Healthcare

signed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 12, 2026

SB 604: An Act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Counseling Compact; and providing for the form of the compact.

SB 604 authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Counseling Compact, a multi-state agreement allowing licensed professional counselors to practice across participating states without obtaining separate licenses. This directly affects licensed counselors - especially those serving military families who relocate frequently - and their clients in member states. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses, standardized disciplinary processes, and support for telehealth services to improve access to counseling. The compact eliminates the need for counselors to hold multiple state licenses while ensuring accountability under each state’s practice laws where the client is located.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state practice for counselors, improving mental health access via mutual licensure and telehealth support95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2026

HB 1127: An Act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact; and providing for the form of the compact.

HB 1127 authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, enabling dentists and dental hygienists licensed in Pennsylvania to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The bill establishes a "Compact Privilege" that allows qualified professionals to practice across state lines while maintaining each state's regulatory authority over scope of practice and disciplinary actions. Key mechanisms include streamlined licensure pathways, shared disciplinary information between states, and protection of public health standards. This affects licensed dental professionals seeking to work in multiple compact states, particularly addressing workforce mobility and access to care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state dental practice, improving patient access to dental services by streamlining licensure for professionals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1460: An Act providing for approval from the Department of Health and the Office of Attorney General before certain transactions involving health care entities within this Commonwealth.

HB 1460, the Health System Protection Act, requires health care entities (like hospitals and clinics) and certain investors (such as private equity firms) to obtain pre-approval from Pennsylvania's Department of Health and Attorney General before completing major transactions. This applies to sales of assets worth $10 million or more, ownership changes, or large financial distributions that could affect competition, costs, or access to care. The law prohibits transactions deemed "against the public interest," such as those reducing competition, raising prices, or limiting services in rural or low-income areas. Health care entities must either file a notification with a waiting period or get written approval before proceeding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires pre-approval for healthcare transactions to protect competition, access, and costs per bill's purpose as Health System Protection Act.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 2586: An Act prohibiting individuals from holding themselves out as music therapists without holding a valid certification; and imposing a penalty.

This bill establishes legal protections for music therapy by requiring anyone who identifies as a music therapist to hold a valid certification from the Certification Board for Music Therapists. It prohibits unlicensed individuals from claiming to be music therapists, using specific credentials like "MT-BC," or implying they are qualified to provide clinical music therapy services. While the law allows professionals to use music in their general work, it strictly forbids them from representing themselves as certified music therapists without the proper credential. Violations of these rules are classified as third-degree misdemeanors and are also treated as unfair trade practices under state consumer protection laws.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights by preventing unqualified individuals from providing clinical music therapy services, ensuring safe and competent care.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 5, 2026

HB 2254: An Act amending the act of April 17, 2016 (P.L.84, No.16), known as the Medical Marijuana Act, providing for compassionate access to medical marijuana; and imposing a penalty.

HB 2254 adds Chapter 14 to Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act, allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana within specific care facilities (like hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living residences) under strict conditions. Facilities must create written guidelines within 180 days covering safe storage, patient safety, allowed forms of marijuana, and documentation. The bill imposes a $500 daily civil penalty for noncompliance, with penalties deposited into the Medical Marijuana Program Fund. It does not require facilities to provide certifications, administer marijuana, or permit use in emergency departments. This directly affects terminally ill patients seeking access in regulated care settings and facilities operating under the existing medical marijuana program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables terminally ill patients access to medical marijuana in healthcare facilities, expanding treatment options within regulated care settings per bill's compassionate access provisions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 5, 2026

HB 1045: 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.

HB 1045 requires Pennsylvania school nurses and other school staff with direct student contact to complete Department of Health-approved training on seizure recognition and first aid starting in the 2025-2026 school year, with training required every two years thereafter. The bill mandates specific content about identifying seizures, using seizure action plans, and providing basic first aid. It also clarifies that school staff providing seizure-related care are protected from civil liability under existing Good Samaritan laws (42 Pa.C.S. §§ 8332 and 8337.1). This bill directly affects all public school staff in Pennsylvania who work with students and aims to improve emergency response for students with seizure disorders.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates seizure training for school staff, enhancing student safety and health protocols within K-12 schools, aligning with educational safety standards.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates seizure recognition training for school staff to improve emergency response, strengthening school health services under public health protocols.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 7, 2026

HB 2269: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, repealing provisions relating to medical education loan assistance.

This bill repeals the Pennsylvania Medical Education Loan Assistance Program, which previously provided financial incentives to students pursuing medical, nursing, biomedical, and life sciences education. The program allowed eligible students to access loans with favorable terms, including low interest rates and fees, to encourage them to practice medicine or nursing in Pennsylvania, particularly in underserved areas. By removing this legislation, the state will no longer administer this specific loan assistance program for medical education.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill repeals medical education loan assistance program, reducing financial support for healthcare education and limiting access to medical training in Pennsylvania90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill repeals Medical Education Loan Assistance Program, reducing financial incentives for healthcare students and potentially limiting workforce development in underserved areas.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 5, 2026

HR 203: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study of reported patient safety events and issue a report with recommendations for reducing reportable patient safety events and improving patient safety.

HR 203 is a House Resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study medication errors and patient safety. The Commission must form an advisory committee including health officials and stakeholder representatives (like pharmacists, nurses, and hospital associations) to examine how errors occur in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and pharmacies. The study will review current state laws, other states' policies, and best practices, with a report containing recommendations due to the House within 18 months. This resolution does not change laws but aims to inform future policy through a comprehensive review.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects study to reduce medication errors and improve patient safety, advancing healthcare quality standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 5, 2026

HB 668: An Act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Counseling Compact; and providing for the form of the compact.

HB 668 would allow Pennsylvania to join the Counseling Compact, an existing agreement between states. This would let licensed counselors from other participating states practice in Pennsylvania more easily, and allow Pennsylvania counselors to practice in those states without obtaining separate licenses. The bill's key mechanism is adopting the standard compact form, creating a streamlined process for cross-state counseling licensure without changing existing state licensing requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines cross-state counseling licensure, improving access to mental health services without restricting coverage or funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 1706: 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, providing for student mental health awareness.

HB 1706 requires Pennsylvania schools to integrate student mental health awareness into existing health education standards and school operations. It mandates the State Board of Education to update health standards, the Department of Health and Education to develop public guidelines on mental health warning signs for students and families, and schools to notify students and parents twice yearly about local mental health services. The bill also requires school entities to report student absences or injuries in activities to student assistance programs and directs the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association to add mental health training to coach certification by the 2025-2026 school year. This bill directly affects all public, private, and parochial schools in Pennsylvania, their students, families, and athletic staff.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mental health awareness integration into school health curriculum and services, enhancing student well-being support within education framework.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health awareness integration in schools, updates health standards, and provides resources for students/families, directly supporting mental health services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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