Bill Text: NJ A907 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Prohibits use of certain underwriting guidelines by insurers pertaining to guide dogs, service dogs, or hearing assistance dogs harbored on the insured property.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-10 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee [A907 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2012-A907-Introduced.html

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ASSEMBLY, No. 907

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

215th LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2012 SESSION

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  HOLLY SCHEPISI

District 39 (Bergen and Passaic)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblymen Burzichelli, Chivukula and Gusciora

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Prohibits use of certain underwriting guidelines by insurers pertaining to guide dogs, service dogs, or hearing assistance dogs harbored on the insured property.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

  

An Act concerning the use of certain insurance underwriting guidelines pertaining to guide dogs, service dogs, or hearing assistance dogs harbored upon the insured property and supplementing Title 17 of the Revised Statutes.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    As used in this act:

     "Guide dog" has the same meaning as defined in section 5 of P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-5) and includes dogs used to assist the blind and hearing assistance dogs used to assist deaf persons;

     "Insurer" means any insurer engaged in the business of property and casualty insurance in this State, including commercial lines insurance, pursuant to Subtitle 3 of Title 17 of the Revised Statutes; and

     "Service dog" has the same meaning as defined in section 5 of P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-5). 

 

     2.    No insurer shall utilize underwriting guidelines which result in the declination or termination of, limit the amount or type of insurance coverage of, apply a particular rating to, or impose an increased premium under, a homeowners insurance policy on the basis of the type or specific breed of guide dog or service dog harbored upon the insured property.

 

     3.    This act shall take effect on the 60th day after enactment.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill prohibits insurers engaged in the business of property and casualty insurance in this State, including commercial lines insurers, from utilizing underwriting guidelines which result in the declination or termination of, limit the amount or type of insurance coverage of, apply a particular rating plan to, or impose an increased premium under, a homeowners insurance policy on the basis of the type or specific breed of guide dog or service dog harbored on the insured property.

     Hearing assistance and seeing assistance dogs are included within the definition of "guide dog." Definitions used in the bill are from the State's "Law Against Discrimination," P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.).