SB 740 amends Pennsylvania law concerning medical services for inmates in state correctional institutions. The bill repeals the existing "Medical Services Program," which currently requires inmates to pay copays and fees for their medical care. Instead, it explicitly prohibits the Department of Corrections from requiring inmates to pay any copay or fee for medical services provided to them. This change directly affects inmates by eliminating their financial responsibility for medical treatment and also abrogates related existing regulations.
HB 1128 establishes Pennsylvania's Medicaid Care Transition Program to address delays in moving Medicaid patients from emergency departments to appropriate follow-up care. It directly affects Medicaid patients stuck in emergency settings, hospitals, and "responsible entities" (like county Medicaid managed care plans) that must create dedicated care transition units. Key provisions require responsible entities to: contact hospitals within 24 hours for placement, seek out-of-network options if in-network care isn't available quickly, and notify the Department of Human Services after 48 hours if placement fails. The Department then intervenes to resolve barriers like clinical issues, payment problems, or coordination with other agencies. The law aims to reduce emergency department overcrowding and ensure timely access to necessary postacute care for Medicaid enrollees.
HB 1640 protects patient privacy for reproductive health care records in Pennsylvania. It requires healthcare providers (covered entities) to obtain written permission from patients before sharing records related to permitted reproductive services - such as pregnancy care, contraception, or abortion - except in limited circumstances like court orders, abuse investigations, or legal defense needs. The law explicitly preserves existing confidentiality protections under other state laws, including those for mental health and domestic violence services. It applies directly to patients seeking reproductive health care and the healthcare providers handling their records.
SB 25 amends Pennsylvania's Professional Nursing Law to update regulations for certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs). It clarifies definitions, including "Advanced Practice Registered Nurse-Certified Nurse Practitioner" (APRN-CNP), and specifies their scope of practice, including prescribing authority for certain medications. The bill requires CRNPs to collaborate with physicians through written agreements and immediate communication protocols, while transferring oversight of CRNP licensing from the State Board of Medicine to the State Board of Nursing. These changes directly affect nurse practitioners, the State Board of Nursing, and physicians working with CRNPs in Pennsylvania.
HB 1974 creates a new Contingency Management Support Grant Program within the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. The bill establishes a mechanism for distributing grants to support substance use disorder treatment programs that use evidence-based contingency management approaches (like providing rewards for treatment adherence). This program directly affects licensed treatment providers and individuals receiving substance use disorder services by providing funding for these specific support services. The bill amends the 1929 Administrative Code to authorize this grant program under the department's existing authority.
This resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study Pennsylvania's disability waiver programs. It specifically examines how to improve experiences for individuals receiving Home and Community-Based Services waivers through the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) and Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). The study will assess medical care access, healthcare support barriers, and staffing challenges for waiver participants. The findings will inform future improvements to these services, focusing on people with disabilities who rely on community-based care instead of institutional settings. (HR 134, 2025)
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SB 881 amends Pennsylvania's judicial statutes to exclude cases involving "reproductive health care services" from several legal processes. Specifically, it prohibits Pennsylvania courts from ordering service of documents or issuing subpoenas for cases outside the state related to reproductive health care (defined as services like pregnancy care, contraception, or abortion that are lawful in Pennsylvania). The bill also restricts out-of-state officers from arresting individuals for such offenses within Pennsylvania and prevents the governor from extraditing people for crimes involving these services. These provisions apply only to cases where the services would be legal under Pennsylvania law. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
SB 95 amends Pennsylvania's Pharmacy Act to create a 180-day provisional license for pharmacists moving from other states, allowing them to practice without demonstrating competency under Pennsylvania's requirements. It also permits emergency medical services providers to distribute naloxone dose packages for opioid overdose reversal under specific conditions, including a Department of Health standing order and voluntary distribution without liability. Additionally, the bill requires pharmacies to disclose prescription drug prices (brand vs. generic), cost-sharing amounts, and health insurance options upon customer request. These changes aim to improve pharmacist mobility, expand naloxone access, and increase price transparency for consumers.
HB 551, the "Support Through Loss Act," requires employers with five or more employees in Pennsylvania to provide 24 hours of paid leave annually for employees experiencing pregnancy loss or related reproductive health events. It covers specific situations like pregnancy loss, failed fertility treatments (including assisted reproductive technology), adoption issues, or fertility-related diagnoses, as well as leave to care for a spouse or domestic partner in these circumstances. Employers must post notices about the policy and are prohibited from retaliating against employees who use this leave or discriminating based on its use. The bill takes effect for all covered employers starting January 1, 2026.
SB 115 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to replace the high school diploma or GED requirement for direct care staff in personal care homes and assisted living residences with a skills competency exam. The exam assesses communication skills, basic literacy, cultural awareness, and knowledge of mental health needs specific to these settings, without permitting medication administration. This change specifically applies to individuals who are citizens of or educated in another country, lawfully reside in the U.S., and meet other qualifications, eliminating the need for facilities to seek certain waivers. The bill directs the Department of Human Services to create temporary implementing regulations within two years and repeals conflicting existing regulations.
