Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill prohibits an insurer from refusing to provide or renew coverage to a
person or a group, or from canceling a person's or group's coverage, under any type
of insurance policy on the basis that the person or a group member has been, or that
the insurer has reason to believe that the person or a group member is, a victim of
child or domestic abuse or that a member of the person's or a group member's family
has been, or that the insurer has reason to believe that a member of the person's or
a group member's family is, a victim of child or domestic abuse. (Under the statutes,
domestic abuse refers to abuse of an adult family or household member.) The bill
provides, however, that for life, disability income or long-term care insurance an
insurer may refuse to issue a policy that would name as beneficiary a person who is
or was, or who the insurer has reason to believe is or was, a perpetrator of child or
domestic abuse against the person who would be the insured under the policy. An
insurer also may refuse to issue a life, disability income or long-term care insurance
policy to a person who lacks an insurable interest in the person who would be the
insured under the policy.

Under the bill, an insurer is prohibited from using as a factor in determining
rates, or any other aspect of insurance coverage, the knowledge or suspicion that a
person or group member has been or is a victim of child or domestic abuse or that a
member of the person's or a group member's family has been or is a victim of child
or domestic abuse. The bill provides, however, that in establishing premiums for a
health insurance policy (called disability insurance policy in the statutes) an insurer
may inquire about and use information related to a person's existing medical
condition, regardless of whether the condition was caused by child or domestic abuse.
The bill prohibits a health insurer from excluding or limiting coverage to a
person or a group under a health insurance policy, or from denying a claim, for
services or items related to the treatment of injury or disease resulting from child or
domestic abuse on the basis that the person or a group member has been, or that the
insurer has reason to believe that the person or a group member is, a victim of child
or domestic abuse or that a member of the person's or a group member's family has
been, or that the insurer has reason to believe that a member of the person's or a
group member's family is, a victim of child or domestic abuse.
A life insurer is prohibited from denying or limiting benefits to a beneficiary in
the event that the death of the person whose life is insured results from child or
domestic abuse on the basis that the person whose life is insured has been, or that
the insurer has reason to believe that the person whose life is insured is, a victim of
child or domestic abuse or that a member of the family of the person whose life is
insured has been, or that the insurer has reason to believe that a member of the
family of the person whose life is insured is, a victim of child or domestic abuse. A
life insurer may, however, deny or limit benefits to a beneficiary who perpetrates
child or domestic abuse that results in the death of the person whose life is insured.
An insurer providing property insurance coverage that excludes coverage for
loss or damage resulting from intentional acts is prohibited from denying a claim
based on property loss or damage resulting from acts of child or domestic abuse if the
insured making the claim did not cooperate in or contribute to the creation of the loss
or damage and if the person who caused the loss or damage is criminally prosecuted
for the acts that caused the loss or damage.
With certain exceptions, the bill prohibits a person employed by an insurer or
contracting with an insurer from using, disclosing or transferring certain personal
information related to child or domestic abuse, such as information about whether
a person or group member, or a member of the person's or group member's family, is
or has been or is believed to be or to have been a victim of child or domestic abuse.
With certain exceptions, the bill also prohibits a person employed by an insurer or
contracting with an insurer from disclosing or transferring information related to
the telephone number or address of a person or group member who is an insured or
applicant for insurance, or a member of the family of a person or group member who
is an insured or applicant for insurance, and who is or has been or who is believed
to be or to have been a victim of child or domestic abuse.
The bill requires an insurer that denies coverage to a person or group under any
type of insurance policy to advise the applicant in writing of the reasons for the
denial. Insurers are already required under current law to specify in a cancellation

or nonrenewal notice the basis for the cancellation or nonrenewal of an insurance
policy.
Finally, the bill gives an insurer immunity from any civil or criminal liability
for actions that, in the bill, are exceptions to the specified prohibited actions,
including: 1) denying life insurance benefits to a beneficiary who is the perpetrator
of child or domestic abuse that results in the death of the insured; 2) refusing to issue
a life insurance policy that names as a beneficiary a person who is or was, or who the
insurer has reason to believe is or was, a perpetrator of child or domestic abuse
against the person who would be the insured under the policy; 3) refusing to name
as a beneficiary under a life, disability income or long-term care insurance policy a
person who is or was, or who the insurer has reason to believe is or was, a perpetrator
of child or domestic abuse against the person who would be the insured under the
policy; and 4) inquiring about and using information related to a person's medical
condition, regardless of whether the condition was caused by child or domestic abuse,
for the purpose of establishing premiums under a health insurance policy and for
various other insurance-related purposes under a life, disability income or
long-term care insurance policy. The bill also gives an insurer immunity from civil
and criminal liability for the death of, or injury to, an insured resulting from child
or domestic abuse.
Current law contains two provisions that are somewhat similar to provisions
in the bill. An insurer may not condition the provision of insurance coverage on, or
consider in the determination of rates or any other aspect of insurance coverage,
whether a person has obtained, or the results of, a test for the presence of human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), antigen or nonantigenic products of HIV or an
antibody to HIV, or whether a person or a member of the person's family has obtained,
or the results of, a genetic test.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be
printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB369, s. 1 1Section 1. 40.51 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB369,3,52 40.51 (8) Every health care coverage plan offered by the state under sub. (6)
3shall comply with ss. 631.89, 631.90, 631.93 (2), 631.95, 632.72 (2), 632.746 (1) to (8)
4and (10), 632.747, 632.748, 632.85, 632.853, 632.855, 632.87 (3) to (5), 632.895 (5m)
5and (8) to (13) and 632.896.
SB369, s. 2 6Section 2. 40.51 (8m) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB369,4,3
140.51 (8m) Every health care coverage plan offered by the group insurance
2board under sub. (7) shall comply with ss. 631.95, 632.746 (1) to (8) and (10), 632.747,
3632.748, 632.85, 632.853, 632.855 and 632.895 (11) to (13).
SB369, s. 3 4Section 3. 111.91 (2) (kc) of the statutes is created to read:
SB369,4,55 111.91 (2) (kc) Compliance with the insurance requirements under s. 631.95.
SB369, s. 4 6Section 4. 185.981 (4t) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB369,4,107 185.981 (4t) A sickness care plan operated by a cooperative association is
8subject to ss. 252.14, 631.17, 631.89, 631.95, 632.72 (2), 632.745 to 632.749, 632.85,
9632.853, 632.855, 632.87 (2m), (3), (4) and (5), 632.895 (10) to (13) and 632.897 (10)
10and chs. 149 and 155.
SB369, s. 5 11Section 5. 185.983 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB369,4,1712 185.983 (1) (intro.) Every such voluntary nonprofit sickness care plan shall be
13exempt from chs. 600 to 646, with the exception of ss. 601.04, 601.13, 601.31, 601.41,
14601.42, 601.43, 601.44, 601.45, 611.67, 619.04, 628.34 (10), 631.17, 631.89, 631.93,
15631.95, 632.72 (2), 632.745 to 632.749, 632.775, 632.79, 632.795, 632.85, 632.853,
16632.855, 632.87 (2m), (3), (4) and (5), 632.895 (5) and (9) to (13), 632.896 and 632.897
17(10) and chs. 609, 630, 635, 645 and 646, but the sponsoring association shall:
SB369, s. 6 18Section 6. 609.89 of the statutes is created to read:
SB369,4,21 19609.89 Written reason for coverage denial. Limited service health
20organizations, preferred provider plans and managed care plans are subject to s.
21631.17.
SB369, s. 7 22Section 7. 609.90 of the statutes is created to read:
SB369,4,25 23609.90 Restrictions related to domestic abuse. Limited service health
24organizations, preferred provider plans and managed care plans are subject to s.
25631.95.
SB369, s. 8
1Section 8. 631.17 of the statutes is created to read:
SB369,5,5 2631.17 Written reason for coverage denial. An insurer that denies
3coverage under an individual or group insurance policy or a certificate of group
4insurance shall advise the applicant or proposed insured in writing of the reasons for
5the denial.
SB369, s. 9 6Section 9. 631.95 of the statutes is created to read:
SB369,5,8 7631.95 Restrictions on insurance practices; domestic abuse. (1)
8Definitions. In this section:
SB369,5,99 (a) "Abuse" has the meaning given in s. 813.122 (1) (a).
SB369,5,1010 (b) "Disability insurance policy" has the meaning given in s. 632.895 (1) (a).
SB369,5,1111 (c) "Domestic abuse" has the meaning given in s. 968.075 (1) (a).
SB369,5,13 12(2) General prohibitions. Except as provided in sub. (3), an insurer may not
13do any of the following:
SB369,5,1914 (a) Refuse to provide or renew coverage to a person, or cancel a person's
15coverage, under an individual or group insurance policy or a certificate of group
16insurance on the basis that the person has been, or the insurer has reason to believe
17that the person is, a victim of abuse or domestic abuse or that a member of the
18person's family has been, or the insurer has reason to believe that a member of the
19person's family is, a victim of abuse or domestic abuse.
SB369,6,220 (b) Refuse to provide or renew coverage to an employer or other group, or cancel
21an employer's or other group's coverage, under a group insurance policy on the basis
22that an employe or other group member has been, or the insurer has reason to believe
23that an employe or other group member is, a victim of abuse or domestic abuse or that
24a member of an employe's or other group member's family has been, or the insurer

1has reason to believe that a member of an employe's or other group member's family
2is, a victim of abuse or domestic abuse.
SB369,6,83 (c) Use as a factor in the determination of rates or any other aspect of insurance
4coverage under an individual or group insurance policy or a certificate of group
5insurance the knowledge or suspicion that a person or an employe or other group
6member has been or is a victim of abuse or domestic abuse or that a member of the
7person's or an employe's or other group member's family has been or is a victim of
8abuse or domestic abuse.
SB369,6,179 (d) Under an individual or group disability insurance policy or a certificate of
10group disability insurance, exclude or limit coverage of, or deny a claim for, health
11care services or items related to the treatment of injury or disease resulting from
12abuse or domestic abuse on the basis that a person or an employe or other group
13member has been, or the insurer has reason to believe that a person or an employe
14or other group member is, a victim of abuse or domestic abuse or that a member of
15the person's or an employe's or other group member's family has been, or the insurer
16has reason to believe that a member of the person's or an employe's or other group
17member's family is, a victim of abuse or domestic abuse.
SB369,6,2518 (e) Under an individual or group life insurance policy or a certificate of group
19life insurance, deny or limit benefits in the event that the death of the person whose
20life is insured results from abuse or domestic abuse on the basis that the person
21whose life is insured has been, or the insurer has reason to believe that the person
22whose life is insured is, a victim of abuse or domestic abuse or that a member of the
23family of the person whose life is insured has been, or the insurer has reason to
24believe that a member of the family of the person whose life is insured is, a victim
25of abuse or domestic abuse.
SB369,7,8
1(f) Under property insurance coverage that excludes coverage for loss or
2damage to property resulting from intentional acts, deny payment to an insured for
3a claim based on property loss or damage resulting from an act, or pattern, of abuse
4or domestic abuse if that insured did not cooperate in or contribute to the creation
5of the loss or damage and if the person who committed the act or acts that caused the
6loss or damage is criminally prosecuted for the act or acts. Payment to the innocent
7insured may be limited in accordance with his or her ownership interest in the
8property or reduced by payments to a mortgagee or other holder of a secured interest.
SB369,7,15 9(3) Exceptions and qualifications related to prohibitions. (a) Disability
10insurance.
In establishing premiums for an individual or group disability insurance
11policy or a certificate of group disability insurance, an insurer may inquire about a
12person's existing medical condition and, based on the opinion of a qualified actuary,
13as defined in s. 623.06 (1c), use information related to a person's existing medical
14condition, regardless of whether that condition is or may have been caused by abuse
15or domestic abuse.
SB369,7,1916 (b) Life insurance. With respect to an individual or group life insurance policy
17or a certificate of group life insurance, an insurer may, on the basis of information
18in medical, law enforcement or court records, or on the basis of information provided
19by the insured, policyholder or applicant for insurance, do any of the following:
SB369,7,2120 1. Deny or limit benefits under such a policy or certificate to a beneficiary who
21is the perpetrator of abuse or domestic abuse that results in the death of the insured.
SB369,7,2522 2. Refuse to issue such a policy or certificate that names as a beneficiary a
23person who is or was, or who the insurer has reason to believe is or was, a perpetrator
24of abuse or domestic abuse against the person who is to be the insured under the
25policy.
SB369,8,3
13. Refuse to name as a beneficiary under such a policy or certificate a person
2who is or was, or who the insurer has reason to believe is or was, a perpetrator of
3abuse or domestic abuse against the insured under the policy.
SB369,8,64 4. Refuse to issue such a policy or certificate to a person who is or was, or who
5the insurer has reason to believe is or was, a perpetrator of abuse or domestic abuse
6against the person who is to be the insured under the policy.
SB369,8,87 5. Refuse to issue such a policy or certificate to a person who lacks an insurable
8interest in the person who is to be the insured under the policy.
SB369,8,179 6. For purposes of underwriting; administering a claim under; or determining
10a person's eligibility for coverage, a benefit or payment under; such a policy or
11certificate; or for purposes of servicing such a policy or certificate or an application
12for such a policy or certificate; inquire about and use information related to a person's
13medical history or existing medical condition, regardless of whether that condition
14is or may have been caused by abuse or domestic abuse. Any adverse underwriting
15decision based on a person's medical history or medical condition must be made in
16conformity with sound actuarial principles or otherwise supported by actual or
17reasonably anticipated experience.
SB369,8,2318 (c) Disability income or long-term care insurance. With respect to an individual
19or group disability income or long-term care insurance policy or a certificate of group
20disability income or long-term care insurance, an insurer may, on the basis of
21information in medical, law enforcement or court records, or on the basis of
22information provided by the insured, policyholder or applicant for insurance, do any
23of the following:
SB369,9,3
11. Refuse to name as a beneficiary under such a policy or certificate a person
2who is or was, or who the insurer has reason to believe is or was, a perpetrator of
3abuse or domestic abuse against the insured under the policy.
SB369,9,64 2. Refuse to issue such a policy or certificate to a person who is or was, or who
5the insurer has reason to believe is or was, a perpetrator of abuse or domestic abuse
6against the person who is to be the insured under the policy.
SB369,9,87 3. Refuse to issue such a policy or certificate to a person who lacks an insurable
8interest in the person who is to be the insured under the policy.
SB369,9,179 4. For purposes of underwriting; administering a claim under; or determining
10a person's eligibility for coverage, a benefit or payment under; such a policy or
11certificate; or for purposes of servicing such a policy or certificate or an application
12for such a policy or certificate; inquire about and use information related to a person's
13medical history or existing medical condition, regardless of whether that condition
14is or may have been caused by abuse or domestic abuse. Any adverse underwriting
15decision based on a person's medical history or medical condition must be made in
16conformity with sound actuarial principles or otherwise supported by actual or
17reasonably anticipated experience.
SB369,9,20 18(4) Immunity for insurers. An insurer is immune from any civil or criminal
19liability for any action taken under sub. (3) or for the death of, or injury to, an insured
20that results from abuse or domestic abuse.
SB369,9,23 21(5) Use and disclosure of abuse information. (a) Except as provided in pars.
22(c) and (d) and sub. (3), no person employed by or contracting with an insurer may
23use, disclose or transfer information related to any of the following:
SB369,9,2524 1. Whether an insured or applicant for insurance or a member of the insured's
25or applicant's family, or whether an employe or other group member of an insured

1or applicant for insurance or a member of the employe's or other group member's
2family, is or has been, or is with reason believed by the person employed by or
3contracting with the insurer to be or to have been, a victim of abuse or domestic
4abuse.
SB369,10,95 2. Whether an insured or applicant for insurance, or whether an employe or
6other group member of an insured or applicant for insurance, is a family member or
7associate of, or in a relationship with, a person who is or has been, or who the person
8employed by or contracting with the insurer has reason to believe is or has been, a
9victim of abuse or domestic abuse.
SB369,10,1210 3. Whether an insured or an applicant for insurance employs a person who is
11or has been, or who the person employed by or contracting with the insurer has
12reason to believe is or has been, a victim of abuse or domestic abuse.
SB369,10,1713 (b) Except as provided in pars. (c) and (d), a person employed by or contracting
14with an insurer may not disclose or transfer information related to the telephone
15number or address or other location of any of the following individuals, if the person
16knows that the individual is or has been, or has reason to believe that the individual
17is or has been, a victim of abuse or domestic abuse:
SB369,10,1818 1. An insured.
SB369,10,1919 2. An applicant for insurance.
SB369,10,2020 3. An employe of an insured or of an applicant for insurance.
SB369,10,2121 4. A group member of an insured or of an applicant for insurance.
SB369,10,2222 5. A member of the family of any of the individuals listed in subds. 1. to 4.
SB369,10,2523 (c) Paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply if the use, disclosure or transfer of the
24information is made with the consent of the individual to whom the information
25relates or if the use, disclosure or transfer satisfies any of the following:
SB369,11,1
11. Is for a purpose related to the direct provision of health care services.
SB369,11,32 2. Is for a valid business purpose, including the disclosure or transfer of the
3information to any of the following:
SB369,11,44 a. A reinsurer.
SB369,11,65 b. A party to a proposed or consummated sale, transfer, merger or consolidation
6of all or part of the business of the insurer.
SB369,11,87 c. Medical, underwriting or claims personnel under contract or affiliated with
8the insurer.
SB369,11,99 d. An attorney representing the interests of the insurer.
SB369,11,1110 e. The policyholder or policyholder's assignee as a result of delivery of the
11policy.
SB369,11,1212 3. Is in response to legal process.
SB369,11,1413 4. Is required by a court order or an order of an entity with authority to regulate
14insurance, or is otherwise required by law.
SB369,11,1515 5. Is required or authorized by the commissioner by rule.
SB369,11,1816 (d) Nothing in this subsection limits or precludes an insured or an applicant
17for insurance, or an employe or other group member of an insured or applicant for
18insurance, from obtaining his or her own insurance records from an insurer.
SB369, s. 10 19Section 10. Initial applicability.
SB369,11,2020 (1) This act first applies to all of the following:
SB369,11,2321 (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), policies or certificates that are issued,
22renewed or applied for, whichever is appropriate, on the effective date of this
23paragraph.
SB369,12,224 (b) Policies or certificates covering employes who are affected by a collective
25bargaining agreement containing provisions inconsistent with this act that are

1issued, renewed or applied for, whichever is appropriate, on the earlier of the
2following:
SB369,12,3 31. The day on which the collective bargaining agreement expires.
SB369,12,5 42. The day on which the collective bargaining agreement is extended, modified
5or renewed.
SB369, s. 11 6Section 11. Effective date.
SB369,12,87 (1) This act takes effect on the first day of the 6th month beginning after
8publication.
SB369,12,99 (End)
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