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Delaware committee releases bill shortening life‑insurance suicide exclusion to one year
Summary
House Bill 299 would reduce the maximum period a life‑insurance policy may exclude or restrict coverage for death by suicide from two years to one year; suicide‑loss advocates and the Delaware Department of Insurance testified in support and the committee voted to release the bill from committee.
Representative Morrison introduced House Bill 299, which would cap the period a life‑insurance policy may exclude or restrict coverage for death by suicide at one year, down from the more common two‑year period.
The bill’s sponsor said the change would enhance fairness for policyholders and beneficiaries and cited support from the Delaware Department of Insurance. "This bill enhances fairness for policyholders and beneficiaries, ensuring that families can reasonably expect coverage to be there when it is needed most," Representative Morrison said.
Supporters included two suicide‑loss survivors from DJ’s Alliance. Heather Cruz Hackett described being denied a claim after her husband died by suicide when his recently issued policy was less than two years old and urged passage so survivors can access financial stability. "These funds are critical to families especially when they've lost their main provider," Hackett said. Jennifer Antonak, founder and executive director of DJ’s Alliance, said the bill would reduce harm and poverty for suicide‑loss families and cited household income declines and higher poverty risk among widows.
Chris Haas, senior policy advisor at the Delaware Department of Insurance, testified the department worked with sponsors and stakeholders and found no evidence that similar laws in other states caused premium spikes or increased suicide rates. "Claims may rise at the contestability date because an ability to file a claim exists," Haas said, adding the department would monitor implementation and bring data‑driven solutions if unintended consequences arise.
Committee questioning addressed interaction with Delaware’s death‑with‑dignity law and underwriting. Representative Smith asked whether deaths certified under the death‑with‑dignity statute would be treated as suicide for the purposes of insurance claims; Representative Morrison replied those deaths are recorded as the underlying disease and would not be treated as suicide for insurance contestability. Senator Short, speaking from experience as a licensed insurance agent, said individual policies are medically underwritten and expressed skepticism that the bill would alter the underwriting process for those policies.
The committee then moved to a vote. The clerk called the roll; a majority voted to release HB 299 from committee and the measure was released for further consideration.
The committee release means HB 299 may advance to later legislative steps; sponsors and the Department of Insurance said they will monitor claims and market effects during implementation.
