Senate
Engrossed
2026 Regular Session

SB56

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AN ACT relating to utilization controls for nonopioid analgesics in the Medicaid program.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 205 to prohibit the Department for Medicaid Services, any Medicaid managed care organization contracted by the department, and the Medicaid state pharmacy benefit manager from denying coverage for a nonopioid analgesic in favor of opioid analgesic or establishing more restrictive or more extensive utilization controls for nonopioid analgesics than the least restrictive or extensive utilization controls for any opioid or narcotic analgesic; require the Cabinet for Health and…

Drugs and MedicinesMedicaidOpioidsPublic AssistanceFiscal Note

Introduced: January 9, 2026

Last action: April 15, 2026

Passed Over And Retained For Concurrence In House Floor Amendment (1) And Floor Amendment (2-Title)
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This bill would require Kentucky's Medicaid program to treat non-opioid pain medications at least as favorably as opioid pain medications when it comes to coverage and access rules. Medicaid and its partner organizations could not make it harder to get a non-opioid painkiller than to get an opioid one. Who it may affect: Kentuckians enrolled in Medicaid who are prescribed pain medication, as well as their healthcare providers.

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Legislative History

Jan 9, 2026 · Senate
Introduced In Senate
Jan 9, 2026 · Senate
To Committee On Committees (S)
Feb 9, 2026 · Senate
To Health Services (S)
Feb 11, 2026 · Senate
Reported Favorably, 1st Reading, To Calendar
Feb 12, 2026 · Senate
2nd Reading, To Rules (clerical)
Feb 23, 2026 · Senate
Posted For Passage In The Regular Orders Of The Day For Wednesday, February 25 2026 (clerical)
Feb 25, 2026 · Senate
Passed Over And Retained In The Orders Of The Day (clerical)
Feb 26, 2026 · Senate
Passed Over And Retained In The Orders Of The Day (clerical)
Feb 27, 2026 · Senate
3rd Reading, Passed 35-0
Yea: 35
Nay: 0
Absent: 3
LegiScan roll call
Apr 15, 2026 · House
3rd Reading, Passed 82-9 With Floor Amendment (1) And Floor Amendment (2-Title)
Yea: 82
Nay: 9
Absent: 9
LegiScan roll call
Apr 15, 2026 · House
House Floor Vote
Passed
Yea: 79
Nay: 0
Absent: 21
LegiScan roll call

Primary Sponsor

Portrait of Gerald Neal
Gerald Neal

Senator · Senate District 33

Primary sponsor
Gerald.Neal@kylegislature.gov
BallotpediaOfficial profile

Co-sponsors (4)

Portrait of Greg Elkins
Greg Elkins

Senator · Senate District 28

Co-sponsor
greg.elkins@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Scott Madon
Scott Madon

Senator · Senate District 29

Co-sponsor
scott.madon@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Amanda Mays Bledsoe
Amanda Mays Bledsoe

Senator · Senate District 12

Co-sponsor
amanda.maysbledsoe@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Reginald Thomas
Reginald Thomas

Senator · Senate District 13

Co-sponsor
Reginald.Thomas@kylegislature.gov

Bill Text Versions

Engrossed (passed one chamber)

Most current
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Introduced (original)

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