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Senate bill · S9179 (2025-26)

Prohibits insurance discrimination on the basis of an insured's marital status following the death of the insured's spouse

PassedLatest action Jun 3, 2026

New York State Senate

Same as A10279, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Passed as A10279, the matching Assembly bill.

Sponsor

James Skoufis

State Senator, District 42 · Democratic

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Summary

Prohibits insurance discrimination on the basis of an insured's marital status following the death of the insured's spouse.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

Amends the Insurance Law.

From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 23, 2026. About our data

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Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

Prohibits insurance discrimination on the basis of an insured's marital status following the death of the insured's spouse

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Where it stands

Passed the legislature and is awaiting a signature.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Up for a vote
  4. Passed one chamber
  5. Passed
  6. Enacted

Committee

Insurance · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Insurance · New York State Senate.

The sponsor's argument

Why James Skoufis says this is needed

This legislation will prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against individuals based on their marital status following the death of a spouse. Commonly referred to as the "widow penalty," such practices unfairly increase premiums, limit coverage, or refuse renewal for widowed policyholders. This legislation ensures that surviving spouses have equitable access to insurance coverage, including property, casual- ty, homeowner's, renter's, and automobile insurance, thereby protecting vulnerable households from financial hardship and promoting fairness in the insurance market.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Recorded votes

  • Vote: Floor vote

    NY SenateJun 3, 2026Result: passedSenate vote on A10279, the matching Assembly bill.

    (61) (0) (0) (2)

  • Vote: Committee vote · Insurance

    Senate InsuranceMay 4, 2026Result: passed

    (11) (0) (0) (0)

Full history

  1. Jun 3, 2026

    3RD Reading CAL.886

    3RD READING CAL.886

    NY Senate

  2. Jun 3, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    PASSED SENATE

    NY Senate

  3. Jun 3, 2026

    Substituted

    SUBSTITUTED BY A10279A

    NY Senate

  4. May 6, 2026

    Advanced to Third Reading

    ADVANCED TO THIRD READING

    NY Senate

  5. May 5, 2026

    2ND Report CAL.

    2ND REPORT CAL.

    NY Senate

Show full history (10 earlier events)
  1. May 4, 2026

    1ST Report CAL.886

    1ST REPORT CAL.886

    NY Senate

  2. Apr 28, 2026

    Sent to the executive

    DELIVERED TO SENATE

    NY Assembly

  3. Apr 28, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    PASSED ASSEMBLY

    NY Assembly

  4. Apr 28, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO INSURANCE

    NY Senate

  5. Apr 23, 2026

    Advanced to Third Reading CAL.378

    ADVANCED TO THIRD READING CAL.378

    NY Assembly

  6. Apr 22, 2026

    Amend and Recommit to Insurance

    AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO INSURANCE

    NY Senate

  7. Apr 21, 2026

    Reported out of committee

    REPORTED

    NY Assembly

  8. Apr 17, 2026

    Amend and Recommit to Insurance

    AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO INSURANCE

    NY Assembly

  9. Feb 20, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO INSURANCE

    NY Assembly

  10. Feb 11, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO INSURANCE

    NY Senate