Bill · H.R. 9551· House(119-HR-9551)
Mental Health Parity Enforcement and Funding Act
- Introduced
- 6/30/2026
- Last activity
- 6/30/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Sponsored by
- Thomas Kean
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Mental Health Parity Enforcement and Funding Act. It allows for civil monetary penalties when there are violations of mental health parity requirements. The bill updates the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to apply these penalties to plan sponsors, service providers, plan administrators, and issuers. It also sets up exceptions to the general prohibition on enforcement regarding these rules. Finally, the bill appropriates thirty million dollars for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
Yes· 3 of 30
Does this make mental health care easier to get?+8
By enforcing mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements, the bill improves access to and accountability for mental health services.
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+7
Individuals with mental health and psychiatric disabilities are directly aided by strengthened parity enforcement.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+7
Ensuring parity requirements helps individuals receive proper coverage for mental health and substance use care.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-2
Business owners and plan sponsors face potential civil monetary penalties for non-compliance with parity regulations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 2 allows for civil monetary penalties against plan sponsors, service providers, plan administrators, or issuers for failing to meet mental health and substance use disorder benefits parity requirements. This holds officials and entities accountable for following the rules regarding mental health benefits.
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Section 3 appropriates thirty million dollars for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to the Employee Benefits Security Administration to carry out these important amendments. This funding helps ensure the government has the resources needed to enforce these protections.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any explicit information about negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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+7Good For L G B T Q Community+6Good For Low Income Households+6Good For Middle Class Households+6Good For Union Workers+6Good For Children+5Good For Men+5Good For Middle Aged+5Good For Women+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For African Americans+4Good For Hispanic Americans+4Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Students+4Good For Veterans+4Good For Asian Americans+3Good For Immigrants+3Good For Native Americans+3Good For Seniors+3Good For Urban Residents+3Good For White Americans+3Good For Farmers+2Good For High Income Households+2Good For Retirees+2Good For Business Owners-2
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+8Improves Healthcare Access+7Improves Opioid Crisis Response+7
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+6
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3
- 7/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/30/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
August PflugerRepublican · Texas