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HB 164 Kentucky House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to coverage for hearing aids and related services.

Summary
Amend KRS 304.17A-132 to modify the definition of "hearing aid"; increase the coverage amount for hearing aids from $1,400 to $2,500; establish network adequacy requirements relating to the provision of hearing aids and related services that are required to be covered; amend KRS 18A.225 to increase the cap on hearing aids and hearing aid-related services under the state employee health plan from $1,400 to $2,500; direct that the Act applies to health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027; EFFECTIVE January 1, 2027.
Issues: ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases hearing aid coverage from $1,400 to $2,500 and mandates network adequacy for related services, expanding patient access to essential hearing care under health benefit plans.95% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 7, 2026 Signed Apr 3, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Current/Final · 2 edits
MINOR
The document has been updated to reflect the bill's progression from the 'Introduced' stage to the 'Current/Final' version. The primary changes involve updating the bill number and header information to align with the final legislative designation, while the substantive text of the bill remains unchanged.
TECHNICAL

The bill number was updated from 'BR 1249' to 'HB 164/GA' in the header and page footers to match the final version of the legislation.

The document status label was updated from 'Jacketed' to 'GA' to indicate the bill is no longer a preliminary draft.

Floor votes · House Feb 2, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
19
Key actions
7
Committee
6
Apr 3, 2026
Signed into law
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 26)
lower
Mar 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
3rd reading, passed 38-0
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar
lower
Mar 13, 2026
Committee
to Banking & Insurance (S)
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
3rd reading, passed 93-0
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Committee
to Banking & Insurance (H)
lower
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Jan 7, 2026
Introduced
introduced in House
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.