States are passing legislation aimed at enforcing mental health parity standards and funding workforce initiatives.
Here are eight notable behavioral health policy updates since March 2:
- Massachusetts launched a $25 million scholarship fund for students pursuing advanced behavioral health degrees in the state. Scholarship recipients must commit to practicing in Massachusetts for at least two years after graduating.
- Montana lawmakers approved $124 million in funding for the state’s mental health system, including a plan to build a new mental health facility, KFF Health News reported May 2.
- Washington lawmakers passed several bills addressing mental health, The Seattle Times reported May 1. The legislation includes new standards for mental health coverage for insurers, and policies designed to ease administrative burdens for crisis centers.
- New York lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul reached an agreement on the state’s fiscal year 2026 budget, including $160 million for new psychiatric beds. The budget agreement also includes provisions to toughen involuntary commitment laws, according to an April 28 news release.
- California legislators have introduced at least five bills aimed at creating tougher standards for insurers for mental health and substance use coverage, CalMatters reported March 20.
- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed legislation March 20 strengthening mental health parity enforcement.
- A new Utah law is designed to crack down on non-licensed therapists claiming to treat mental health conditions, ProPublica reported March 27.
- New legislation in Michigan will require providers to screen postpartum patients for mental health conditions, mLive reported March 2. The law will also require insurers to cover these screenings.