An Act Prohibiting Property Insurance Discrimination Based on Breed of Dog

Sec. 1. 24-A MRSA §3061  is enacted to read:

§ 3061.  Actions related to ownership of certain breeds of dogs prohibited

An insurance company authorized to transact business in this State may not cancel, refuse to issue or renew or charge an increased premium for a property insurance policy subject to this subchapter solely on the basis of a policyholder's ownership of a certain breed of dog. This section does not apply if the dog owned by the policyholder has been designated as a dangerous dog as defined in Title 7, section 3907, subsection 12-D.

SUMMARY

This bill prohibits the refusal to issue or the cancellation or nonrenewal of a property insurance policy or an increase in the premium for the policy solely on the basis of a policyholder's ownership of a certain breed of dog. The restrictions do not apply if a dog has been designated as a dangerous dog in accordance with state law.