HUMAN RIGHTS-MENOPAUSE CARE

Session: 104th General Assembly
Year: 2026
Bill #: HB5284
Category: Public Health, Hospital Facilities and Nursing Homes
Position: No position
Mandate?
Revenue Loss?
Authority Preemption?

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Summary as Introduced

Creates the Illinois Menopause Equity and Care Act. Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law. Requires the Department of Public Health to create educational materials regarding menopause, including symptoms, treatment options, and patient rights for distribution to the public online. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that on or after January 1, 2028, all individual and group health insurance policies issued, renewed, or amended must provide coverage for medically necessary evaluation and treatment of perimenopause and menopause as determined by a licensed health care provider using evidence-based guidelines. Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides if a licensee treats or evaluates patients suffering from menopause-related conditions, 5 hours of the required 50 hours must include continuing education on menopause care, including management of symptoms, hormonal and non-hormonal therapies, and bone health. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Defines "menopause-related condition" includes perimenopause, menopause, and associated medical or symptomatic conditions, including, but not limited to, vasomotor symptoms, sleep disruption, cognitive or mood changes, and osteoporosis-related changes. Provides that it is a civil rights violation to unlawfully discriminate because of a menopause-related condition or fail or refuse to provide reasonable accommodations.

Staff Analysis

Bill as Introduced

Creates the Illinois Menopause Equity and Care Act. Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law. Requires the Department of Public Health to create educational materials regarding menopause, including symptoms, treatment options, and patient rights for distribution to the public online. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that on or after January 1, 2028, all individual and group health insurance policies issued, renewed, or amended must provide coverage for medically necessary evaluation and treatment of perimenopause and menopause as determined by a licensed health care provider using evidence-based guidelines. Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides if a licensee treats or evaluates patients suffering from menopause-related conditions, 5 hours of the required 50 hours must include continuing education on menopause care, including management of symptoms, hormonal and non-hormonal therapies, and bone health. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Defines "menopause-related condition" includes perimenopause, menopause, and associated medical or symptomatic conditions, including, but not limited to, vasomotor symptoms, sleep disruption, cognitive or mood changes, and osteoporosis-related changes. Provides that it is a civil rights violation to unlawfully discriminate because of a menopause-related condition or fail or refuse to provide reasonable accommodations.

Senate Floor Amendment 4

This amendment revises earlier menopause-related workplace and insurance provisions by narrowing the employment discrimination components while expanding insurance coverage requirements. The proposal requires individual and group health insurance policies and managed care plans to cover medically necessary hormonal and non-hormonal therapies for menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms when recommended by a qualified health care provider and supported by evidence-based medical guidelines. Coverage would include all FDA-approved hormonal and non-hormonal treatment methods, including medications for menopause-related osteoporosis and non-hormonal therapies for vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes.

The amendment also modifies the Illinois Human Rights Act by removing menopause-related conditions from the definition of unlawful discrimination. However, it clarifies that reasonable accommodations associated with pregnancy may include accommodations related to menopause-related conditions, including flexible scheduling, modified work hours and temperature- or climate-adjusted workspaces. Employers would also be required to provide updated notices informing employees of their rights to reasonable accommodations.

County Impact

Potential county impacts could include increased health insurance costs for counties that provide employee health coverage, depending on plan design and utilization of expanded menopause-related benefits. Counties as employers may also need to review workplace accommodation policies, employee notices and human resources practices to ensure compliance with updated accommodation requirements under the Illinois Human Rights Act. The employment-related provisions take effect January 1, 2027, while the insurance coverage mandates take effect January 1, 2028.


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