SB896 - Relating to the enrollment period for newborns under certain health benefit plans.

      S.B. No. 896         AN ACT   relating to the enrollment period for newborns under certain health   benefit plans.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 846.258(b), Insurance Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  Coverage of a newborn child of a participating employee   under this section ends on the 61st [ 32nd ] day after the date of the   child's birth unless:                (1)  children are eligible for coverage under the   multiple employer welfare arrangement's plan document; and                (2)  not later than the 60th [ 31st ] day after the date   of birth, the arrangement receives:                      (A)  notice of the birth; and                      (B)  any required additional premium.          SECTION 2.  Section 1367.003, Insurance Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 1367.003.  CERTAIN LIMITATIONS ON COVERAGE FOR NEWBORN   CHILDREN PROHIBITED.  A health benefit plan that provides maternity   benefits or accident and health coverage for additional newborn   children may not be issued in this state if the plan excludes or   limits:                (1)  initial coverage of a newborn child before the   61st day after the date of the child's birth  [ for a period of time ];                (2)  coverage for congenital defects of a newborn   child; or                (3)  coverage for administration of the newborn   screening tests required by Section 33.011, Health and Safety Code,   including for the cost of a newborn screening test kit in the amount   provided by the Department of State Health Services on its Internet   website under Section 33.019 of that code on the date the test was   administered.          SECTION 3.  Section 1501.157(b), Insurance Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  Coverage of a newborn child of a covered employee under   this section ends on the 61st [ 32nd ] day after the date of the   child's birth unless, not later than the 60th [ 31st ] day after the   date of birth, the small employer health benefit plan issuer   receives:                (1)  notice of the birth; and                (2)  any required additional premium.          SECTION 4.  Section 1501.607(b), Insurance Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  Coverage of a newborn child of a covered employee under   this section ends on the 61st [ 32nd ] day after the date of the   child's birth unless:                (1)  children are eligible for coverage under the large   employer health benefit plan; and                (2)  not later than the 60th [ 31st ] day after the date   of birth, the large employer health benefit plan issuer receives:                      (A)  notice of the birth; and                      (B)  any required additional premium.          SECTION 5.  The change in law made by this Act applies only   to a health benefit plan that is delivered, issued for delivery, or   renewed on or after January 1, 2026.  A health benefit plan that is   delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed before January 1, 2026,   is governed by the law as it existed immediately before the   effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for   that purpose.          SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.               ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 896 passed the Senate on   March 26, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 896 passed the House on   May 21, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 130, Nays 14, two   present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor