Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 17, 2025

SB 926: An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in child custody, further providing for factors to consider when awarding custody.

SB 926 amends Pennsylvania's child custody law to add a new factor for courts to consider: a party's or household member's history of drug or alcohol abuse. It specifically clarifies that lawful medical marijuana use under Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act (2016) alone cannot be used as evidence to deny custody or require drug testing. The bill directly affects family courts and parents involved in custody disputes by explicitly protecting medical marijuana users from having their lawful use impact custody decisions. This change updates the existing custody factors list in Title 23 of Pennsylvania law to ensure medical marijuana use is not unfairly treated as evidence of abuse. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects medical marijuana patients' custody rights under healthcare law, preventing denial of custody based on lawful medical use per PA's Medical Marijuana Act.95% confidence

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 1923: An Act providing for regulation of the meat packing and food processing industry by creating facility health and safety committees in the workplace; establishing the industry workers' rights coordinator within the Department of Labor and Industry; and imposing penalties.

HB 1923 establishes new workplace safety requirements for meat packing and food processing facilities by mandating facility health and safety committees. It creates a dedicated workers' rights coordinator position within the Department of Labor and Industry to oversee compliance and address concerns. The bill also adds specific public health emergency protections for workers during outbreaks or crises, requiring employers to follow state health guidelines. These changes directly affect workers and employers in the meat and food processing industry across the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates public health emergency protections for workers during outbreaks, requiring employers to follow state health guidelines. This directly advances public health programs and worker safety in healthcare-adjacent settings.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates facility health/safety committees, creates workers' rights coordinator, and adds public health emergency protections for workers in meat/packing industries, directly strengthening workplace safety and rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Labor Standards Workplace Safety

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 563: An Act amending the act of July 9, 1987 (P.L.220, No.39), known as the Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act, providing for licensing and regulating the practice of music therapy; and making editorial changes.

This bill adds music therapy to Pennsylvania's existing licensing framework for mental health professionals. It creates a new "licensed professional music therapist" category and defines "practice of music therapy" to include clinically proven techniques like music improvisation, songwriting, and music-based assessments. The State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Professional Counselors, and Professional Music Therapists will regulate this new license. It directly affects individuals who provide music therapy services independently, requiring them to hold this specific license while clarifying that existing healthcare providers (like hospitals or schools) aren't required to obtain it for their employment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill adds music therapy to Pennsylvania's mental health licensing framework, creating a new licensed profession and expanding access to evidence-based mental health services under regulatory oversight.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 10, 2025

HR 105: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the availability, type and demand for supportive housing.

This resolution directs Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study supportive housing availability, types, and demand across the state. The study will examine both temporary and permanent supportive housing options, focusing on vulnerable populations including those experiencing homelessness, living with chronic health conditions, or struggling with low incomes. The Commission must provide policy recommendations and a final report within 18 months to legislative leaders, informing future planning for supportive housing needs. This is a procedural study request - not a law creating new housing - and aims to gather data to guide potential future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStudies supportive housing for populations with chronic health conditions, aiming to improve healthcare access through housing solutions for vulnerable groups.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directs study on supportive housing for vulnerable populations (homelessness, chronic health, low income), aiming to inform policy recommendations that would advance affordable housing initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 672: 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 of allergenic protein dietary supplements.

HB 672 requires Pennsylvania health insurers to cover prescribed early allergen introduction dietary supplements for infants under one year old, specifically those containing safe, well-cooked egg or peanut protein to help reduce food allergy risk. Insurers must provide this coverage at no additional cost to consumers, including no deductibles, copays, or coinsurance. The law applies to most health insurance policies (excluding specialized plans like dental or workers' compensation) and mandates coverage for supplements prescribed by licensed healthcare providers. It directly affects infants at risk of food allergies, particularly addressing health disparities noted in the bill (e.g., higher allergy rates among Black children). The policy changes are effective 60 days after enactment, with no cost-sharing for these specific supplements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage for preventive infant allergy treatment with no cost-sharing, expanding access to healthcare services under insurance coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Sep 12, 2025

SB 999: 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 seizure recognition and related first aid training.

SB 999 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require school districts to provide training on recognizing seizures and administering first aid for seizure emergencies to appropriate staff. This directly affects school employees, including teachers and nurses, who may respond to student health incidents during school hours. The key provision mandates that this training be integrated into existing school health services programs. The bill aims to improve student safety by ensuring staff are equipped to handle seizure-related emergencies effectively.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates seizure recognition and first aid training for school staff, directly enhancing student safety within school health services under the educational environment.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates seizure recognition and first aid training for school staff to improve emergency health response, directly enhancing school-based health services.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates seizure recognition and first aid training for school staff, improving workplace safety for employees as required under school health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 282: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, further providing for persons eligible for medical assistance.

HB 282 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code (1967) to clarify eligibility rules for individuals receiving medical assistance under public assistance programs. The bill directly affects current and prospective recipients of medical assistance, ensuring consistent application of qualification standards. Key provisions update how eligibility is determined for medical assistance, though specific changes are not detailed in the provided context. The bill passed the House on June 3, 2025, and was referred to the Health & Human Services committee for further review.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies medical assistance eligibility rules to ensure consistent access, directly strengthening healthcare coverage for public assistance recipients.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 787: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for solitary confinement.

SB 787 establishes new rules for solitary confinement in Pennsylvania prisons and detention facilities. It defines solitary confinement as confinement alone for 20+ hours daily and prohibits its use for vulnerable populations - including youth, the elderly, pregnant individuals, LGBTQ+ people, and those with mental health or developmental disabilities - without specific medical evaluation. The bill limits solitary confinement to 15 consecutive days or 20 days in a 60-day period, requires a hearing within 72 hours of placement, and mandates daily clinical evaluations to identify vulnerable inmates who must be removed immediately. Facilities must also provide basic necessities, daily outside time, and prohibit 24-hour cell lighting without medical justification.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits solitary confinement for vulnerable populations and limits duration, advancing criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and reducing harmful practices.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires medical evaluations for vulnerable populations (including mental health patients) before solitary confinement, protecting mental health rights in prison settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 10, 2025

SB 930: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in student supports, further providing for definitions; in school safety and security, further providing for definitions, for School Safety and Security Committee, for school safety and security assessment providers, for School Safety and Security Grant Program, for school safety and security coordinator, for school safety and security training and for reporting and memorandum of understanding; in school security, further providing for training, for school resource officers, for school security guards and for duties of commission; in Safe2Say Program, further providing for intent, for definitions, for Safe2Say Program and for annual report; in threat assessment, further providing for definitions, for threat assessment teams and for threat assessment guidelines, training and information materials; and making editorial changes.

SB 930 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to strengthen school safety and security systems. It establishes a School Safety and Security Committee, requires schools to appoint coordinators for safety planning, and mandates annual training for staff on topics like cyber safety, active shooter drills, and mental health awareness. The bill creates a grant program funding mental health services and cyber security measures (e.g., preventing data breaches), with funds restricted to these purposes. Schools must report safety meeting attendance and security personnel details annually, starting in 2026, to their boards of directors. These changes directly affect public school districts, charter schools, and their administrators.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates School Safety Grant Program funding mental health and cyber security services, allocating state funds for public safety programs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates grant program for mental health/cybersecurity services and mandates safety training, strengthening school safety infrastructure under education framework.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates grant program funding mental health services and mental health awareness training in schools, directly advancing healthcare access through school-based mental health initiatives.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates cyber safety training and funds cybersecurity measures (e.g., preventing data breaches) to protect student data within school systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 456: An Act providing for restroom access for certain customers of retail establishments; and imposing a penalty.

HB 456, the Restroom Access Act, requires Pennsylvania retail establishments with employee restrooms to allow customers with specific medical conditions to use them during business hours under defined conditions. It directly affects customers who use ostomy devices or have inflammatory bowel diseases (like Crohn's or ulcerative colitis) and cannot access a public restroom nearby. To qualify, customers must provide written physician documentation or a nonprofit-issued ID card verifying their condition. Retail businesses violating the law face a civil penalty of up to $500, but the law does not require physical changes to restrooms. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates restroom access for customers with medical conditions (e.g., Crohn's), improving physical access for health management and patient rights.95% confidence

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