SB 896

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