SF2028 Summary

• Establishes a mental health and substance use disorder work group with 14 members including representatives from health plans, state commissioners, employers, providers, and advocates with expertise in evidence-based care and parity compliance.

• Requires the commissioner of commerce to appoint members by July 1, 2018, convene the first meeting by August 1, 2018, and serve as chair with administrative support from the health and commerce commissioners.

• Directs the work group to develop recommendations on the most effective approach to determine and demonstrate mental health and substance use disorder parity under state and federal law for individual and group health plans in Minnesota.

• Requires the commissioner of commerce to submit a report by February 15, 2019, to legislative committees including summaries of enforcement actions, regulatory actions taken, compliance information regarding Minnesota Statutes sections 62Q.47 and 62Q.53, and public education recommendations.

• The work group expires February 16, 2019, or upon report submission, whichever is earlier; the report must be written in nontechnical language and posted publicly on the Department of Health and Department of Commerce websites.