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HB1400 • 2026

Health insurance; coverage for maternal mental health screenings.

An Act to amend and reenact § 38.2-3414.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to health insurance; coverage for maternal mental health screenings.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Franklin, M.A.
Last action
2026-04-13
Official status
Acts of Assembly Chapter
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Health insurance; coverage for maternal mental health screenings.

Health insurance; coverage for maternal mental health screenings.

What This Bill Does

  • Health insurance; coverage for maternal mental health screenings.
  • Requires health insurance carriers to provide coverage for maternal mental health screenings.
  • The bill requires such coverage to include at least one maternal mental health screening to be conducted during pregnancy, at least one additional screening to be conducted during the first six weeks of the postpartum period, and additional medically necessary postpartum screenings.
  • Additionally, the bill provides that coverage for a prescription drug for the treatment of a maternal mental health condition shall not be subject to prior authorization requirements unless there are clinically significant safety or efficacy concerns.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HB1400AS1

2026-03-10 • Committee

Commerce and Labor Amendment

Plain English: 3/10/2026 (HB1400) AMENDMENT(S) PROPOSED BY THE SENATE COMMERCE AND LABOR 1.

  • 3/10/2026 (HB1400) AMENDMENT(S) PROPOSED BY THE SENATE COMMERCE AND LABOR 1.
  • Line 34, engrossed, after drug strike the remainder of line 34 and through protocols on line 35 insert that is approved by the U.S.
  • Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of a maternal mental health condition shall not be subject to prior authorization requirements unless there are clinically significant safety or efficacy concerns
HB1400EDOC

2026-03-11 • Senate

Senate Amendment

Plain English: 3/11/2026 (HB1400) AMENDMENT(S) PROPOSED BY THE SENATE COMMERCE AND LABOR 1.

  • 3/11/2026 (HB1400) AMENDMENT(S) PROPOSED BY THE SENATE COMMERCE AND LABOR 1.
  • Line 34, engrossed, after drug strike the remainder of line 34 and through protocols on line 35 insert that is approved by the U.S.
  • Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of a maternal mental health condition shall not be subject to prior authorization requirements unless there are clinically significant safety or efficacy concerns

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-13 Governor

    Approved by Governor-Chapter 840 (effective 7/1/2026)

  2. 2026-04-13 Governor

    Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0840)

  3. 2026-04-13 Governor

    Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0840)

  4. 2026-04-13 House

    Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1400)

  5. 2026-03-31 House

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  6. 2026-03-31 Governor

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  7. 2026-03-31 House

    Signed by Speaker

  8. 2026-03-31 House

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  9. 2026-03-31 Governor

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  10. 2026-03-30 Senate

    Signed by President

  11. 2026-03-30 House

    Enrolled

  12. 2026-03-30 House

    Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1400ER)

  13. 2026-03-12 House

    Senate amendment agreed to by House (70-Y 25-N 0-A)

  14. 2026-03-11 Senate

    Read third time

  15. 2026-03-11 Senate

    Engrossed by Senate as amended

  16. 2026-03-11 Senate

    Passed Senate with amendment

  17. 2026-03-11 Commerce and Labor

    Commerce and Labor Amendment agreed to

  18. 2026-03-11 Senate

    Passed Senate with amendment Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

  19. 2026-03-11 Senate

    Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  20. 2026-03-11 Senate

    Passed Senate with amendment Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  21. 2026-03-10 Senate

    Rules suspended

  22. 2026-03-10 Senate

    Passed by for the day

  23. 2026-03-10 Senate

    Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

  24. 2026-03-10 Senate

    Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  25. 2026-03-09 Commerce and Labor

    Reported from Commerce and Labor with amendment (15-Y 0-N)

  26. 2026-03-09 House

    Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1400)

  27. 2026-02-18 Senate

    Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  28. 2026-02-18 Commerce and Labor

    Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

  29. 2026-02-17 House

    Read third time and passed House (66-Y 30-N 0-A)

  30. 2026-02-16 House

    Read second time and engrossed

  31. 2026-02-15 House

    Read first time

  32. 2026-02-12 Labor and Commerce

    Reported from Labor and Commerce (13-Y 7-N)

  33. 2026-02-10 Subcommittee #1

    Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 3-N)

  34. 2026-01-27 Subcommittee #1

    Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #1

  35. 2026-01-22 House

    Presented and ordered printed 26105744D

  36. 2026-01-22 Labor and Commerce

    Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

Official Summary Text

Health insurance; coverage for maternal mental health screenings.
Requires health insurance carriers to provide coverage for maternal mental health screenings. The bill requires such coverage to include at least one maternal mental health screening to be conducted during pregnancy, at least one additional screening to be conducted during the first six weeks of the postpartum period, and additional medically necessary postpartum screenings. Additionally, the bill provides that coverage for a prescription drug for the treatment of a maternal mental health condition shall not be subject to prior authorization requirements unless there are clinically significant safety or efficacy concerns.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
An Act to amend and reenact §
38.2-3414.1
of the Code of Virginia, relating to health insurance; coverage for maternal mental health screenings.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §
38.2-3414.1
of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§
38.2-3414.1
. Obstetrical benefits; coverage for maternal mental health postpartum services.
A.
Each
As used in this section, "maternal mental health" means a mental health condition that occurs during pregnancy or during the postpartum period and includes postpartum depression.
B. Notwithstanding the provisions of §
38.2-3419
or subdivision A 1 of §
38.2-6506
, each
insurer proposing to issue an individual or group hospital policy or major medical policy in this Commonwealth, each corporation proposing to issue an individual or group hospital, medical or major medical subscription contract, and each health maintenance organization providing a health care plan for health care services that provides benefits for obstetrical services shall provide coverage for
maternal mental health screenings and
postpartum services as provided in this section.
B.
C.
Such coverage shall include benefits for inpatient care and a home visit or visits which shall be in accordance with the medical criteria, outlined in the most current version of or an official update to the "Guidelines for Perinatal Care" prepared by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or the "Standards for Obstetric-Gynecologic Services" prepared by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Such coverage shall be provided incorporating any changes in such Guidelines or Standards within six months of the publication of such Guidelines or Standards or any official amendment thereto.
C. The requirements of this section shall apply to all insurance policies, contracts and plans delivered, issued for delivery, reissued, or extended on and after July 1, 1996, or at any time thereafter when any term of the policy, contract or plan is changed or any premium adjustment is made.
D.
Such coverage for maternal mental health screenings shall include at least one maternal mental health screening to be conducted during pregnancy, at least one additional screening to be conducted during the first six weeks of the postpartum period, and additional postpartum screenings, if determined to be medically necessary and clinically appropriate in the judgment of the treating provider.
E. Coverage for a prescription drug
that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of a maternal mental health condition shall not be subject to prior authorization requirements unless there are clinically significant safety or efficacy concerns
.
F.
This section shall not apply to short-term travel, accident only, or limited or specified disease policies or contracts, nor to policies or contracts designed for issuance to persons eligible for coverage under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, known as Medicare, or any other similar coverage under state or federal governmental plans.
2. That the provisions of this act shall apply to any individual or group accident and sickness insurance policy, individual or group accident and sickness subscription contract, or health care plan for health care services delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in the Commonwealth on and after January 1, 2027.