Bill > HB656

Introduced Session

Mental health and substance abuse disorders; network adequacy standards; comparative analyses; report; emergency regulations. Directs the Department of Health to issue regulations that include quantitative network adequacy standards for timely access to care, travel time, and geographical distance that are at least as stringent as those imposed for qualified health plans and qualified dental plans. The bill amends the definitions of "mental health services" and "substance abuse services" for the purposes of health insurance coverage. The bill requires health carriers to submit all comparative analyses prepared pursuant to federal law to the Bureau of Insurance on the date and frequency as specified by the Bureau and includes additional information to include in such submission. Under the bill, the Bureau may impose a penalty not to exceed $100,000 for a noncompliant or insufficient comparative analysis or require a carrier to remove, revise, or remedy noncompliant treatment limitations. The bill also amends the contents of the annual report submitted by the Bureau to the General Assembly to cover enforcement efforts with respect to the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.The bill authorizes the Bureau to promulgate regulations as necessary to implement the provisions of the bill and directs the Department of Health to adopt emergency regulations to implement the provisions of the bill.

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Committee Categories

Rodney Willett (D)*,  Bonita Anthony (D),  Nadarius Clark (D),  Nicole Cole (D),  Hyland Fowler (R),  J.R. Henson (D),  Destiny LeVere Bolling (D),  Michelle Lopes-Maldonado (D),  Fernando Martinez (D), 

Senate Education and Health Hearing (08:30:00 2/26/2026 Senate Room A, Room 305, General Assembly Building) (on 02/26/2026)

Official Document