S.B. No. 437
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to prohibited practices by a life insurance company
  relating to an individual's prescription for or obtainment of an
  opioid antagonist.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 1101, Insurance Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter E to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER E. PROHIBITED PRACTICES RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION FOR OR
  OBTAINMENT OF OPIOID ANTAGONIST
         Sec. 1101.201.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "opioid
  antagonist" means any drug that binds to opioid receptors and
  blocks or otherwise inhibits the effects of opioids acting on those
  receptors to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
         Sec. 1101.202.  APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. This
  subchapter applies to a life insurance policy:
               (1)  issued or delivered in this state; or
               (2)  issued by a life insurance company organized in
  this state.
         Sec. 1101.203.  PROHIBITION. A life insurance company may
  not, based solely on whether an individual has been prescribed or
  has obtained through a standing order an opioid antagonist:
               (1)  deny coverage to the individual;
               (2)  limit the amount, extent, or kind of coverage
  available to the individual; or
               (3)  charge the individual or a group to which the
  individual belongs a rate that is different from the rate charged to
  other individuals or groups, respectively, for the same coverage,
  unless the charge is based on sound underwriting or actuarial
  principles reasonably related to actual or anticipated loss
  experience for a particular risk.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 437 passed the Senate on
  April 26, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 29, Nays 1.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 437 passed the House on
  May 21, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 129, Nays 16, one
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor