HB4429 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 17415 BAB 30840 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB4429

Introduced 1/20/2026, by Rep. Anne Stava

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

215 ILCS 5/356z.88 new
410 ILCS 50/5.3 new
410 ILCS 50/5.4 new

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that no policy of accident or health insurance that is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027 may limit or otherwise alter coverage available to an insured based solely on that insured's weight or body mass index. Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act. Provides that no physician may make a diagnosis or determination of treatment based solely on a patient's body mass index. Establishes disclosure requirements for hospitals concerning the use of body mass index in diagnosis and treatment. Provides that any physician, medical student, resident, advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse, physician assistant, licensed behavior analyst, licensed assistant behavior analyst, or clinical psychologist who conducts medical, behavioral, or psychological assessments shall only use methodology recommended by peer-reviewed clinical practice guidelines or methodology established through evidence-based standards that are widely recognized by professional medical, behavioral, or psychological organizations, respective to the form of assessment, when conducting those assessments.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 25. The Illinois Insurance Code is amended by adding Section 356z.88 as follows:

(215 ILCS 5/356z.88 new)

Sec. 356z.88. Prohibition on limiting coverage based on body mass index. As used in this Section, "body mass index" means the screening tool that uses an individual's height and weight to estimate body fat. No policy of accident or health insurance that is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027 may limit or otherwise alter coverage available to an insured based solely on that insured's weight or body mass index.

Section 50. The Medical Patient Rights Act is amended by adding Sections 5.3 and 5.4 as follows:

(410 ILCS 50/5.3 new)

Sec. 5.3. Discrimination on the basis of BMI; notice.

(a) As used in this Section, "body mass index" means the screening tool that uses an individual's height and weight to estimate body fat.

(b) No physician may make a diagnosis or determination of treatment based solely on a patient's body mass index.

(c) Every hospital shall post, either by physical or electronic means, in close proximity to every publicly accessible entrance, a notice stating the following:

"You have the right to access treatment regardless of your Body Mass Index (BMI), and to know if and to what extent your doctor has considered your weight in diagnosis or in determining treatment. If you feel that weight or BMI has been used improperly, please call [insert number for hospital grievance officer].".

(d) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prohibit the use of blood pressure, cholesterol, or other factors typically used in combination with body mass index for diagnosis or treatment.

(410 ILCS 50/5.4 new)

Sec. 5.4. Scientific assessment standards. Any physician, medical student, resident, advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse, physician assistant, licensed behavior analyst, licensed assistant behavior analyst, or clinical psychologist who conducts medical, behavioral, or psychological assessments shall only use methodology recommended by peer-reviewed clinical practice guidelines or methodology established through evidence-based standards that are widely recognized by professional medical, behavioral, or psychological organizations, respective to the form of assessment, when conducting those assessments.