84R2537 MEW-D
By: Menéndez S.B. No. 1774
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the definition of serious mental illness for purposes
of certain group health benefit plans.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1355.001, Insurance Code, is amended by
amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivision (5) to read as
follows:
(1) "Serious mental illness" means the following
psychiatric illnesses as defined by the American Psychiatric
Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM), fifth edition, or a later edition adopted by the
commissioner:
(A) bipolar disorders (hypomanic, manic,
depressive, and mixed);
(B) depression in childhood and adolescence;
(C) major depressive disorders (single episode
or recurrent);
(D) obsessive-compulsive disorders;
(E) paranoid and other psychotic disorders;
(F) posttraumatic stress disorder;
(G) schizo-affective disorders (bipolar or
depressive); and
(H) [(G)] schizophrenia.
(5) "Posttraumatic stress disorder" means a disorder
that:
(A) meets the diagnostic criteria for
posttraumatic stress disorder specified by the American
Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders, fifth edition, or a later edition adopted by the
commissioner; and
(B) results in an impairment of a person's
functioning in the person's community, employment, family, school,
or social group.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a group health benefit plan that is delivered, issued for
delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2016. A group health
benefit plan that is delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed
before January 1, 2016, 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 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.