HB266 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Shane StringerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Insurance, to prohibit the sale of and use of genetic test results to deny a person insurance, Sec. 27-53-2.1 added; Sec. 27-53-1 am'd.

Summary

HB266 would bar health benefit plans, life insurers, and long-term care insurers in Alabama from using genetic information or test results to deny coverage or set higher premiums, and from asking about or using genetic testing in insurance decisions.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits denying coverage or charging premium differences based on genetic information unless there is a related diagnosis. It also bars insurers from requiring or soliciting genetic information, using genetic test results, or considering an individual's genetic testing decisions for any insurance purpose. The bill adds a new section with these prohibitions, updates definitions related to genetics and insurance, and applies to policies entered into or renewed after January 1, 2021, with some exceptions and cross-border applicability to out-of-state plans handling Alabama claims.

Who It Affects

• Health benefit plans, life insurers, and long-term care insurers operating in Alabama, by restricting how they can use genetics in underwriting and pricing.
• Alabama residents who buy or apply for these types of insurance, who would be protected from genetic-based denial of coverage or premium increases and from having to disclose or rely on genetic testing information for insurance decisions.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 27-53-2.1 to prohibit cancellation, denial, or premium differentials based on genetic information in the absence of a related diagnosis.
• Prohibits health benefit plans, life insurers, and long-term care insurers from requiring or soliciting genetic information, using genetic test results, or considering a person’s decisions or actions regarding genetic testing for any insurance purpose.
• Excludes underwriting or issuance actions related to accident-only policies, hospital or fixed indemnity or fixed indemnity policies, and dental or vision policies from these prohibitions.
• Provides definitions for genetic characteristics, genetic information, genetic test, health benefit plan, life insurer, and long-term care insurer to support the new rules.
• applies to policies entered into or renewed on or after January 1, 2021.
• Also applies to out-of-state plans that receive, process, adjudicate, pay, or deny claims for Alabama residents or services in Alabama.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

DNA Testing