1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health insurance; requiring health plans to develop a maternal mental 
1.3 	health program; requiring the medical assistance program to cover a maternal 
1.4 	mental health program; appropriating money;amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, 
1.5 	sections 62A.0411, by adding a subdivision; 256B.0671, by adding a subdivision.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 62A.0411, is amended by adding a subdivision 
1.8 	to read:
1.9 		Subd. 3a.Maternal mental health program required. (a) A health plan must include 
1.10 	a maternal mental health program.
1.11 	(b) The maternal mental health program must:
1.12 	(1) ensure comprehensive and effective care for pregnant and postpartum individuals;
1.13 	(2) require at least one maternal mental health screening to be conducted during 
1.14 	pregnancy, at least one additional screening to be conducted during the first six weeks of 
1.15 	the postpartum period, and additional postpartum screenings, if determined to be medically 
1.16 	necessary and clinically appropriate in the judgment of the treating provider;
1.17 	(3) reimburse health care professionals for all services provided under this subdivision, 
1.18 	including but not limited to conducting screenings, diagnosing conditions, and coordinating 
1.19 	treatment, in an amount that equals at least the provider's cost to perform the service; and
1.20 	(4) provide health care professionals with resources and referrals to trained perinatal 
1.21 	mental health providers, including but not limited to behavioral health specialists and support 
1.22 	networks, as needed to ensure timely and effective care.
2.1 	(c) A health plan is prohibited from intentionally or unreasonably delaying a referral to 
2.2 	a qualified behavioral health care professional when the referral is clinically indicated. 
2.3 	Clinical indication includes but is not limited to a positive result on a test for a mental health 
2.4 	condition administered by a health care professional or an enrollee reporting suicidal ideation 
2.5 	during the perinatal period.

2.6 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026, and applies to all policies, 
2.7 	plans, certificates, and contracts offered, issued, or renewed on or after that date.

2.8 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.0671, is amended by adding a subdivision 
2.9 	to read:
2.10 		Subd. 14.Maternal mental health program. (a) Medical assistance must include and 
2.11 	cover a maternal mental health program, as described in section 62A.0411.
2.12 	(b) Medical assistance must meet the requirements that would otherwise apply to a health 
2.13 	plan under section 62A.0411, except that medical assistance is not required to comply with 
2.14 	any provision of section 62A.0411 if compliance with the provision would:
2.15 	(1) prevent the state from receiving federal financial participation for the coverage under 
2.16 	this subdivision; or
2.17 	(2) result in a lower level of coverage or reduced access to coverage for medical assistance 
2.18 	enrollees.

2.19 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026, or upon federal approval, 
2.20 	whichever is later. The commissioner of human services shall notify the revisor of statutes 
2.21 	when federal approval is obtained.

2.22 	Sec. 3. APPROPRIATIONS.
 2.23 		Subdivision 1.Medical assistance.  $....... in fiscal year 2026 and $....... in fiscal year 
2.24 	2027 are appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of human services for 
2.25 	medical assistance coverage of a maternal mental health program under Minnesota Statutes, 
2.26 	section 256B.0671, subdivision 14.
2.27 		Subd. 2.MinnesotaCare. $....... in fiscal year 2026 and $....... in fiscal year 2027 are 
2.28 	appropriated from the health care access fund to the commissioner of human services for 
2.29 	MinnesotaCare coverage of a maternal mental health program under Minnesota Statutes, 
2.30 	section 256L.03, subdivision 1, and as set forth in Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.0671, 
2.31 	subdivision 14.