H.B. No. 3433
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to prohibited discrimination on the basis of an
  individual's political affiliation or expression by certain
  insurers.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 544, Insurance Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter M to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER M. POLITICAL AFFILIATION AND EXPRESSION
         Sec. 544.601.  APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. This subchapter
  applies to:
               (1)  any legal entity engaged in the business of
  insurance in this state, including:
                     (A)  a capital stock insurance company;
                     (B)  a mutual insurance company;
                     (C)  a title insurance company;
                     (D)  a fraternal benefit society;
                     (E)  a local mutual aid association;
                     (F)  a statewide mutual assessment company;
                     (G)  a county mutual insurance company;
                     (H)  a Lloyd's plan;
                     (I)  a reciprocal or interinsurance exchange;
                     (J)  a stipulated premium company;
                     (K)  a group hospital service corporation;
                     (L)  a farm mutual insurance company;
                     (M)  a risk retention group;
                     (N)  an eligible surplus lines insurer; and
                     (O)  an agent, broker, adjuster, or life and
  health insurance counselor; and
               (2)  a health maintenance organization.
         Sec. 544.602.  PROHIBITION. Except as provided by Section
  544.603, a person may not refuse to insure or provide coverage to an
  individual, refuse to continue to insure or provide coverage to an
  individual, limit the amount, extent, or kind of coverage available
  for an individual, or charge an individual a rate that is different
  from the rate charged to other individuals for the same coverage
  because of the individual's political affiliation or expression.
         Sec. 544.603.  EXCEPTIONS.  A person does not violate
  Section 544.602 if the refusal, limitation, or charge is:
               (1)  based on sound underwriting or actuarial
  principles reasonably related to actual or anticipated loss
  experience; or
               (2)  required or authorized by law or a regulatory
  mandate.
         Sec. 544.604.  ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS. (a) A health
  maintenance organization or legal entity engaged in the business of
  insurance that is found to be in violation of or to have failed to
  comply with this subchapter is subject to the sanctions provided by
  Chapter 82 or administrative penalties authorized under Chapter 84.
         (b)  In addition to the procedures provided by Subsection
  (a), the commissioner may use the cease and desist procedures
  authorized by Chapter 83.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter M, Chapter 544, Insurance Code, as
  added by this Act, does not apply to an insurance policy that is
  delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed before the effective
  date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3433 was passed by the House on May
  14, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 134, Nays 9, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3433 was passed by the Senate on May
  27, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor