Skip to main content
HR 4642 98th Congress House

Fair Insurance Coverage Act

Official title: A bill to prohibit discrimination in insurance on the basis of blindness or degree of blindness.

Introduced: January 25, 1984 See on congress.gov
Finance and Financial Sector BlindBusiness and commerceCivil Rights and LibertiesCivil actions and liability
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Courts and Civil ProcedureDisabledDiscrimination in insuranceInsurance
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
This bill died when the 98th Congress ended
It never became law before the 98th Congress (1983–1984) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 12, 1984
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee.
Sep 12, 1984
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 27, 1984
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jan 31, 1984
Referred to Subcommittee on Commerce, Transportation and Tourism.
Jan 25, 1984
Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 25, 1984
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action September 12, 1984

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Fair Insurance Coverage Act - Prohibits any insurer from discriminating in an insurance contract against any person because of blindness. Includes within the prohibition refusing to make or negotiate a contract for insurance or giving different treatment with respect to terms, conditions, rates, or benefits because of blindness.

Establishes a preference for State actions prior to judicial enforcement under this Act.

Authorizes any aggrieved person, in the absence of State actions or jurisdiction, to bring an action under this Act for individual relief. Authorizes the Attorney General of the United States to bring an action for injunctive relief whenever there is reasonable cause to believe a person is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination or when an individual is aggrieved and an issue of general public importance is raised.

Grants the Federal district courts jurisdiction of such actions regardless of the amount in controversy. Allows a court to order monetary, equitable, or other appropriate relief, including punitive damages.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 2775 Identical bill Fair Insurance Coverage Act
 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 3
All 3 Democratic 3
D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Sep 25, 1984
 D
Kaptur, Marcy
Ohio · Mar 27, 1984
 D
Schumer, Charles E.
New York · Mar 14, 1984
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4642: Fair Insurance Coverage Act. 98th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-4642/
MLA
"H.R. 4642: Fair Insurance Coverage Act." 98th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-4642/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4642, 98th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-4642/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4642: Fair Insurance Coverage Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-4642/)
Report a problem