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Senate adopts 'mandate-light' autism amendment, lowers per-child caps
Summary
Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 43 makes autism coverage an employer option instead of a universal mandate and lowers per-child coverage caps (from $50,000 to $35,000 for younger children and $25,000 to $17,500 for older children). Senators asked for an updated fiscal note before final action.
Senate Bill 43, addressing autism insurance coverage, was amended on the Senate floor by Senator Stevenson to create a 'mandate-light' approach that would make autism coverage an option for employers rather than a universal requirement. The amendment also reduced the per-child coverage caps previously proposed.
Senator Stevenson explained the amendment: it keeps autism coverage as one available option for employers among other optional coverages under House Bill 188, and it reduces the dollar caps to $35,000 annually for children younger than 9 and $17,500 for children aged 9–16 (SEG 1019–1034; SEG 1048–1054). He said the change is consistent with broader health-policy reforms and would allow employers flexibility in selecting benefit options.
Senators asked whether the amendment’s changes would alter the bill’s fiscal note. Senator Jones requested a fiscal note before a final vote; the sponsor said a new fiscal note would be sought and made available before the Senate considered the bill tomorrow (SEG 1091–1101).
The motion to adopt the amendment carried and the bill was circled so the public and members would have time to review the changes before final consideration (SEG 1224–1231).
