Florida Senate Targets Insurers In Gun Bill
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) -- The Florida Senate voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to approve a bill that seeks to prevent insurers from discriminating against customers because of gun ownership.
After little discussion, senators voted 36-3 to approve the measure (SB 424), sponsored by Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon.
The dissenters were Senate Minority Leader Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, and Sen. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando.
While the issue of insurance and gun ownership is already addressed in one part of state law, the bill would put into law that it is "unfair discrimination" for property or auto insurers to refuse to issue policies, cancel policies or charge discriminatory rates based on customers' legal ownership of guns or ammunition.
The House version (HB 255) has been approved by committees and is ready to go before the full House.
"The News Service of Florida contributed to this report."