Researcher: JKL Page 1 5/21/21
OLR Bill Analysis
SB 1004 (File 323, as amended by Senate "A")*
AN ACT CONCERNING DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE
COVERAGE FOR CHILDREN, STEPCHILDREN AND OTHER
DEPENDENT CHILDREN.
SUMMARY
This bill requires certain health, dental, and vision insurance
policies to continue coverage for a child, stepchild, or other dependent
child until the policy anniversary date on or after the date the child
turns age 26. Current law with respect to health policies (1) does not
explicitly apply to stepchildren or other dependent children and (2)
allows the policies to terminate coverage for children before age 26 if
they obtain coverage through their own employment. In practice
currently, dental and vision policies often end coverage for children at
age 18.
The bill applies to individual and group health insurance policies
delivered, issued, renewed, amended, or continued in Connecticut that
cover (1) basic hospital expenses; (2) basic medical-surgical expenses;
(3) major medical expenses; (4) accidents only; (5) limited benefits; (6)
hospital or medical services, including those provided under an HMO
plan; or (7) single service ancillary coverage, including dental or vision
coverage. Because of the federal Employee Retirement Income Security
Act (ERISA), state insurance benefit mandates do not apply to self-
insured benefit plans.
*Senate Amendment “A” eliminates a provision in current law
allowing health insurance policies to end coverage for children before
age 26 if they obtain coverage through their own employment.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2022
BACKGROUND
Related Bill 2021SB-01004-R01-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JKL Page 2 5/21/21
SB 1045, §§ 1 & 2 (File 370), favorably reported by the Insurance and
Real Estate Committee and passed by the Senate, makes the same
changes as this bill with respect to health insurance policies.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Insurance and Real Estate Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 18 Nay 0 (03/22/2021)
Appropriations Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 32 Nay 15 (05/03/2021)