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DOL/EBSA RIN: 1210-AA62 Publication ID: Spring 2002 
Title: Mental Health Benefits Parity 
Abstract: The Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 (MHPA) was enacted on September 26, 1996 (P.L. 104-204). MHPA amended the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), as amended, to provide for parity in the application of limits on certain mental health benefits with limits on medical and surgical benefits. MHPA provisions are set forth in chapter 100 of subtitle K of the Code, title XXVII of the PHSA, and part 7 of subtitle B of title I of ERISA. On January 10, 2002, President Bush signed H.R. 3061 (Pub. L.107-116, 115 Stat.2177), the 2002 Appropriations Act for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. This legislation amended ERISA, the Code, and the PHSA to extend the original sunset date so that MHPA's provisions will not apply to benefits for services furnished on or after December 31, 2002. As a result, and to assist employers, plan administrators, and workers concerning the extension of MHPA's sunset provision, the Departments are developing an interim final amendment to the current regulation for publication in the Federal Register. 
Agency: Department of Labor(DOL)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: Undetermined  Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined 
CFR Citation: 29 CFR 2590   
Legal Authority: 29 USC 1135    29 USC 1182 (PL 104-204    110 Stat 2944)    29 USC 1194   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Interim Final Rule  12/22/1997  62 FR 66932   
Interim Final Amendment  06/00/2002    
Additional Information: LEGAL AUTHORITIES CONT: Secs. 107, 209, 505, 701-703, 711, 712 731-734 of ERISA (29 U.S.C. 1027, 1059, 1135, 1171-1173, 1181 1182, 1191-1194), as amended by HIPAA (Pub. L. 104-191, 101 Stat. 1936) and NMHPA (Pub. L. 104-204) and Secretary of Labor's Order No. 1-87, 52 FR 13139, April 21, 1987.
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
Agency Contact:
Mark Connor
Deputy Director, Office of Health Plan Standards and Compliance Assistance
Department of Labor
Employee Benefits Security Administration
Room C5331, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-5653,
Washington, DC 20210
Phone:202 693-8335
Fax:202 219-1942