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A07944 Summary:

BILL NOA07944
 
SAME ASSAME AS S07631
 
SPONSORRosenthal L
 
COSPNSR
 
MLTSPNSR
 
Amd §296, Exec L
 
Establishes discrimination where insurers exclude, limit, restrict or reduce coverage of a publicly-assisted housing accommodation due to lawful source of income.
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A07944 Memo:

NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION
submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A7944
 
SPONSOR: Rosenthal L
  TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing discrimi- nation where insurers exclude, limit, restrict or reduce coverage of a publicly-assisted housing accommodation due to lawful source of income   PURPOSE:: This legislation would establish that the cancellation, refusal to issue or renew, increase in premium or restriction of coverage based on the acceptance of rental subsidies is an unlawful discriminatory practice.   SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:: Section one amends section 296 of the executive law by adding a new subdivision 2-b. Section two establishes the effective date.   JUSTIFICATION:: Protections against source of income discrimination have been enacted by both the state and federal government to ensure prospective tenants are not turned away simply because they use a housing voucher. However, no such laws exist to prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage on buildings that provide apartments to voucher holders. A July 2023 article in the Gothamist detailed how insurance companies include questions on their applications about the number of units in a building that receive federal Section 8 or other rental subsidies. Insurance companies claim this information is used to help calculate the risk of insuring a building. However, they have used this information to often deny coverage entirely, or to impose exorbitant premiums._ Source of income discrimination is illegal, but insurance companies have been able to skirt these laws, harming tenants and building owners looking to provide affordable housing. This legislation would establish that the denial or restriction of insurance coverage based on the acceptance of rental subsidies, a valid form of payment, is an unlawful discriminatory practice.   LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:: New bill.   FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:: None to the State.   EFFECTIVE DATE:: Immediately.
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