NY law curbs intrusive theft probes
Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz announced passed legislation that limits intrusive insurer demands in theft claims, tightening privacy protections and changing evidence requirements for investigations. (x.com)
A1450/S5349 would add a new §2619 to New York’s Insurance Law to bar insurers from routinely demanding intrusive personal, financial and tax records in ordinary theft claims. (nysenate.gov) The Assembly version (A1450) was introduced Jan. 9, 2025 and the Assembly recorded passage on May 21, 2025. (nysenate.gov) The Senate companion, S5349, is sponsored by Sen. Leroy Comrie and was referred to the Senate Insurance Committee on Feb. 20, 2025, where it remained in committee in the 2025–2026 session. (nysenate.gov) Committee and bill summaries enumerate examples of the sensitive records targeted by the restriction—tax returns, bank statements, business licenses, loan applications, voting records and incorporation documents. (billtrack50.com) The text conditions insurer requests on “specific, articulable circumstances” that directly relate to the theft claim and suggest potential fraud, rather than permitting broad or standard blanket requests during routine investigations. (billtrack50.com) Assembly sponsor Jeffrey Dinowitz lists co-sponsors David I. Weprin, Harvey Epstein and Yudelka Tapia on the A1450 filing. (nysenate.gov) Committee summaries and tracking services note the bill frames routine, sweeping demands for financial/tax data as potentially constituting an unfair claim-settlement practice and set an effective-date structure to take effect after enactment. (billtrack50.com)
