Kentucky legislators introduced draft legislation to strengthen oversight and enforcement of mental health insurance parity laws, citing gaps in compliance and reporting, according to a Nov. 4 report from the Marshall County Daily.
Reps. Vanessa Grossl, a Republican, and Lisa Willner, a Democrat, presented the proposal to the Interim Joint Committee on Banking and Insurance Nov. 4. The measure aims to shift enforcement authority to the state General Assembly and Attorney General’s Office and create an advisory committee of mental health experts.
The legislation follows concerns that the Kentucky Department of Insurance has failed to deliver required annual reports on parity compliance, Ms. Grossl said. Lawmakers said insurers continue to impose access and billing barriers for behavioral health services despite existing federal and state mandates.
The proposal remains in draft form and cannot advance until the 2026 regular session convenes in January.
