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.
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.
HB 1460, the Health System Protection Act, requires health care entities (like hospitals and clinics) and certain investors (such as private equity firms) to obtain pre-approval from Pennsylvania's Department of Health and Attorney General before completing major transactions. This applies to sales of assets worth $10 million or more, ownership changes, or large financial distributions that could affect competition, costs, or access to care. The law prohibits transactions deemed "against the public interest," such as those reducing competition, raising prices, or limiting services in rural or low-income areas. Health care entities must either file a notification with a waiting period or get written approval before proceeding.
This bill establishes a new paid family and medical leave program in Pennsylvania, creating a fund to support workers who need time off for family care or medical reasons. It requires employers to contribute to the program and sets rules for how long employees can take leave, how much money they receive, and what situations qualify for benefits, including care for family members with serious health conditions or recovery from domestic violence. The Department of Labor and Industry will administer the program, handle claims, and enforce rules, while employees have the right to take legal action if their rights are violated. The legislation also includes provisions for self-employed individuals to opt into the program and establishes an advisory board to guide program development.
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.
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 507 amends Pennsylvania's medical licensing law to reestablish the State Board of Medical Education and Licensure as the State Board of Medicine and update its structure. It directly affects midwifery professionals by creating three new license categories: midwifery, nurse-midwife, and certified midwife. The bill establishes specific requirements and definitions for these licenses under the board's authority. This change clarifies licensing pathways for midwifery practitioners within the state's medical regulatory framework. The bill passed final passage on October 21, 2025.
SB 998 would create a grant program to fund expansions of nursing education programs at colleges and universities. It requires the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer grants for institutions aiming to increase nursing program capacity, directly affecting nursing schools and future nursing students. Key provisions include establishing grant criteria, application processes, and reporting requirements for funded programs. The bill is currently pending in the Appropriations committee after committee review.
SB 1211 amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law of 1921 to require casualty insurance policies to cover biomarker testing for medical assistance and Children's Health Insurance Program enrollees. The bill defines medical assistance and CHIP managed care plans as health care plans that use gatekeepers to manage services, explicitly including biomarker testing in this definition. This change ensures that insurance coverage for these specific health services is standardized under state law, subject to necessary federal approval. The legislation takes effect 60 days after passage.
