Pennsylvania Bills

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1095: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in Pennsylvania Rural Health Redesign Center Authority, further providing for definitions, for Pennsylvania Rural Health Redesign Center Authority, for powers and duties, for roles of participating payers, for roles of participant rural hospitals and for data collection and retention; and making an editorial change.

SB 1095 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to update rules for the Pennsylvania Rural Health Redesign Center Authority. It clarifies definitions, outlines the Authority's powers and duties, and specifies roles for participating health insurance payers and rural hospitals. The bill also establishes requirements for collecting and retaining data related to rural health services. This legislation directly affects rural hospitals and health insurance payers operating within Pennsylvania's rural health redesign program.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 501: An Act amending the act of November 30, 2004 (P.L.1672, No.213), known as the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, further providing for definitions; providing for force majeure; further providing for alternative energy portfolio standards, for portfolio requirements in other states, for health and safety standards and for interagency responsibilities; providing for zero emissions credits; and making editorial changes.

HB 501 amends Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to update definitions and clarify requirements for renewable energy compliance. It specifically adds "advanced reactor" (including small modular reactors) to eligible energy sources, refines criteria for low-impact hydropower, and updates definitions for biomass, biogas, and alternative energy credits. The bill affects electric utilities required to meet portfolio standards by specifying which energy sources count toward compliance and how credits are calculated. These changes aim to modernize the framework for renewable energy reporting and incentives without altering current percentage targets. The bill is currently in committee review (Environmental & Natural Resource Protection).

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Danielle Otten (D) · 81 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 899: An Act amending the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for schedules of controlled substances.

SB 899 amends the state's Controlled Substance Act to update the schedules of controlled substances, classifying specific drugs into categories based on their medical use and potential for abuse. It directly affects pharmacies, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and patients who handle or prescribe these substances by changing their legal classifications. The bill's key mechanism involves modifying the existing schedule lists to reflect current medical knowledge and drug usage patterns, without adding new penalties or creating new regulatory requirements. This update ensures the scheduling framework aligns with current scientific understanding and medical practice.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SR 250: A Resolution observing March 20, 2026, as "Eid al-Fitr Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution designates March 20, 2026, as Eid al-Fitr Day in Pennsylvania to recognize the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan. The measure is sponsored by multiple state senators and serves as a formal acknowledgment of the religious observance rather than establishing a state holiday or altering government operations. The resolution includes background information on Eid al-Fitr, explaining its significance to the Muslim community and the traditions associated with the celebration.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SR 253: A Resolution recognizing the month of March 2026 as "National Nutrition Month" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution formally recognizes March 2026 as "National Nutrition Month" throughout Pennsylvania. The bill does not create new laws or change government programs but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of an existing national health awareness campaign led by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It encourages all Pennsylvanians to participate in nutrition education efforts and focus on healthy eating habits during the month. The resolution is non-binding and does not allocate funding or mandate specific actions by state agencies.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SR 254: A Resolution designating March 11, 2026, as "Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution designates March 11, 2026, as "Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the work of licensed nutrition professionals. The bill recognizes registered dietitian nutritionists as food and nutrition experts who require accredited degrees, internships, and national examinations to practice. It also praises the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and its approximately 3,127 members for promoting healthy eating and well-being across the state. This resolution is symbolic and does not create new laws or funding, serving instead to acknowledge the contributions of these healthcare professionals.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 2309: An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, further providing for general powers of board, for restrictions on members of the board and certain employees of Commonwealth, for enforcement and for biennial reports; in licenses and regulations, liquor, alcohol and malt and brewed beverages, further providing for malt and brewed beverages manufacturers', distributors' and importing distributors' licenses, for number and kinds of licenses allowed same licensee, for responsible alcohol management, for surrender of restaurant, eating place retail dispenser, hotel, club, catering club, importing distributor and distributor license for benefit of licensee, for unlawful acts relative to malt or brewed beverages and licensees and for liability of licensees; providing for hemp-derived cannabinoid beverages; establishing the Local Hemp Sharing Fund; and imposing penalties.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to update definitions and regulations related to alcohol and malt and brewed beverages, while also introducing provisions for hemp-derived cannabinoid beverages. It establishes new categories for "alcohol service personnel" and "cannabinoid service personnel" to clarify the roles of employees in licensed establishments, and creates a Local Hemp Sharing Fund to support local communities. The legislation also modifies licensing rules for malt and brewed beverages, outlines requirements for responsible alcohol management, and sets penalties for unlawful acts involving these products.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SR 248: A Resolution designating the week of February 23 through March 1, 2026, as "Eating Disorders Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution designates the week of February 23 through March 1, 2026, as "Eating Disorders Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania. The measure aims to increase public awareness about eating disorders by encouraging education, resource sharing, and early intervention efforts across the state. It does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic designation to highlight the seriousness of these conditions and promote community engagement. The resolution applies broadly to residents, healthcare providers, educators, and organizations throughout Pennsylvania during the designated week.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SR 255: A Resolution designating March 12, 2026, as "Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution designates March 12, 2026, as "Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered Day" throughout Pennsylvania to honor the contributions of these healthcare professionals. The bill recognizes the specialized training and education of registered nutrition and dietetics technicians, who work in settings like hospitals, schools, and community health programs. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about the role these technicians play in promoting nutrition and health. The resolution encourages Pennsylvanians to acknowledge and appreciate the work of these professionals in their communities.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 1234: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, providing for scoliosis screening and examination; and abrogating a regulation.

This bill requires Pennsylvania public schools to include scoliosis screening and examinations in their health programs for students in grades five, six, seven, and nine, as well as age-appropriate students in ungraded classes. The screening must be conducted by qualified personnel following guidelines from the Secretaries of Health and Education, with results added to each student's health record. Parents may opt their children out of the screening in writing, and students already under medical care for scoliosis are exempt from testing. Additionally, the bill repeals an existing state regulation regarding scoliosis screening to align with these new requirements.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SR 256: A Resolution designating October 13, 2026, as "Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution designates October 13, 2026, as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day in Pennsylvania to raise visibility for a specific stage of breast cancer. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to honor patients and families affected by the disease. It highlights the need for increased research and equitable care access while aligning with national awareness efforts that use teal, green, and pink ribbon colors. The resolution is non-binding and focuses on public recognition rather than implementing policy changes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Chris Gebhard (R) · 20 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SR 252: A Resolution recognizing March 18, 2026, as "Gideon's Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the hard and selfless work of public defenders across this Commonwealth.

This Senate Resolution designates March 18, 2026, as "Gideon's Day" in Pennsylvania to honor public defenders and the 1963 Supreme Court ruling that guarantees legal counsel to those who cannot afford it. The measure is symbolic and does not create new laws or funding; it simply recognizes the importance of public defenders in protecting constitutional rights during criminal proceedings. The resolution highlights the role public defenders play in representing indigent clients and acknowledges the challenges they face, though it stops short of mandating specific policy changes or resource allocations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results