Bill · H.R. 3758· House(119-HR-3758)
Workers’ Disability Benefits Parity Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 6/5/2025
- Last activity
- 6/5/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Sponsored by
- Mark DeSaulnier
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Workers' Disability Benefits Parity Act of 2025 aims to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. It seeks to establish parity between the treatment of behavioral health conditions and physical health conditions under disability benefit plans. The bill prohibits plans from placing more restrictive limitations or exclusions on mental health or substance use disorder benefits compared to physical health benefits. It also requires plans to treat physical conditions caused by mental health or substance use disorders as part of the disability. Additionally, the Act empowers the Secretary of Labor to assess civil penalties for violations and mandates specific studies and outreach.
Yes· 3 of 12
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+9
The bill is highly positive for people with disabilities by establishing parity for behavioral health conditions.
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?+8
The bill significantly enhances disability rights by ensuring parity for mental health and substance use disorders.
Does this make mental health care easier to get?+7
The bill improves access to mental health coverage by mandating parity with physical health disability benefits.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-3
The bill imposes potential civil penalties and new compliance costs on plan sponsors and employers.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Fairness in Disability Treatment: Disability benefit plans will not be allowed to place restrictions on benefits for mental health or substance use disorders that are more restrictive than those for physical health conditions (Section 101(a)(2)).
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Comprehensive Disability Coverage: Plans must consider any physical health condition caused by a mental health condition or substance use disorder to be part of the disability (Section 101(a)(2) and Section 202(2)).
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Legal Recourse for Workers: Individuals who are aggrieved by a plan's failure to comply with these requirements have the right to bring an action in State or Federal court for appropriate equitable relief (Section 203(c)).
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Accountability for Providers: The Secretary of Labor is authorized to assess civil monetary penalties against sponsors, administrators, or service providers who violate or conceal violations of these requirements (Section 101(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Delayed Implementation: The amendments to the law do not apply until plan years that begin after 18 months have passed since the Act's enactment (Section 304(a)).
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Exceptions for Collective Bargaining: For plans maintained by collective bargaining agreements ratified before the Act's enactment, the new rules may not apply until the last of those agreements terminates or until 18 months after the Act's enactment (Section 304(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For People With Disabilities+9Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Union Workers+4Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Business Owners-3
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+7Improves Healthcare Access+5Improves Opioid Crisis Response+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+8Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+4Improves Due Process+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+5
- 6/5/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Robert ScottDemocrat · Virginia