Kelda Roys Wisconsin State Senator (District 26) | Official Website
Kelda Roys Wisconsin State Senator (District 26) | Official Website
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "coverage of treatment for mental health or substance use disorders under health insurance policies and plans".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill mandates that health insurance policies and self-insured governmental health plans in Wisconsin, which provide coverage for mental health or behavioral health items or services, must cover a minimum of 28 appointments or visits with a mental health care provider per year or as many as necessary to meet the insured's treatment goals for mental health or substance use disorders. It prohibits requiring prior authorization for such coverage. Additionally, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance must prepare a preliminary actuarial estimate of the average cost increase for all qualified health plans due to this coverage. If this estimate surpasses a 10% increase, the enforcement of the coverage requirements may be suspended. The bill applies to new policy years beginning on the effective date, which is the first day of the fourth month after publication.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Robyn Vining (Democrat-13th District), Senator Tim Carpenter (Democrat-3rd District), Senator Dora E. Drake (Democrat-4th District), Senator Dianne H. Hesselbein (Democrat-27th District), Senator Chris Larson (Democrat-7th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Representative Margaret Arney (Democrat-18th District), and Representative Mike Bare (Democrat-80th District), along 29 other co-sponsors.
Kelda Roys has authored or co-authored another 44 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with all of them being adopted.
Roys graduated from New York University in 2000 with a BA and again in 2004 from University of Wisconsin Law School with a JD.
Roys, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2021 to represent the state's 26th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Fred Risser.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB342 | 06/27/2025 | Coverage of treatment for mental health or substance use disorders under health insurance policies and plans |
| SB322 | 06/12/2025 | A Department of Children and Families program to make payments to child care programs, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB314 | 06/04/2025 | The pupil participation limit in the state parental choice program |
| SB301 | 06/02/2025 | Rehired annuitants. (FE) |
| SB271 | 05/21/2025 | Right to bodily autonomy, elimination of certain abortion-related regulations, and coverage of abortion under certain health care coverage plans. (FE) |
| SB268 | 05/20/2025 | Prohibiting corporal punishment in public and private schools |
| SB247 | 05/09/2025 | Local and private regulation of accessory dwelling units. (FE) |
| SB195 | 04/14/2025 | Serving maple syrup in a public eating place |
| SB142 | 03/21/2025 | Algorithmic software for residential housing, and providing a penalty |
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