This resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study Pennsylvania's disability waiver programs. It specifically examines how to improve experiences for individuals receiving Home and Community-Based Services waivers through the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) and Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). The study will assess medical care access, healthcare support barriers, and staffing challenges for waiver participants. The findings will inform future improvements to these services, focusing on people with disabilities who rely on community-based care instead of institutional settings. (HR 134, 2025)
This Pennsylvania House Resolution designates May 2026 as Preeclampsia Awareness Month to highlight a serious pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure. The bill aims to increase public knowledge about the condition, which can lead to seizures, strokes, and organ failure if not managed properly. By recognizing this month, the House intends to encourage pregnant individuals to learn about warning signs and seek timely medical care. The resolution does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a formal statement of support for maternal health awareness.
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.
This Pennsylvania House resolution designates the week of May 3 through 9, 2026, as "Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week" to raise public and medical awareness about the condition. The bill highlights that tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder that can occur in people taking antipsychotic medications, particularly those who are older, Black, female, or have had long-term medication exposure. It encourages healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers to learn more about the symptoms of the condition and the importance of regular screenings to enable early detection and treatment. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to promote education and awareness about this health issue.
SB 507 amends Pennsylvania's medical licensing law to reestablish the State Board of Medical Education and Licensure as the State Board of Medicine and update its structure. It directly affects midwifery professionals by creating three new license categories: midwifery, nurse-midwife, and certified midwife. The bill establishes specific requirements and definitions for these licenses under the board's authority. This change clarifies licensing pathways for midwifery practitioners within the state's medical regulatory framework. The bill passed final passage on October 21, 2025.
This Pennsylvania House Resolution designates May 2026 as "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month" to highlight the impact of ALS on patients and their families. The bill does not change laws or allocate funding; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to increase public understanding of the disease and support ongoing research efforts. By formally recognizing the month, the resolution aims to draw attention to the challenges faced by those living with ALS and the importance of continued medical investigation.
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.
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.
This bill designates May 15, 2026, as Prader Willi Syndrome Awareness Day in Pennsylvania to highlight the rare genetic disorder and support affected individuals and families. The resolution aims to increase public understanding of the condition's symptoms, such as hyperphagia and cognitive challenges, and to promote early diagnosis and access to care. By officially recognizing this day, the bill seeks to encourage community awareness and demonstrate support for those impacted by the syndrome.
HB 237 expands Pennsylvania's death benefits for first responders' families to include cases where a firefighter, officer, or emergency worker dies from mental health conditions linked to on-duty trauma. It creates a legal presumption of line-of-duty death if the person died while influenced by a diagnosed psychiatric disorder from traumatic events (like crime scenes or mass casualties) or within 45 days of such exposure with an undiagnosed condition. The bill adds specific definitions for "personal injury sustained in the line of duty" to include PTSD and related disorders, and clarifies that traumatic events cover incidents involving serious injury, minors, or life threats. Benefits apply retroactively to deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2019, regardless of when the trauma happened.
