All Roll Calls
Yes: 143 • No: 34
MarylandSB 02052026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Health Insurance - Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders - Codification of Federal Requirements
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Health - InsuranceClassifications and DesignationsCodes -see also- Annotated Code of Md; Building CodesData -see also- Census; DemographicsDiscriminationDisparityEthicsEvaluations and ReviewsEvidenceFederal 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 OrganizationsNoticesRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsRules and RegulationsStandards and Best PracticesSubstance AbuseSubstance Abuse Treatment
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Meaningful mental health benefits in every class
Beginning July 1, 2026, insurers must prove their mental health and substance use rules are no stricter than medical rules. Their evidence and standards cannot be biased. Plans must provide meaningful benefits for each covered condition in every parity class where medical/surgical benefits exist. If no core MH/SUD treatment exists in a class, the plan still must cover the condition in that class. This helps ensure similar care and fewer improper denials.
Stronger parity checks and faster plan disclosures
Beginning July 1, 2026, health plans must list every nonquantitative limit they use in each parity class. They must analyze how each limit affects access and keep the data. Reports must cover at least five limits chosen by the Insurance Commissioner and include audits and in‑operation results. Plans must give the Commissioner their analyses within 15 working days of a written request, and give members a copy within 30 days. These steps make it easier to spot and fix unfair barriers to mental health and addiction care.
Tougher enforcement and claim reprocessing for parity
Beginning July 1, 2026, if plan data show a limit cuts access, the Commissioner treats it as likely noncompliant. The plan must document steps to fix it within 15 working days after a request. After a written notice of violations, carriers have 90 days to submit a compliance plan and reprocess wrongly denied claims. If problems remain, the Commissioner can order payment of improperly denied benefits, stop illegal practices, and apply penalties. Carriers must prove they comply, and the Commissioner will set uniform rules to run this process.
Clear definitions for mental health and addiction care
Beginning July 1, 2026, Maryland law defines what counts as mental health and substance use disorder benefits. It uses the DSM and the WHO ICD to set covered conditions. It also defines “core treatment” using current medical standards. Plans and regulators use these terms to compare coverage under parity rules.
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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
House vote • 4/2/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 100 • No: 34 • Other: 8
Senate vote • 2/12/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 2
Actions Timeline
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 12
4/14/2026Returned Passed
4/3/2026SenateThird Reading Passed (100-34)
4/2/2026HouseFavorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
4/1/2026HouseFavorable Report by Health
4/1/2026HouseHearing 3/26 at 2:00 p.m.
3/25/2026HouseHearing canceled
3/25/2026HouseHearing 3/26 at 1:00 p.m.
3/17/2026HouseReferred Health
2/13/2026HouseThird Reading Passed (43-0)
2/12/2026SenateSecond Reading Passed
2/10/2026SenateFavorable Adopted
2/10/2026SenateFavorable Report by Finance
2/9/2026SenateHearing 1/28 at 2:00 p.m.
1/19/2026SenateFirst Reading Finance
1/14/2026SenatePre-filed
9/16/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enacted
4/14/2026
Third Reading
2/10/2026
First Reading
1/14/2026
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