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A 10279

Prohibits insurance discrimination on the basis of an insured's marital status following the death of the insured's spouse

2025 Regular Session Introduced by David Weprin

Prohibits insurers from denying, canceling, renewing, or increasing premiums solely because a policyholder is widowed or their marital status reflects a spouse’s death.

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Bill Summary · A 10279

Bill Summary: A.10279 (2025-2026) – New York

Title

Prohibits insurance discrimination on the basis of an insured's marital status following the death of the insured's spouse

Purpose and intent

  • To prevent insurance discrimination against individuals who are widowed or whose marital status reflects the death of a spouse.
  • To ensure that marital status (specifically widowhood or the associated status change) cannot be used as a basis to deny, cancel, renew, or modify insurance coverage or premiums across various lines of insurance.

Key provisions and changes

Section 2607 (Discrimination because of sex or marital status)

  • Prohibits discrimination by insurers based on sex or marital status in issuing insurance policies, and in canceling, declining to renew, or engaging in sexual stereotyping.
  • Explicitly states that, notwithstanding other provisions of the insurance law, an insurer shall not:
    • Refuse to continue to insure a policy,
    • Cancel or decline to renew a policy,
    • Increase premiums or impose less favorable terms upon renewal, solely because the applicant or policyholder is widowed or their marital status reflects the death of a spouse.
  • Defines “sex” to include sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and transgender status for purposes of this nondiscrimination provision.

Scope of coverage

  • Applies to all types of insurance coverage, including but not limited to:
    • Property
    • Casualty
    • Homeowners
    • Renters
    • Automobile
  • The protections cover continued coverage, renewal terms, and premium or coverage changes attributable to marital status changes due to the death of a spouse.

Effective date and applicability

  • Effective January 1 of the year following enactment.
  • Applies to policies issued, delivered, renewed, or modified on or after the effective date.

Who is affected

  • Insurers doing business in New York State.
  • Policyholders and applicants who are widowed or whose marital status indicates the death of a spouse.
  • Consumers across multiple lines of insurance (property, casualty, homeowners, renters, auto, etc.).

Status and legislative history

  • Introduced February 20, 2026, by Assembly Member David Weprin (co-sponsor).
  • Referred to the Committee on Insurance; subsequently amended and recommitted.
  • Reported as of April 21, 2026.

Practical impact

  • Strengthens consumer protections by ensuring widowed individuals are not penalized in premiums or coverage options due to their change in marital status.
  • Aligns New York law with anti-discrimination principles extending beyond sex to include marital status changes following the death of a spouse.
  • Provides clarity for insurers that differential treatment based solely on widowhood is unlawful across standard lines of insurance.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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