Mental Health Parity Enforcement and Funding Act
Latest action: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. (2026-06-30)
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What this bill does
This bill lets the government impose civil monetary penalties on health plans, insurers, and plan administrators that fail to meet mental health and substance use disorder 'parity' rules—requirements that mental health benefits be covered on terms comparable to physical health benefits. It expands who can be held liable and allows the Secretary of Labor to enforce these parity rules. It also provides $30 million per year from 2027 through 2031 to the agency that oversees employee benefit plans to carry out enforcement.
Who it affects
It would most affect employer-sponsored group health plans, their insurers and administrators, and people enrolled in those plans who use mental health or substance use disorder benefits.
Key points
- Adds mental health and substance use disorder parity violations to the list of failures that can trigger civil monetary penalties under ERISA.
- Expands liability beyond just plan sponsors to also include service providers and plan administrators.
- Gives the Secretary of Labor authority to enforce the parity requirements in Section 712.
- The new penalty provisions apply to plan years beginning more than one year after enactment.
- Appropriates $30 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to the Employee Benefits Security Administration for enforcement.
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1 · Your position
If you support this
You are backing new financial penalties and stronger federal enforcement, plus dedicated funding, to make health plans cover mental health and substance use treatment on par with physical health care.
If you oppose this
You are backing keeping the current enforcement setup, without the added penalties, expanded liability for administrators and providers, or the new $30 million-per-year funding.
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