An Act amending the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law, in pharmaceutical assistance for the elderly, providing for short title of chapter and further providing for determination of eligibility and for the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier ; and making an editorial change.
SB 731 amends the existing Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) program to add a new "Needs Enhancement Tier" for determining eligibility. This tier would allow more elderly residents to qualify for prescription drug assistance based on specific financial or health needs. The bill changes how eligibility is assessed under the program, making it easier for seniors with higher needs to access medication support. The bill recently passed final passage on November 12, 2025, and is now referred to Rules & Executive Nominations.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2025
Committee Review
Nov 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
House Passage
Nov 2025
Governor
Introduced May 5, 2025
Last action Nov 12, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Printer's No. PN0749
→
Printer's No. PN1308
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill was amended to expand the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) program by adding a new tier of enhanced benefits. The changes include updating the bill title, adding more sponsors, and renumbering sections to accommodate the new tier. Most importantly, the income limits for the enhanced tier were increased, and the effective date for these new limits was set to July 1, 2026.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include a new 'Needs Enhancement Tier' for the PACE program, creating a higher level of pharmaceutical assistance for eligible seniors.
SCOPE
Added a new section establishing a 'Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier'.
ELIGIBILITY
Increased the maximum annual income limit for the enhanced tier from $33,500 to $45,000 for single individuals and from $41,500 to $55,000 for married couples.
TIMELINE
Set the effective date for the new enhanced tier eligibility limits to July 1, 2026, while the rest of the bill takes effect immediately.
TECHNICAL
Added additional sponsors to the bill and updated the printer's number to reflect the House amendment.
Floor votes · Senate Jun 2, 2025 · House Nov 12, 2025
How they voted
50–0
Passed
Total votes 50
Jun 2, 2025
D
Democratic23
100% Yea
R
Republican27
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
16
Key actions
6
Committee
8
Amendments
1
Nov 12, 2025
Committee
Referred to Rules & Executive Nominations
upper
Nov 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
lower
Nov 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Re-reported as amended
lower
Oct 27, 2025
Committee
Re-referred to Appropriations
lower
Oct 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported as committed
lower
Jun 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Aging & Older Adult Services
lower
Jun 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
upper
May 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Re-reported as committed
upper
May 12, 2025
Committee
Re-referred to Appropriations
upper
May 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported as committed
upper
May 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to Aging & Youth
upper
1 primary · 14 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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