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HB 7946

AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- THE PROTECT MENTAL HEALTH ACT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Alzate and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island’s Protect Mental Health Act aims to ensure parity and clearer protections for mental health benefits in insurance plans, including access and coverage decisions.

06/10/2026 Committee recommends passage
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 7946

Summary of HB 7946 (Rhode Island, 2026) – The Protect Mental Health Act

Purpose and intent

  • The bill is titled “AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- THE PROTECT MENTAL HEALTH ACT.”
  • It aims to enhance protections related to mental health coverage within the state’s insurance framework. While the full text is not provided here, the act’s title and context indicate a focus on ensuring access to mental health benefits and potentially requiring parity with medical/surgical benefits, streamlined coverage decisions, or related consumer protections for individuals seeking mental health services.

Key provisions and changes (as described by the bill’s scope and title)

  • Insurance focus: The bill modulates requirements or standards applicable to health insurance plans with respect to mental health care.
  • Protections or parity: It is likely to address parity between mental health benefits and medical/surgical benefits, ensuring that insurers do not impose more restrictive limits on mental health services.
  • Access and utilization: Possible provisions may govern authorization processes, prior approvals, or expedited timelines for mental health treatment decisions.
  • Coverage mandates: The act may introduce or expand mandates for coverage of certain mental health services, conditions, or settings (e.g., outpatient therapy, inpatient care, crisis services), though exact services covered would be specified in the enacted text.
  • Consumer protections: Provisions could include disclosure requirements, grievance and appeals processes, and timelines for decisions related to mental health benefits.
  • Implementation/administration: The bill may establish oversight or enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance by insurers operating in Rhode Island.

Who would be affected

  • Insurance providers: Health insurers, both commercial and possibly state-regulated plans, would be required to adjust benefits, coverage standards, and administrative processes to comply with the act.
  • Policyholders and insured individuals: Consumers seeking mental health services would gain clarified access protections, potential parity with other medical services, and improved coverage decision timelines.
  • Employers and plan sponsors: Employers offering group health plans would need to ensure their plans align with the new requirements and any associated costs or administrative changes.
  • Healthcare providers: Mental health clinicians and facilities could see changes in approval processes, reimbursement timelines, and covered services.

Procedural and timeline details

  • Introduction and referral: The bill was introduced and referred to the House Health & Human Services Committee on February 27, 2026.
  • Committee action: On March 12, 2026, the committee recommended the measure be held for further study, indicating preliminary discussion and potential refinement before moving to a full floor vote.
  • Scheduling for consideration: The bill was scheduled for consideration on June 10, 2026, following a prior schedule on June 8, 2026.
  • Sponsors: A broad slate of co-sponsors supports the measure, including Karen Alzate, Susan Donovan, Tina Spears, Cherie Cruz, Michelle McGaw, June Speakman, Teresa Tanzi, Jennifer Stewart, Raymond Hull, and Rebecca Kislak. This suggests cross-member support and a coalition within the House.

Additional notes

  • The available information does not include the full text or specific numerical details (e.g., exact parity language, cost implications, or defined mental health services). For precise provisions, affected benefit categories, effective dates, and any fiscal impact, the enacted text or committee reports should be consulted.
  • The bill’s progression shows typical legislative steps: introduction, committee review with potential hold for study, and scheduled consideration, indicating ongoing deliberation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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