Chapter 145
2022 -- S 2548 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 06/27/2022

A N   A C T
RELATING TO INSURANCE -- INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE

Introduced By: Senators Valverde, Murray, Sosnowski, Miller, Cano, DiMario, Kallman, Gallo, Lawson, and Quezada

Date Introduced: March 01, 2022

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Chapter 27-18.5 of the General Laws entitled "Individual Health Insurance
Coverage" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
     27-18.5-10.1. Special enrollment - Pregnancy.
     (a) In general. A carrier shall establish a special enrollment period that allows for the
enrollment of a pregnant individual at any time after the commencement of the pregnancy.
Coverage shall be effective as of the first of the month in which the pregnant individual applies for
coverage. This special enrollment period shall be applicable to all health insurance coverage offered
by a carrier.
     (b) Non-interference with federal and state law. Nothing in subsection (a) of this section
shall be construed to conflict with or preempt any other applicable requirements for enrollment in
health insurance coverage under federal and state law. The special enrollment period described in
subsection (a) is in addition to any other special enrollment periods that are required under federal
and state law.
     SECTION 2. Chapter 27-18.6 of the General Laws entitled "Large Group Health Insurance
Coverage" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
     27-18.6-3.1. Special enrollment - Pregnancy.
     (a) In general. A group health plan and a carrier shall establish a special enrollment period
that allows for the enrollment of a pregnant individual at any time after the commencement of the
pregnancy. Coverage shall be effective as of the first of the month in which the pregnant individual
applies for coverage. This special enrollment period shall be applicable to all group health insurance
coverage and health insurance coverage offered by a group health plan or a carrier.
     (b) Non-interference with federal and state law. Nothing in subsection (a) of this section
shall be construed to conflict with or preempt any other applicable requirements for enrollment in
health insurance coverage under federal and state law. The special enrollment period described in
subsection (a) is in addition to any other special enrollment periods that are required under federal
and state law.
     SECTION 3. Chapter 27-50 of the General Laws entitled "Small Employer Health
Insurance Availability Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
     27-50-18. Special enrollment - Pregnancy.
     (a) In general. A carrier shall establish a special enrollment period that allows for the
enrollment of a pregnant individual at any time after the commencement of the pregnancy.
Coverage shall be effective as of the first of the month in which the pregnant individual applies for
coverage. This special enrollment period shall be applicable to all health benefit plans subject to
this chapter.
     (b) Non-interference with federal and state law. Nothing in subsection (a) of this section
shall be construed to conflict with or preempt any other applicable requirements for enrollment in
health insurance coverage under federal and state law. The special enrollment period described in
subsection (a) is in addition to any other special enrollment periods that are required under federal
and state law.
     SECTION 4. Chapter 42-157 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island Health Benefit
Exchange" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
     42-157-15. Special enrollment - Pregnancy.
     (a) In general. The exchange may establish a special enrollment period that allows for the
enrollment of a pregnant individual at any time after the commencement of the pregnancy. If
established, coverage shall be effective as of the first of the month in which the pregnant individual
applies for coverage.
     (b) Non-interference with federal and state law. Nothing in subsection (a) of this section
shall be construed to conflict with or preempt any other applicable requirements for enrollment in
a qualified health plan under federal and state law. The special enrollment period described in
subsection (a) is in addition to any other special enrollment periods that are required under federal
and state law.
     SECTION 5. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2023, and shall apply to all health
insurance policies issued or renewed thereafter.
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LC004318/SUB A
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