Sen. Lena Gonzalez, D-Long Beach, announced Tuesday the introduction of what she calls the Equal Insurance HIV Act, saying it would prevent insurance companies from denying life and disability income insurance coverage based solely on a person's HIV status.

Gonzalez joined state Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and LGBTQ- advocacy group Equality California to announce the bill, which would enact anti- discrimination protections in life and disability income insurance products for people living with HIV.

"Everyone deserves access to life and disability income insurance, regardless of pre-existing conditions," Gonzalez said. "I am so proud that my first bill introduced in the Legislature will ensure access to these critical resources for residents who are HIV-positive. It is time that we end the practice of insurance companies refusing to provide services to those who need it most." (Read Full Text)