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119-hr-3758119th CongressWALLET

Workers’ Disability Benefits Parity Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10]

Introduced

Summary

Establishes parity in disability benefits by treating mental health and substance use disorder disabilities the same as physical disabilities. This bill would create new ERISA rules, enforcement tools, and standards to stop plans from imposing tougher limits on behavioral health disability benefits.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Equal disability benefits for behavioral health

This bill would require equal treatment of disabilities from mental health and substance use disorders. Private and government plans could not set stricter limits than for physical conditions. Plans would need to count physical health problems caused by a behavioral condition as part of the same disability. If passed, this could make it easier to get disability benefits for behavioral health conditions.

Stronger enforcement and your right to sue

If enacted, the Secretary of Labor could fine violators for each day and each affected person until the problem is fixed. States could enforce these rules on insurers; if a State does not, the Secretary would step in. If a government plan or an issuer harms you by breaking the rules, you could sue in State or Federal court for fair relief. The Secretary would be able to collect penalties. State laws that give stronger protections would remain unless they block these federal rules.

Agency rules, study, and $10M funding

The Secretary of Labor could issue rules and guidance to carry out this bill. Within 18 months, the Department would study costs to plan sponsors for covering behavioral health disabilities and do outreach on how time limits affect access. The bill would authorize $10 million each year for five years for this work, if Congress appropriates the money.

Key terms defined for disability parity

The bill would define what counts as a disability benefit and a disability benefit plan. It would define mental health and substance use disorders using established DSM and ICD categories. It would also define key Title II terms like issuer and governmental employee benefit plan, and list the states and territories covered.

Parity rules start later after enactment

The new rules would apply to plan years that start more than 18 months after enactment. For plans under collective bargaining agreements ratified before enactment, they would start at the later of that 18‑month mark or when the last such agreement ends. A plan change made only to follow the new rules would not end a bargaining agreement.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 6/5/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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