In Committee
2026 Regular Session

HB279

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AN ACT relating to coverage for mental health or substance use disorders.

Amend KRS 304.17A-660 to specify classifications to be included in the term "classification of benefits"; specify requirements, standards, and methodologies to be included in the term "nonquantitative treatment limitation"; change the definition of "mental health condition" to the definition of "mental health or substance use disorder condition"; amend KRS 304.17A-661 to require an insurer's mental health parity analysis to include an evaluation of standards relating to network composition, out-of-network utilization rates, and medical management techniques; require insurers to submit a remediation plan for the commissioner's approval if its mental health parity analysis indicates noncompliance; require insurer's annual mental health parity report to be submitted to the Legislative Research Commission; delete language applying remedies under Subtitle 12 of KRS Chapter 304 to violations; authorize the Attorney General to enforce the mental health parity law; establish duties, remedies, and penalties for enforcement by the Attorney General; authorize a private cause of action by any person directly injured by a violation or likely violation of the mental health parity law; establish duties, remedies, and penalties for a private right of action under the mental health parity law; establish construction clauses; authorize the Attorney General to promulgate administrative regulations for proper enforcement of mental health parity law; create new sections of KRS 304.17A-660 to 304.17A-669 to define "health care professional"; require insurers to comply with KRS 304.17A-700 to 304.17A-730 for claims submitted by health care professionals for the diagnosis or treatment of mental health or substance use disorder conditions; authorize the Attorney General to enforce the requirement to comply with KRS 304.17A-700 to 304.17A-730; create the Advisory Council on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity; establish duties and membership; amend KRS 304.17A-665 to require the commissioner of insurance to publish a summary of each insurer's mental health parity report and report findings to specified legislative committees; amend KRS 304.17A-669 to conform; amend KRS 18A.225 to require the state employee health plan to comply with KRS 304.17A-660 to 304.17A-669; provide terms for initial appointment of members of the Advisory Council on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity; provide that certain sections apply to contracts issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027; EFFECTIVE, January 1, 2027.

Administrative Regulations and ProceedingsAdvisory Boards, Commissions, and CommitteesAttorney GeneralCivil ActionsEffective Dates, DelayedHealth and Medical ServicesInsurance, HealthMental HealthReports MandatedState AgenciesState EmployeesSubstance UseActuarial AnalysisHealth Benefit Plan MandateLocal MandateState Employee Health Plan Mandate

Introduced: January 8, 2026

Last action: January 15, 2026

To Banking & Insurance (H)
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Legislative History

Jan 8, 2026 · House
Introduced In House
Jan 8, 2026 · House
To Committee On Committees (H)
Jan 15, 2026 · House
To Banking & Insurance (H)

Primary Sponsor

Portrait of Vanessa Grossl
Vanessa Grossl

Representative · House District 088

Primary sponsor
vanessa.grossl@kylegislature.gov
BallotpediaOfficial profile

Co-sponsors (3)

Portrait of Lisa Willner
Lisa Willner

Representative · House District 035

Co-sponsor
Lisa.Willner@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Daniel Grossberg
Daniel Grossberg

Representative · House District 030

Co-sponsor
daniel.grossberg@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Tony Hampton
Tony Hampton

Representative · House District 062

Co-sponsor
tony.hampton@kylegislature.gov