H.B. No. 1396 aims to enhance coverage for mental health conditions and substance use disorders under certain governmental health benefit plans in Texas. The bill amends various sections of the Insurance Code to clarify which plans are subject to these coverage requirements. Notably, it specifies that the subchapter applies to basic coverage plans under Chapters 1551, 1575, 1579, and 1601, while also detailing exclusions for certain types of policies, such as blanket accident and health insurance and short-term travel policies. Additionally, it introduces new compliance measures for evaluating benefits and coverage related to treatment limitations.

The bill also includes provisions that ensure compliance with mental health coverage requirements is enforced by the appropriate trustees or boards for specific plans. It repeals a previous section of the Insurance Code and establishes that the changes will only apply to plan years commencing on or after January 1, 2026, with the existing law remaining in effect for earlier plan years. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Insurance Code 1355.002, Insurance Code 1355.003, Insurance Code 1355.015, Insurance Code 1355.252, Insurance Code 1355.255 (Insurance Code 1355)