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Committee advances AB 2011 to codify federal mental‑health parity standards into state law
Summary
AB 2011 would enshrine federal mental health parity rules in California statute to preserve state enforcement tools if federal enforcement changes; state regulators and medical groups supported the bill, while health-plan associations warned of legal uncertainty and potential cost impacts.
Assembly member Hart presented AB 2011 to the Appropriations Committee on April 8, 2026, asking the committee to codify federal mental‑health parity standards in state law so state regulators can sustain enforcement regardless of federal shifts.
Hart said the measure would not expand covered benefits or create new mandates but would "enshrine those protections in state law so state regulators can continue to enforce parity requirements." Miguel Bastidas of the California Department of Insurance said the department "doesn't anticipate any cost to the department" and expressed support.
Opponents—including Olga Shilo on behalf of the California Association of Health Plans and Stephanie Watkins for the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies—urged caution. Shilo told the committee AB 2011 "attempts to codify an unsettled federal rule," citing that the 2024 federal parity rule has been paused for review and is subject to litigation. She argued the state should hold off until the federal rule is finalized, warning of possible increased costs and complexity.
Hart replied that the bill "does not expand covered benefits" and "only codifies existing standards the state is already enforcing," asking members for an aye vote. The committee advanced AB 2011 out of Appropriations on a roll call.
The bill now moves toward floor consideration; opponents flagged ongoing federal rulemaking and litigation that could affect implementation.
