An Act amending Titles 40 (Insurance) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for behavioral health benefits for justice-involved children; and, in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions and for costs and expenses of care of child, providing for mandatory intake conference and screening in cases alleging delinquency and further providing for informal adjustment and for powers and duties.
This bill requires health insurance policies and government programs in Pennsylvania to cover behavioral health services for children involved in the juvenile justice system. It mandates that insurers provide funding for screenings, assessments, and treatments related to mental health conditions and substance use disorders during specific legal proceedings, such as mandatory intake conferences and informal adjustments. The legislation also establishes clear definitions for terms like "behavioral health provider" and "screening" to ensure consistent application of these coverage requirements. By integrating mental health support into the juvenile justice process, the bill aims to address the needs of youth facing delinquency charges while maintaining a neutral focus on policy implementation.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Apr 29, 2026
Last action Apr 29, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Apr 29, 2026
Committee
Referred to Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 18 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Liz Hanbidge
DDemocratic
Co
AT
Ana Tiburcio
DDemocratic
Co
Ben Sanchez
DDemocratic
Co
Ben Waxman
DDemocratic
Co
Carol Hill-Evans
DDemocratic
Co
Danielle Otten
DDemocratic
Co
Emily Kinkead
DDemocratic
Co
Heather Boyd
DDemocratic
Co
Jeanne McNeill
DDemocratic
Co
Joe Hohenstein
DDemocratic
Co
Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 2477
Scope: PA
Hi! I can help you understand HB 2477. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline