Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB169: AN ACT relating to coverage for feeding or eating disorders.
Status: Signed into law, April 13, 2026
Create new sections of Subtitle 17A of KRS Chapter 304 to define terms; require health plans to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of feeding or eating disorders; prohibit insurers from using certain standards, including body mass index, to deny, limit, or restrict coverage; authorize insurers to consider certain factors when determining medical necessity or the appropriate level of care for an individual diagnosed with a feeding or eating disorder; amend KRS 304.17C-125, 304.38A-115, 205.522, 205.6485, 164.2871, and 18A.225 to require limited health services benefit plans, limited health service organizations, Medicaid, KCHIP, self-insured employer group plans provided by the governing board of a state postsecondary education institution, and the state employee health plan to comply with the coverage requirements for feeding or eating disorders; provide that various sections apply to health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department for Medicaid Services to seek federal approval if it is determined that such approval is necessary; provide authorization from the General Assembly to make changes in the Medicaid program as required under KRS 205.5372(1); EFFECTIVE, in part, January 1, 2027.
What the bill says
An act relating to coverage for feeding or eating disorders.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT relating to coverage for feeding or eating disorders. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF SUBTITLE 17A OF KRS CHAPTER IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: As used in Sections 1 to 3 of this Act: (1) "Feeding or eating disorder": (a) Has the same meaning as in the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; and (b) 2. Bulimia nervosa; 3. Atypical anorexia nervosa; 4. Binge-eating disorder; and 5. Any other feeding or eating disorder specified in the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; and (2) "Health plan": (a) Means any health insurance policy, certificate, contract, or plan that offers or provides behavioral or mental health and 2. On a fully insured or self-insured basis or any combination thereof; and (b) and 2. Student health insurance offered by a Kentucky-licensed insurer under written contract with a university or college whose students it proposes to insure. HB016930.100 - 467 - XXXX 2/3/2026 2:19 PM House Committee Substitute UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 169/HCS SECTION 2. A NEW SECTION OF SUBTITLE 17A OF KRS CHAPTER IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: A health plan shall provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of feeding or eating disorders. …
Sponsors
- Ken Fleming (R, HD-048) · primary sponsor
- Lisa Willner (D, HD-035)
- Beverly Chester-Burton (D, HD-044)
- Daniel Grossberg (D, HD-030)
- Vanessa Grossl (R, HD-088)
- Mary Imes (R, HD-005)
- Kim King (R, HD-055)
- Nancy Tate (R, HD-027)
Latest actions
- : signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 101)
- : delivered to Governor
- : enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
- : enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
- : received in House
- : 3rd reading, passed 38-0
- : posted for passage in the Consent Orders of the Day for Friday, March 27 2026
- : 2nd reading, to Rules as a consent bill
- : reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar
- : to Banking & Insurance (S)
Votes
- Senate: Floor Vote RSN# 4043 (March 31, 2026): 38 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Pass RCS# 48 (February 3, 2026): 95 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: State Agencies, Education, Higher, Medicaid, Insurance, Health, Children And Minors, State Employee Health Plan Mandate, Federal Laws And Regulations, State Employees
Common questions
- What is HB169?
- HB169 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to coverage for feeding or eating disorders.
- What does HB169 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to coverage for feeding or eating disorders.
- What is the status of HB169?
- Signed into law as of April 13, 2026. Latest action: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 101) (April 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB169?
- Ken Fleming (R, HD-048), with 7 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB169?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb169.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.