HB 69 amends Pennsylvania's Cancer Drug Repository Program to allow unused, unopened cancer prescription drugs to be redistributed to indigent patients through approved pharmacies. The bill updates definitions (e.g., clarifying "cancer drug" includes drugs treating cancer or its side effects), requires drugs to be in original sealed packaging with unexpired dates, and mandates the State Board of Pharmacy to maintain a list of approved participating pharmacies. It also adds requirements for annual reporting and establishes procedures for restocking and dispensing drugs while maintaining safety standards. This directly affects indigent cancer patients seeking affordable medication and pharmacies participating in the program.
SB 402 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to allow trained school staff to administer emergency anti-seizure medication to students with epilepsy during seizures when a nurse is unavailable. It directly affects students with epilepsy, their parents/guardians (who must request training), and school employees (who may voluntarily undergo training). Key provisions require parental consent for staff training, mandate that participation be voluntary, and connect to existing disability laws (IDEA/Section 504) by encouraging schools to explore 504 plans or individualized health plans for affected students. The bill specifies that only FDA-approved medications (like nasal sprays) may be used, and trained staff must follow department-approved guidelines.
HB 1223 amends Pennsylvania's Podiatry Practice Act to remove a specific citizenship requirement from the application process for podiatry licenses. The bill deletes language requiring applicants to prove U.S. citizenship or intent to become a citizen, while keeping all other requirements intact (such as graduation from an accredited school, age, moral character, and residency). This change directly affects future applicants seeking podiatry licensure in Pennsylvania by simplifying one part of their application documentation. The amendment modifies Section 4 of the existing law without altering practice standards or patient care requirements.
House Bill 1391 amends The Insurance Company Law of 1921 to mandate that individual and group health insurance policies provide coverage for various custom-fabricated, custom-fitted, orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic devices. This applies when these devices are prescribed by an authorized medical professional, directly affecting individuals who require such medical aids and the health insurance companies providing their coverage. The bill requires coverage for the fitting, repair, or replacement of these devices, including those used for recreational, organized, or adaptive sports, and allows insurers to require preauthorization while applying standard cost-sharing. Additionally, Medicaid and contracted insurers would reimburse for these devices at Federal Medicare rates.
HB 446 requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities in Pennsylvania to offer patients unused, facility-provided medication at no additional cost upon discharge, if the prescriber determines it's clinically appropriate for continuing treatment. The bill specifies that this applies only to non-controlled, multi-dose medications like eye drops, creams, or inhalers (excluding IV drugs or controlled substances), and mandates clear discharge instructions with usage details and contact information. Providers acting in good faith are protected from liability for patient misuse, and such medication offers are exempt from standard outpatient dispensing rules. This directly affects patients discharged from hospitals or ambulatory facilities and the healthcare facilities providing their care.
HB 1224 removes a citizenship requirement from Pennsylvania's pharmacist licensing rules. The bill amends the 1961 Pharmacy Act to delete the phrase "and is a citizen of the United States" from the eligibility criteria for pharmacists. This change directly affects individuals applying for pharmacist licenses in Pennsylvania who previously needed U.S. citizenship. The key provision modifies Section 3(a)(1) of the Pharmacy Act to allow licensure based solely on age (21+) and other existing requirements, without requiring U.S. citizenship. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 739 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Professional Nursing Law to modernize terminology and clarify roles for advanced practice nurses. It replaces "certified registered nurse practitioner" with "APRN-CNP" throughout the law, defines "collaboration" requirements for new APRN-CNPs (requiring 3,600 practice hours before independent work), and updates definitions for "medical nutrition therapy" and "population focus areas." The bill explicitly removes the State Board of Nursing's authority to license APRN-CNPs, shifting that responsibility elsewhere. These changes directly affect registered nurses seeking advanced practice certification and the Board's regulatory role in nursing licensure.
HB 1323 amends Pennsylvania's Professional Nursing Law to establish a formal certification process for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). It requires the Board of Nursing to issue certificates to nurses holding a master's or higher degree who are already licensed as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, or nurse anesthetists. Certified APRNs may use the title "Advanced Practice Registered Nurse" and "A.P.R.N.," and the Board must maintain a public online registry of all certified APRNs. This bill directly affects nurses seeking APRN certification in Pennsylvania and clarifies their title usage and public recordkeeping.
HB 966 amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law of 1921 to strengthen consumer protections in health insurance. It requires insurance companies to pay penalties if over 50% of their denied health claims (excluding administrative denials) are later overturned through internal or external review processes. Penalties start at $50,000 for the first overturned claim and increase to $250,000 per claim for subsequent violations. Collected penalties must fund consumer protection activities, in addition to any other existing penalties. This directly affects health insurers operating in Pennsylvania.
This resolution urges Pennsylvania school districts to consider later start times for secondary schools (high schools), citing studies showing teens need 8-10 hours of sleep but 98% of PA schools begin before 8:30 a.m. It references CDC and AAP research linking later start times to improved academic performance, reduced absenteeism, and better mental health outcomes. The bill encourages districts to collaborate with health professionals and educators to develop schedules that maintain educational activities while adopting later start times, and asks state agencies to provide resources and public education on adolescent sleep needs. As a non-binding resolution, it does not require policy changes but recommends action based on existing evidence.
