SB 781 creates a new "mental health day" category allowing Pennsylvania students to miss school excused for mental or physical fatigue due to mental health needs, whether diagnosed (like anxiety or depression) or not (such as trauma from school incidents or academic stress). It permits up to two consecutive days per week for mental health days, with schools required to adopt policies by the 2026-2027 school year. The bill defines "uncertified" mental health needs broadly to include un-diagnosed stressors like grief, bullying, or burnout, while limiting additional days beyond the two-day weekly cap. The state department must develop model policies and guidelines within 90 days of the bill's effective date.
SB 1039 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to enhance student supports and school safety. It creates a new Pennsylvania Mental Health First Aid Training Program for school staff and updates the School Safety and Security Grant Program to fund safety improvements. The bill directly affects public schools, teachers, and students by requiring mental health training for staff and providing grant opportunities for school safety projects. These changes aim to improve student well-being and school safety infrastructure through concrete program additions.
This Pennsylvania House resolution urges Congress to expand Medicare to cover hearing aids. Currently, Medicare does not cover hearing aids or their fittings - only limited diagnostic exams under Part B. It specifically targets the gap affecting over 48 million Americans with hearing loss who rely on Medicare. The resolution requests Congressional action to amend Medicare policy but has no legal force.
HB 1697 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to create a state-level False Claims Act, directly affecting healthcare providers, contractors, and organizations receiving state funds (like Medicaid or welfare programs). It makes individuals or entities liable for three times the damages plus penalties if they knowingly submit false claims, make false records, or conceal obligations to the state. The bill establishes "qui tam" lawsuits allowing whistleblowers to sue on behalf of the state and creates a Fraud Prevention and Recovery Account to hold recovered funds. These provisions align Pennsylvania's law with the federal False Claims Act to combat fraud in public spending.
SB 318 requires most health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover postacute neurorehabilitation services for individuals with acquired brain injuries. This includes specific therapies like cognitive rehabilitation, neurobehavioral treatment, community reintegration, and day rehabilitation programs, as determined medically necessary by a patient's doctor. Insurers cannot impose arbitrary limits on the number of covered days or apply stricter deductibles/copays for these services than for other covered benefits. The law applies to group/individual health plans but excludes accident-only, dental, vision, Medicare supplements, and certain other limited policies.
SB 608 creates new rules for "association health plans" in Pennsylvania, which are group health coverage offered by employer associations (like industry groups or local business networks) rather than individual employers. It requires these associations to have existed for at least two years, not deny coverage based on health status, and offer plans to all members regardless of health. The bill defines key terms like "small employer" (1-50 employees) and clarifies that association plans must meet specific policy requirements under state insurance law. This directly affects employer associations and their members (employees of small businesses or sole proprietors) seeking group health coverage through these structures.
HB 1242 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Health to establish a bone marrow donor recruitment program that educates residents about registering with the National Marrow Donor Program and the bone marrow donation process. The program will develop and share electronic materials - including website content and machine-readable codes - at state websites, driver's license offices, and healthcare facilities to explain donor eligibility, registration steps, and donation procedures. This bill directs the state to provide accessible information to help Pennsylvanians understand how to become bone marrow donors, with a focus on increasing participation from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
This bill establishes a grant program to provide free menstrual products (such as pads and tampons) in Pennsylvania public schools. Schools with 25% or more students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch programs can apply for grants to purchase these products and install dispensers or disposal units. Recipients must report annual spending on products and dispenser maintenance to the state. The program is funded by a state appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
SB 948 requires Pennsylvania electric distribution companies to annually report specific data to the state utility commission about their ability to manage emergency power reductions (load shedding). The bill mandates details on how load shedding impacts different customer groups, technical limitations, identification of vital customers (like those needing medical equipment), and measures to minimize disruptions for critical facilities. The commission must then compile an annual report summarizing this data for lawmakers, the governor, and consumer advocates. This bill directly affects all electric distribution companies operating in Pennsylvania, focusing on transparency during grid emergencies without requiring the commission to approve utility plans.
SB 965 establishes a two-year Maternal Health Monitoring Pilot Program (2026-2027 and 2027-2028) for pregnant individuals in Pennsylvania who have hypertension or diabetes and receive medical assistance or are enrolled in participating managed care plans. The program provides free home monitoring devices (like blood pressure cuffs and glucose meters) and connects participants with clinical teams for health coaching and condition management during pregnancy and up to three months postpartum. Managed care organizations must contract with a vendor to administer the program, serving no more than 300 participants across at least two counties, including one with a maternity care desert. The Department of Health will evaluate outcomes through a report due within 24 months after the pilot ends.
