MD SB205

Codifies federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requirements into Maryland state law, giving the Maryland Insurance Administration explicit authority to enforce mental health parity provisions

Requires health insurance carriers to collect and evaluate data assessing the impact of nonquantitative treatment limitations on access to mental health and substance use disorder benefits compared to medical/surgical benefits

Mandates that health benefit plans provide "meaningful benefits" for each covered mental health condition and substance use disorder, including coverage for core treatments in every benefit classification where medical/surgical core treatments are covered

Establishes that material differences in access to mental health/substance use disorder benefits versus medical/surgical benefits constitute a "strong indicator of noncompliance" and requires carriers to document corrective actions within 15 working days of a Commissioner request

Takes effect July 1, 2026, and requires the Insurance Commissioner to adopt implementing regulations in consultation with stakeholders