HB656Introduced in the House of Delegates
Mental health & substance abuse disorders; network adequacy standards, comparative analyses, report.
Introduced by Rodney Willett, District 58
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Mental health and substance abuse disorders; network adequacy standards; comparative analyses; report; emergency regulations. Directs the Department of Health to issue regulations that include quantitative network adequacy standards for timely access to care, travel time, and geographical distance that are at least as stringent as those imposed for qualified health plans and qualified dental plans. The bill amends the definitions of "mental health services" and "substance abuse services" for the purposes of health insurance coverage. The bill requires health carriers to submit all comparative analyses prepared pursuant to federal law to the Bureau of Insurance on the date and frequency as specified by the Bureau and includes additional information to include in such submission. Under the bill, the Bureau may impose a penalty not to exceed $100,000 for a noncompliant or insufficient comparative analysis or require a carrier to remove, revise, or remedy noncompliant treatment limitations. The bill also amends the contents of the annual report submitted by the Bureau to the General Assembly to cover enforcement efforts with respect to the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.The bill authorizes the Bureau to promulgate regulations as necessary to implement the provisions of the bill and directs the Department of Health to adopt emergency regulations to implement the provisions of the bill. The bill directs the Department of Human Resource Management to evaluate the impact of the proposed changes to the provisions of the bill related to health insurance. The provisions of the bill related to health insurance have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027. This bill is identical to SB 524.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0652)
April 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
4 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
4 recorded votes · each counted separately
House of DelegatesStage: Senate substitute agreed to by House (92-Y 6-N 0-A) · March 11, 2026
92
Yes
6
No
1
Absent or Not Voting
99 delegates recorded in this House of Delegates vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each delegate voted
| Delegate | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Hope | 1 | Yes |
| Adele McClure | 2 | Yes |
| Alfonso Lopez | 3 | Yes |
| Charniele Herring | 4 | Yes |
| Kirk McPike | 5 | Yes |
| Richard Sullivan | 6 | Yes |
| Karen Keys-Gamarra | 7 | Yes |
| Irene Shin | 8 | Yes |
| Karrie Delaney | 9 | Yes |
| Dan Helmer | 10 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104547D
Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services
Assigned sub: Behavioral Health
House subcommittee offered
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 1-N)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB656)
Reported from Health and Human Services with substitute (21-Y 1-N)
Committee substitute printed 26106935D-H1
Read first time
Read second time
committee substitute agreed to
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB656)
Read third time and passed House (95-Y 3-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee on Education and Health
Reported from Education and Health with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
Committee substitute printed 26108828D-S1
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB656)
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Read third time
Education and Health Substitute agreed to
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Senate substitute agreed to by House (92-Y 6-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB656ER)
Signed by President
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB656)
Signed by Speaker
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor - Chapter 652 (effective - see bill)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0652)
Verify the information
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