SB 760 requires all Pennsylvania public, charter, and private school buildings to test for radon gas starting in the 2026-2027 school year. If radon levels reach or exceed 4 picocuries per liter, schools must implement mitigation (like sealing foundations or installing vents) and retest until levels drop below that threshold. New schools must use radon-resistant construction techniques, and all testing/mitigation must be performed by certified professionals following specific standards. Results must be reported to school boards, parents' groups, teachers' unions, and state agencies within 60 days.
This bill updates Pennsylvania's school health requirements to require automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in all public schools. It mandates CPR training for school staff and adds electrocardiogram (ECG) testing for student athletes before participating in interscholastic sports. The law directly affects public schools, staff, and student athletes by establishing new health safety protocols for sudden cardiac arrest prevention. Key provisions include equipping schools with AEDs, requiring staff CPR certification, and implementing ECG screenings for athletic eligibility. The bill was referred to the Education committee on October 16, 2025.
HB 1644 creates Pennsylvania's Reproductive Health Services Address Confidentiality Program, allowing reproductive health service providers and patients who fear violence to use a confidential substitute address (like a PO box) instead of their actual home or work address. Participants apply through the Department of Health, providing their actual address and details about pending legal cases; the program issues a substitute address and forwards their first-class mail at no cost. The program keeps participants' actual addresses confidential, sharing them only with law enforcement in emergencies or for prosecution under penalties, and restricts access to program records under the Right-to-Know Law. This applies to individuals seeking services related to pregnancy, contraception, or termination of pregnancy, with certifications valid for three years.
This resolution (SR 122) urges Congress to pass H.R. 1947, which would authorize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense to provide stellate ganglion block (SGB) therapy to veterans and service members with PTSD. SGB is a low-risk nerve block procedure proven to reduce PTSD symptoms like anxiety and hyperarousal, currently available to only 40% of veterans through existing treatments. The resolution highlights that untreated PTSD correlates with higher suicide risk, with 20 veteran suicides occurring daily in the U.S. It specifically requests Congress expand access to SGB therapy as an additional treatment option for veterans diagnosed with PTSD. This is a non-binding resolution, not a law, directing the Senate to formally recommend passage of H.R. 1947.
SB 1035 (Ryan's Law) would amend Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act to allow terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in healthcare facilities under specific conditions. The bill requires facilities to permit use (without smoking/vaping), document it in patient records, and store marijuana in locked containers for safety, while exempting emergency departments. It directly affects terminally ill patients (with a one-year life expectancy prognosis) and healthcare facilities licensed under the Health Care Facilities Act. Key provisions include mandatory facility guidelines for use and allowing suspension of compliance if federal agencies prohibit medical marijuana programs. The bill does not require facilities to recommend marijuana or include it in discharge plans.
HB 66 creates a Pennsylvania program providing $5,000 semester stipends to residents enrolled in accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) programs with a 3.0+ GPA. It directly affects students pursuing social work careers by funding their education through paid internships. The program requires internships at state-approved facilities to meet clinical training and licensing requirements, with stipends adjusted annually for inflation. Funding is contingent on available state budget resources, administered by the Department of Human Services.
HB 1945 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to expand legal immunity for individuals who call 911 during a drug overdose. It directly affects bystanders and overdose victims who seek emergency help, protecting them from drug possession charges when reporting an overdose. The bill strengthens existing immunity by broadening the circumstances under which calling for assistance won't lead to criminal penalties. This policy change aims to encourage prompt emergency response without fear of legal repercussions for drug-related offenses.
SB 754 requires hospitals seeking to close major units (like emergency or maternity departments) or the entire facility to obtain approval from Pennsylvania's Department of Health or local health authorities. Before closing, hospitals must submit a detailed closure plan, hold two public hearings in the affected community, and provide a 60-day public comment period. The bill mandates a health equity impact assessment showing how the closure affects access for low-income, minority, senior, and Medicare patients, including nearby hospital options and transit times. This directly affects hospital authorities (parent companies or governing bodies) and communities relying on hospital services, ensuring transparency and community input before closures.
Pennsylvania's SB 612, the Menstrual Equity Act, requires specific public entities to provide free disposable menstrual products (like tampons and pads) in restrooms without stigma. It directly affects schools, colleges, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, government offices offering public services (e.g., unemployment assistance), and armories. The law mandates these locations make products available at no cost starting July 1, 2025, with state secretaries overseeing implementation. Key provisions focus on accessibility and eliminating cost barriers for people who menstruate in these settings.
HB 1765 would require Pennsylvania municipalities to provide insurance benefits to part-time police officers. The bill amends state law to extend existing insurance coverage provisions - currently applicable to full-time municipal employees - to include part-time police officers specifically. This change would directly affect part-time police officers and the local governments that employ them, mandating that municipalities include these benefits in their employment terms. The bill is currently under review by the Local Government committee.
