HF 35

as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) Posted on 02/19/2025 12:32pm

A bill for an act
relating to health insurance; requiring health plans to develop a maternal mental
health program; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 62A.0411, by adding
a subdivision; 256B.69, by adding a subdivision; 256L.12, by adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 62A.0411, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

new text begin Maternal mental health program required. new text end

new text begin (a) A health plan must include
a maternal mental health program.
new text end

new text begin (b) The maternal mental health program must:
new text end

new text begin (1) ensure comprehensive and effective care for pregnant and postpartum individuals;
new text end

new text begin (2) encourage providers to perform maternal mental health screenings during the perinatal
period based on recommendations published by the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists;
new text end

new text begin (3) reimburse health care professionals for all services provided under this subdivision,
including but not limited to conducting screenings, diagnosing conditions, and coordinating
treatment, in an amount that equals at least the provider's cost to perform the service; and
new text end

new text begin (4) provide health care professionals with resources and referrals to trained perinatal
mental health providers, including but not limited to behavioral health specialists and support
networks, as needed to ensure timely and effective care.
new text end

new text begin (c) A health plan is prohibited from intentionally or unreasonably delaying a referral to
a qualified behavioral health care professional when the referral is clinically indicated.
Clinical indication includes but is not limited to a positive result on a test for a mental health
condition administered by a health care professional or an enrollee reporting suicidal ideation
during the perinatal period.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2026, and applies to all policies,
plans, certificates, and contracts offered, issued, or renewed on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.69, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 38. new text end

new text begin Maternal mental health program required. new text end

new text begin Managed care plans and
county-based purchasing plans subject to this section must include the maternal mental
health program required under section 62A.0411.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective on January 1, 2026, or upon federal
approval, whichever is later. The commissioner of human services must notify the revisor
of statutes when federal approval is obtained.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256L.12, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Maternal mental health program required. new text end

new text begin Managed care plans and
county-based purchasing plans subject to this section must include the maternal mental
health program required under section 62A.0411.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective on January 1, 2026, or upon federal
approval, whichever is later. The commissioner of human services must notify the revisor
of statutes when federal approval is obtained.
new text end