Utah House Votes Down Inmate Insurance Bill

February 4, 2010

The Utah House has defeated a bill that would ban insurance companies from excluding coverage for certain prisoners.

Lawmakers voted 44-30 against House Bill 22.

The measure would have applied to inmates already eligible for coverage in correctional facilities, county jails and offenders in Department of Justice custody.

The legislation included exceptions that wouldn’t be covered, such as self-inflicted harm and violent injuries sustained inside.

Representatives from some Utah insurance companies opposed the bill at a committee hearing, citing safety issues and inexperience in coordinating with prisons.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Paul Ray, a Republican from Clearfield.

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