(WNY News Now) – In a united effort to protect equitable access to home insurance, Attorney General Michelle Henry has joined a coalition of 19 Attorneys General opposing an industry challenge to a crucial anti-discrimination rule.
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry has teamed up with 19 other state Attorneys General to defend the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Discriminatory Effects Rule, a key regulation ensuring that homeowners of all races and ethnicities have fair access to insurance.
The coalition, led by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb, filed an amicus brief urging a federal court to reject a lawsuit from the homeowners insurance industry. The industry is challenging HUD’s rule under the Fair Housing Act, claiming it unfairly holds insurers accountable for discrimination based on race or nationality.
“Everyone deserves fair treatment when it comes to insuring their home, which for most Pennsylvanians, is their most treasured and valuable asset,” Attorney General Henry said. “This coalition’s effort is about standing up for homeowners who could be harmed by discriminatory practices.”
The homeowners insurance industry argues that HUD should have provided a blanket exemption for insurers rather than considering conflicts between federal and state laws on a case-by-case basis. However, the Attorneys General argue that HUD’s rule aligns with both federal and state anti-discrimination laws, and provides essential protection against unjust insurance practices.
In Pennsylvania, the Insurance Department oversees the regulation of homeowners insurance companies and works to enforce fair, non-discriminatory practices. Attorney General Henry’s participation in the coalition underscores Pennsylvania’s commitment to upholding these protections.
Other states joining the effort include Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
Leave a Reply