Mental Health Parity Requirements Bill

Detected April 1st, 2026

Summary

Maryland Senate Bill SB0205, a mental health parity measure, passed the Maryland Senate. The bill would establish or strengthen requirements ensuring mental health and substance use disorder benefits are covered on par with physical health benefits by health insurers. The bill is in the 2026 Regular Session legislative pipeline.

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What changed

Maryland Senate Bill SB0205 passed the Senate floor. The bill addresses mental health parity, requiring health insurers to provide coverage for mental health and substance use disorder services at levels comparable to medical/surgical benefits. The specific provisions, coverage requirements, and enforcement mechanisms will be defined in the bill text as it proceeds through the legislative process.

Insurers and healthcare providers operating in Maryland should monitor SB0205 as it advances through the House of Delegates and potential conference committee. Compliance teams should begin reviewing current mental health parity practices and coverage comparisons to identify potential gaps. Once enacted, the bill will establish new coverage requirements affecting Maryland-licensed health insurers and managed care organizations.

What to do next

Monitor SB0205 as it proceeds through the Maryland House of Delegates
Review current mental health parity practices against anticipated requirements
Assess potential coverage and operational gaps once bill text is finalized

Source document (simplified)

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placeholder To Governor Title Health Insurance - Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders - Codification of Federal Requirements Sponsored by Chair, Finance Committee (By Request - Departmental - Maryland Insurance Administration) Status In the House - Favorable Report by Health Analysis Fiscal and Policy Note Synopsis Codifying in State law certain provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations related to mental health parity and clarifying the authority of the Maryland Insurance Administration to enforce certain laws; requiring health insurance carriers to collect and report on data in a certain manner; requiring health insurance carriers to provide certain benefits under certain circumstances; requiring health insurance carriers to explain differences in access to care under certain circumstances; etc. Committees Original: Finance Opposite: Health Committee Testimony Witness List Details Cross-filed with: HB0280 Bill File Type: Pre-Filed Effective Date(s): July 1, 2026 By Request of the Governor History
| Legislation History |
| --- |
| Chamber Senate Calendar Date 9/16/2025 Legislative Date 9/16/2025 Action Pre-filed Proceedings |
| Chamber Senate Calendar Date 1/14/2026 Legislative Date 1/14/2026 Action First Reading Finance Proceedings |
| Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - First - Health Insurance - Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders - Codification of Federal Requirements Proceedings |
| Chamber Senate Calendar Date 1/19/2026 Legislative Date 1/19/2026 Action Hearing 1/28 at 2:00 p.m. Proceedings |
| Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Vote - Senate - Committee - Finance Proceedings |
| Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/09/2026 Legislative Date 2/09/2026 Action Favorable Report by Finance Proceedings |
| Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/10/2026 Legislative Date 2/07/2026 Action Favorable Adopted Proceedings 18 |
| Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/10/2026 Legislative Date 2/07/2026 Action Second Reading Passed Proceedings 18 |
| Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - Third - Health Insurance - Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders - Codification of Federal Requirements Proceedings |
| Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/12/2026 Legislative Date 2/09/2026 Action Third Reading Passed (43-0) Proceedings 20 |
| Chamber House Calendar Date 2/13/2026 Legislative Date 2/13/2026 Action Referred Health Proceedings 22 |
| Chamber House Calendar Date 3/17/2026 Legislative Date 3/17/2026 Action Hearing 3/26 at 1:00 p.m. Proceedings |
| Chamber House Calendar Date 3/25/2026 Legislative Date 3/25/2026 Action Hearing canceled Proceedings |
| Chamber House Calendar Date 3/25/2026 Legislative Date 3/25/2026 Action Hearing 3/26 at 2:00 p.m. Proceedings |
| Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Vote - House - Committee - Health Proceedings |
| Chamber House Calendar Date 4/01/2026 Legislative Date 4/01/2026 Action Favorable Report by Health Proceedings |