Committee hears bill to extend state parity protections to ERS and TRS plans
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Summary
Sen. Johnson explained a committee substitute to Senate Bill 636 that would require state employee and teacher retirement system health plans to comply with state mental-health parity laws so coverage remains aligned with physical health even if federal rules change.
Senator Beverly Johnson, sponsor of the committee substitute to Senate Bill 636, told the committee the measure would require health plans for Employees Retirement System (ERS) and Teacher Retirement System (TRS) members to comply with Texas state parity laws for mental health and substance use disorder coverage.
Johnson said state-regulated plans already must provide parity, but ERS and TRS plans are governed at the state level and currently rely on federal parity rules; the substitute would align ERS/TRS coverage with state parity regardless of future federal changes. She said the committee substitute removed a duplicative sentence and clarified that the change ensures continuity of parity protections for state employees and teachers.
Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending.