| Chapter 146 |
| 2022 -- H 7454 SUBSTITUTE A Enacted 06/27/2022 |
| A N A C T |
| RELATING TO INSURANCE -- INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE |
Introduced By: Representatives Cassar, Felix, Williams, Morales, Slater, Caldwell, Craven, Hull, Fenton-Fung, and McGaw |
| Date Introduced: February 11, 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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| LC004430/SUB A |
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