BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3986

By: Simmons

Insurance

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Knowledgeable stakeholders explain that autism therapy covers a myriad of treatment options depending on a patient's unique needs. These stakeholders go on to explain that one method of treatment is recreational therapy, in which an autistic person may participate in beneficial activities such as sports therapy, horseback riding, and other structured recreational treatment plans. The stakeholders believe that health benefit plans should include recreational therapy as a generally recognized autism treatment option. H.B. 3986 seeks to provide for this inclusion.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3986 amends the Insurance Code to include recreational therapy among the services considered "generally recognized services" for purposes of required coverage by certain health benefit plans for such services prescribed to treat autism spectrum disorder. The bill applies only to a health benefit plan delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2016.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.