All Roll Calls
Yes: 133 • No: 0
KentuckyHB 1692026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT relating to coverage for feeding or eating disorders.
Sponsored By: Ken Fleming (Republican)
Signed by Governor
State AgenciesState EmployeesActuarial AnalysisHealth Benefit Plan MandateLocal MandateState Employee Health Plan MandateChildren And MinorsEducation, HigherEffective Dates, DelayedFederal Laws And RegulationsInsurance, HealthMedicaidMental Health
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Health plans must cover eating disorders
The law requires Kentucky-licensed health plans and student plans to cover diagnosis and treatment of feeding or eating disorders. The law uses the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). It includes anorexia, bulimia, atypical anorexia, binge-eating, and other listed disorders. Insurers cannot deny or limit care based only on BMI or a target weight. Reviews may consider eating behaviors, need for supervised meals, lab results, recovery setting, and co-occurring conditions. Limited health service plans and limited health service organizations must follow these rules.
Medicaid and KCHIP cover eating disorders
Medicaid and the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program (KCHIP) must follow the eating-disorder coverage rules. They must cover diagnosis and treatment as defined by the current DSM. Coverage uses the law’s ban on weight-only denials and its clinical review factors. This expands access and can lower family costs.
Rules for state employee health plans
Public employee health plans must follow the named Kentucky laws and the eating-disorder coverage rules. Pregnant women who are eligible get a special enrollment window, and workers get notice of this right. Plans must pay optometrists the same as physicians for services in the optometrist’s scope. For calendar year 2004, the state used regional bidding by county and could award a region to up to two carriers.
University employee plans must cover eating disorders
State universities that run self-insured employee health plans must follow the eating-disorder coverage rules. Employees in these plans get the same definitions, coverage, and insurer conduct rules.
Most changes start January 1, 2027
Sections 1 through 10 take effect January 1, 2027. Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 9 apply to health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027. You may see changes when your plan renews in 2027.
Federal approval steps for program changes
If the Cabinet or the Medicaid department needs federal approval to carry out parts of Sections 6 or 7, they must ask within 90 days after this section’s effective date. They may delay only those parts until approval is granted. The law names Sections 6, 7, and 11 as the specific legal authority under KRS 205.5372(1).
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ken Fleming
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Beverly Chester-Burton
Democrat • House
Daniel Grossberg
Democrat • House
Kim King
Republican • House
Lisa Willner
Democrat • House
Mary Beth Imes
Republican • House
Nancy Tate
Republican • House
Vanessa Grossl
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/31/2026
3rd reading, passed
Yes: 38 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
3rd reading, passed
Yes: 95 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 101)
4/13/2026delivered to Governor
4/1/2026enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
4/1/2026Houseenrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
4/1/2026Housereceived in House
3/31/2026House3rd reading, passed 38-0
3/31/2026Senateposted for passage in the Consent Orders of the Day for Friday, March 27 2026
3/26/2026Senate2nd reading, to Rules as a consent bill
3/25/2026Senatereported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar
3/24/2026Senateto Banking & Insurance (S)
3/20/2026Senateto Committee on Committees (S)
2/4/2026Senatereceived in Senate
2/4/2026Senate3rd reading, passed 95-0 with Committee Substitute (1)
2/3/2026Houseposted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Monday, February 02 2026
1/30/2026House2nd reading, to Rules
1/29/2026Housereported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
1/28/2026Houseto Banking & Insurance (H)
1/14/2026Houseto Committee on Committees (H)
1/7/2026Houseintroduced in House
1/7/2026House
Bill Text
Current
2/3/2026
Introduced
12/23/2025
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