Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky SB56: AN ACT relating to utilization controls for nonopioid analgesics in the Medicaid program.
Status: Passed one chamber, April 15, 2026
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 205 to prohibit the Department for Medicaid Services, any Medicaid managed care organization contracted by the department, and the Medicaid state pharmacy benefit manager from denying coverage for a nonopioid analgesic in favor of opioid analgesic or establishing more restrictive or more extensive utilization controls for nonopioid analgesics than the least restrictive or extensive utilization controls for any opioid or narcotic analgesic; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department for Medicaid to seek federal approval if it is determined that such approval is necessary; provide authorization from the General Assembly to make changes to the Medicaid program as required under KRS 205.5372(1).
What the bill says
An act relating to utilization controls for nonopioid analgesics in the Medicaid program.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to utilization controls for nonopioid analgesics in the Medicaid program. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 205 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: The Department for Medicaid Services, any managed care organization with whom the department contracts for the delivery of Medicaid services, and the state pharmacy benefit manager contracted by the department pursuant to KRS 205.5512 shall not: (1) Deny coverage of a nonopioid prescription drug in favor of an opioid prescription drug when a licensed physician has prescribed a nonopioid medication for the treatment of chronic or acute pain; or (2) Establish more restrictive or more extensive utilization controls, including but not limited to more restrictive or more extensive prior authorization or step therapy requirements, for clinically appropriate nonopioid drugs than the least restrictive or extensive utilization controls applicable to any clinically appropriate opioid or narcotic drug. Section 2. If the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department for Medicaid Services determines that a state plan amendment, waiver, or any other form of authorization or approval from any federal agency to implement Section 1 of this Act is necessary to prevent the loss of federal funds or to comply with federal law, the cabinet or department: (1) Shall, within …
Sponsors
- Gerald Neal (D, SD-033) · primary sponsor
- Greg Elkins (R, SD-028)
- Scott Madon (R, SD-029)
- Amanda Mays Bledsoe (R, SD-012)
- Reginald Thomas (D, SD-013)
Latest actions
- : passed over and retained for concurrence in House Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
- : posted for passage for concurrence in House Floor Amendments (1) and (2-title)
- : to Rules (S)
- : received in Senate
- : 3rd reading, passed 82-9 with Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
- : floor amendments (3) and (4-title) filed
- : floor amendments (1) and (2-title) filed
- : posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, March 25 2026
- : 2nd reading, to Rules
- : reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
Votes
- House: Suspend the Rules (HFA 1) RCS# 494 (April 15, 2026): 79 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Pass RCS# 495 (April 15, 2026): 82 yea, 9 nay, passed
- Senate: PASS SB 56 RSN# 3865 (February 27, 2026): 35 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Medicaid, Drugs And Medicines, Fiscal Note, Public Assistance, Opioids
Common questions
- What is SB56?
- SB56 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to utilization controls for nonopioid analgesics in the Medicaid program.
- What does SB56 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to utilization controls for nonopioid analgesics in the Medicaid program.
- What is the status of SB56?
- Passed one chamber as of April 15, 2026. Latest action: passed over and retained for concurrence in House Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title) (April 15, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB56?
- Gerald Neal (D, SD-033), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB56?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/sb56.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.