Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1270: An Act amending the act of November 3, 2022 (P.L.2135, No.150), known as the Childhood Blood Lead Test Act, further providing for title of act, for legislative purpose, for definitions, for lead poisoning prevention, assessment and testing and for duties of department.

HB 1270 amends Pennsylvania's Childhood Blood Lead Test Act to require health care practitioners to offer blood lead testing for children before they turn nine months old, replacing the previous 24-month deadline. If a child hasn't been tested by nine months, practitioners must offer testing by age two, and by age six if still untested. The bill also mandates that practitioners assess lead exposure risks and obtain written parental consent before testing. This change directly affects children under 18, their parents, and health care providers in Pennsylvania who treat young children.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates earlier lead testing for children, improving preventive healthcare access and early detection of lead poisoning, aligning with public health protection.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 760: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in grounds and buildings, providing for radon testing.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates radon testing and mitigation in school buildings to protect student/staff health, enhancing school safety infrastructure as a core educational environment factor.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates radon testing/mitigation in schools to prevent exposure to a known carcinogen, directly advancing public health protection under healthcare policies.85% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 16, 2025

HB 1943: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, further providing for automatic external defibrillators, providing for automated external defibrillators and training, further providing for sudden cardiac arrest and electrocardiogram testing and providing for electrocardiogram testing for interscholastic athletics; and, in terms and courses of study, further providing for cardiopulmonary resuscitation education.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AEDs, CPR training, and ECG testing for student athletes, enhancing school safety protocols to protect students and staff in educational settings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates AEDs, CPR training, and ECG testing for student athletes to prevent sudden cardiac death, directly improving school health safety protocols and patient access to emergency care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 23, 2025

HB 1644: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in public safety, establishing the Reproductive Health Services Address Confidentiality Program; and imposing penalties.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates confidentiality program to protect reproductive health service access and patient safety, aligning with patient rights and access indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 6, 2025

SR 122: A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to expand post-traumatic stress disorder treatment for veterans and service members by authorizing stellate ganglion block therapy through passage of H.R. 1947, the Treatment and Relief through Emerging and Accessible Therapy for PTSD Act.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes expanded access to SGB therapy for veteran PTSD, advancing mental health treatment options and improving patient access to proven care.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransUrges expansion of PTSD treatment access via SGB therapy, directly improving veterans' healthcare benefits and addressing untreated PTSD risks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Oct 3, 2025

SB 1035: An Act amending the act of April 17, 2016 (P.L.84, No.16), known as the Medical Marijuana Act, providing for compassionate access to medical marijuana.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables terminally ill patients to access medical marijuana in healthcare facilities under specific conditions, improving treatment options and patient rights within healthcare settings.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 14, 2025

HB 66: An Act establishing the Social Worker Educational Enrollment and Training Program; and providing for authorization of internships, for award of internships and for funding of the Social Worker Educational Enrollment and Training Program.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state budget funds for $5,000 semester stipends to MSW students, directly funding an educational program through public expenditure.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds MSW education/internships to expand mental health workforce, directly supporting healthcare access through workforce development and clinical training requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 1945: An Act amending the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for drug overdose response immunity.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands immunity from drug possession charges for overdose callers, reducing criminalization and encouraging emergency response - aligns with criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights during health crises.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands immunity for calling 911 during overdoses, removing legal barriers to emergency medical care and encouraging timely treatment for substance use crises.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 754: An Act providing for hospital closure procedure requirements, for notice of proposed general hospital closure or significant impact closure, for health equity impact assessments, for closure plans and for enforcement actions.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates health equity impact assessments and community input for hospital closures to protect access for vulnerable populations, improving patient access and equity in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicare

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 6, 2025

SB 612: An Act providing for the provision of disposable menstrual products.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires correctional facilities to provide free menstrual products, improving health and dignity for incarcerated individuals, a direct reform in corrections within criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides free menstrual products in public facilities to ensure access to essential health necessities, supporting public health initiatives and reducing barriers to health access.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires free menstrual products in workplaces like government offices (e.g., unemployment assistance), enhancing dignity and safety for employees, aligning with workplace standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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