LEXINGTON, Ky. — Governor Andy Beshear signed legislation Thursday expanding mental health and eating disorder coverage requirements for Kentucky insurance plans, according to the Office of the Governor.

The governor signed House Bills 169 and 178, Senate Bill 122 and Senate Joint Resolution 139, which collectively strengthen insurance coverage mandates for mental health conditions and eating disorders across the state. The measures represent a significant expansion of mental health parity protections for Kentucky residents seeking treatment and coverage for behavioral health services.

Beshear also allowed two additional bills to lapse without his signature. House Bill 6 and House Bill 480 did not receive the governor's approval, meaning they will not become law. The decision to allow legislation to lapse without a veto allows the bills to die quietly without the governor taking formal action against them.

Mental health advocacy groups have increasingly pushed state legislatures nationwide to strengthen insurance coverage requirements, citing gaps in existing protections that leave many patients responsible for substantial out-of-pocket costs for behavioral health treatment. The legislation signed Thursday addresses those concerns by mandating broader coverage standards.

The specific provisions of the signed bills were not detailed in the governor's announcement, but the legislation represents Kentucky's continued effort to align state insurance regulations with federal mental health parity requirements while potentially exceeding baseline protections.

The actions come as mental health needs have increased across Kentucky, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. State officials have emphasized the importance of accessible mental health care as part of broader public health initiatives.