{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/38.2-508.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/38.2-508.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/38.2-508.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/38.2-508.1.html"}],"law_id":80488,"edition_id":1,"section_id":80488,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-508.1","catch_line":"Unfair discrimination; members of the armed forces","history":"1991, cc. 663, 678; 2013, c. 751.","full_text":"A\n\nNo person shall refuse to issue or refuse to continue a life insurance policy on the life of any member of the United States Armed Forces, the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard due to (i) their status as a member of any such military organization or (ii) their duty assignment while a member of any such military organization.B\n\nIn circumstances where an individual’s or family member’s coverage under a group life or group health insurance policy or contract was terminated due to such individual’s status as a member of the United States Armed Forces, the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard, no person shall refuse to reinstate such coverage, regardless of continuation, renewal, reissue or replacement of the group insurance policy, upon the occurrence of the individual’s return to eligibility status under the policy or contract. Such reinstated coverage shall not contain any new preexisting condition or other exclusions or limitations except that the remainder of a preexisting condition requirement that was not satisfied prior to termination of the individual’s coverage resulting from such military status may be applied once the individual returns and coverage under the group policy is reinstated.C\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply in any instance in which the provisions of this section are inconsistent or in conflict with a provision of Article 6 (§ 38.2-3438 et seq.) of Chapter 34.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":288339,"text":"No person shall refuse to issue or refuse to continue a life insurance policy on the life of any member of the United States Armed Forces, the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard due to (i) their status as a member of any such military organization or (ii) their duty assignment while a member of any such military organization.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":288340,"text":"In circumstances where an individual’s or family member’s coverage under a group life or group health insurance policy or contract was terminated due to such individual’s status as a member of the United States Armed Forces, the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard, no person shall refuse to reinstate such coverage, regardless of continuation, renewal, reissue or replacement of the group insurance policy, upon the occurrence of the individual’s return to eligibility status under the policy or contract. Such reinstated coverage shall not contain any new preexisting condition or other exclusions or limitations except that the remainder of a preexisting condition requirement that was not satisfied prior to termination of the individual’s coverage resulting from such military status may be applied once the individual returns and coverage under the group policy is reinstated.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":288341,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not apply in any instance in which the provisions of this section are inconsistent or in conflict with a provision of Article 6 (§ 38.2-3438 et seq.) of Chapter 34.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13684,"edition_id":1,"name":"Unfair Trade Practices","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12698,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:33","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:33","permalink":{"id":217475,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13684,"identifier":"5","token":"38.2\/5","url":"\/38.2\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12698,"edition_id":1,"name":"Insurance","identifier":"38.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":210661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12698,"identifier":"38.2","token":"38.2","url":"\/38.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":66905,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-500","catch_line":"Declaration of purpose","url":"\/38.2-500\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-500","metadata":false},{"id":79956,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-501","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/38.2-501\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-501","metadata":false},{"id":79437,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-502","catch_line":"Misrepresentations and false advertising of insurance policies","url":"\/38.2-502\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-502","metadata":false},{"id":54663,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-503","catch_line":"False information and advertising generally","url":"\/38.2-503\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-503","metadata":false},{"id":82451,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-504","catch_line":"Defamation","url":"\/38.2-504\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-504","metadata":false},{"id":84128,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-505","catch_line":"Boycott, coercion and intimidation","url":"\/38.2-505\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-505","metadata":false},{"id":78214,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-506","catch_line":"False statements and entries","url":"\/38.2-506\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-506","metadata":false},{"id":56726,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-507","catch_line":"Stock operations and advisory board contracts","url":"\/38.2-507\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-507","metadata":false},{"id":67626,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-508","catch_line":"Unfair discrimination","url":"\/38.2-508\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-508","metadata":false},{"id":80488,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-508.1","catch_line":"Unfair discrimination; members of the armed forces","url":"\/38.2-508.1\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-508.1","metadata":false},{"id":63719,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-508.2","catch_line":"Discrimination prohibited","url":"\/38.2-508.2\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-508.2","metadata":false},{"id":79096,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-508.3","catch_line":"Consideration of Medicaid eligibility prohibited","url":"\/38.2-508.3\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-508.3","metadata":false},{"id":61622,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-508.4","catch_line":"Genetic information privacy","url":"\/38.2-508.4\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-508.4","metadata":false},{"id":77794,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-508.5","catch_line":"Re-underwriting individual under existing group or individual accident and sickness insurance policy prohibited; exceptions","url":"\/38.2-508.5\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-508.5","metadata":false},{"id":66721,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-509","catch_line":"Rebates","url":"\/38.2-509\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-509","metadata":false},{"id":56597,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-510","catch_line":"Unfair claim settlement practices","url":"\/38.2-510\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-510","metadata":false},{"id":80252,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-511","catch_line":"Failure to maintain record of complaints","url":"\/38.2-511\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-511","metadata":false},{"id":77547,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-512","catch_line":"Misrepresentation in insurance documents or communications","url":"\/38.2-512\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-512","metadata":false},{"id":64491,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-513","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-513\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-513","metadata":false},{"id":68759,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-513.1","catch_line":"Insurance sales by depository institutions and other lending institutions","url":"\/38.2-513.1\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-513.1","metadata":false},{"id":84848,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-514","catch_line":"Failure to make disclosure","url":"\/38.2-514\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-514","metadata":false},{"id":75763,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-514.1","catch_line":"Disclosure required","url":"\/38.2-514.1\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-514.1","metadata":false},{"id":72002,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-514.2","catch_line":"Disclosures required of motor vehicle rental contract insurance agents and enrollers","url":"\/38.2-514.2\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-514.2","metadata":false},{"id":77046,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-515","catch_line":"Power of Commission","url":"\/38.2-515\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-515","metadata":false},{"id":62747,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-515.1","catch_line":"Power of Commission; policies issued outside of the Commonwealth","url":"\/38.2-515.1\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-515.1","metadata":false},{"id":67332,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-516","catch_line":"Prohibited compensation for intra-company replacement","url":"\/38.2-516\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-516","metadata":false},{"id":76418,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-517","catch_line":"Unfair settlement practices; replacement and repair; penalty","url":"\/38.2-517\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-517","metadata":false},{"id":74674,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-518","catch_line":"Certificates of insurance","url":"\/38.2-518\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-518","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":67626,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-508","catch_line":"Unfair discrimination","url":"\/38.2-508\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-508","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":63719,"structure_id":13684,"section_number":"38.2-508.2","catch_line":"Discrimination prohibited","url":"\/38.2-508.2\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-508.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/38.2-508.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1991. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 663 and 678 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1991 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2013, chapter 751<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":68187,"section_number":"38.2-3444","catch_line":"Preexisting condition exclusions","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-3444\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":57210,"section_number":"38.2-3438","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-3438\/"}],"permalink":{"id":217513,"object_type":"law","relational_id":80488,"identifier":"38.2-508.1","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-508.1","url":"\/38.2-508.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/38.2-508.1\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-508.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Unfair discrimination; members of the armed forces","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 38.2-508.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> No person<\/span> shall refuse to issue<\/span> or refuse to continue a life insurance policy<\/span> on the life of any member of the United States<\/span> Armed Forces, the Reserves of the United States<\/span> Armed Forces or the National Guard due to (i) their status as a member of any such military organization or (ii) their duty assignment while a member of any such military organization. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> In circumstances where an individual’s or family member’s coverage under a group life or group health insurance policy<\/span> or contract<\/span> was terminated due to such individual’s status as a member of the United States<\/span> Armed Forces, the Reserves of the United States<\/span> Armed Forces or the National Guard, no person<\/span> shall refuse to reinstate such coverage, regardless of continuation, renewal, reissue or replacement of the group insurance policy<\/span>, upon the occurrence of the individual’s return to eligibility status under the policy or contract<\/span>. Such reinstated coverage shall not contain any new preexisting condition or other exclusions or limitations except that the remainder of a preexisting condition requirement that was not satisfied prior to termination of the individual’s coverage resulting from such military status may be applied once the individual returns and coverage under the group policy is reinstated. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not apply in any instance in which the provisions of this section are inconsistent or in conflict with a provision of Article 6 (§ 38.2-3438<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 34. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nUNFAIR DISCRIMINATION; MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES (\u00a7 38.2-508.1)\n\nA. No person shall refuse to issue or refuse to continue a life insurance policy\non the life of any member of the United States Armed Forces, the Reserves of the\nUnited States Armed Forces or the National Guard due to (i) their status as a\nmember of any such military organization or (ii) their duty assignment while a\nmember of any such military organization.\n\nB. In circumstances where an individual’s or family member’s\ncoverage under a group life or group health insurance policy or contract was\nterminated due to such individual’s status as a member of the United\nStates Armed Forces, the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces or the\nNational Guard, no person shall refuse to reinstate such coverage, regardless of\ncontinuation, renewal, reissue or replacement of the group insurance policy,\nupon the occurrence of the individual’s return to eligibility status under\nthe policy or contract. Such reinstated coverage shall not contain any new\npreexisting condition or other exclusions or limitations except that the\nremainder of a preexisting condition requirement that was not satisfied prior to\ntermination of the individual’s coverage resulting from such military\nstatus may be applied once the individual returns and coverage under the group\npolicy is reinstated.\n\nC. The provisions of this section shall not apply in any instance in which the\nprovisions of this section are inconsistent or in conflict with a provision of\nArticle 6 (§ 38.2-3438 et seq.) of Chapter 34.\n\nHISTORY: 1991, cc. 663, 678; 2013, c. 751.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}