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Senate committee considers bill to block insurance "widow penalty"; advocates cite price increases after spousal death
Summary
Senate Bill 12 38 would prohibit insurers from charging higher rates or reducing coverage for policyholders reclassified as single after a spouse dies; author and witnesses described examples of widow penalties and asked the committee to close a statutory loophole.
Senator Kolkhorst filed Senate Bill 12 38 to prohibit insurers from increasing premiums or reducing coverage for policyholders whose marital status changes to widowed following a spouse’s death. "Senate Bill 12 38 will protect recently widowed individuals from being taken advantage of in their weakest moments," Kolkhorst said on the record, citing examples and a July 2024 study they provided to the committee.
Multiple witnesses testified in support of the bill and described personal experiences. Evelyn Delgado told the committee she lost her husband…
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