HB 409 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending the act of October 24, 2018 (P.L.719, No.112), known as the Patient Test Result Information Act, further providing for definitions, for test results and for duties of Department of Health.

HB 409 amends Pennsylvania's Patient Test Result Information Act to require healthcare providers to give patients written notice at the time of diagnostic imaging services (like X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds) about how to access their results, including online portals or mail (with a possible fee for mailing). It also mandates a follow-up notice within 20 days if a significant abnormality is found, including details like the test date and ordering doctor's name, unless exceptions apply. Exceptions include routine obstetrical ultrasounds, inpatient or emergency care, diagnostic radiographs (X-rays), and patients with chronic conditions who were previously notified. This bill directly affects patients receiving diagnostic imaging and the healthcare facilities performing these services.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 29, 2025 Last action Apr 21, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN0381 Printer's No. PN0476 · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was updated to reflect its progression through the legislative process, adding new sponsors and noting that it has been amended and reported from committee. Substantively, the definition of 'diagnostic imaging service' was expanded to explicitly include diagnosing the absence of disease and malignancy. The list of excluded services was updated to include emergency departments and observation units, meaning patients in these settings are now covered. Additionally, the types of reports subject to immediate release upon finding a malignancy were expanded to include clinical laboratory tests.
Scope change
The bill's applicability was expanded to include patients in emergency departments and observation units, and the types of reports requiring immediate release were broadened to include clinical laboratory tests.
DEFINITION

The definition of 'diagnostic imaging service' was updated to explicitly state it includes diagnosing the absence of a disease and specifically mentions malignancy.

ELIGIBILITY

The list of excluded services was modified to include diagnostic imaging performed in emergency departments and observation units, thereby including these patients in the notification requirement.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement for immediate release of results upon finding a malignancy was expanded to include clinical laboratory tests in addition to pathology and radiology reports.

TECHNICAL

New sponsors were added to the list of bill sponsors, and the document was updated to reflect that the bill has been amended and reported from committee.

Floor votes · House Apr 7, 2025

How they voted

2021
Passed
Total votes 203
Apr 7, 2025
D Democratic102
102 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican101
100 Yea 1 Nay
99% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Apr 21, 2025
Committee
Referred to Health & Human Services
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Re-reported as committed
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Committee
Re-committed to Appropriations
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported as amended
lower
Jan 29, 2025
Committee
Referred to Health
lower
1 primary · 27 co-sponsors

Sponsors