Mental Health Parity Enforcement and Funding Act
Sponsored By: Representative Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]
Introduced
Summary
Strengthens enforcement of mental health and substance use disorder parity. This bill would expand civil monetary penalties under ERISA and widen who can be held liable so parity violations face stronger consequences.
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- People who use mental health or substance use disorder benefits: The bill would broaden the kinds of parity violations that can trigger civil penalties, increasing the chance of enforcement when coverage is unequal.
- Plan sponsors, service providers, and plan administrators: Liability would no longer be limited to plan sponsors. Service providers and plan administrators could also face penalties for parity failures.
- Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration: The bill would provide $30 million each year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to help EBSA implement these amendments and support enforcement of the 2008 parity law.
*Would increase federal spending by $30 million per year for fiscal years 2027–2031 to fund enforcement.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Stronger mental health parity enforcement
If enacted, the bill would expand civil money penalties for violations of mental health and substance use disorder parity. Penalties would apply not only to plan sponsors but also to plan administrators, service providers, and issuers tied to group health plans. These penalty rules would take effect for plan years that begin at least one year after enactment. The bill would also provide $30,000,000 each year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to EBSA to support enforcement of parity rules.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]
NJ • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]
TX • R
Sponsored 7/13/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov