All Roll Calls
Yes: 139 • No: 35
MarylandHB 02802026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Health Insurance - Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders - Codification of Federal Requirements
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Health - InsuranceClassifications and DesignationsData -see also- Census; DemographicsDiscriminationDisparityEthicsEvaluations and ReviewsFederal GovernmentHealth -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.Health Insurance -see also- ACA; HMOs; MCOsHealth Maintenance Organizations -see also- Manage Care OrgsInsurance AdministrationMedical Conditions -see also- AIDS; COVID-19; rabiesMedical TreatmentsMental and Behavioral Health -see also- Aut; Cogn; Dev; etc.Nonprofit OrganizationsRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsRules and RegulationsSubstance AbuseSubstance Abuse Treatment
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Core mental health treatments must be covered
The law defines mental health and substance use benefits. It also defines “core treatment” using accepted medical standards. Plans must offer meaningful benefits for each covered condition. If a core treatment exists, plans cover it in every benefit category where similar medical/surgical care is covered. These rules apply to state-regulated health plans beginning July 1, 2026.
Stronger enforcement of mental health parity
The Commissioner reviews carrier reports and can demand analyses within 15 working days, or faster if federal rules require. If a carrier is not compliant, the Commissioner must give written notice and 90 days to submit a plan and reprocess wrongly denied claims. If problems remain, the Commissioner can order the carrier to stop the practice, pay benefits, and apply other legal penalties. Carriers must prove they comply during any review or investigation. The Commissioner must also adopt rules with uniform definitions and methods. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
Stronger mental health parity tests and reports
Carriers must list all nonquantitative treatment limits for each benefit category (like in‑network, out‑of‑network, inpatient, outpatient, drugs, and emergency care). They must do written comparative analyses, compare rules on paper versus in practice, and collect data on how these limits affect access, including network access. Carriers must submit reports on at least five limits chosen by the Commissioner and include factors, evidence, audits, data, and fixes. If data show big access gaps, carriers must document steps taken to fix them within 15 working days of the Commissioner’s request. These duties begin July 1, 2026.
You can request the parity analysis
As a plan member, you can ask for the carrier’s comparative analysis for any treatment limit. The carrier must send it within 30 days of your written request, following federal parity disclosure rules. This right starts July 1, 2026.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/6/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 46 • No: 0 • Other: 1
House vote • 3/4/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 93 • No: 35 • Other: 13
Actions Timeline
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 11
4/14/2026Returned Passed
4/7/2026HouseThird Reading Passed (46-0)
4/6/2026SenateFavorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
3/31/2026SenateFavorable Report by Finance
3/30/2026SenateReferred Finance
3/5/2026SenateThird Reading Passed (93-35)
3/4/2026HouseSecond Reading Passed
3/3/2026HouseFavorable Adopted
3/3/2026HouseFavorable Report by Health
3/3/2026HouseHearing 1/29 at 2:00 p.m.
1/20/2026HouseFirst Reading Health
1/14/2026HousePre-filed
9/16/2025House
Bill Text
Enacted
4/14/2026
Third Reading
3/3/2026
First Reading
1/14/2026
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