This bill requires all Pennsylvania public schools (including school districts, charter schools, and cyber charters) to develop written comprehensive school counseling plans. Each plan must ensure 80% of a school counselor's time is spent on direct student services (like individual counseling, classroom instruction) or indirect services (like parent consultations), with annual reviews and grade-level planning. The plans must address academic, career, and social-emotional needs for all students, including those with special needs, and align with state guidance. School counselors must hold valid Pennsylvania certification to implement these requirements.
HB 1045 requires Pennsylvania school nurses and other school staff with direct student contact to complete Department of Health-approved training on seizure recognition and first aid starting in the 2025-2026 school year, with training required every two years thereafter. The bill mandates specific content about identifying seizures, using seizure action plans, and providing basic first aid. It also clarifies that school staff providing seizure-related care are protected from civil liability under existing Good Samaritan laws (42 Pa.C.S. §§ 8332 and 8337.1). This bill directly affects all public school staff in Pennsylvania who work with students and aims to improve emergency response for students with seizure disorders.
HB 194 creates Pennsylvania's Mental Health Professional Student Loan Forgiveness Program, targeting mental health workers serving children and adolescents. It allows eligible residents who complete qualifying degrees (like social work, counseling, or psychology) and work in early childhood-to-adolescence mental health roles to receive up to $22,500 in loan forgiveness after signing a 7-year employment contract. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) administers the program, requiring applicants to prove residency, partial degree completion, faculty recommendations, and secure employment in the specified field. Participants must maintain employment for seven years or repay the forgiven amount if they leave the field early, fail to comply, or provide false information. This directly affects mental health professionals in Pennsylvania seeking relief from student debt while addressing workforce needs in youth mental health.
HB 526 protects mothers' right to breastfeed their children in any public or private location where they are otherwise permitted to be, without being considered indecent exposure, a nuisance, or obscenity. It defines "breastfeeding" to include both direct feeding and expressing milk for bottle-feeding, and creates a private right to sue for violations, allowing recovery of $1,000 per incident plus attorney fees. The law applies broadly across Pennsylvania, ensuring mothers can feed their children without legal interference while maintaining existing protections from the repealed 2007 Freedom to Breastfeed Act.
Pennsylvania's SB 583 would authorize the state to join the Social Work Licensure Compact, enabling licensed social workers to practice across participating states without obtaining separate licenses in each. This directly affects social workers seeking to provide services in multiple states, including military families and those addressing workforce shortages. The bill establishes a framework for mutual recognition of licenses, reducing duplicate application requirements and disciplinary information sharing between states. Key provisions include allowing "Multistate Authorization to Practice" and requiring states to hold social workers accountable for adhering to the laws of the state where services are delivered. The compact aims to increase access to social work services while maintaining state regulatory authority over licensure.
HB 1494 would amend Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to allow ivermectin (for human use) to be sold over-the-counter without a prescription or consultation with a healthcare provider. This change directly affects consumers who can purchase ivermectin at pharmacies or stores without needing a doctor's visit, and pharmacies that would sell it. The bill specifies that ivermectin must be "suitable for human use" to qualify as an over-the-counter medication under state law. It takes effect 60 days after enactment, making this a concrete policy shift in how the medication is distributed in Pennsylvania.
HB 1106 establishes a certification program for chiropractic assistants in Pennsylvania. To become certified, individuals must be at least 18, have a high school diploma, complete an approved training program, pass an exam, and meet background requirements. Certified assistants can only perform tasks delegated by a licensed chiropractor under direct on-premises supervision and must complete 16 hours of continuing education (including 8 in-person hours) every two years to maintain certification. The bill also makes minor editorial changes to the existing Chiropractic Practice Act.
HB 334 creates a $2,500 Pennsylvania Individual Recruitment and Retention Tax Credit for specific new professionals who move to the state after December 2024. It directly affects qualifying taxpayers certified in teaching (e.g., instructional or special education certificates), law enforcement (e.g., police academy graduates), or healthcare (e.g., registered nurses) who become Pennsylvania residents and secure employment in those fields. The credit reduces their state income tax bill for wages earned in qualifying roles, available for three consecutive years (including the first qualifying year), and requires proof of certification to the Department of Revenue. The credit expires December 31, 2030, and applies only to individuals becoming qualifying taxpayers between 2025 and 2027.
Topics
✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $2,500 tax credit for essential workers (teachers, law enforcement, healthcare) reducing state income tax burden, aligning with tax relief for public service roles.95% confidence
✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTax credit explicitly targets law enforcement recruitment (police academy graduates), aiming to strengthen workforce retention in criminal justice sector.85% confidence
✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $2,500 tax credit to recruit/retain teachers (with instructional/special ed certs), directly supporting educator workforce through financial incentives.90% confidence
✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill offers $2,500 tax credit specifically for healthcare professionals (e.g., RNs) to recruit/retain in PA, directly strengthening workforce availability and access to care.95% confidence
SB 81 authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, enabling licensed dentists and dental hygienists from Pennsylvania to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses in each state. The compact establishes a "Compact Privilege" that eliminates redundant licensing requirements while maintaining each state's authority to regulate practice within its borders. It also facilitates sharing of disciplinary information between states and supports workforce mobility for healthcare professionals seeking to work across state lines. This primarily affects licensed dental professionals who wish to practice in multiple participating states.
HB 1609 amends Pennsylvania's 1929 Administrative Code to ensure essential state services continue operating during a budget impasse, directly affecting state employees and residents reliant on those services. The bill requires the state to make payments for essential services (like public safety, utilities, and healthcare) even if the legislature fails to pass a full budget. This creates a specific mechanism to prevent service disruptions by mandating continued funding for critical operations during budget gaps.
