Health

Pennsylvania House Bill 2749 amends the state's Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act to expand legal protections for individuals and entities involved in responding to opioid overdoses. The bill grants immunity from criminal prosecution, civil liability, and professional disciplinary action to licensed health care professionals who prescribe or dispense opioid antagonists, including naloxone, as long as they act in good faith. It also extends similar protections to first responders, law enforcement, and private citizens who administer these medications to people they believe are suffering an overdose. Additionally, the legislation allows municipalities, local health departments, and community organizations to distribute expired opioid antagonists without facing legal liability, provided the medication is less than five years past its expiration date.

This Pennsylvania House Resolution designates September 2026 as Alopecia Areata Awareness Month to promote public education about the autoimmune condition. The bill highlights that alopecia areata causes hair loss in up to seven million Americans and notes that while there is no known cure, hair often regrows because the follicles are not destroyed. It encourages residents of the Commonwealth to learn more about the disease to help reduce the stigma associated with hair loss.

Pennsylvania House Bill 2731 directs the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to work with the Department of General Services to procure opioid antagonists through a competitive process. The bill mandates that cost-effectiveness must account for at least 90% of the decision-making weight, while also considering product efficacy, availability, brand type, and shelf life. Additionally, it requires the department to submit an annual report on the procurement strategy and vendor selection to legislative committee leaders starting in 2028.

This Pennsylvania House resolution designates October 20, 2026, as Community Health Worker Awareness Day to honor the contributions of community health workers throughout the state. The bill aims to raise public awareness about these trusted professionals who help residents navigate healthcare systems, access resources, and manage health conditions. While the resolution does not create new laws or funding, it formally recognizes the vital role these workers play in improving community health and encourages continued investment in their training and support.

HB 2710, known as the Tick-Borne Disease Reporting Act, requires healthcare providers and facilities in Pennsylvania to report cases of babesiosis, a tick-transmitted infection, through the state's electronic disease surveillance system. The bill also mandates that clinical laboratories report positive test results for the disease via an electronic laboratory reporting system. To support these reporting requirements, the legislation imposes duties on the Department of Health and relevant licensing boards to ensure compliance and requires health care practitioners to complete continuing education on diagnosing and treating tick-borne diseases. This law aims to improve the tracking and management of tick-borne illnesses by making babesiosis a reportable condition in the state.