Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 447: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in pupils and attendance, further providing for immunization required and penalty.

HB 447 requires Pennsylvania public schools, private/parochial schools, and government entities to clearly include three specific pieces of information in all communications about immunization requirements: (1) the types of exemptions allowed, (2) that exemptions are accepted, and (3) how to obtain an exemption. This applies to all notices, postings, or publications related to immunization policies. The bill does not change existing immunization requirements or exemption rules but mandates transparent communication about them. It directly affects schools, districts, and government bodies managing student health records and enrollment. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates clear communication about school immunization exemptions, supporting public health program transparency without altering requirements. Aligns with public health goals by informing parents on exemption process.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1643: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in dockets, indices and other records, further providing for enforcement of foreign judgments.

HB 1643 modifies Pennsylvania law to clarify how courts enforce foreign judgments. It prohibits courts from enforcing foreign judgments related to reproductive health care services, including pregnancy-related care, contraception, or abortion. The bill specifies that such judgments cannot be enforced against providers for services delivered in medical facilities. This change applies to all foreign judgments filed in Pennsylvania courts under the existing enforcement procedures. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits enforcement of foreign judgments restricting reproductive health services (abortion, contraception), protecting patient access to care under healthcare topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

Track

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 1261: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Commonwealth services, further providing for assistance to fire companies and EMS companies and providing for protection against PFAS chemicals and for firefighting protective equipment; in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for award of grants; and imposing penalties.

HB 1261 bans PFAS chemicals (harmful substances linked to health risks) in firefighting protective gear, requiring safer alternatives for all new equipment. It creates grant programs to help fire companies replace PFAS-containing gear and mandates that state-funded equipment purchases must be PFAS-free. The bill also imposes penalties on entities failing to comply with the PFAS restrictions. These changes directly protect firefighters and guide fire companies' equipment procurement under Pennsylvania law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans PFAS chemicals (toxic pollutants) in firefighting gear, mandates PFAS-free equipment purchases, and creates grants for replacement, directly reducing environmental contamination and protecting public health.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans PFAS chemicals in firefighting gear to protect firefighters' health, directly advancing public health safety for medical professionals through equipment restrictions and grant programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBans PFAS in firefighting gear, mandating safer equipment for firefighters, directly improving workplace safety for a specific labor group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 595: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, providing for behavioral health and physical health services integration.

HB 595 requires Pennsylvania's Medicaid program to integrate mental health, addiction, and physical health services into a single managed care system for all eligible residents. The bill mandates that the state contract with managed care organizations to provide comprehensive, community-based care addressing both behavioral and physical health needs, while also addressing social factors affecting health. It requires the state to seek federal waiver approval by October 1, 2025, to implement this integration, including mandatory enrollment for all Medicaid-eligible individuals in the new system. This change aims to improve care coordination and create a more efficient health care delivery model.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid integration of mental/physical health services and community-based care, advancing comprehensive coverage and addressing social health factors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 5, 2025

HB 812: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Protecting Hospital Workers from Workplace Violence Grant Program and the Protecting Hospital Workers from Workplace Violence Grant Fund; providing for duties of Department of Health; and making a transfer.

HB 812 establishes a grant program to fund security improvements protecting hospital and emergency care workers from workplace violence. It directly affects hospitals and freestanding emergency medical facilities in Pennsylvania, which can apply for grants to implement violence prevention projects. The bill requires applicants to submit detailed plans with timelines, budgets, and measurable goals for reducing verbal/physical violence, with priority given to innovative, sustainable approaches. The Department of Health will administer the program, accept applications starting March 1, 2025, and manage the dedicated grant fund.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes grant program funding security improvements for hospital workers, directly supporting healthcare facility safety under Health and Safety statutes.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds security grants to prevent workplace violence against hospital workers, directly strengthening workplace safety protections under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 50: An Act providing for health care insurance coverage protections, for duties of the Insurance Department and the Insurance Commissioner, for regulations, for enforcement and for penalties.

SB 50, the Health Insurance Access Protection Act, prohibits Pennsylvania insurers from denying coverage, charging higher premiums, or excluding benefits based on pre-existing conditions or health factors for individuals and small groups (2-50 people). It limits premium variations to age (max 3:1 ratio), location, family size, and tobacco use (max 1.5:1 ratio), requiring insurers to pool all enrollees in the individual and small group markets. The law also mandates that insurers cannot use health status to set rates or deny coverage, directly protecting people with chronic illnesses or past medical issues.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions and limits unfair premium variations, protecting patient access and rights per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on health conditions, strengthening workers' access to health benefits as part of employment standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 10, 2025

HR 65: A Resolution establishing a task force to study social media platforms and websites on which suicide is encouraged.

This Pennsylvania House Resolution (HR 65) establishes a task force to study social media platforms and websites that encourage suicide. The task force, chaired by the Attorney General and including health officials, legislative committee leaders, and appointed experts in psychology, cyberbullying, and suicide prevention, will examine how to address such content. It must issue a report within two years with recommendations for legislative or executive actions to prevent suicides linked to these online spaces. The resolution focuses on gathering evidence and advice to inform future policy, without creating new laws or regulations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes task force with health experts to study suicide prevention on social media, directly addressing mental health crisis through recommended legislative actions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 24, 2025

SB 882: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in dockets, indices and other records, further providing for enforcement of foreign judgments.

SB 882 modifies Pennsylvania law to prevent courts from enforcing foreign judgments related to reproductive health care services. Specifically, it prohibits Pennsylvania courts from enforcing foreign judgments seeking payment for or delivery of services like pregnancy care, contraception, or abortion (defined broadly as "reproductive health care services"). The bill requires courts to treat foreign judgments like local ones for most purposes but explicitly bars enforcement in cases involving reproductive health care. This change applies to all foreign judgments filed in Pennsylvania courts and takes effect 60 days after enactment. It directly affects judgment creditors seeking to collect debts related to reproductive health services and Pennsylvania courts handling such cases.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits enforcement of foreign judgments related to reproductive healthcare services, protecting access to abortion and contraception under Pennsylvania law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

Track

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 23, 2025

HB 564: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for mental health crisis response; and imposing duties on the Department of Human Services.

HB 564 updates Pennsylvania law to establish a new mental health crisis response system. It requires the Department of Human Services to create and operate this system, including training crisis responders and coordinating care. The bill directly affects individuals experiencing mental health crises and the state agencies responsible for emergency mental health services. Key provisions mandate specific duties for DHS to ensure timely, accessible crisis support statewide. The bill passed final passage on July 14, 2025, and is now under review by the Health & Human Services committee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates DHS to create mental health crisis response system, ensuring timely accessible care and coordinating services per bill's core provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 76: An Act amending the act of April 17, 2016 (P.L.84, No.16), known as the Medical Marijuana Act, in patients, providing for cultivating cannabis for personal use.

SB 76 allows Pennsylvania medical marijuana patients aged 21 or older to grow up to six cannabis plants at home for personal use, provided they live in the state for at least 30 days. Patients must cultivate cannabis in a locked, enclosed space on residential property (with owner consent), purchase seeds only from licensed dispensaries, and keep plants out of public view. Selling or giving away home-grown cannabis, or exceeding the six-plant limit, results in penalties and loss of cultivation privileges. This amendment to Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act specifically affects qualifying medical patients and adds home cultivation as a permitted activity under existing program rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows medical marijuana patients to cultivate cannabis at home, improving access to treatment under the Medical Marijuana Act, directly advancing patient access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Track