bill extending mental health parity to state employee plans

The text as introduced · 558 words

By: Talarico
H.B. No. 1396

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to coverage for mental health conditions and substance use

disorders under certain governmental health benefit plans.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 1355.002(b), Insurance Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(b) Except as otherwise provided by this subchapter, but

notwithstanding [ Notwithstanding any provision in Chapter 1575 or

1579 or ] any other law, this subchapter [ Section 1355.015 ] applies

to:

(1) a basic coverage plan under Chapter 1551;

(2) a basic plan under Chapter 1575; [ and ]

(3) [ (2) ] a primary care coverage plan under Chapter

1579 ; and

(4) a plan providing basic coverage under Chapter

1601 .

SECTION 2. Section 1355.003(a), Insurance Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(a) This subchapter does not apply to coverage under:

(1) a blanket accident and health insurance policy, as

described by Chapter 1251;

(2) a short-term travel policy;

(3) an accident-only policy;

(4) a limited or specified-disease policy that does

not provide benefits for mental health care or similar services;

(5) [ except as provided by Subsection (b), a plan

offered under Chapter 1551 or Chapter 1601;

[ (6) ] a plan offered in accordance with Section

1355.151; or

(6) [ (7) ] a Medicare supplement benefit plan, as

defined by Section 1652.002.

SECTION 3. Section 1355.015(e), Insurance Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(e) Notwithstanding any other law, this section does not

apply to :

(1) a standard health benefit plan provided under

Chapter 1507 ;

(2) a basic coverage plan under Chapter 1551; or

(3) a plan providing basic coverage under Chapter

1601 .

SECTION 4. Section 1355.252, Insurance Code, is amended by

adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d) Notwithstanding any other law, this subchapter applies

to:

(1) a basic coverage plan under Chapter 1551;

(2) a basic plan under Chapter 1575;

(3) a primary care coverage plan under Chapter 1579;

and

(4) a plan providing basic coverage under Chapter

1601.

SECTION 5. Section 1355.255, Insurance Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 1355.255. COMPLIANCE. (a) Except as provided by

Subsection (b), the [ The ] commissioner shall enforce compliance

with Section 1355.254 by evaluating the benefits and coverage

offered by a health benefit plan for quantitative and

nonquantitative treatment limitations in the following categories:

(1) in-network and out-of-network inpatient care;

(2) in-network and out-of-network outpatient care;

(3) emergency care; and

(4) prescription drugs.

(b) With respect to a plan described by Section 1355.252(d),

the applicable trustee, board of trustees, or system shall enforce

compliance with Section 1355.254 by evaluating the benefits and

coverage offered by a health benefit plan for quantitative and

nonquantitative treatment limitations in the following categories:

(1) in-network and out-of-network inpatient care;

(2) in-network and out-of-network outpatient care;

(3) emergency care; and

(4) prescription drugs.

SECTION 6. Section 1355.003(b), Insurance Code, is

repealed.

SECTION 7. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to

a plan year that commences on or after January 1, 2026. A plan year

that commenced before January 1, 2026, is governed by the law as it

existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that

law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.