An Act amending the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.216, No.76), known as The Dental Law, further providing for definitions, for general powers of the State Board of Dentistry, for penalties and for restricted faculty license.
HB 2163 updates Pennsylvania's Dental Law by clarifying definitions and licensing rules. It specifically revises the definition of "restricted faculty license" to allow licensed dental school faculty to teach in non-profit clinical facilities or accredited advanced education programs, while explicitly excluding profit-driven operations. The bill also amends licensing provisions to require a 10-year waiting period for applicants convicted under drug laws (like the Controlled Substance Act), unless they demonstrate rehabilitation and pose no risk to public safety. These changes directly affect dental schools, faculty members, and applicants with prior drug-related convictions seeking licensure. The bill focuses on modernizing scope-of-practice definitions and refining the review process for certain applicants, without altering general licensing requirements.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 28, 2026
Signed May 6, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Apr 22, 2026 · House Mar 25, 2026
How they voted
43–4
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 50
Apr 22, 2026
D
Democratic23
91% Yea
R
Republican27
81% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
21
Key actions
7
Committee
8
May 6, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor
upper
Apr 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
upper
Apr 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Re-reported as committed
upper
Apr 21, 2026
Committee
Re-referred to Appropriations
upper
Apr 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported as committed
upper
Mar 30, 2026
Committee
Referred to Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Re-reported as committed
lower
Mar 24, 2026
Committee
Re-committed to Appropriations
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported as committed
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Committee
Referred to Professional Licensure
lower
1 primary · 12 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Maureen Madden
DDemocratic
Co
Ben Sanchez
DDemocratic
Co
Bob Freeman
DDemocratic
Co
Carol Hill-Evans
DDemocratic
Co
Frank Burns
DDemocratic
Co
Gina Curry
DDemocratic
Co
Jamie Barton
RRepublican
Co
Jeremy Shaffer
RRepublican
Co
Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz
DDemocratic
Co
Justin Fleming
DDemocratic
Co
Liz Hanbidge
DDemocratic
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