Parity Enforcement Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Norcross
Introduced
Summary
Creates civil monetary penalties for mental health and substance use disorder parity violations. This bill would expand and tighten enforcement so plans, administrators, and service providers can be fined when they fail to meet parity rules for behavioral health benefits.
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- Families and beneficiaries would gain stronger enforcement tools because failures to follow parity for mental health and substance use disorder benefits would trigger civil penalties. This gives clearer consequences when coverage limits or rules treat behavioral health worse than medical care.
- Employers, plan sponsors, service providers, plan administrators, and issuers would face expanded liability because the penalties regime is broadened beyond just plan sponsors to include these entities. Penalties would cover failures to meet parity requirements tied to section 712.
- Federal enforcement and timing change. The bill adds new enforcement subsections while preserving the Secretary's role over section 712 enforcement. The penalty rules would apply to plan years beginning one year after enactment.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Fines for mental health parity violations
This bill would let regulators fine group health plans and related entities for parity rule violations. Fines would apply for failures on mental health and substance use disorder parity and some genetic information protections. Plans, plan sponsors, administrators, service providers, and issuers could be liable when the violation relates to a plan. If enacted, fines would start for plan years that begin one year after enactment. No new funding or tax changes are included in this bill.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Norcross
NJ • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 2/4/2025
Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]
CT • D
Sponsored 2/4/2025
Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]
WI • D
Sponsored 2/4/2025
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 2/4/2025
Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
NV • D
Sponsored 2/6/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 2/7/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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