This resolution designates February 28, 2026, as "HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It aims to raise public awareness about HIV criminalization - where individuals with HIV face criminal charges for non-transmission behaviors - and highlights how such laws disproportionately impact marginalized groups like people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The resolution emphasizes current public health consensus that people with HIV who have an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus through sex, and that HIV treatment is prevention. It is a symbolic statement, not a law, intended to encourage education and dialogue about ending outdated HIV-related criminal penalties.
This Pennsylvania House Resolution designates May 2026 as Preeclampsia Awareness Month to highlight a serious pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure. The bill aims to increase public knowledge about the condition, which can lead to seizures, strokes, and organ failure if not managed properly. By recognizing this month, the House intends to encourage pregnant individuals to learn about warning signs and seek timely medical care. The resolution does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a formal statement of support for maternal health awareness.
This bill repeals the Pennsylvania Medical Education Loan Assistance Program, which previously provided financial incentives to students pursuing medical, nursing, biomedical, and life sciences education. The program allowed eligible students to access loans with favorable terms, including low interest rates and fees, to encourage them to practice medicine or nursing in Pennsylvania, particularly in underserved areas. By removing this legislation, the state will no longer administer this specific loan assistance program for medical education.
HR 203 is a House Resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study medication errors and patient safety. The Commission must form an advisory committee including health officials and stakeholder representatives (like pharmacists, nurses, and hospital associations) to examine how errors occur in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and pharmacies. The study will review current state laws, other states' policies, and best practices, with a report containing recommendations due to the House within 18 months. This resolution does not change laws but aims to inform future policy through a comprehensive review.
HB 668 would allow Pennsylvania to join the Counseling Compact, an existing agreement between states. This would let licensed counselors from other participating states practice in Pennsylvania more easily, and allow Pennsylvania counselors to practice in those states without obtaining separate licenses. The bill's key mechanism is adopting the standard compact form, creating a streamlined process for cross-state counseling licensure without changing existing state licensing requirements.
HB 1706 requires Pennsylvania schools to integrate student mental health awareness into existing health education standards and school operations. It mandates the State Board of Education to update health standards, the Department of Health and Education to develop public guidelines on mental health warning signs for students and families, and schools to notify students and parents twice yearly about local mental health services. The bill also requires school entities to report student absences or injuries in activities to student assistance programs and directs the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association to add mental health training to coach certification by the 2025-2026 school year. This bill directly affects all public, private, and parochial schools in Pennsylvania, their students, families, and athletic staff.
This bill would create a state-funded paid family and medical leave program for eligible workers needing time off for health issues, childbirth, or family care. It establishes a dedicated state fund to cover leave costs, creates an advisory board to guide implementation, and assigns oversight to the Department of Labor. The program would directly affect employees in the state who qualify for these leave types, requiring employers to provide the benefits. The bill also specifies penalties for businesses failing to comply with the new requirements.
This Pennsylvania House Resolution designates March 31, 2026, as "Black Midwives Day" to honor the contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the state. The resolution highlights the importance of midwifery in addressing maternal health disparities, particularly in Black communities where pregnancy-related mortality rates are significantly higher than national averages. It acknowledges the role of midwives in providing culturally sensitive care and reducing barriers to access in areas with limited maternity health resources. The measure serves as a symbolic recognition rather than establishing new laws or funding requirements.
HB 554 would authorize Pennsylvania to join the Social Work Licensure Compact, a multi-state agreement that allows social workers licensed in one member state to practice in others without additional exams. The bill provides Pennsylvania with the legal framework to adopt the compact's standard terms, directly affecting licensed social workers seeking to practice across state lines. Key provisions include aligning Pennsylvania's licensing requirements with the compact's uniform standards, simplifying the process for social workers to obtain reciprocal licenses in participating states. This change would streamline professional mobility for social workers while maintaining consistent regulatory oversight.
HB 1923 establishes new workplace safety requirements for meat packing and food processing facilities by mandating facility health and safety committees. It creates a dedicated workers' rights coordinator position within the Department of Labor and Industry to oversee compliance and address concerns. The bill also adds specific public health emergency protections for workers during outbreaks or crises, requiring employers to follow state health guidelines. These changes directly affect workers and employers in the meat and food processing industry across the state.
