HB 2163 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

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

434
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 50
Apr 22, 2026
D Democratic23
21 Yea 2
91% Yea
R Republican27
22 Yea 4 Nay 1
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