This bill amends Pennsylvania's Medical Practice Act to clarify the role of genetic counselors. It adds a definition for "genetic test" (covering DNA/RNA analysis, biochemical tests, and chromosome studies) and specifies that genetic counselors may order these tests, coordinate care, and document medical information for clients' records. Crucially, the bill explicitly states genetic counselors cannot diagnose, test for, manage, or treat genetic conditions. The changes directly affect licensed genetic counselors practicing in Pennsylvania, defining their scope within the state's medical licensing framework. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 1117 amends Pennsylvania's 1929 Administrative Code to redefine the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs' responsibilities for addressing substance use disorders. The department must now develop a comprehensive State plan coordinating prevention, treatment, research, and education across all state agencies and local communities - including health, law enforcement, education, and workforce sectors - to avoid duplication. The plan requires annual review and updates, and mandates the department to provide assistance to local governments while collaborating with medical professionals on drug use guidelines. This change formalizes existing coordination efforts under a unified framework, directly affecting state agencies and local entities managing substance use disorder services.
This bill directs the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to issue two-year licenses to healthcare providers that meet specific quality standards, rather than the standard one-year renewal. To qualify for this extended license, providers must maintain good standing, hold a current multiyear accreditation from a national organization, and agree to notify the department within 14 days if that accreditation lapses. In exchange for the two-year term, the department will conduct only one comprehensive inspection per period instead of annual visits, though it retains the authority to inspect immediately if complaints arise. The law takes effect 60 days after being signed.
SB 730 amends Pennsylvania law regarding end-of-life medical decisions, affecting patients, their designated surrogates, and healthcare providers, including emergency medical services. The bill introduces and integrates "Pennsylvania orders for life-sustaining treatment" (POLST) into the existing framework, alongside advance health care directives and out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate (OOH-DNR) orders. It updates definitions for various healthcare roles to align with current state law and modifies criminal penalties for actions like falsifying or interfering with these medical orders. Additionally, the bill clarifies the applicability of emergency medical services in situations without an OOH-DNR order and standardizes the issuance of OOH-DNR orders, bracelets, and necklaces by physicians.
This bill allocates state funding to support the operation of Pennsylvania's professional licensure boards and the State Athletic Commission for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It provides $68.4 million from the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account to the Department of State's Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, along with separate restricted funds totaling approximately $13.5 million for the State Boards of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Podiatry, and the State Athletic Commission. The legislation ensures these organizations have the necessary resources to carry out their licensing and regulatory functions without treating these funds as general government appropriations.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Administrative Code to establish a cabinet-level Department of Aging dedicated to improving the well-being of older citizens. It mandates that the department eliminate program duplication and promotes the growth of independent clubs and associations for seniors. The legislation also requires the department to provide comprehensive training for area agency employees on topics such as abuse detection, investigative techniques, and financial exploitation. Additionally, the bill prohibits the department from entering into contracts that limit oversight by the General Assembly or the Auditor General.
This bill updates Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to strengthen fraud prevention and improve how medical assistance claims are submitted. It requires healthcare providers and individuals delivering home or community services to obtain a National Provider Identifier and include specific details, such as service dates and times, on all payment requests. Additionally, the legislation mandates that claims submitted without proper documentation may be denied and establishes a new training program to help detect and prevent fraud. The Department of Human Services is tasked with creating rules to implement these changes while ensuring care continues uninterrupted for recipients.
SB 49 establishes Pennsylvania's Cannabis Control Board to regulate medical cannabis, replacing the prior oversight structure under the 2016 Medical Marijuana Act. The board will manage permits for cannabis organizations (including warehousing, distribution, and transport), oversee dispensing to registered medical patients and caregivers, and administer a Cannabis Regulation Fund. Key provisions include defining cannabis products (excluding industrial hemp), setting THC limits, and requiring board meetings and public records. This bill directly affects medical cannabis organizations, patients, and caregivers by creating a centralized regulatory system for their operations.
SB 720 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to modify vision health requirements for school-aged children in public and nonpublic schools. It mandates that children receive a comprehensive eye health and vision examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist before their first school admission, and again in fourth and eighth grades. The bill also requires an annual vision screening or eye examination. If a child fails a school-provided vision screening, a comprehensive eye health and vision examination becomes mandatory, to be completed within 120 days or before the next school year.
SB 402 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to allow trained school staff to administer emergency anti-seizure medication to students with epilepsy during seizures when a nurse is unavailable. It directly affects students with epilepsy, their parents/guardians (who must request training), and school employees (who may voluntarily undergo training). Key provisions require parental consent for staff training, mandate that participation be voluntary, and connect to existing disability laws (IDEA/Section 504) by encouraging schools to explore 504 plans or individualized health plans for affected students. The bill specifies that only FDA-approved medications (like nasal sprays) may be used, and trained staff must follow department-approved guidelines.
