefits, coverage timing, and potentially related disclosures or protections for policyholders and beneficiaries. The precise language of the bill would specify the conditions under which suicide is considered when determining payout eligibility or the period during which suicide could impact a claim.

Key provisions and changes

Effect of suicide on policy payouts: The bill changes or clarifies how suicide is treated for life insurance claims. This could alter the waiting period, exclusion, or definitions used to determine when suicide affects a death benefit.

Policy coverage timing and exclusions: The bill may modify the standard period during which a suicide exclusion applies (e.g., changing a typical two-year contestability framework or refining the duration and application of exclusions).

Beneficiary impact: Provisions may specify whether beneficiaries are entitled to the full death benefit, a partial amount, or funds recourse if suicide occurs within or outside the defined period.

Definitions and terminology: The bill could provide or revise definitions related to “suicide,” “policy,” “death benefit,” and related terms to reduce ambiguity in claims.

Administrative and regulatory alignment: Any changes may require insurers to adjust forms, disclosures, and claims processes to reflect the updated treatment of suicide, including notice requirements to insureds or beneficiaries.

Effective date and transition: The bill would designate when the new rules take effect and how existing policies or claims filed under prior law are to be treated during a transition.

Who would be affected

Life insurance policyholders: Individuals with existing policies may be subject to altered interpretations of suicide provisions upon the bill’s effective date.

Beneficiaries: Those designated to receive death benefits could experience changes in payout eligibility or timing depending on whether suicide occurs within the defined period.

Life insurance providers: Insurers would need to adjust policy language, disclosures, underwriting practices, and claims handling procedures to comply with the new standards.

Regulators and agencies: Missouri’s insurance department would oversee implementation, ensure consistency with other statutory provisions, and monitor compliance.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Referral and consideration: The bill was referred to the Emerging Issues committee on May 15, 2026, indicating initial review for potential significant or novel policy implications.

Legislative process milestones: It has completed readings in the House (First Time on Jan 7, Second Time on Jan 8) and was prefiled earlier (Jan 6). The sponsor is Melissa Douglas (co-sponsor), suggesting open collaboration on the measure.

Next steps: If advanced, the bill would proceed through committee hearings, potential amendments, and votes in the House, followed by consideration in the Senate and any reconciliation steps before potential enactment.

Notes

Specific text, such as the exact changes to the policy language, waiting periods, or definitions, is not provided here. For precise impact, review of the bill’s statutory language and any fiscal or regulatory impact statements would be necessary once available.