This bill establishes a three-year pilot program to provide grants for treating veterans with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. The State Veterans' Commission will award $150,000 annually to nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and healthcare providers selected from the eastern, central, and western regions of Pennsylvania. Recipients must use the funds to develop and evaluate treatment programs aimed at improving mental health outcomes and reducing suicide risk among veterans. The program is set to expire three years after it begins, and the state will submit annual reports to the legislature detailing how the grants were used and their effectiveness.
This bill updates Pennsylvania's Physical Therapy Practice Act to formally define "dry needling" and expand the scope of services available to licensed physical therapists. It mandates that only physical therapists who complete a board-approved certification program may perform dry needling, while explicitly excluding this practice from the duties of physical therapist assistants. The legislation also clarifies the definitions of physical therapy to include a broader range of interventions such as mechanical stimulation and wellness promotion. These changes aim to standardize training requirements and delineate the specific responsibilities of different therapy professionals within the state.
This bill creates the Biobonds Innovation Fund to provide low-interest loans and loan guarantees for companies and research institutions conducting clinical trials for drugs or medical devices in Pennsylvania. The program requires recipients to maintain a physical presence in the state and conduct the majority of their research there while receiving financial support. Money for the fund will come from state appropriations, bond proceeds, loan repayments, and interest earnings, with the Department of Community and Economic Development managing the application and oversight process.
This bill expands the enforcement powers of Pennsylvania's Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act to address how Pharmacy Benefit Managers handle Medicaid prescriptions. It directly affects PBMs, pharmacies, and pharmacists by requiring PBMs to accept and process prescriptions from any pharmacy or pharmacist that is in good standing with state regulators. The law prohibits PBMs from limiting patient access to specific pharmacies based on the PBM's own private contracting choices. These changes are designed to ensure that Medicaid patients can use any qualified pharmacy without facing artificial restrictions imposed by their benefit manager.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law to update definitions and provisions related to health insurance coverage. It clarifies how certain government health programs are defined for insurance policies, specifically regarding prescription drug coverage and continuation of coverage for employees who lose their jobs. The legislation also updates the legal definition of a hospital to include facilities operating alcoholism or drug addiction treatment programs and establishes a Long-Term Care Partnership Program to help individuals manage future long-term care costs.
This bill designates May 2026 as "Guillain-Barré Syndrome Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to highlight a rare autoimmune condition that damages peripheral nerves. The resolution aims to increase public understanding of the disease, which can cause muscle weakness and paralysis, and to encourage support for ongoing medical research. Directly affecting residents of Pennsylvania, the measure serves as a symbolic gesture rather than implementing new laws or funding programs.
Senate Bill 1290 would limit the use of cash bail for pregnant defendants in Pennsylvania, except in cases involving capital offenses or crimes with a maximum life sentence. The bill creates a rebuttable presumption against setting monetary bail for these individuals and requires courts to document specific reasons if cash bail is still imposed. It also mandates that jails provide free pregnancy tests within 24 hours of request and protects the confidentiality of related medical information.
This bill designates May 15, 2026, as Prader Willi Syndrome Awareness Day in Pennsylvania to highlight the rare genetic disorder and support affected individuals and families. The resolution aims to increase public understanding of the condition's symptoms, such as hyperphagia and cognitive challenges, and to promote early diagnosis and access to care. By officially recognizing this day, the bill seeks to encourage community awareness and demonstrate support for those impacted by the syndrome.
This bill requires health insurance policies and government programs in Pennsylvania to cover behavioral health services for children involved in the juvenile justice system. It mandates that insurers provide funding for screenings, assessments, and treatments related to mental health conditions and substance use disorders during specific legal proceedings, such as mandatory intake conferences and informal adjustments. The legislation also establishes clear definitions for terms like "behavioral health provider" and "screening" to ensure consistent application of these coverage requirements. By integrating mental health support into the juvenile justice process, the bill aims to address the needs of youth facing delinquency charges while maintaining a neutral focus on policy implementation.
This bill requires Pennsylvania schools participating in the School Safety and Security Grant Program to create electronic records tracking traumatic events and adverse childhood experiences for students. These records, overseen by a mental health professional or trained administrator, will include information from law enforcement, medical providers, and school support services, organized into three tiers of access to protect sensitive data. The legislation strictly limits how this information can be used, prohibiting its use for student admissions or in criminal proceedings while ensuring confidentiality. Schools must develop individualized support plans based on these records to better assist students affected by trauma, with access granted only to authorized staff and parents.
