Healthcare

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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passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 13, 2026

HR 451: A Resolution recognizing the week of April 11 through 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week" in Pennsylvania to bring attention to the maternal health crisis and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women.

This bill designates the week of April 11 through 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week" in Pennsylvania to raise awareness about maternal health disparities affecting Black women. The resolution highlights statistics showing that Black women in the state face significantly higher pregnancy-related death rates compared to other groups, with many cases deemed preventable. It does not create new funding or policy requirements but serves as a symbolic gesture to focus public and legislative attention on the issue. The measure is sponsored by multiple representatives and referred to the Committee on Children and Youth for consideration.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill raises awareness of maternal health disparities and advocates for reducing mortality among Black women, supporting healthcare equity goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 200: An Act establishing family and medical leave benefits, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Account and the Paid Family and Medical Leave Grant Program; conferring powers and imposing duties on the Department of Labor and Industry; and imposing penalties.

This bill would create a state-funded paid family and medical leave program for eligible workers needing time off for health issues, childbirth, or family care. It establishes a dedicated state fund to cover leave costs, creates an advisory board to guide implementation, and assigns oversight to the Department of Labor. The program would directly affect employees in the state who qualify for these leave types, requiring employers to provide the benefits. The bill also specifies penalties for businesses failing to comply with the new requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded program requiring dedicated budget appropriations for paid family leave, advancing government spending on essential worker benefits.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates state-funded paid leave for health issues, improving access to healthcare services without income loss for employees.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates state-funded paid family/medical leave program expanding worker benefits, requiring employer provision of leave for health/childbirth/family care, directly strengthening employment protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 25, 2026

HR 450: A Resolution recognizing March 31, 2026, as "Black Midwives Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Pennsylvania House Resolution designates March 31, 2026, as "Black Midwives Day" to honor the contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the state. The resolution highlights the importance of midwifery in addressing maternal health disparities, particularly in Black communities where pregnancy-related mortality rates are significantly higher than national averages. It acknowledges the role of midwives in providing culturally sensitive care and reducing barriers to access in areas with limited maternity health resources. The measure serves as a symbolic recognition rather than establishing new laws or funding requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill honors Black midwives' contributions to maternal health and addresses disparities, promoting culturally sensitive care and improving access to healthcare services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2265: An Act amending the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act, providing for onsite emergency physicians.

This bill requires hospitals in Pennsylvania with emergency departments to have a board-certified or board-eligible emergency physician on site and on duty whenever the emergency department is open. The law defines these physicians as those licensed in Pennsylvania who hold board certification in emergency medicine or have completed accredited residency training and remain eligible for certification. Hospitals in rural areas with an average of 46 or fewer emergency department visits per day over two years may request an exception to allow physicians with different emergency medicine qualifications to staff the department. The Department of Health has the authority to grant these exceptions after reviewing a hospital's documented efforts to recruit and retain qualified emergency physicians and any additional conditions needed to protect patient safety.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates on-site emergency physicians at hospitals, improving patient access to emergency care and strengthening healthcare infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 16, 2026

HB 554: An Act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Social Work Licensure Compact; and providing for the form of the compact.

HB 554 would authorize Pennsylvania to join the Social Work Licensure Compact, a multi-state agreement that allows social workers licensed in one member state to practice in others without additional exams. The bill provides Pennsylvania with the legal framework to adopt the compact's standard terms, directly affecting licensed social workers seeking to practice across state lines. Key provisions include aligning Pennsylvania's licensing requirements with the compact's uniform standards, simplifying the process for social workers to obtain reciprocal licenses in participating states. This change would streamline professional mobility for social workers while maintaining consistent regulatory oversight.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state practice for social workers, improving mental health service access and aligning with healthcare workforce mobility standards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 1923: An Act providing for regulation of the meat packing and food processing industry by creating facility health and safety committees in the workplace; establishing the industry workers' rights coordinator within the Department of Labor and Industry; and imposing penalties.

HB 1923 establishes new workplace safety requirements for meat packing and food processing facilities by mandating facility health and safety committees. It creates a dedicated workers' rights coordinator position within the Department of Labor and Industry to oversee compliance and address concerns. The bill also adds specific public health emergency protections for workers during outbreaks or crises, requiring employers to follow state health guidelines. These changes directly affect workers and employers in the meat and food processing industry across the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates public health emergency protections for workers during outbreaks, requiring employers to follow state health guidelines. This directly advances public health programs and worker safety in healthcare-adjacent settings.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates facility health/safety committees, creates workers' rights coordinator, and adds public health emergency protections for workers in meat/packing industries, directly strengthening workplace safety and rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1643: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in dockets, indices and other records, further providing for enforcement of foreign judgments.

HB 1643 modifies Pennsylvania law to clarify how courts enforce foreign judgments. It prohibits courts from enforcing foreign judgments related to reproductive health care services, including pregnancy-related care, contraception, or abortion. The bill specifies that such judgments cannot be enforced against providers for services delivered in medical facilities. This change applies to all foreign judgments filed in Pennsylvania courts under the existing enforcement procedures. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits enforcement of foreign judgments restricting reproductive health services (abortion, contraception), protecting patient access to care under healthcare topic.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1641: An Act amending the act of March 20, 2002 (P.L.154, No.13), known as the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act, in insurance, providing for adverse actions against legal reproductive health care.

HB 1641 prohibits Pennsylvania medical liability insurers from taking adverse actions against healthcare providers who offer legal reproductive health services, including abortion care via telemedicine, to out-of-state patients. It specifically bans insurers from refusing coverage renewals, raising premiums, or reporting providers solely for providing such services that comply with Pennsylvania law. The law applies to providers prescribing medication to terminate pregnancies for out-of-state patients using telemedicine. This directly affects insurers and healthcare providers serving patients in states with stricter abortion laws, preventing insurance penalties for legal telemedicine care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from penalizing providers offering legal reproductive care, protecting access to abortion services and advancing patient rights in healthcare access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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