HBill.html

To amend Code Section 33-6-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the business of insurance, so as to prohibit additional discriminatory practices based on race, color, or national or ethnic origin; to provide for remedies for violations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Code Section 33-6-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the business of insurance, is amended by inserting a new division (b)(8)(A)(iv) and a new subsection (d) to read as follows:
"(iv) Unfair discrimination prohibited by the provisions of this subparagraph includes discrimination based on race, color, and national or ethnic origin. In addition, in connection with any kind of insurance, it shall be an unfair and deceptive act or practice to refuse to insure or to refuse to continue to insure an individual; to limit the amount, extent, or kind of coverage available to an individual; or to charge an individual a different rate for the same coverage because of the race, color, or national or ethnic origin of that individual or to base such refusal, limitation, or rates on criteria which have the effect of discriminating on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin. The prohibitions of this division are in addition to and supplement any and all other provisions of Georgia law prohibiting such discrimination which were previously enacted and currently exist, or which may be enacted subsequently, and shall not be a limitation on such other provisions of law."
"(d) A violation of this Code section shall give rise to a civil cause of action for damages resulting from such violation including, but not limited to, all damages recoverable for breach of insuring agreements under Georgia law including damages for bad faith and attorney´s fees and costs of litigation. A violation of this Code section shall also give rise to the awarding of punitive or exemplary damages in an amount as may be determined by the trier of fact if such violation is found to be intentional. The remedies provided herein are in addition to and cumulative of all other remedies that may now or hereafter be provided by law."