Update: Louisiana Bill Would Ban Insurance Rates Based on Gender, Race, More

A bill currently before the Louisiana Senate Insurance Committee and backed by Gov. John Bel Edwards would ban certain discriminatory practices in auto insurance rate determinations.

Senate Bill 55, introduced by Sen. Jay Luneau, would prohibit based on risks classified by gender, credit score/rating, and marital status. The legislation “requires that insurance rates not be inadequate or unfairly discriminatory in a competitive market and that rates not be excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory in a noncompetitive market. Authorizes classification risks using any criteria but prohibits risk classifications on the basis of race, color, creed, or national origin,” according to the Senate digest description of the bill.

The proposal additionally “prohibits risk classifications made on the basis of the status of the insured being a widow or widower, the insured’s credit score/rating, or the gender of an insured over the age of 25.”

If passed, it would be effective Aug. 1, 2021.

Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly included age as a criteria that would not be allowed in determining risk under SB 55.