A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTIONS 38-63-110, 38-65-130, 38-71-300, AND 38-72-110 ALL SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS AND TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN INSURERS FROM CANCELLING, LIMITING, OR DENYING COVERAGE, OR ESTABLISHING DIFFERENTIALS IN PREMIUM RATES BASED UPON GENETIC INFORMATION.

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  Article 1, Chapter 63, Title 38 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    Section 38-63-110. (A) For purposes of this section:

       (1) "Genetic information" means information derived from genetic testing to determine the presence or absence of variations or mutations, including carrier status, in an individual's genetic material or genes that are scientifically or medically believed to cause a disease, disorder, or syndrome, or are associated with a statistically increased risk of developing a disease, disorder, or syndrome, which is asymptomatic at the time of testing. Such testing does not include routine physical examinations or chemical, blood, or urine analysis, unless conducted purposefully to obtain genetic information, or answer questions regarding family history.

       (2) "Life insurer" is an insurer providing life insurance, as defined in Section 38-1-20(35).

    (B) In the absence of a diagnosis or condition related to genetic information, no life insurer authorized to transact insurance in this State may cancel, limit, or deny coverage, or establish differentials in premium rates based on genetic information.

    (C) This section does not apply to the underwriting or issuance of an accident-only policy, hospital indemnity or fixed indemnity policy, dental policy, or vision policy or any other actions of an insurer directly related to an accident-only policy, hospital indemnity or fixed indemnity policy, dental policy, or vision policy.

    (D) Nothing in this section may be construed as preventing a life insurer from accessing an individual's medical record as part of an application exam. Nothing in this section prohibits a life insurer from considering a medical diagnosis included in an individual's medical record, even if a diagnosis was made based on the results of genetic testing.

 

SECTION 2.  Article 1, Chapter 65, Title 38 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    Section 38-65-130. (A) For purposes of this section:

       (1) "Genetic information" means information derived from genetic testing to determine the presence or absence of variations or mutations, including carrier status, in an individual's genetic material or genes that are scientifically or medically believed to cause a disease, disorder, or syndrome, or are associated with a statistically increased risk of developing a disease, disorder, or syndrome, which is asymptomatic at the time of testing. Such testing does not include routine physical examinations or chemical, blood, or urine analysis, unless conducted purposefully to obtain genetic information, or answer questions regarding family history.

       (2) "Life insurer" is an insurer providing life insurance, as defined in Section 38-1-20(35).

    (B) In the absence of a diagnosis or condition related to genetic information, no life insurer authorized to transact insurance in this State may cancel, limit, or deny coverage, or establish differentials in premium rates based on genetic information.

    (C) This section does not apply to the underwriting or issuance of an accident-only policy, hospital indemnity or fixed indemnity policy, dental policy, or vision policy or any other actions of an insurer directly related to an accident-only policy, hospital indemnity or fixed indemnity policy, dental policy, or vision policy.

    (D) Nothing in this section may be construed as preventing a life insurer from accessing an individual's medical record as part of an application exam. Nothing in this section prohibits a life insurer from considering a medical diagnosis included in an individual's medical record, even if a diagnosis was made based on the results of genetic testing.

 

SECTION 3.  Article 1, Chapter 71, Title 38 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    Section 38-71-300. (A) For purposes of this section:

       (1) "Genetic information" means information derived from genetic testing to determine the presence or absence of variations or mutations, including carrier status, in an individual's genetic material or genes that are scientifically or medically believed to cause a disease, disorder, or syndrome, or are associated with a statistically increased risk of developing a disease, disorder, or syndrome, which is asymptomatic at the time of testing. Such testing does not include routine physical examinations or chemical, blood, or urine analysis, unless conducted purposefully to obtain genetic information, or answer questions regarding family history.

       (2) "Health insurer" is an insurer providing accident and health insurance, as defined in Section 38-1-20(1).

    (B) In the absence of a diagnosis or condition related to genetic information, no accident and health insurer authorized to transact insurance in this State may cancel, limit, or deny coverage, or establish differentials in premium rates based on genetic information.

    (C) This section does not apply to the underwriting or issuance of an accident-only policy, hospital indemnity or fixed indemnity policy, dental policy, or vision policy or any other actions of an insurer directly related to an accident-only policy, hospital indemnity or fixed indemnity policy, dental policy, or vision policy.

 

SECTION 4.  Chapter 72, Title 38 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    Section 38-72-110. (A) For purposes of this section:

       (1) "Genetic information" means information derived from genetic testing to determine the presence or absence of variations or mutations, including carrier status, in an individual's genetic material or genes that are scientifically or medically believed to cause a disease, disorder, or syndrome, or are associated with a statistically increased risk of developing a disease, disorder, or syndrome, which is asymptomatic at the time of testing. Such testing does not include routine physical examinations or chemical, blood, or urine analysis, unless conducted purposefully to obtain genetic information, or answer questions regarding family history.

       (2) "Long-term care insurer" is an insurer providing long term care insurance, as defined in Section 38-72-40(1).

    (B) In the absence of a diagnosis or condition related to genetic information, no long-term care insurer authorized to transact insurance in this State may cancel, limit, or deny coverage, or establish differentials in premium rates based on genetic information.

    (C) This section does not apply to the underwriting or issuance of an accident-only policy, hospital indemnity or fixed indemnity policy, dental policy, or vision policy or any other actions of an insurer directly related to an accident-only policy, hospital indemnity or fixed indemnity policy, dental policy, or vision policy.

    (D) Nothing in this section may be construed as preventing a long-term care insurer from accessing an individual's medical record as part of an application exam. Nothing in this section prohibits a life insurer from considering a medical diagnosis included in an individual's medical record, even if a diagnosis was made based on the results of genetic testing.

 

SECTION 5.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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