Healthcare

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 17, 2025

SB 115: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in general powers and duties of the Department of Public Welfare, further providing for personal care home and assisted living residence administrators; and abrogating regulations.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReplaces diploma requirement with mental health-focused competency exam for care staff, enhancing mental health service quality in facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

Track

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 348: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in departmental powers and duties as to licensing, providing for notice of legal representation for medical assistance.

HB 348 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to require the state human services department to notify medical assistance applicants about their right to legal representation during application or eligibility reviews. This change directly affects individuals applying for medical assistance programs (like Medicaid) and the department responsible for processing these applications. The key provision mandates that applicants receive written notice detailing their option to seek legal help, which the department must provide before finalizing eligibility decisions. The bill focuses on improving transparency in the application process without altering eligibility criteria or benefit amounts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires notice of legal representation rights for medical assistance applicants, protecting access to healthcare coverage and applicant rights during eligibility reviews.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2025

HB 1066: An Act amending the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as the Medical Practice Act of 1985, further providing for temporary license.

HB 1066 amends Pennsylvania's Medical Practice Act to create a pathway for temporary medical licensees who graduated from international medical schools to obtain full, unrestricted licenses. To qualify, these individuals must have practiced medicine for at least three years outside the U.S., demonstrated competency to the State Board of Medicine, maintained good standing for two years after their temporary license was issued, and secured a job offer from a Pennsylvania healthcare facility. This provision applies only to eligible temporary licensees meeting all specified criteria, without altering general temporary license rules. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates pathway for international medical graduates to obtain full licenses, expanding medical workforce and improving patient access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 447: An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, in casualty insurance, providing for coverage for prostate cancer screening.

SB 447 requires health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover annual prostate cancer screenings with no out-of-pocket costs for men aged 40+ who are high-risk. High-risk status includes genetic factors, family history of prostate cancer (a first-degree relative diagnosed), or physician determination of medical need. The law mandates coverage for screenings like PSA tests and digital rectal exams, applying to policies filed or renewed 180 days after the law takes effect. It directly affects insured men meeting these criteria and insurance companies offering health coverage in Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no-cost prostate cancer screenings for high-risk men, expanding insurance coverage and improving access to preventive care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

signed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 20, 2026

HB 482: An Act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Compact; providing for the form of the compact; and imposing additional powers and duties on the Governor, the Secretary of the Commonwealth and the Compact.

HB 482 authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, enabling licensed occupational therapists and assistants from Pennsylvania to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The bill establishes mechanisms for mutual recognition of licenses, sharing of disciplinary and investigative data between states, and accountability for practitioners providing services across state lines. It directly affects occupational therapists, assistants, and patients seeking services in multiple states, particularly supporting military spouses relocating and expanding telehealth access. Key provisions include requiring states to participate in a shared data system, defining terms like "Compact Privilege," and preserving each state’s regulatory authority over local practice standards. This is a procedural bill enabling Pennsylvania’s participation in an existing interstate framework, not creating new licensing requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state practice for occupational therapists, improving access to healthcare services by removing licensing barriers for medical professionals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Telehealth

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 29, 2026

HB 928: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in epinephrine auto-injector entities, further providing for definitions and for epinephrine auto-injectors for authorized entities; and making an editorial change.

HB 928 amends Pennsylvania law to expand access to epinephrine auto-injectors for severe allergic reactions. It adds schools, sports organizations, and other public venues to the list of "authorized entities" allowed to store these devices and train staff. The bill clarifies who can access the injectors during emergencies and specifies training requirements for personnel. This directly affects schools, youth programs, and public facilities serving individuals at risk of anaphylaxis.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to epinephrine auto-injectors in schools/public venues for anaphylaxis emergencies, improving patient access to critical healthcare services.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 10, 2025

HB 1857: An Act requiring business entities to disclose the use of artificial intelligence in certain consumer interactions; establishing the right of consumers to human review in high-impact decisions; and providing for enforcement by Attorney General.

HB 1857 requires businesses to disclose when they use artificial intelligence in specific consumer interactions, such as loan applications or medical consultations. It gives consumers the right to request a human review for decisions that significantly impact them, like denials of services or critical financial actions. The Attorney General would enforce these requirements, including potential penalties for noncompliance. This bill directly affects businesses using AI in consumer-facing services and empowers consumers with transparency and review options.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires human review in medical consultations, protecting patient rights in AI-driven healthcare decisions85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires AI disclosure and human review rights, enhancing consumer protection in AI-driven decisions per bill summary95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Oct 16, 2025

SB 1057: 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 healthier choices in SNAP waiver.

Pennsylvania's SB 1057 would amend the Human Services Code to seek a federal waiver allowing the state to exclude certain non-nutritive foods from SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) eligibility for recipients. The bill specifically targets sugar-sweetened beverages (like soda), candy, and prepared desserts, while exempting items such as 100% fruit juice, milk, infant formula, medical foods, and unflavored water. Within 30 days of the bill's effective date, the state must request USDA approval for the waiver, and if approved, implement exclusions within 60 days. The bill also mandates a two-year report evaluating cost savings for health programs, public health impacts, and implementation challenges related to the restrictions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill restricts SNAP eligibility for sugary drinks/candy to promote healthier choices, aligning with public health initiatives. Exempts medical foods/infant formula, showing intent to improve nutrition-related health outcomes.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 27, 2025

SB 837: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 35 (Health and Safety) and 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in provisions relating to abortion, repealing provisions relating to short title of chapter and to legislative intent, further providing for definitions, repealing provisions relating to medical consultation and judgment, to informed consent, to parental consent, to abortion facilities, to printed information, to Commonwealth interference prohibited, to spousal notice, to determination of gestational age, to abortion on unborn child of 24 or more weeks gestational age, to infanticide, to prohibited acts and to reporting, further providing for publicly owned facilities, public officials and public funds and for fetal experimentation and repealing provisions relating to civil penalties, to criminal penalties, to State Board of Medicine and State Board of Osteopathic Medicine and to construction; providing for reproductive rights; repealing provisions relating to compliance with Federal health care legislation as to regulation of insurers and related persons generally; imposing penalties; and making an editorial change.

SB 837 amends Pennsylvania's abortion laws by repealing the existing "Abortion Control Act" (Sections 3201-3202) and overhauling related statutes. It removes requirements for parental consent, spousal notice, and certain medical consultations, while revising definitions (like "abortion" and "born alive") and gestational age limits. The bill establishes a new framework for "reproductive rights" and repeals provisions related to federal healthcare compliance, civil/criminal penalties, and medical board oversight. This directly affects abortion providers, patients seeking abortions, and healthcare facilities operating in Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes abortion access barriers (parental consent, spousal notice) and establishes reproductive rights, expanding health service access per healthcare topic definition.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Women's Health

Track

signed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 7, 2025

HB 309: An Act amending the act of October 5, 1978 (P.L.1109, No.261), known as the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act, further providing for power to license, for visiting team physician and for licenses, exemptions, nonresident practitioners, graduate students, biennial registration and continuing medical education.

HB 309 amends Pennsylvania's Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (1978) to update licensing rules for osteopathic physicians and related healthcare providers. It changes registration requirements from annual to biennial (every two years), clarifies rules for visiting team physicians at sports events, and adjusts continuing medical education requirements. The bill directly affects licensed osteopathic physicians, nonresident practitioners, medical students, and healthcare facilities employing osteopathic staff. Signed into law on July 7, 2025 (Act No. 29), it streamlines administrative processes without creating new licensing barriers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates licensing rules to reduce administrative burden, improving access for osteopathic physicians and patients through biennial registration and clarified practice rules.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing