KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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SB198 • 2026

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning health.

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning health.

Children Healthcare Labor
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Senator Andrea Hunley
Last action
2026-01-06
Official status
Introduced Senate Bill (S)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on funding sources for the family leave insurance program, only that it is established.

Health Care Improvements for Pregnant Women

This bill changes Indiana's laws to improve healthcare services for pregnant women, including coverage for certain medical tests and treatments related to pregnancy and postpartum care.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires health plans to cover special medications for postpartum depression even if the FDA hasn't approved them specifically for this use.
  • Health plans must also pay for biomarker testing for preeclampsia, doula services, mental health screenings, and treatment for maternal mental health issues.
  • The bill requires hospitals to give new mothers information about postpartum depression before they leave the hospital.
  • It sets up a program to help pregnant women with substance use disorders and their children.
  • Establishes a family leave insurance program.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Pregnant women
  • New mothers
  • Health care providers

Terms To Know

Step therapy protocol
A process where patients try less expensive or less risky treatments before more costly ones.
Biomarker testing
Tests that look for specific biological signs of a disease, like preeclampsia.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify when it will take effect.
  • It is unclear how much the new programs and services will cost or who will pay for them.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-06 Senate

    Authored by Senators Hunley, Yoder

  2. 2026-01-06 Senate

    Coauthored by Senators Jackson L, Ford J.D.

  3. 2026-01-06 Senate

    First reading: referred to Committee on Health and Provider Services

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning health.
Pregnancy and childbirth matters.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning health.

Pregnancy and childbirth matters.

Requires a state employee health plan, a policy of accident and sickness insurance, and a health maintenance organization contract to: (1) grant an exception to a step therapy protocol for a prescription drug prescribed for the treatment of postpartum depression that is not indicated by the federal Food and Drug Administration for postpartum depression on the prescription drug's approved labeling; (2) provide coverage for biomarker testing for preeclampsia, doula services, mental health screenings, and treatment for maternal mental health; and (3) develop a maternal mental health program. Requires Medicaid pregnancy services to include reimbursement for doula services and biomarker testing for preeclampsia. Requires the division of mental health and addiction to develop and implement a program for pregnant women and children with a substance use disorder. Requires the office of women's health to: (1) develop, maintain, and disseminate certain information concerning resources that are available to pregnant women and new mothers; and (2) provide continuing education courses concerning postpartum depression and other related mental health disorders. Requires a hospital or birthing center to, before a patient's discharge from the hospital or birthing center following birth, providethe patient with information concerning postpartum depression and other related mental health disorders. Sets forth requirements for screening for preeclampsia using biomarker testing. Establishes the Hoosier family leave insurance program and the Hoosier family leave insurance trust fund. Prohibits an employer from discriminating against an employee who has a condition related to pregnancy or childbirth. Repeals a chapter regarding pregnancy and childbirth accommodation. Requires certain health care practitioners to screen caregivers for signs and symptoms of postpartum depression or other related mental health disorders and provide a referral for the caregiver if the screening is positive for a mental health disorder.