S.B. No. 896 amends the Texas Insurance Code to extend the coverage period for newborns under certain health benefit plans. Specifically, the bill changes the duration of coverage for a newborn child from 32 days to 61 days after birth. Additionally, it requires that notice of the birth and any necessary additional premium be submitted to the health benefit plan issuer by the 60th day after the child's birth, rather than the 31st day as previously stipulated.

The bill also prohibits health benefit plans that provide maternity benefits or accident and health coverage from excluding or limiting initial coverage for newborns before the 61st day after birth, as well as coverage for congenital defects and newborn screening tests. The changes will apply to health benefit plans that are delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, with the law prior to this amendment remaining in effect for plans renewed before that date. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Insurance Code 846.258, Insurance Code 1501.157, Insurance Code 1501.607 (Insurance Code 846, Insurance Code 1501)
Senate Committee Report: Insurance Code 846.258, Insurance Code 1367.003, Insurance Code 33.019, Insurance Code 1501.607 (Insurance Code 1367, Insurance Code 846, Insurance Code 33, Insurance Code 1501)
Engrossed: Insurance Code 846.258, Insurance Code 1367.003, Insurance Code 33.019, Insurance Code 1501.607 (Insurance Code 1367, Insurance Code 846, Insurance Code 33, Insurance Code 1501)
House Committee Report: Insurance Code 846.258, Insurance Code 1367.003, Insurance Code 33.019, Insurance Code 1501.607 (Insurance Code 1367, Insurance Code 846, Insurance Code 33, Insurance Code 1501)
Enrolled: Insurance Code 846.258, Insurance Code 1367.003, Insurance Code 33.019, Insurance Code 1501.607 (Insurance Code 1367, Insurance Code 846, Insurance Code 33, Insurance Code 1501)