Advocacy Alert: January 2026 Legislative News Round Up

February 5, 2026

For those of you who follow us on social media know, we post news stories on a daily basis that are connected to the behavioral health and addiction treatment industry.

Many of these are news stories regarding legislation, so once a month we send out a 'news roundup' of related news stories we've posted. Unless otherwise stated, NBHAP has no official stance on any of these stories: the intention is to share so that we're all better informed as to what's happening in the legislative world.

A reminder that NBHAP members get access to a monthly update with our advocate in Washington, DC, to find out what is going on and ask any questions you may have. Feel free to contact us for more information on that.

NM | What new laws are going into effect in New Mexico for 2026?
Shared 1/2/2026
Senate Bill 120 eliminates cost sharing – paying out-of-pocket beyond your monthly premiums – for behavioral health services for certain plans.

GA | Recovery advocates push for stronger policies to address Georgia’s addiction epidemic
Shared 1/7/2026
The addiction epidemic in Georgia is one of the major issues local advocates want state lawmakers to address during the 2026 legislative session.

AL | Tuscaloosa city leaders discuss mental health in meeting with state legislators
Shared 1/8/2026
Nearly half of the meeting dealt with discussions on public safety to care for someone with mental health problems locally.

MD | Behavioral health advocates brace for funding challenges for 2026 legislative agenda
Shared 1/8/2026
Advocates warn that reducing funding now could threaten progress made in providing mental health services across the state.

CA | Lurie Backs Proposed California Law to Allow Court-Ordered Psychiatric Drugs
Shared 1/14/2026
Under current law, judges can order people to participate in assisted outpatient treatment, but they cannot require medication that officials said is “often essential” to stabilizing severe mental illness.

HHS quickly reverses $2 billion in mental health and substance abuse cuts after pushback
Shared 1/15/2026
Health care advocates and members of Congress expressed opposition to the cuts after being told of them earlier this week.

KS | Kansas governor’s budget highlights education, mental health care, water and state employee raises
Shared 1/15/2026
Legislators got their first look at Gov. Laura Kelly’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2027 on Wednesday, finding a plan that prioritizes funding for schools and special education, expanded mental health services and creating a 10-year water plan.

Millions in mental health funding for Indigenous communities restored
Shared 1/16/2026
The federal government cut $2 billion in mental health and addiction services, impacting Indigenous programs from Wisconsin to Montana. Funding was restored on Jan. 15, but the impact remains.

DC | Community and industry offer feedback on 988 tax bill
Shared 1/16/2026
The 988 tax would be similar to the District 911 fee, with fees based on line type.

WY | Shapiro leads roundtable discussion of fight against addiction
Shared 1/22/2026
Gov. Josh Shapiro headed a roundtable discussion about ways to combat substance use disorder, the opioid crisis and related issues at the Wyoming County Emergency Management Agency building.

SAMHSA Reverses $2B in Grant Cuts, But Funding Fears Remain
Shared 1/23/2026
While the reversal allows providers to continue their initial programming, many are concerned about what the sudden policy shifts could mean for their programs’ long-term funding stability.

NE | Nebraska DHHS extends public comment period for mental health service definitions
Shared 1/26/2026
Nebraskans are encouraged to submit their recommendations for changes to the current drafts.

SD | Treatment courts help reduce South Dakota's prison population
Shared 1/26/2026
As much as lawmakers debated whether South Dakota should build a new men's prison, they generally agreed that rehabilitation must be a vital component to ease the state's overflowing prisons and drug problems.

ID | Idaho House committee approves addition of suicidal crisis assistance to Good Samaritan law
Shared 1/27/2026
The bill prevents a civil lawsuit from being filed against someone who stops at the scene of an emergency and, “in good faith,” tries to provide assistance, unless they are found to be “grossly negligent.”

MI | Hundreds of Michigan Schools Reject State Safety and Mental Health Funding Due to New Conditions
Shared 1/27/2026
Approximately 70% of Michigan’s traditional K-12 districts and 39% of charter schools have rejected the mental health and school safety funding.

CO | New Colorado law requires insurers to cover mental health like physical illness
Shared 1/28/2026
Advocates said the law ensures that Coloradans can access the care they are paying for without facing a crushing financial strain.

OR | Oregon’s mental health workforce shortage is fueled by red tape; new bill aims to fix it
Shared 1/28/2026
A proposal aims to reduce barriers that make it harder for behavioral health workers to enter and stay in Oregon’s mental health and addiction workforce.

Trump signs order launching new initiative to address drug addiction
Shared 1/30/2026
According to a White House fact sheet, the order will create a "White House Great American Recovery Initiative," which will advise federal agencies on directing grants to support addiction recovery and aim to increase awareness about drug addiction.

Questions? Concerns?

As always, we want your input.

A reminder that NBHAP members get regular access to our advocate in Washington, DC. If you have any questions about NBHAP's advocacy efforts, please contact us.