Behavioral health and substance use laws by state

HB 487: Appropriations, supplemental appropriations from the Opioid Treatment and Abatement Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026

Appropriates $43,138,650 from the Opioid Treatment and Abatement Fund for fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, to various state entities and agencies for opioid treatment, prevention, recovery services, and related programs.

Took effect 1 June 2026

HB 110: An Act relating to the rural health transformation program; relating to the interstate medical licensure compact; relating to the PA licensure compact; relating to the psychology interjurisdictional compact; relating to the practice of respiratory care; relating to the duties of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; relating to telehealth provided by respiratory care practitioners; relating to a social work licensure compact; relating to the practice of social work; relating to medical malpractice liability of respiratory care practitioners; relating to immunity from civil liability for a respiratory care practitioner providing free health care services; relating to national criminal history record checks; relating to respiratory care practitioners providing documentation and treatment plans for public school students with asthma or anaphylaxis; relating to the recognition of EMS personnel licensure interstate compact; prohibiting unfair discrimination under group health insurance against respiratory care practitioners; establishing the Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Council; and providing for an effective date.

The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development must regulate respiratory care practitioners under AS 08.90. Applicants for expedited medical licenses, compact privileges for audiologists and speech-language pathologists, and physician assistant licenses must submit fingerprints and fees for criminal history record checks. Respiratory care practitioners must use appropriate professional identification letters or titles on all signs, stationery, and advertising.

HB 195: An Act changing the term 'physician assistant' to 'physician associate'; relating to physician associates; relating to collaborative practice agreements for pharmacists; relating to the prescription of opioid overdose drugs; relating to the prescription and administration of drugs and devices by pharmacists; relating to reciprocity for pharmacists; amending the definition of 'practitioner'; and providing for an effective date.

Pharmacists must receive education in pain management and opioid use and addiction unless they lack a valid federal Drug Enforcement Administration registration number. Pharmacists prescribing or administering drugs under collaborative practice agreements must recognize the limits of their education, training, and experience and consult with and refer to other practitioners as appropriate.

Took effect 1 January 2026

HB 265: An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date.

Appropriates 240,805,800 dollars for operating expenses and 15,085,000 dollars for capital projects of Alaska's integrated comprehensive mental health program for fiscal year 2027, and includes salary and benefit adjustments for state employees and collective bargaining agreements.

Took effect 1 July 2026

HB 36: An Act relating to treatment foster homes; relating to the placement of foster children in hospitals and residential psychiatric treatment centers for psychiatric care; relating to the duties of the Department of Family and Community Services; relating to the care of children in state custody placed in psychiatric residential treatment facilities outside the state; amending Rule 12.1(b), Alaska Child in Need of Aid Rules of Procedure; and providing for an effective date.

Mental health providers must allow minors 16 years or older to consent to up to five outpatient behavioral or mental health services appointments without parental consent. After the fifth appointment, providers must determine whether obtaining parental consent would be detrimental to the minor's well-being. Treatment foster homes must ensure staff participate in ongoing trauma-informed care training.

HB 55: An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date.

Appropriates 230,474,400 dollars for operating expenses and 14,260,000 dollars for capital projects of Alaska's integrated comprehensive mental health program for fiscal year 2026, and includes salary and benefit adjustments for state employees and collective bargaining units.

Took effect 1 July 2025

SB 1814: substance use disorder treatment; committee

Establishes a substance use disorder treatment standards and oversight study committee to assess treatment program availability, identify gaps in evidence-based care, review regulatory structures, establish clinical quality standards, and investigate funding needs, with a report due December 31, 2027.

HB 2313: behavioral health examiners board; continuation

The board of behavioral health examiners must issue or deny licenses within one hundred eighty days after an applicant submits a completed application. The board must establish a committee on executive director selection and retention to appoint an executive director. The board of massage therapy must report by December 31, 2026 on background checks, technology implementation, and whether establishment licenses should be required.

HB 2291: opioids; containers; labeling; requirements; repeal

Beginning January 1, 2020, a medical practitioner must transmit electronically each prescription order for a schedule II controlled substance that is an opioid to the dispensing pharmacy, except for prescriptions under specified circumstances including veterans administration facilities, military bases, Indian health services facilities, tribal-owned clinics, and medication-assisted treatment. A pharmacist must dispense schedule II opioids only with an electronic prescription order, with limited exceptions when electronic systems are unavailable. Containers of schedule II opioid controlled substances dispensed by a pharmacist must have a red cap and a warning label about potential addiction.

HB 2173: mental health inquiry; prohibition

Health profession regulatory boards and licensing authorities may not include questions on applications for licenses, permits, certificates, endorsements, or registrations asking whether applicants have sought mental health assistance or received mental health diagnoses or treatment. These entities may ask if applicants are currently under regulatory orders in other states for health condition monitoring.

SB 63: An act for the department of human services - division of aging, adult, and behavioral health services supplemental appropriation.

Appropriates $2,000,000 to the Department of Human Services Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for senior citizen centers, supplemental to Act 890 of 2025, with funds transferred from the General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund.

HB 1653: To set standards for licensing and regulation of psychiatric residential treatment facilities; and to declare an emergency.

Psychiatric residential treatment facilities must admit only Arkansas residents, children of Arkansas residents, children placed by other states' child welfare agencies, children paid by other states' Medicaid, children of active-duty military or veterans, or nonresident child trafficking victims. Facilities must provide comprehensive inpatient psychiatric services under physician direction and develop individual plans of care based on diagnostic evaluation.

HB 1320: To amend the law concerning crisis stabilization units and healthcare insurers.

Healthcare insurers shall not impose behavioral or medical management utilization limitations, measures, or controls for healthcare services by crisis stabilization units unless equivalent to or consistent with Medicaid limitations, or authorized by the Insurance Commissioner by rule. Healthcare insurers shall not require prior authorization or precertification for crisis stabilization unit services unless required by Insurance Commissioner rule.

AB 1979: Health care services: artificial intelligence.

A health facility, clinic, physician's office, or office of a group practice must ensure no clinical decision is based solely on a clinical decision support system's output and that a licensed health care professional retains independent professional judgment when reviewing such decisions. A business offering a health care chatbot is deemed a provider of health care subject to confidentiality requirements.

Takes effect 1 January 2027

SB 626: Perinatal health screenings and treatment.

Health care service plans and health insurers must develop perinatal mental health programs including screenings during pregnancy and postpartum and perinatal periods, provide case management and care coordination for enrollees and insureds during the perinatal period, and annually report utilization and outcomes to the department and post on their websites. Licensed health care practitioners must offer screening or appropriately screen patients for perinatal mental health conditions and may satisfy this by referral.

Takes effect 1 January 2027

AB 2233: Behavioral health treatment plans.

Health care service plans and health insurers must not impose restrictions on utilization of authorized behavioral health treatment hours within the six-month authorization period, including weekly caps or forfeitures due to unavoidable circumstances. Authorized hours must remain available throughout the authorization period if use is reasonably consistent with the treatment plan and clinical guidelines.

Takes effect 1 January 2027

AB 2562: Alcohol or other drug recovery and treatment programs and facilities: suicide prevention.

Licensed alcohol or other drug recovery and treatment facilities must develop a suicide prevention plan. Certified alcohol or other drug programs must include a suicide prevention plan in their operation manual. The State Department of Health Care Services shall implement these requirements by bulletin or letter after stakeholder input until regulations are promulgated.

Takes effect 1 January 2027

SB 329: Alcohol and drug recovery: licensed treatment facilities and certified programs: investigations.

The State Department of Health Care Services must assign complaints within its jurisdiction regarding alcohol or drug recovery or treatment facilities to an analyst for investigation within 10 days of receiving the complaint. The department must complete investigations within 60 days of receiving the complaint unless it requires assistance from other agencies or significant additional resources. The department must notify complainants in writing if complaints fall outside its jurisdiction or if investigations cannot be completed within 60 days.

Takes effect 1 January 2027

SB 874: Medi-Cal: behavioral health treatment: stakeholder feedback.

The State Department of Health Care Services must ensure individuals providing Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services without a current state license undergo background checks by July 1, 2027. The department must convene a stakeholder workgroup in the first quarter of 2027, release clinical guidance by January 1, 2028, and report to the Legislature by January 1, 2029.

Takes effect 1 January 2027

SB 497: Legally protected health care activity.

Providers of health care, health care service plans, and contractors must not release medical information related to individuals seeking or obtaining gender-affirming health care or mental health care in response to subpoenas based on another state's laws that interfere with such rights. State and local agencies must not provide CURES data or resources to further out-of-state investigations based on another state's laws regarding legally protected health care activity.

SB 596: Health facilities: administrative penalties.

The State Department of Public Health must assess administrative penalties against licensees of health facilities that violate nurse-to-patient ratio regulations: fifteen thousand dollars for the first violation and thirty thousand dollars for the second and each subsequent violation. General acute care hospitals may avoid penalties by demonstrating unpredictable staffing fluctuations, prompt remedial efforts, and exhaustion of on-call nurse lists.

AB 1037: Public health: substance use disorder.

Licensed alcohol or other drug recovery or treatment facilities must maintain at least two unexpired doses of opioid antagonist on premises and ensure at least one trained staff member knows its location. The department must offer combined applications for licensure by January 1, 2027. Licensees must prioritize residents maintaining treatment connection after relapse and cannot require abstinence for admission.

AB 492: Alcohol and drug programs: licensing.

The State Department of Health Care Services must concurrently provide written notification to the city or county where an alcohol or other drug recovery or treatment facility is located whenever it issues a license to operate such a facility. The notice must include the licensee's name and mailing address and the facility's location.

SB 402: Health care coverage: autism.

Health care service plans and health insurers must include qualified autism service providers, qualified autism service professionals, and qualified autism service paraprofessionals in provider directories with accurate, current information. Plans must update online directories weekly and printed directories quarterly, investigate reported inaccuracies within 30 business days, and allow providers to verify directory information.

AB 1288: Registered environmental health specialists.

The State Department of Public Health must make its registry of registered environmental health specialists and trainees publicly available on its internet website within 90 days of each examination administration. Environmental health specialist trainees may work under supervision of a registered specialist for a period not exceeding five years. Applicants who fail the written examination cannot be reexamined until 90 days have elapsed.

AB 424: Alcohol and other drug programs: complaints.

When the State Department of Health Care Services receives a complaint against a licensed alcohol or other drug recovery or treatment facility or an unlicensed facility allegedly operating in violation of law, the department must provide notice to the complainant within 10 days that the complaint was received, and upon closing the complaint, must notify the complainant whether the facility was found in violation.

SB 820: Inmates: mental health.

Courts must conduct hearings and issue orders authorizing involuntary antipsychotic medication for individuals found incompetent to stand trial on misdemeanor charges and confined in county jail, upon finding by clear and convincing evidence that the individual is gravely disabled, lacks capacity to consent, and meets other specified criteria. Courts must review orders at least every 60 days.

AB 1356: Alcohol and other drug programs.

Licensed facilities must submit a telephonic report to the department within one working day of a resident's death, a written report within seven calendar days, and any additional relevant information within 30 days of the initial incident. The department must issue a written notice of deficiency if violations are identified during death investigations.

Took effect 1 January 2026

SB 862: Health.

Manufacturers of baby food must test representative samples of each production aggregate at proficient laboratories for toxic elements (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury) at least monthly beginning January 1, 2024. Manufacturers must disclose test results on their websites and include QR codes on product labels linking to results and FDA guidance.

Took effect 1 January 2026

AB 951: Health care coverage: behavioral diagnoses.

Health care service plans and health insurers must not require enrollees or insureds previously diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder or autism to receive a rediagnosis to maintain coverage for behavioral health treatment, effective for contracts issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. Treatment plans must be made available upon request. Plans and insurers must not discontinue or delay existing treatment while awaiting rediagnosis.

Took effect 1 January 2026

AB 116: Health omnibus trailer bill.

Skilled nursing facilities must have an alternative power source for at least 96 hours during power outages, complying on or after January 1, 2026 when the State Department of Health Care Services publishes notice of sufficient legislative appropriation. Pharmacy benefit managers must obtain a Department of Managed Health Care license by January 1, 2027 or when the licensure process is established, whichever is later.

HB 1325: Natural Medicine

The Behavioral Health Administration must establish and operate an ibogaine research pilot program, approve up to five pilot sites, assist sites with federal approval applications, and adopt rules for program administration. Ibogaine pilot sites must establish benefit-sharing plans with indigenous communities and submit annual data and research to the BHA.

HB 1411: Changes to Cover All Coloradans Program

The state department of health care policy and financing must create a state medical assistance program beginning no later than January 1, 2025, offering benefits and services at the same cost to beneficiaries as the medical assistance program. Pregnant women and children under nineteen not eligible for medical assistance solely due to immigration status with family household income not exceeding two hundred sixty percent of the federal poverty line are eligible, subject to specified limitations on dental services, behavioral health, accountable care collaborative services, and managed care beginning specified dates in 2026 and 2027.

HB 1063: Treating People with Behavioral Health Disorder

HB 1069: Availability of Emergency Medical Services

HB 1139: Use of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care

HB 1195: Psychotherapy Artificial Intelligence Restrictions

SB 188: Residential Treatment for Members in Colorado Department of Human Services Custody

SB 191: Gifts Grants & Donations for Nursing Facilities

SB 149: Pathways for Individuals with Mental Health Disorder

The department of human services must conduct competency evaluations within specified timeframes: twenty-one days for in-custody evaluations after receiving collateral materials, forty-two days for outpatient evaluations. Competency evaluators must prepare written reports including opinions on competency, restorability, and clinical appropriateness of inpatient services. Courts must order collateral materials transmitted to CDHS within two business days of ordering evaluations.

HB 1305: Licensing of Behavioral Health Facilities

SB 25-294: Behavioral Health Services for Medicaid Members

The state department of health care policy and financing must develop policies by December 1, 2025, in collaboration with the department of human services, behavioral health administration, and relevant stakeholders to transition qualified residential treatment programs and psychiatric residential treatment facilities to the statewide managed care system for Medicaid members in county custody. The state department must implement these policies by July 1, 2026.

HB 25-1316: Changes to Definitions Monitoring of Prescription Drugs

Repeals the definition of drug abuse from Colorado's prescription drug monitoring laws and adds a definition of substance use disorder as a chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by recurrent use of alcohol, drugs, or both causing clinically significant impairment.

HB 25-1309: Protect Access to Gender-Affirming Health Care

All health benefit plans issued or renewed in Colorado must provide coverage for gender-affirming health care as medically necessary and prescribed by a physical or behavioral health-care provider, regardless of the covered person's sex or gender. Health benefit plans shall not deny or limit such coverage when medically necessary and prescribed in accordance with generally accepted standards of care.

HB 25-1132: Military Family Behavioral Health Grant Program

The Division of Veterans Affairs must reimburse health-care professionals for mental health-care sessions with eligible veterans, providing each eligible veteran twenty-six reimbursed sessions per year. The Behavioral Health Administration must provide grants to local nonprofit organizations to establish and expand community behavioral health programs serving service members, veterans, and their family members.

HB 25-1027: Update Disease Control Statutes

The state board of health must establish rules for required immunizations considering CDC recommendations and other medical organizations. Schools must maintain official certificates of immunization for enrolled students and suspend or expel noncompliant students. The department must annually evaluate immunization practices and provide vaccines to indigent children at public expense.

HB 25-1124: Universal Contracting Provision Requirements

The BHA shall work with the department of health care policy and financing and relevant stakeholders to develop universal contracting provisions for state agencies contracting for behavioral health safety net services. The provisions must address minimum data collection standards, grievance reporting, evidence-based practices, access and quality standards, payment methodologies, claims procedures, liability limitations, priority population standards, and federal compliance.

HB 25-1002: Medical Necessity Determination Insurance Coverage

Carriers offering health benefit plans must provide coverage for behavioral, mental health, and substance use disorders no less extensive than physical illness coverage, apply utilization review criteria consistent with generally accepted standards and nationally recognized clinical specialty association guidelines, establish procedures to authorize medically necessary treatment with nonparticipating providers when in-network services are unavailable, and provide meaningful benefits across all benefit classifications.

HB 5561: An act concerning a five-year medicaid rate review, dental representation on a medical assistance oversight council, biomarker testing and opioid prescription coverage requirements and a study concerning payment of spouses for state-subsidized home care.

The Commissioner of Social Services must create a five-year process for regular review of Medicaid reimbursement rates, beginning January 1, 2027, benchmarking rates to Medicare when possible. Prescribing practitioners must consider feasibility of nonopioid treatment options when prescribing opioid drugs to Medicaid beneficiaries.

Took effect 1 July 2026

HB 5515: An act concerning the department of mental health and addiction services' recommendations regarding access to opioid overdose reversal medication and various revisions to mental health and addiction statutes.

School nurses and qualified school employees must maintain and may administer legend opioid antagonists to students experiencing opioid-related drug overdose. School nurses or principals must select qualified school employees to administer opioid antagonists, with at least one present during regular school hours. Administrators and employees must complete training approved by the Departments of Education, Public Health, Consumer Protection, and Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Took effect 1 July 2026

SB 22: An act to amend title 18 of the delaware code relating to insurance coverage.

Defines 'serious mental illness' using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and allows health insurers to impose precertification, prior authorization, and referral requirements only for mental health disorders that do not meet this definition or for substance use disorders.

SB 161: An act to amend titles 16 and 29 of the delaware code relating to behavioral health.

SB 13: An act to amend title 6 and title 16 of the delaware code relating to hospital charity care and financial assistance.

SB 238: An act to amend title 24, title 29, and title 31 of the delaware code relating to insurance coverage for chiropractic therapy and physical therapy.

HB 149: An act to amend title 18 of the delaware code relating to school-based health centers.

Amends Delaware Code sections 3365 and 3571G to authorize the Department of Public Health to approve supervised clinical training rotations for mental health providers at school-based health centers.

SB 107: An act to amend title 14 of the delaware code relating to the interstate compact for school psychologists.

HB 156: An act to amend title 16 of the delaware code relating to the healthcare associated infections disclosure act.

Hospitals must collect and report quarterly data on healthcare-associated infection rates to the Department using CDC National Healthcare Safety Network definitions, with reports available to the public 45 days after submission. Physicians diagnosing healthcare-associated infections must report them to the facility where the procedure occurred. All hospitals must join the National Healthcare Safety Network by December 31, 2007, or within 180 days of enrollment opening.

HB 169: An act to amend title 16 of the delaware code relating to the behavioral health consortium and the prescription opioid distribution commission.

Restructures the Behavioral Health Consortium and Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission by reducing Consortium membership from 27 to 25, adding term limits of 6 years maximum for appointed members, and making the Commission independent with a single chair rather than co-chairs, removing Consortium approval authority over fund distributions.

SB 101: An act to amend title 16 of the delaware code relating to the definition of the patient-practitioner relationship.

SB 168: Mental Health

The state attorney has sole discretion to determine felony defendant eligibility for pretrial mental health diversion and must consider dismissal upon successful treatment completion. Courts must order mental health assessments for certain misdemeanor defendants and may release them on recognizance conditioned on treatment compliance. The Department of Corrections must evaluate inmate physical and mental health before work assignments.

Took effect 1 October 2025

HB 633: Behavioral Health Managing Entities

The Department of Children and Families must contract biennially for operational and financial audits of each managing entity and for recommendations to improve transparency, then present a final report by December 1, 2025. Managing entities must report required data in standardized electronic formats, submit routine documents electronically with specified metadata, and submit specific performance measures to the department by deadlines it determines for monthly posting.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 1103: Services for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities must provide clients a comprehensive list of qualified organizations within 5 days of enrollment and post quarterly reconciliation reports on its website within 5 days of submission. The agency must participate in transition planning for certain young adults and post preenrollment priority numbers updated every 5 days. Participating managed care plans must conduct individualized assessments within 5 days of enrollment.

Took effect 1 July 2025

SB 500: Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base; expand to include data from licensed health care professionals

The Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce shall create and maintain a Health Care Workforce Data Base collecting minimum data set surveys from health care professionals regulated by specified licensing boards. The board shall enter into agreements to house and provide information to the Governor, General Assembly, state agencies, and the public, and establish an online dashboard on its website.

HB 584: Health; reassign licensing and oversight of certain treatments and programs from Departments of Community Health to Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities must license and regulate drug abuse treatment and education programs, narcotic treatment programs, community living arrangements, and adult residential mental health programs. Licensees must comply with departmental rules, maintain records, implement disaster preparedness plans, and allow on-site inspections. Certain persons must report suspected abuse or exploitation of residents immediately.

Took effect 1 January 2026

SB 276: Recovery of Medical Assistance from Third Party; certain provisions to comply with federal law; revise

Insurers, group health plans, managed care entities, pharmacy benefits managers, and other legally responsible parties must not refuse payment for healthcare items or services solely because prior authorization was not obtained. They must respond to Department of Community Health inquiries within 60 days and accept the department's authorization as their own.

SB 847: Relating to psychologists.

Licensed clinical psychologists meeting specified education, training, and examination requirements may prescribe psychotropic medications only to patients at federally qualified health centers in Kauai County under supervision of a licensed physician or psychiatrist. The state health planning and development agency must report to the legislature by twenty days before the 2030 regular session with recommendations on the pilot program's expansion, permanence, or termination.

HB 1854: Relating to community behavioral health clinics.

No person, public or private, shall operate a certified community behavioral health clinic expecting payment under a prospective payment system unless certified by the office. The office shall certify clinics meeting federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration criteria, monitor compliance, and may decertify for noncompliance.

SCR 149: Requesting the department of health to assess the services and funding necessary to address the needs of complex patients who have two or more diagnoses that include substance use disorders, mental health disorders, or chronic physical illnesses.

Requests the Department of Health to assess services and funding needed for complex patients with two or more diagnoses including substance use disorders, mental health disorders, or chronic physical illnesses, and to establish a working group to develop integrated care recommendations.

SB 1322: Relating to mental health.

Qualified psychiatric examiners must conduct emergency examinations and determine whether criteria for involuntary hospitalization exist. Law enforcement officers must contact mental health emergency workers before detaining individuals for emergency examination. Psychiatric facilities must discharge involuntary patients within seventy-two hours unless voluntary agreement or court-ordered proceedings occur.

SB 1441: Relating to the transition of the oahu regional health care system from the hawaii health systems corporation into the department of health.

The Oahu regional health care system and the department of health must enter into a formal memorandum of agreement no later than November 30, 2025, regarding care of patients transferred from the Hawaii state hospital to Oahu regional health care system facilities, with patient care starting no later than December 31, 2025.

S 1429: APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND WELFARE – BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Behavioral Health Services Division for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Appropriates $16,445,600 to the Department of Health and Welfare for behavioral health divisions for fiscal year 2027, reduces other appropriations by $8,887,400, authorizes 15 additional full-time positions for Mental Health Services, and requires a report on Idaho Behavioral Health Plan expenditures by December 1, 2026.

S 1314: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND WELFARE – Amends and repeals existing law to revise provisions regarding the Board of Health and Welfare, substate administrative regions, and regional behavioral health boards.

Repeals the Board of Health and Welfare and transfers its rulemaking authority to the Department of Health and Welfare. Eliminates regional behavioral health boards and related provisions while maintaining existing rules in effect.

H 480: APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND WELFARE – BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Behavioral Health Services Division for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

The Department of Health and Welfare must ensure no appropriated funds are used for training or programming that advances diversity, equity, and inclusion; critical race theory; or transgender ideology; or for programs that distribute or restrict funding based on race or gender. The Department must submit a report on Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths assessment alternatives by January 15, 2026.

H 220: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding behavioral health services.

The department of health and welfare must determine costs for behavioral health services based on individuals' ability to pay, capping annual costs to parents or adult patients at five percent of adjusted gross income following all other coverage. The department must serve as payer of last resort for individuals qualifying for medicaid or having third-party coverage.

Took effect 1 July 2025

SB 3322: Mental health rehabilitation

Facilities licensed under the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act must establish minimum standards including life safety, staffing ratios, sanitary conditions, physical plant maintenance, safety plans, financial resources, and restraint standards. Each multiple bedroom must have at least 55 square feet of net floor area per consumer with minimum clearance at bed foot and one side. Facilities must provide physician, nursing, pharmaceutical, rehabilitative, and dietary services, and offer consumers at least 15 hours of treatment programming per week.

SB 3926: Veteran suicide prevention

Continues the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Program Advisory Council within the Department of Public Health to advise on FDA breakthrough therapies for veteran suicide prevention, specifying its composition and duties. Repeals related provisions from the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Law.

Takes effect 1 January 2027

SB 2421: Psychiatric residential facily

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services must establish a family-driven, youth-guided, trauma-informed PRTF program and submit a State Plan Amendment to CMS by January 1, 2026 for coverage of inpatient psychiatric services to medical assistance beneficiaries under 21. The Department must adopt rules including certification requirements, monitoring protocols, a 40-bed limit per facility, and reporting of emergency safety interventions and serious occurrences.

SB 222: Family and social services administration matters.

The division of mental health and addiction must train and certify individuals as certified peers to provide ongoing support to individuals and families receiving mental health or substance use recovery services. The 9-8-8 crisis response centers and mobile crisis teams certified by the division must function as first responders.

Took effect 1 July 2026

SB 262: INSPECT program.

Dispensers must transmit to the INSPECT program information about each ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or controlled substance dispensed within twenty-four hours (or next business day if pharmacy closed). Practitioners must obtain patient information from the INSPECT database before prescribing opioids or benzodiazepines, with limited exceptions. Opioid treatment programs must obtain patient consent per 42 CFR before reporting to INSPECT.

Took effect 1 July 2026

HB 1296: Mental health services.

Owners of recovery residences must register with the division and adhere to ethical standards. Owners must provide qualifications, zoning documentation, references, a registration fee of five hundred dollars per residence, proof of age for staff, and certify compliance. Owners may not use the term "recovery residence" unless registered and in good standing.

Took effect 1 July 2026

HB 1689: Human services matters.

The office of the secretary must apply for a Medicaid waiver amendment before October 1, 2025, to establish reimbursement for structured family caregiving services and allow legally responsible individuals to provide home and community based waiver services under specified conditions. The office must also prepare annual reports on Medicaid home and community based waiver services for medically complex conditions, due September 1, 2025, and each September 1 thereafter.

Took effect 1 July 2025

SB 505: Emergency transport to appropriate facility.

An employing entity or individual emergency medical responder, emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician, or paramedic must enter into a written agreement with a facility detailing transport procedures, operating hours, criteria for appropriateness, and procedures for directing transport elsewhere or handling declined care before transporting individuals to health care facilities, mental health facilities, or urgent care facilities.

Took effect 1 July 2025

SB 473: Various health care matters.

Managed care organizations must submit home modification requests to certified project specification writers within 15 days, approve or deny with explanation within 15 days, request bids within 5 days of approval, and notify winning and unsuccessful bidders within 30 days. Opioid treatment programs must conduct monthly random drug tests for patients testing positive until passing. Programs may close Sundays and federal holidays. Medical directors need not obtain hospital admitting privileges.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 1200: Opioid prescriptions.

Prescribers must limit opioid prescriptions to a 7-day supply for adults receiving opioids for the first time, children under 18, and animals receiving opioids for the first time. Prescribers must limit opioid prescriptions for subdermal delivery systems to a 180-day supply. Prescribers may exceed these limits for cancer, palliative care, medication-assisted treatment, or other conditions adopted by rule, or based on professional judgment, and must document the medical record accordingly.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HF 2543: A bill for an act relating to subacute mental health care facilities and services, and including effective date provisions.

HF 1038: A bill for an act relating to the opioid settlement fund, making appropriations and disbursements, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

HF 1049: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the department of veterans affairs and the department of health and human services, and related provisions and appropriations, including aging and disability services; behavioral health, public health, community access and eligibility; the medical assistance program, state supplementary assistance, Hawki, and other health-related programs; sex reassignment surgeries or associated procedures; family well-being and protection; state-operated specialty care, administration and compliance; transfers, cash flows, and nonreversions; prior appropriations; the beer and liquor control fund, and the behavioral health fund; report on nonreversion of moneys; emergency rules; and a hospital directed payment program; and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

The department of health and human services must not use moneys appropriated from the general fund for the medical assistance program to reimburse sex reassignment surgery, associated procedures, hormone therapy, or other medical interventions intended to alter primary or secondary sex characteristics related to gender dysphoria diagnosis. The department must adopt rules to administer this prohibition.

SF 474: A bill for an act relating to services and support for youth, including treatment, physical assessments, and behavioral health evaluations for youth involved in juvenile delinquency and child in need of assistance proceedings; the licensing and certification of certain residential facilities; the provision of home and community-based services and habilitation services to certain youth by residential programs; administration and supervision of juvenile court services; and the suspension of Hawki eligibility for inmates of public institutions.

Psychiatric medical institutions for children must provide shelter, food, supervision, care, assessment, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, counseling, and rehabilitative services to youth with serious emotional disturbance or substance use disorder. Licensees must specify whether they provide serious emotional disturbance services, substance use disorder services, or both, and may only provide services for which licensed.

SF 470: A bill for an act relating to prior authorization for dental care services, notice to dental care providers that a dental care service plan is state-regulated, and the recovery of overpayments by a dental carrier.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 2250: Substitute for HB 2250 by Committee on Health and Human Services - Permitting the use of expedited partner therapy to treat sexually transmitted infections, authorizing a licensed private psychiatric hospital to maintain a stock supply of emergency medication kits for pharmaceutical emergencies, allowing expired emergency opioid antagonists to be used to treat an opioid overdose, permitting first responders to distribute and administer expired emergency opioid antagonists, permitting a pharmacist to distribute epinephrine delivery systems to a school for use in emergency medication kits and amending definitions related to medication in schools to allow for use of epinephrine delivery systems.

HB 178: AN ACT relating to the psychiatric collaborative care model.

All health benefit plans providing coverage for mental health treatment must reimburse benefits delivered through the psychiatric collaborative care model, except insurers may deny reimbursement on medical necessity grounds if compliant with the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act and applicable utilization review requirements. This applies to plans issued, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027.

HB 470: AN ACT relating to behavioral health services and declaring an emergency.

Licensed alcohol and other drug treatment entities, behavioral health service organizations, behavioral health multi-specialty groups, and entities that bill for peer support services must employ only registered alcohol and drug peer support specialists beginning January 1, 2028. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall promulgate administrative regulations establishing these requirements and standards for peer support specialists and other behavioral health service providers.

HB 495: AN ACT relating to healthcare services and declaring an emergency.

The Commonwealth, its agencies, political subdivisions, hiring or licensing authorities, and regulated health care entities shall not discriminate against mental health care professionals, institutions, individuals, organizations, parents, guardians, or ordained ministries for providing, supporting, or consenting to protected counseling services.

SB 222: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Provides for Medicaid behavioral health services. (gov sig) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

A medical director for a medical behavioral health provider must be a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, medical psychologist, or physician assistant. Any healthcare provider serving as medical director must hold a current unrestricted Louisiana license, have minimum two years qualifying experience treating psychiatric disorders, and practice pursuant to a collaborative practice agreement or supervision arrangement as required by Louisiana law.

SB 96: MEDICAID: Establishes Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain behavioral health services. (7/1/25) (EN +$1,830,352 GF EX See Note)

The Louisiana Department of Health shall reimburse Medicaid providers for partial hospitalization program services provided to adult and geriatric patients at licensed inpatient psychiatric hospitals. The department shall determine appropriate reimbursement rates as provided by specific legislative appropriation each year.

LD 1277: An Act Regarding Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Activities

Removes anabolic steroids from the definition of controlled substance in Maine's prescription monitoring program laws and appropriates $77,000 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $62,000 for fiscal year 2026-27 to the Department of Health and Human Services for database maintenance.

LD 721: Resolve, To Support The Full Implementation Of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics In The State

Appropriates $1,000,000 for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to support full implementation of 5 certified community behavioral health clinics, including hiring staff and increasing clinical position wages to 125% of state median wage and administrative position wages to 100% of state median wage.

LD 2082: An Act To Regulate The Use Of Artificial Intelligence In Providing Certain Mental Health Services

A person may not provide, advertise, or offer therapy or psychotherapy services through internet-based artificial intelligence unless provided by a licensed professional. Licensed professionals may use artificial intelligence for administrative or supplementary support only if they maintain full responsibility, obtain client consent with specific written disclosures, and prohibit artificial intelligence from making independent therapeutic decisions or directly interacting with clients.

LD 2108: An Act To Establish The Suicide Mortality Review Panel

The Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention shall appoint a panel coordinator and panel members to conduct preliminary and comprehensive reviews of deaths by suicide. The panel coordinator must access specified records, conduct interviews, and maintain a confidential mortality database. The panel shall submit annual reports by January 2nd to the Governor, commissioner, and legislature beginning in 2027.

LD 858: An Act To Ensure Behavioral And Mental Health Services Are Available To Students By Providing Grants To Schools That Contract For Those Services

The department shall establish and administer a grant program providing grants to school administrative units that contract for behavioral and mental health services from licensed providers. Funds may only cover services not otherwise covered by MaineCare and must not supplant existing school staff.

LD 63: An Act To Support Implementation Of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Projects

Appropriates $2,000,000 in general fund and $5,836,454 to $19,275,103 in federal funds for fiscal years 2024-2027 to reimburse state-licensed mental health organizations participating in the federal Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Medicaid Demonstration program.

HB 1118: Health, Health Insurance, and Health Occupations - Perinatal Behavioral Health Conditions

Carriers must provide standing referrals to mental health care providers for members during pregnancy and 1 year after birth. Insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations must cover screening for perinatal mental health conditions at each prenatal visit, within 6 weeks postpartum, and at each well child visit within the first year. Health care providers must provide perinatal mental health information to patients and conduct screenings. Applicants renewing health occupation licenses must complete 2 continuing education credit hours on perinatal mental health conditions.

Took effect 1 October 2026

SB 891: Health, Health Insurance, and Health Occupations - Perinatal Behavioral Health Conditions

Carriers must provide standing referrals to mental health care providers for pregnant members and 1 year postpartum. Insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations must cover screening for perinatal mental health conditions at prenatal visits, within 6 weeks postpartum, and at well child visits within the first year. Health care providers evaluating pregnancy or postpartum care must provide information and conduct screenings. License renewal applicants managing perinatal populations must complete 2 continuing education credit hours on perinatal mental health conditions by April 1, 2027.

Took effect 1 October 2026

HB 772: Behavioral Health Rate Methodology Modernization - Workgroup Establishment and Study

The Maryland Department of Health must conduct an independent cost-driven rate-setting study by June 30, 2028, review and implement recommendations from the Workgroup on Behavioral Health Rate Methodology Modernization, and administer cost-reporting tools. The Maryland Health Care Commission must assist with the study and submit interim and annual reports.

Took effect 1 July 2026

SB 39: Behavioral Health Rate Methodology Modernization - Workgroup Establishment and Study

The Maryland Department of Health must conduct a cost-driven rate-setting study of outpatient mental health centers by June 30, 2028, and increase reimbursement rates by at least 3% in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The Department must convene an advisory panel to review and approve recommended rate methodologies and adopt regulations establishing cost-based reimbursement by July 1, 2027.

Took effect 1 July 2026

SB 707: Mental Health Law - Danger to the Life or Safety of the Individual or of Others - Definition (Right to Treatment)

The act redefines 'danger to the life or safety of the individual or of others' for involuntary mental health admissions to include substantial risk of serious bodily harm, criminal justice involvement, inability to provide basic needs creating substantial risk of serious harm or death, or substantial deterioration of judgment likely to result in meeting these criteria. The Behavioral Health Administration must submit annual reports on emergency evaluation petitions to the General Assembly by December 15 of 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029, disaggregated by demographics and outcomes.

Took effect 1 October 2026

HB 280: Health Insurance - Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders - Codification of Federal Requirements

Carriers must identify and conduct comparative analyses of nonquantitative treatment limitations applied to mental health, substance use disorder, and medical/surgical benefits. Carriers must collect and evaluate relevant data on access impacts, provide comparative analyses within 30 days of member request, and submit reports to the Commissioner. Carriers must demonstrate that nonquantitative treatment limitations are applied no more stringently to mental health and substance use disorder benefits than to medical/surgical benefits.

Took effect 1 July 2026

SB 562: State Board of Pharmacy - Prescriber-Pharmacist Agreements - Treatment of Opioid Use Disorders

Pharmacists may enter prescriber-pharmacist agreements to treat opioid use disorders using controlled dangerous substances if they individually register with the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency and Office of Controlled Substances Administration, complete applicable training, and follow a protocol. Protocols authorizing controlled dangerous substances therapy must require pharmacists to request relevant data from the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program before initiating or modifying therapy.

Took effect 1 July 2026

HB 1066: Commission on Behavioral Health Care Treatment and Access - Workgroups

The Commission on Behavioral Health Care Treatment and Access must establish a workgroup on improvement of health, social, and economic outcomes related to substance use. This workgroup must evaluate treatment availability, affordability, accessibility, criminal justice involvement, health outcomes, costs, equitable application, and research on voluntary versus mandated treatment. The workgroup must make recommendations on changes to state laws, policies, and practices to mitigate harms from substance use criminalization.

Took effect 1 October 2025

HB 1131: Public Health - Buprenorphine - Training Grant Program and Workgroup

Establishes a Buprenorphine Training Grant Program to help counties offset costs of training paramedics to administer buprenorphine, funded by at least $50,000 annually from the Opioid Restitution Fund, and requires a workgroup to study buprenorphine access in Maryland by December 31, 2025.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 1244: Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration Waiver Advisory Council - Establishment

Establishes the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration Waiver Advisory Council to advise the Administration on system design, service delivery, and quality enhancement for Medicaid waiver programs, with voting members including individuals with lived experience, providers, and family members, and nonvoting members from state agencies and advocacy organizations.

Took effect 1 October 2025

HB 1351: Health Insurance - Provider Panels - Credentialing for Behavioral Health Care Professionals

Carriers must accept providers on their provider panels if the providers deliver community-based health services under COMAR 10.63.02 and hold specified licenses as social workers, counselors, therapists, or psychology associates. Carriers must notify providers of application status within 30 days and make acceptance or rejection decisions within 60 days for specified behavioral health professionals or 120 days for others.

Took effect 1 October 2025

HB 722: Maryland Department of Health - Report on Oversight of Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs and Recovery Residences

The Maryland Department of Health must submit reports to specified legislative committees on or before December 1, 2025, and December 1, 2026, addressing revision of COMAR 10.63, improvements to oversight of substance use disorder treatment programs, and improvements to certification, monitoring, and oversight procedures for recovery residences.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 729: Public Health - Use of Opioid Restitution Fund and Training Under the Overdose Response Program

Alters the Overdose Response Program training to emphasize restoration of breathing, avoiding withdrawal, and compassionate post-overdose support. Restricts the Opioid Restitution Fund to uses specified in settlement agreements and removes certain authorized uses while adding racial disparities addressing.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 94: Opioid-Associated Disease Prevention and Outreach Programs - Appeals and Membership of Standing Advisory Committee

The Secretary of Health or the Secretary's designee must grant or deny appeals from local health departments or community-based organizations regarding adverse authorization decisions within 60 days and provide written explanation. The Department must adopt regulations establishing an appeals process and standard of review.

Took effect 1 July 2025

SB 224: Opioid-Associated Disease Prevention and Outreach Programs - Appeals and Membership of Standing Advisory Committee

The Department and a local health officer must approve or deny applications for authorization to operate an Opioid-Associated Disease Prevention and Outreach Program within 60 days and provide written explanation. A local health department or community-based organization may appeal adverse decisions to the Secretary of Health or the Secretary's designee.

Took effect 1 July 2025

SB 2392: Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) grant program; Dept. of Mental Health and Division of Medicaid apply for.

The Department of Mental Health and the Division of Medicaid must submit an application to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to join the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Demonstration Grant at the next available application period. The Department of Mental Health shall certify and monitor CCBHC compliance. The Division of Medicaid shall establish a prospective payment system to fund the CCBHC program.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 76: Generally revise laws related to the board of behavioral health

A person may not practice behavioral health peer support or family peer support unless licensed under this chapter. Applicants for behavioral health peer support specialist licensure must have a behavioral health disorder diagnosis, have received treatment, be in recovery, and complete an approved program. Family peer support specialist applicants must have personal experience as a parent, guardian, or caregiver of a child under 21 with significant needs and complete an approved program.

SB 317: Prohibit health insurers from performing prior authorization on psychiatric drugs in shortage or discontinued

Health insurance issuers must not perform prior authorization on prescription drugs that are designated as in shortage pursuant to the quarterly shortage list published by the United States Food and Drug Administration on April 1, July 1, October 1, or January 1. Manufacturers of such drugs must not engage in predatory pricing or marketing related to shortages.

HB 438: Establishing a board of physical, rehabilitative, and developmental healthcare professionals

The board of physical, rehabilitative, and developmental health care professionals must administer, coordinate, and enforce provisions governing athletic trainers, occupational therapy practitioners, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists and audiologists. The board must establish licensure criteria, adopt fees for applications, examinations, initial licensure, and renewal, and authorize the department to issue and renew licenses.

LB 867: Change provisions relating to special needs trusts, fingerprints under the Uniform Credentialing Act, child care grants, the Title IV-D Division Customer Service Unit, eligibility for young adults in the bridge to independence program, licensed and self-funded insurers under the Medical Assistance Act, medicaid nursing facility rates, assistance to aged, blind, or disabled persons, and the state Commodity Supplemental Food program; provide for a money follows the person program for medicaid benefits, a youth afterschool eligibility letter for child care employment, use of wholesale drug distributor license fees for the prescription drug monitoring program, and maintenance of epinephrine by certain schools; change provisions of and rename the Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementia Support Act , the Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementia Advisory Council, the State Advisory Committee on Mental Health, the Division of Developmental Disabilities of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Director of Developmental Disabilities; and eliminate provisions relating to divisions of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care Advisory Committee on Aging, the Maternal and Child Health and Public Health Work Fund, and an obsolete Nurse Licensure Compact

Each state agency providing governmental benefits to individuals with disabilities through means-tested programs must adopt rules and regulations regarding special needs trusts that are not more restrictive than federal law, allow pooled trust accounts without financial limits, permit funding without age limits or transfer penalties except for individuals sixty-five or older, and allow assignment of legally assignable income or resources without limit.

LB 150: Adopt the Regional Mental Health Expansion Pilot Program Act, provide for a pilot program related to mental health, prohibit discrimination based on military or veteran status, and change and eliminate provisions relating to garnishment, liens, post-release supervision, sexual abuse by school workers, criminal mischief, discovery in criminal cases, habitual sentencing enhancements, veterans justice programs, paternity proceedings, handgun purchase requirements, correctional system overcrowding emergencies, the Division of Parole Services, the Nebraska Mental Health Commitment Act, and the Sex Offender Commitment Act

The Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice shall create a regional mental health expansion pilot program, select one county law enforcement agency to expand mental health beds, develop grant eligibility and audit requirements, and coordinate with the Attorney General. The selected agency must add mental health beds, demonstrate cooperation history, assess regional impact, and cooperate through memorandum of understanding.

LB 380: Change provisions regarding program integrity, ground emergency medical transport, and mental health and substance use disorder services under the Medical Assistance Act and provide duties for the Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care

The Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care must require contractor compliance with federal and state laws on mental health and substance use disorder services, make public contractor surveys and parity reports, ensure access parity between mental health and medical services, establish monthly electronic communication with providers about contract changes, define network adequacy, and annually post network adequacy criteria and compliance assessments.

SB 165: Establishes provisions relating to behavioral health. (BDR 54-145)

The Board of Psychological Examiners must adopt regulations to license behavioral health and wellness practitioners who hold a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, human services or related field and complete an approved educational program. Behavioral health and wellness practitioners must be supervised by specified providers and cannot practice without a license or under a false name.

HB 1323: relative to parental alienation, limiting certain prior authorization requirements for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and similar rehabilitative services, relative to children's mental health services for persons 18 years of age and younger.

Health carriers must not require prior authorization for the first physical or occupational therapy visit in each new episode of care and must approve at least 8 medically necessary treatments after initial evaluation before requiring additional review. Assessable entities must pay assessments to the New Hampshire children's behavioral health association to fund childhood behavioral health services for children under 19.

HB 377: relative to health care professionals administering hormone treatments and puberty blockers and relative to recognizing the second Thursday in October as children's environmental health day.

Health care professionals are prohibited from performing medical procedures or prescribing or issuing medication to a minor child intended to alter the minor child's gender. The governor shall annually issue a proclamation declaring the second Thursday of October as children's environmental health day and shall encourage all cities and towns to observe the day to raise awareness about clean air, clean water, safe food, and safe consumer products.

A 5792: Provides for workers' compensation coverage of certain counseling services for first responders and provides that certain mental health related communications are confidential.

Employers of first responders must provide up to 12 hours of paid confidential counseling with a mental health professional to first responders who experience a critical incident, with the first responder authorized to select the professional. Employers must pay for up to 24 additional hours if a mental health professional determines it would benefit the first responder. Employers cannot require use of accrued leave for counseling sessions during work hours. Mental health communications between law enforcement officers and resiliency program officers or peer support team members are confidential and need not be disclosed except when the officer poses risk to self or others or evidence of crime exists.

A 3973: Revises law concerning patient referrals to substance use disorder treatment facilities, recovery residences, and clinical laboratories.*

A person, including a health care provider, health care facility, non-profit organization, and recovery residence, must not make or receive a payment, fee, commission, or rebate in connection with referrals of patients to substance use disorder treatment facilities. A person must not knowingly assist, conspire with, or urge another to make or receive such payments.

A 3974: Prohibits use of deceptive marketing practices by substance use disorder treatment providers.

Treatment providers must not make false or misleading statements about their network status, services, location, affiliations, website information, or identity. Marketing materials must provide accurate information in plain language including service types, location, name, phone number, and addresses.

S 3611: Provides grant to study and map mental health care resources for children; makes appropriation.

The Department of Children and Families shall distribute a $1,000,000 grant to the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute to study and map pediatric mental health care resources, eligibility rules, access barriers, and disparities, and submit recommendations to improve program structure and interconnectedness within 13 months.

SB 42: Comprehensive addiction and recovery pgm

Birthing facilities must create a written plan of safe care for substance-exposed newborns before discharge, signed by facility representative and parent/guardian/caretaker present at discharge, and send it to the child's primary care physician, department of health, and department. CARA navigators must conduct in-home visits and family assessments. The department of health must develop rules by January 1, 2026.

SB 1: Behavioral health trust fund

Creates the behavioral health trust fund as a nonreverting fund in the state treasury and the behavioral health program fund administered by the health care authority. Transfers one billion dollars from the general fund to the behavioral health trust fund and requires annual distributions of five percent of the trust fund's average market value to the program fund.

SB 3: Behavioral health reform & investment act

The administrative office of the courts shall designate behavioral health regions, coordinate regional meetings, complete sequential intercept resource mapping, and coordinate development of regional plans. The office of superintendent of insurance and legislative finance committee shall provide standards and evaluation guidelines by June 1, 2025. The health care authority shall establish a universal behavioral health credentialing process by June 30, 2027. Managed care organizations shall not limit the number of new behavioral health patients a provider serves if the provider has capacity.

A 329: Relates to setting integrated behavioral health services

The commissioners of the office of mental health and the office of addiction services and supports must jointly establish a single license, regulations, standards, and requirements for integrated behavioral health services. Providers must demonstrate sufficient experience in delivering mental health and addiction services to be licensed. Providers must comply with criminal history review requirements for employees and volunteers with regular and substantial unsupervised contact with clients.

HB 1012: AN ACT to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of various divisions of the department of health and human services; to create and enact a new section to chapter 6-09 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to an extraordinary medical needs housing loan fund; to amend and reenact sections 50-06-06.6, 50-06-42, 50-24.5-02.3, and 50-33-05, and subsection 1 of 50-36-03 of the North Dakota Century Code and subsection 6 of the new section to chapter 54-07 of the North Dakota Century Code created in section 1 of Senate Bill No. 2176, as approved by the sixty-ninth legislative assembly, relating to leases of department of health and human services property, substance use disorder treatment program, basic care payment rates, state of residence for child care assistance, opioid settlement advisory committee, and children's cabinet; to provide for a transfer; to authorize a line of credit; to provide legislative intent; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide an application; to provide an exemption; to provide for a report; and to provide an effective date.

Appropriates $5.786 billion to the Department of Health and Human Services for the 2025-27 biennium across various divisions including behavioral health, human services, and medical services. Creates an extraordinary medical needs housing loan fund and modifies provisions related to property leases, substance use disorder treatment, child care assistance, and opioid settlement oversight.

SB 138: Modify alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services laws

Boards of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services must establish a community-based continuum of care including prevention, assessment, residential, outpatient, inpatient, and recovery support services. Boards must contract with providers for these services, enter continuity of care agreements with state institutions, and submit proposed budgets and service lists to the director of mental health and addiction services for approval.

HB 2049: Medicaid parity; coverage; mental health and substance use disorders; contract compliance; noncompliance reviews; Oklahoma Health Care Authority; complaints; publication of reports; effective date.

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority must ensure Medicaid managed care plans comply with federal and state parity laws. Managed care plans must conduct regular parity compliance analyses for nonquantitative treatment limitations on mental health and substance use disorder benefits, including whenever prior authorization requirements change. The Authority must develop a standardized process for receiving and resolving parity complaints and make public parity reports and de-identified complaints within thirty days of submission to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Took effect 1 November 2025

HB 4070: Relating to health care; and prescribing an effective date.

Amends multiple Oregon statutes relating to health care, including definitions of behavioral health terms, telemedicine reimbursement, provider assessments, and insurance coverage requirements for behavioral health treatment. Most amendments become operative January 1, 2027.

HB 4115: Relating to health care providers; and prescribing an effective date.

The Department of Human Services and Oregon Health Authority must conduct criminal records checks on employees, contractors, and volunteers in residential facilities, adult foster homes, and home care settings. Criminal records checks last three years unless credible evidence of new conviction, substantiated abuse, federal law requirements, position changes, or burdensome circumstances warrant earlier rechecks. Home health and in-home care agencies must conduct criminal background checks before hiring or contracting individuals with direct patient or client contact.

HB 4083: Relating to behavioral health care providers; and prescribing an effective date.

The Oregon Health Authority must adopt rules for a uniform credentialing process for organizational providers and establish a centralized credentialing portal by June 30, 2027. Coordinated care organizations must use this portal and cannot require organizational providers to comply with other credentialing procedures. Regulatory boards must adopt rules allowing licensed psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors to supervise practitioners in related fields.

HB 2005: Relating to behavioral health; and declaring an emergency.

HB 2015: Relating to behavioral health; and declaring an emergency.

Increases General Fund appropriations to the Oregon Health Authority by $706,070 and $581,259, and increases federal expenditure limitations by $706,070 and $271,818 for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, with sections 1 and 2 repealing January 2, 2027.

SB 296: Relating to hospital discharge challenges; and declaring an emergency.

Requires the Department of Human Services and Oregon Health Authority to create a dashboard measuring long-term care eligibility determination times, conduct operational reviews to streamline processes, study asset-testing waivers, and establish a post-hospital extended care benefit covering up to 100 days in skilled nursing facilities for medical assistance recipients.

HB 2929: Relating to substance use; and declaring an emergency.

Participating state agencies must meet quarterly with the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission to review progress implementing the substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support services plan. Agencies must report process and outcome measures and provide 45 days' notice before adopting rules relating to substance use services. The commission must review and update the plan by July 1 of each even-numbered year.

SB 598: Relating to step therapy for nonopioids.

Entities that provide health care coverage for prescription drugs must ensure their drug formulary provides coverage for at least one clinically appropriate nonopioid prescription drug as an alternative for each opioid prescription drug. Coverage for nonopioid drugs may not be more restrictive than coverage for opioid drugs regarding prior authorization, step therapy, utilization review, cost-sharing, copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

SB 610: Relating to funding for substance use services.

The Oregon Health Authority shall administer a grant program in consultation with the Oversight and Accountability Council to fund Behavioral Health Resource Networks providing screening, assessment, case management, peer support, harm reduction, treatment, and housing services. Recipients must be licensed, certified, or credentialed and may not use grants to supplant existing funding.

Took effect 1 January 2026

HB 2013: Relating to mental health treatment providers.

Member states must license and regulate social workers at clinical, master's, or bachelor's levels and participate in the Social Work Licensure Compact. Regulated social workers holding multistate licenses must abide by laws and regulations of the member state where the client is located. Home states must issue multistate licenses to eligible applicants and report adverse actions to the Commission's data system.

SB 834: Relating to facilities that provide mental health treatment.

State hospitals may not provide care or treatment to individuals under 18 years of age. Superintendents of state hospitals must designate a physician licensed by the Oregon Medical Board as chief medical officer. Community mental health programs must provide specified mental health services including crisis intervention, residential care, and preventive services for children, adolescents, and older adults.

SB 146: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, in emergency COVID-19 response, providing for extension of use of certain funds; in Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program, further providing for Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program; in cigarette sales and licensing, further providing for definitions and providing for allowable mode of operations for licensed cigarette stamping agents; in joint underwriting association, further providing for fund transfers; providing for food processing residuals; in financially distressed municipalities, further providing for financial recovery; in oil and gas wells, further providing for Oil and Gas Lease Fund and providing for deep wells and Utica Shale permits and for well plugging; providing for manufacturing and investment tax credit, for Innovate in PA 2.0 Tax Credit and for design build best value; in human services, further providing for medical assistance payments for institutional care, for resident care and related costs and for LIFE Program and providing for transition to chip-enabled access cards, for Medical Assistance Reentry Program, for Children's Trust Fund and for medical assistance pharmacy services; in additional keystone opportunity expansion zones, providing for additional zone for shipbuilding and for additional zones; providing for residential revitalization keystone opportunity zones and for violent incident clearance and technological investigative methods; in special funds, further providing for funding and for Pennsylvania Convention Center; in additional special funds and restricted accounts, providing for Veterans' Trust Fund Board and further providing for establishment of special fund and account, for use of fund and for distributions from Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Fund; in additional special funds and restricted accounts, further providing for deposits and providing for Professional Licensure Augmentation Account; in general budget implementation, further providing for Executive Offices, for Department of Agriculture, for Department of Corrections, for Department of Labor and Industry and for Department of Transportation, providing for Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and further providing for Commonwealth Financing Authority, for Federal and Commonwealth use of forest land, for Multimodal Transportation Fund, for School Safety and Security Fund, for State Gaming Fund, for State Employees' Retirement System Restricted Account and for Public School Employees' Retirement System Restricted Account; in retirement, providing for 2026 special ad hoc municipal police and firefighter postretirement adjustment, for supplemental annuities for public school employees commencing 2026, for supplemental annuities for State employees commencing 2026 and for payment of supplemental annuity and special ad hoc postretirement adjustment; in electricity load forecast accountability, providing for energy and water reporting and for advanced transmission technologies; in 2025-2026 budget implementation, further providing for Department of Agriculture, for Department of Human Services and for Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency; providing for 2026-2027 budget implementation and for 2026-2027 restrictions on appropriations for funds and accounts; in fiscal supplements to statutory programs, providing for amusement tax clarification, for situs for local sales tax for cities of the first class, for situs for local sales tax for counties of the second class, for net income and for housing; abrogating a regulation; making repeals; providing for suspension of pension actuarial notes; and making editorial changes.

Establishes a Grant Evaluation Committee within the department to review and evaluate applications for grants under the Veterans' Trust Fund, consisting of five members appointed by the Adjutant General and four veterans appointed by legislative leaders.

Took effect 10 September 2026

HB 7349: An act relating to behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals -- oversight of artificial intelligence technology in mental health care act

Licensed professionals or providers may not use artificial intelligence designed to simulate emotional attachment or provide therapeutic communication without obtaining written informed consent from the patient or their legal representative. They must not allow AI to make independent therapeutic decisions, directly interact with clients without an established relationship, or determine treatment plans.

HB 5866: An act relating to food and drugs -- uniform controlled substances act

Apothecaries must dispense schedule II controlled substances only upon valid prescriptions from licensed practitioners. Pharmacists must record partial fillings of schedule II prescriptions for long-term-care facility or terminally ill patients and transmit opioid prescription information to the prescription-monitoring database within one business day. Prescribers must discuss opioid risks with patients before issuing initial opioid prescriptions.

SB 462: An act relating to health and safety -- harm reduction center advisory committee and pilot program

Harm reduction centers must obtain express affirmative municipal authorization and approval before opening or operating, including city or town council vote approving the center's opening, exact location with street address and plat number, and hours of operation. Each center must provide healthcare professionals to prevent overdose and referrals for counseling or medical treatment. All centers must cease operations by March 1, 2028.

S 2: Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

The Director of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities must develop a cohesive service plan, budget, and collaboration technology for the three component offices. The director must consolidate administrative services and require data sharing among component offices. Six state agencies must collaboratively develop a plan ensuring services for individuals with disabilities are provided in the community to the greatest extent possible.

HB 2539: Health Care - As enacted, makes revisions to health law, including, but not limited to, revising certain reporting requirements, requiring a person licensed by the board of examiners in psychology to complete certain suicide prevention training, defining palliative care, and clarifying certain rulemaking authority of health boards and the commissioner of health. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 48; Title 49; Title 52; Title 53; Title 55; Title 56; Title 62; Title 63 and Title 68.

Deletes subsection (b) of Tennessee Code Annotated Section 68-1-144. The act takes effect upon becoming law.

HB 1984: Controlled Substances - As enacted, authorizes additional healthcare providers to directly administer buprenorphine mono or buprenorphine without the use of naloxone; adds that prescribing a buprenorphine product to nursing mother or prescribing an injectable mono product does not restrict certain healthcare providers from prescribing a buprenorphine product for the treatment of opioid use disorder without naloxone. - Amends TCA Title 53, Chapter 11.

Healthcare providers may directly administer buprenorphine mono or buprenorphine without naloxone for substance use disorder treatment pursuant to a medical order or prescription order from a physician or identified healthcare provider, provided administration occurs on the premises where dispensed. Healthcare providers may prescribe mono products or buprenorphine without naloxone to pregnant women, nursing mothers, patients with documented adverse reactions, or when prescribing injectable mono products.

SB 1580: Health Care - As enacted, prohibits a person from developing or deploying an artificial intelligence system that advertises or represents to the public that such system is or is able to act as a qualified mental health professional. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 47 and Title 63.

A person who develops or deploys an artificial intelligence system shall not advertise or represent to the public that such system is or is able to act as a qualified mental health professional.

Took effect 1 July 2026

SB 437: Insurance, Health, Accident - As enacted, revises certain protocols for mental health and substance abuse services. - Amends TCA Title 56 and Title 71.

Health benefit plans offered on or after July 1, 2025, that provide mental health or substance abuse services must cover and reimburse such services through a psychiatric collaborative care model. Managed care organizations contracting with TennCare or CoverKids must provide such coverage if medically necessary. Plans may deny coverage only on medical necessity grounds while complying with MHPAEA and state utilization review law.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 1169: Children - As enacted, requires on or before June 30, 2026, and each June 30 thereafter, the council on children's mental health care to submit a report to certain officials regarding the status of the statewide system of care for children's mental health and the service delivery system and the status of children's mental health in this state. - Amends TCA Title 37, Chapter 3.

The council on children's mental health care must submit a report on or before June 30, 2026, and each June 30 thereafter to the governor, chief clerks of both houses, and specified state commissioners and the TennCare director. The report must address the statewide system of care for children's mental health, service delivery system status, and children's mental health status in the state, including current lists of funded programs and recommendations regarding service coordination and gaps.

HB 142: Relating to the Health and Human Services Commission's office of inspector general, the review of certain Medicaid claims, and the recovery of certain overpayments under Medicaid.

Recovery audit contractors must obtain approval from the office of inspector general or its designee before initiating a claim review, and must determine the review would be cost-effective. Contractors may not initiate recovery efforts if a managed care organization is already auditing the claim. Managed care organizations and providers must submit requested information within specified timeframes.

Took effect 1 September 2025

HB 3560: Relating to the licensing of mental hospitals and mental health facilities and the definition of facility for the purposes of the employee misconduct registry.

Applicants for mental hospital or mental health facility licenses must include in their applications the name and address of the person responsible for daily operations, along with other information required by the department including affirmative evidence of ability to comply with department rules and standards. The act expands the definition of facility for employee misconduct registry purposes to include facilities licensed under Chapters 555 and 577.

Took effect 1 September 2025

HB 572: Behavioral Health, Mental Health, and Social Services Amendments

The Office of Substance Use and Mental Health shall administer the Governor's Suicide Prevention Fund and make annual reports to the Legislature. The Office of Licensing shall make rules requiring behavioral health receiving centers to notify law enforcement and prosecutors of justice-involved individuals' treatment status. The department shall create a standard disclosure consent form by December 31, 2026, and provide lists of mental health screening tools used in jails.

Took effect 6 May 2026

SB 96: Opioid Fatality Review Amendments

The Department of Health and Human Services has authority to investigate and control drug overdose and drug overdose fatalities as health hazards affecting public health. The department may use this authority to identify opportunities for prevention, intervention, and postvention of deaths under the medical examiner's jurisdiction. Substance use disorder treatment records provided to the medical examiner are subject to federal disclosure limitations under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 290dd-2 and 42 C.F.R. Part 2.

Took effect 6 May 2026

HB 491: Behavioral Health Modifications

The Office of Licensing shall adopt and enforce rules establishing the process for initial and renewal applications to operate a behavioral health receiving center and may assess and collect application and renewal fees. The Department of Public Safety shall survey all law enforcement agencies and publish a publicly searchable registry showing which agencies accept voluntarily committed firearms, and subject to available funding, create and implement a marketing plan educating agencies and the public about safe harbor firearm options.

Took effect 7 May 2025

SB 115: Substance Use Disorder Revisions

County jails must screen each inmate for substance use disorders using an evidence-based screening tool as part of intake and use results to assist with programming and treatment options. State correctional facilities must screen inmates within 30 days of commitment and may provide medication assisted treatment and programs for those with identified disorders. Both must report screening data annually.

Took effect 7 May 2025

HB 361: Drug Overdose Training Amendments

The Division of Integrated Healthcare must create training and educational materials regarding recognizing a drug overdose. Alcohol training and education seminars for certain licensee staff must include these drug overdose materials. Receipt of the materials does not create or increase liability for individuals who receive them.

Took effect 7 May 2025

HB 199: Substance Use Treatment and Enforcement Amendments

Local substance abuse authorities must include in annual plans an inclusive list of substance use service providers in a form usable by first responders. Local mental health authorities must include in annual plans an inclusive list of mental health service providers in a form usable by first responders. First responders are encouraged to offer referrals to substance use or mental health services to individuals experiencing overdose.

Took effect 7 May 2025

HB 296: Recovery Residence Services Amendments

Owners or managers of residential vocational or life skills programs must annually register with the Division of Consumer Protection, provide required disclosures to prospective participants before acceptance, screen participants for medical and mental health conditions, maintain director or senior staff at facilities, and report recidivism data annually to the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice by August 31.

Took effect 7 May 2025

H 660: An act relating to fiscal year 2027 Opioid Abatement Special Fund and Substance Misuse Prevention Special Fund appropriations

Appropriates $6,635,278.00 from the Opioid Abatement Special Fund in fiscal year 2027 for substance use disorder services including outreach staff, recovery residences, syringe services, correctional peer coaches, and community programs. Suspends new funding proposals for fiscal year 2028 pending outcome review.

Took effect 1 July 2026

H 816: An act relating to regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the provision of mental health services

A corporation or entity must not provide, advertise, or offer mental health services to the public using artificial intelligence unless the services are provided by a mental health professional or are part of an approved institutional review board or privacy board study. A mental health professional may use Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant artificial intelligence tools only after reviewing and approving the services.

HB 1113: Culturally responsive & language-appropriate mental health support & services; guidance & policies.

The Department of Education must develop, adopt, and provide guidance to each local school board no later than October 1, 2027, governing culturally responsive and language-appropriate mental health support and services. Each local school board may develop and adopt policies consistent with this guidance.

HB 1370: Service providers; regulations for providers to individuals with developmental disabilities.

Providers that deliver services to individuals with developmental disabilities must conduct regular emergency medical drills. These drills shall prepare employees to recognize and respond to situations where individuals receiving services require emergency medical treatment.

Took effect 1 July 2026

HB 481: Prior authorization; requiring physician review for denial.

Carriers must not deny or make adverse determinations of prior authorization requests for prescription drugs unless reviewed and approved by a licensed physician or, if unavailable, a licensed pharmacist. Carriers must not deny or make adverse determinations of prior authorization requests for health care services unless reviewed and approved by a licensed physician or, for mental health services, a licensed mental health provider if a physician is unavailable.

HB 656: Mental health & substance abuse disorders; network adequacy standards, comparative analyses.

Health carriers must provide mental health and substance use disorder benefits in parity with medical and surgical benefits, apply generally accepted standards of care in utilization review, and submit comparative analyses to the Bureau of Insurance. The Board of Health must promulgate quantitative network adequacy standards for managed care plans within 280 days of enactment.

SB 133: Parental prenatal & postnatal substance use; work group to evaluate Commonwealth's response to use.

Directs the Departments of Social Services, Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and Health to convene a work group to study the Commonwealth's response to parental prenatal and postnatal substance use, identify service and data gaps, review existing practices, and submit findings and recommendations by December 1, 2026.

Took effect 1 July 2026

SB 680: Regulatory boards; adjustment of fees, recovery of disciplinary and monitoring costs, report.

Regulatory boards in the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation and Department of Health Professions must adjust fees annually if expenses differ more than 10 percent from collected moneys, keeping fees sufficient but not excessive. Boards may recover administrative costs not exceeding $500 (or $1,500 for health boards) from persons found to have violated law or regulation. Boards must establish and publish cost schedules before imposing costs.

SB 257: Health insurance; requirements for certain opioid antagonists.

Insurers, corporations, and health maintenance organizations offering accident and sickness insurance or health care plans with prescription drug coverage must include coverage for at least one opioid antagonist on the lowest cost tier and at least one nonprescription opioid antagonist, with no prior authorization or step therapy requirements. Pharmacies offering nonprescription opioid antagonists must post notice that insurance coverage may be available.

Took effect 1 July 2026

HB 1318: Hospitals; emergency department physicians.

Each hospital operating an emergency department must have at least one licensed physician primarily responsible for the emergency department on duty and physically present at all times, except psychiatric emergency departments meeting specified conditions. Hospitals must establish protocols for organ donation, obstetrical admissions, substance use emergencies, workplace violence reporting, emergency department security, and other clinical and administrative functions.

HB 1637: Opioid antagonists; dispensing and administration by person acting on behalf of an organization.

A person acting on behalf of an organization that provides services to individuals at risk of opioid overdose or training in naloxone administration may dispense naloxone or other opioid antagonist pursuant to a standing order from a prescriber and in accordance with Board of Pharmacy protocols. If dispensing injectable formulations with hypodermic needles, the person must obtain authorization from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and a controlled substance registration from the Board of Pharmacy. Dispensing fees cannot exceed the organization's cost.

HB 1731: Services for sexual assault patients; provision of information for sexual assault patients; Task Force on Services for Survivors of Sexual Assault; work group; report.

Every hospital licensed by the Department must develop and implement a plan to provide either sexual assault survivor patient treatment services or transfer and stabilization services. Treatment hospitals must provide forensic medical examinations, emergency contraception information, HIV prophylaxis, follow-up care planning, and referrals to advocacy services. Pediatric health care facilities may provide comparable services under approved plans.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 2088: Va. Forensic Nursing Advisory Council; established.

Establishes the Virginia Forensic Nursing Advisory Council to review and recommend criteria, certification processes, curricula, and qualifications for sexual assault forensic examiners. Authorizes telehealth sexual assault forensic examinations when in-person examiners are unavailable.

SB 1257: Student & campus safety; opioid antagonist administration training for resident assistants required.

Each resident assistant in a student housing facility at a public institution of higher education must complete training in opioid antagonist administration prior to commencing duties. Each public institution of higher education must adopt policies and procedures requiring resident assistants to be authorized by a prescriber and trained in opioid antagonist administration, with training arranged through a program administered or approved by the Department of Health.

HB 2473: Long-acting injectable or extended-release prescription drugs; correctional facilities.

The Board of Pharmacy may register correctional facilities to maintain floor stock of long-acting injectable or extended-release prescription drugs for treating mental illness or substance use disorder. Such drugs must be stored in areas accessible only to licensed administrators. Each correctional facility must maintain a monthly perpetual inventory reconciling physical counts with theoretical counts and documenting any differences.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 2754: Behavioral health services; correctional facilities, exchange of medical/mental health information.

State correctional facilities, local and regional correctional facilities, and health care providers must disclose medical and mental health information and records of committed persons to facility officials, parole board members, probation and parole officers, and specified state agencies without the person's consent when necessary for health care provision, safety, security, or reentry planning. Substance abuse records and HIV test results remain protected from disclosure under this act.

Took effect 1 July 2025

SB 1038: Telehealth visits for patients with disabilities; best practice educational training.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall work with relevant state agencies and stakeholders to develop and disseminate best practice educational training for health care providers on how to conduct telehealth visits for patients with disabilities, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

SB 870: Behavioral health services; correctional facilities, exchange of medical/mental health information.

The Department of Juvenile Justice, state correctional facilities, and local or regional correctional facilities must exchange medical and mental health information and records with specified entities including facility leadership, parole board members, probation and parole officers, and social services departments for purposes of health care provision, facility security, reentry planning, and post-incarceration services, even without the person's consent when consent is not readily obtainable.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 1937: Acute psychiatric bed registry; patient privacy and data security, etc.

Every state facility, community services board, behavioral health authority, and private inpatient provider licensed by the Department must participate in the acute psychiatric bed registry and update bed availability information whenever there is a change or at least daily. The Commissioner must create a Bed Registry Advisory Council to review and approve all data access requests and ensure compliance with privacy laws.

Took effect 1 July 2025

SB 1439: Acute psychiatric bed registry; patient privacy and data security, etc.

Every state facility, community services board, behavioral health authority, and private inpatient provider licensed by the Department must participate in the acute psychiatric bed registry and designate employees to submit information about bed availability whenever there is a change or at least daily. The Department must develop and administer the registry and create an Advisory Council to review and approve data access requests.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 1641: State plan for medical assistance services and health insurance; pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome.

Insurers, corporations, and health maintenance organizations must provide coverage for prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment of PANDAS and PANS, including antimicrobials, medication, behavioral therapies, immunomodulating medicines, plasma exchange, and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Insurers must not deny coverage based on prior treatment, different diagnostic names, or require neuropsychiatric-only therapy trials before authorizing immunomodulating therapies.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 2429: Supporting children and youth behavioral health.

Extends the children and youth behavioral health work group through December 30, 2031, requires development of a Washington thriving strategic plan for behavioral health services, establishes a governor-appointed leadership council and executive coordination officer to implement the plan, and aligns the children's mental health system with the strategic plan.

SB 5083: Ensuring access to primary care, behavioral health, and affordable hospital services.

Beginning January 1, 2027, contractors must reimburse in-network hospital services at rates not exceeding 200 percent of Medicare reimbursement (350 percent for specialty children's hospitals), and reimburse primary care and nonfacility-based behavioral health services at no less than 150 percent of Medicare rates. Hospitals receiving authority program payments must contract with contractors making good faith offers.

HB 1432: Improving access to appropriate mental health and substance use disorder services.

Health carriers must cover mental health and substance use disorder services as medically necessary based on generally accepted standards of care. Carriers must not deviate utilization review criteria from these standards, must authorize appropriate service intensity levels, and must continue providing services during appeals of coverage denials.

HB 1813: Concerning the reprocurement of medical assistance services, including the realignment of behavioral health crisis services for medicaid enrollees.

Beginning January 1, 2027, the authority shall contract with behavioral health administrative services organizations to administer behavioral health crisis services for medicaid enrollees in managed care organizations. The authority must conduct a comprehensive funding analysis by January 1, 2026, and establish a transition plan by December 31, 2025. The authority shall adopt a strategic plan for reprocurement by July 1, 2026.