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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Kenyatta Johnson
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House passes Johnson bill to ensure fairness in insurance exams
HARRISBURG, July 1 – State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson, D-Phila., said the House today unanimously passed his legislation intended to ensure fairness in the construction of life insurance examinations.
It now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Johnson said his bill (H.B. 2490) would require the state Insurance Department to review the results of licensing tests for life, accident and health insurance agents on an annual basis. He said under the bill, the Insurance Department would also collect demographic data – including race, gender, national origin and highest level of education – from applicants and compare it with the exam's overall outcome to determine whether there is any disparity in the pass rate based on demographic characteristics of the examinees.
"This bill is designed to prevent disparity on passing the insurance agent test based on the demographic characteristics of the test takers," Johnson said. "Nine states have already enacted similar legislation designed to keep the life insurance licensing process fair, and I am pleased that the House has taken this step to ensure that Pennsylvania will become the next."
He said that the Insurance Department would be required to report its findings on its website.
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