Health & Human Services 2021-2022
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 to consider the following bills:
SB 749 (Sen. Mensch) – Amends the Medical Marijuana Act, by adding several sections and deleting specific paragraphs to address matters related to Medical Marijuana and employment. Reported out as amended 7-4
A03984(Sen. Mensch)– A03984 is a gut and replace amendment to Medical Marijuana Act as it relates to employment and impairment. Amendment passed 7-4
SB 1188 (Sen. Brooks)– Enacts the Lyme Disease and Related Tick-Borne Illness Diagnoses and Treatment Act, requiring health insurers to cover long-term antibiotics and antimicrobials for the treatment of Lyme Disease or related tick-borne illness. Reported out as amended 9-2
A03944 (Sen. Brooks)– Removes language specifically referencing longer-term antibiotic treatments ineligible solely because the treatment may be characterized as unproven, experimental or investigational in nature. Amendment passed unanimously
SB 1121 (Sen. Argall)– Requires the Department of Human Services to check employer wage records and the Department of Revenue against recipients of Medical Assistance (MA) recipients and benefits from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on a quarterly basis. Reported out 7-4
SB 1124 (Sen. Argall) – Requires the Department of Humans Services to check death certificates at the Bureau of Vital Statistics against recipients of Medical Assistance (MA) and benefits from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) monthly. Reported out 7-4
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met Wednesday, February 9, 2022 to consider the following bill:
SB 1057 PN 1383 (Senator Brooks) – Amends the Administrative Code of 1929, as it relates to the powers and duties of the Department of Health by directing the Department of Health to work in collaboration with other agencies to provide a temporary waiver authorizing licensed pharmacies to be reimbursed for medical billing related to the administration of FDA approved COVID-19 antigen tests.
Reported out as committed unanimously
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met Tuesday, January 25, 2022 to consider the following bills:
HB 1420 (Rep. Thomas) – Amends the Human Services Code to require the Department of Human Services to establish a COVID-19 mental health public awareness campaign for first responders, health care workers, other frontline workers and their families. Reported out as committed unanimously
SB 152 (Sen. J. Ward) – Amends the Fiscal Code, specifically Section 1729-E as it relates to Department of Human Services appropriations by limiting the use of public funds for family planning services (restricts funding for providers who perform abortion services). Reported out as committed 7-4 (All Senate Democrat HHS Committee Members spoke against the bill)
- Amendment A03541 (Cappelletti) Removes language that directs family planning funds to healthcare providers whose main mission is not on family planning and reproductive healthcare, prioritizes state family planning funds to Planned Parenthood and other providers of comprehensive reproductive health services, removes the prohibition on state contracting with entities that perform abortions, and prohibits state funding of Crisis Pregnancy Centers, nonprofits whose primary function is to promote childbirth and alternatives to abortion. Amendment failed 7-4
SB 956 (Sen. J. Ward) – Amends the Constitution of Pennsylvania, specifically Article I by providing that there is no right to an abortion or utilization of public funding for an abortion. Reported out as committed 7-4 (All Senate Democrat HHS Committee Members spoke against the bill)
- Amendment A03520 (Cappelletti) Removes language adding denial of abortion rights to the Pennsylvania Constitution, provides a state constitutional right to personal reproductive autonomy and prohibits discrimination in the provision of benefits and services against individuals who exercise their right to reproductive autonomy. Amendment failed 7-4
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met Tuesday, January 18, 2022 off the floor to consider the following bill:
SB1019 PN1321 (Senator Brooks) – Amends the Administrative Code, Section 2102-F COVID-19 regulatory flexibility authority amended September 30, 2021 by requiring that no later than May 31, 2022, each authority shall issue a permanent suspension report identifying any regulatory statute, rule or regulation that was suspended pursuant to the declaration that the authority believes should be considered for a permanent suspension. It also requires that no later than May 1, 2022, each authority initially authorized a regulatory suspension extension to March 31, 2022 by Act 73 of 2021, issue an updated report on the regulatory suspension. The report shall be published on the authority’s publicly accessible Internet website.
Reported out as committed unanimously
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met Tuesday, December 14, 2021 to consider the following bills:
SB522 PN542 (Senator Baker) – Establishes the Childhood Blood Lead Test Act, providing for lead testing of children and pregnant women; as well as imposing duties on Department of Health and requiring coverage for blood lead test by insurers. Reported out as amended unanimously
Amendment #A03206 (Senator Brooks) – Updates the lead toxicity level in accordance with CDC guidelines- Amendment passed unanimously
SB970 PN1265 (Senator Brooks) – Amends the Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act, by requiring the Department of Health to conduct a compliance review of records of all individuals younger than 14 years of age during its annual inspection of health care facilities to ensure compliance with the Child Protective Services Law. Reported out as committed unanimously
HB118 PN1724 (Representative Ryan) – Requires health care facilities to provide for the final disposition of fetal remains following a miscarriage or abortion and imposes penalties on a person who violates this act. Reported out as amended 6-4
Amendment #A03146 (Senator Brooks) – Adds language that states the internment or cremation is not required Amendment passed 6-4
SB200 (Senators Bartolotta & Schwank) – Amends Act 212 of 1990, Early Intervention Services System Act by adding postpartum depression as an at -risk category for tracking and identification services. This legislation also makes other technical and clarifying amendments. Reported out as amended unanimously
Amendment #A03166 (Senator Schwank)- Clarifies and updates language to be consistent with industry standards. Amendment passed unanimously
SB358 (Senator Schwank) – Amends the Maternal Mortality Review Act by adding severe maternal morbidity to the list of reportable events within the Department of Health. Reported out as committed unanimously
SB848 (Senator Mensch) – Amends Act 218 of 1905 “An act creating a Department of Health, and defining its powers and duties” by establishing the position of Chief Nursing Officer of the Commonwealth (CNO). Reported out as amended unanimously
Amendment #A03158 (Senator Brooks)- Limits the scope of authority for the Chief Nursing Officer. Amendment passed unanimously
SB967 (Senator Schwank)- Establishes the Women, Infants and Children State Advisory Board (Board) in the Department of Health and provides for the duties of the board. Reported out as committed unanimously
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met Tuesday, November 9, 2021 to consider the following bill:
SB938 PN1205 (Senator Brooks) – Amends the Administrative Code of 1929, as it relates to the powers and duties of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) by requiring DDAP to promulgate regulations for licensed drug and alcohol treatment providers for specific instances. Reported out as committed 7-4
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met Monday, November 8, 2021 to consider the following bills:
HB220 PN0187 (Representative Rader) – Amends the Administrative Code of 1929, as it relates to the powers and duties of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) to prohibit treatment and rehabilitation facilities from denying addiction treatment to an individual solely due to a negative drug test. Reported out as committed unanimously
SB471 PN 0494 (Senator Mastriano)– Establishes the Medical Freedom Act by prohibiting mandatory vaccination of Pennsylvanians by Commonwealth, political subdivisions, or a condition of employment. Reported out as amended 6-4
Amendment #A02850 (Senator Brooks)- Limits the scope of the bill to the COVID-19 vaccine
Amendment passed unanimously
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met Wednesday, October 27, 2021 to consider the following bills:
HB764 PN1634 (Rep. B. Miller) – Amends the amends the Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) to permit an employer to provisionally hire employees before all required clearances have been obtained if specific conditions are met.
Reported out as committed unanimously
SB924 PN 1177 (Senator Brooks)– Provides for a moratorium on the closure of State centers and establishes the Task Force on the Closure of State Centers to evaluate and provide recommendations before the centers can be closed.
Reported out as committed 7-4 (All Senate Democratic HHS Committee Members present spoke out in opposition of the bill) All Democratic Members voted against the bill) Please note: Governor Wolf vetoed similar legislation last session.
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met Tuesday, September 28, 2021 to consider the following bill:
HB1861 (Representative Lewis) – Amends the Administrative Code, as it relates to specifically Article XX-I F “Temporary Regulatory Flexibility Authority”, by requiring that a final report be issued by November 1, 2021 on the regulatory suspensions related to the COVID-19 pandemic emergency declarations
Reported out as amended unanimously
A02409 (Sen. Brooks) – Provides for a 6-month extension of certain regulatory suspensions in effect on September 30, 2021, requires a final report be issued by November 1, 2021 on the regulatory suspensions related to the COVID-19 pandemic emergency declarations and an updated report on May 1, 2022.
Amendment passed unanimously
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met on Monday, September 27, 2021 to consider the following bills:
SB815 PN1016 (Senators Muth and Collett) – Amends the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Act (Mcare) by prohibiting pelvic, rectal, and prostate examination on patients anesthetized or unconscious without informed consent, providing for exceptions and for liability.All D Members of the Committee are cosponsors\
Reported out as committed unanimously
SB782 PN927 (Senator Pittman)– Amends the Human Service Code to permit payment by the Medical Assistance Program for an anti-obesity drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (FDA)
A02258 (Sen. Brooks)– Amendment- Requires that an anti-obesity drugs be approved under the federal Medicaid prescription program and included on the statewide pharmaceutical drug list to be a compensable item under the Medical Assistance Program
A02258 passed unanimously
Reported out as amended unanimously
SB818 PN1004 (Senator J. Ward) – Amends the Health Care Facilities Act, by aligning and permitting surgical procedures performed at ambulatory surgical centers with surgical procedures on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Services Ambulatory Surgical Center Covered Procedures List (ASC-CPL)
Reported out as committed unanimously
HB1774 (Representative Flood)-Amends the Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Program (ABC-MAP) Act by expanding who may query the system and extending the length of the ABC-MAP program)
Reported out as committed unanimously
HB1861 (Representative Lewis)- Amends the Administrative Code, as it relates to specifically Article XX-I F “Temporary Regulatory Flexibility Authority”, by requiring that a final report be issued by November 1, 2021 on the regulatory suspensions related to the COVID-19 pandemic emergency declarations
Reported out as committed unanimously
The Senate Health & Human Services held a public hearing on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 a joint public hearing on Senate Bill 749:
The Senate Health & Human Services and Aging & Youth Committees held a joint public hearing on Wednesday, September 15, 2021
The Senate Aging & Youth & Health & Human Services Committees held a joint public hearing to discuss Part 1 of the Department of Health’s proposed long-term care nursing facility regulations (#10-221).
The Senate Aging & Youth & Health & Human Services Committees held a joint public hearing on Monday, August 23, 2021
The Senate Aging & Youth & Health & Human Services Committees held a joint public hearing to discuss the Department of Human Services’ intent to contract with Maximus as its independent enrollment broker (IEB) and the impact this will have on seniors and adults with disabilities.
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met today, June 21, 2021 to consider the following bills:
HB 1500 (Representative Klunk) – Amends the Abortion Control Act by prohibiting an abortion based on a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome. Reported out as committed 7-4
SB 709 (Senator Tomlinson)– Establishes the CMV (cytomegalovirus) Education and Newborn Screening Act, providing for CMV education and newborn screening. Reported out as committed 11-0
HB 944 (Nelson) – Amends the Administrative Code of 1929 to provide duties to the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) to require inpatient treatment facilities to provide notification to an emergency contact when a patient leaves a treatment facility against medical advice.
Reported out as amended 11-0
Amendment- A01899 (Sen. Brooks)– Clarifies the notice requirements and removes liability related to the notice requirement for inpatient treatment facilities. A01899 passed 11-0
HB741 (Representative Heffley) – Amends the Administrative Code of 1929 to provide duties to the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) to require drug and alcohol recovery houses provide notification to an emergency contact when a resident leaves a recovery. Reported out as amended 11-0
Amendment A01900 (Sen. Brooks)– Clarifies the notice requirements and removes liability related to the notice requirement for drug and alcohol recovery houses. A01900 passed 11-0
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met on Monday, May 24, 2021 to consider the following bills:
SB618 (Senator Phillips-Hill)– Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for vaccinations by prohibiting the requirement of vaccine passports in Pennsylvania. Reported out as committed 6-4.
SB620 (Senator Brooks & Senator Cappelletti) – Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in COVID-19 disaster emergency, providing for COVID-19 vaccine by adding a local pharmacy inclusion rule for vaccine distribution. Reported out as committed 7-3.
SB621 (Senator Brooks) – Amends Title 35 Health and Safety of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in COVID-19 disaster emergency, providing for COVID-19 vaccine by requiring COVID-19 vaccine providers to advertise their allocation in the newspaper. This bill initially failed 5-5, at the end of the meeting there was a motion to reconsider the vote taken. The motion to reconsider passed 6-4. The HHS Committee went over the bill.
SB671 (Senator Hutchinson) – Provides for the retainment of health care innovations during the COVID-19 pandemic and imposes duties on the Joint State Government Commission. Reported out as committed at committed 9-1.
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met today, March 23, 2021 to consider the following bills:
HB 203 (Representative Toohil) – Establishes the Living Donor Protection Act which prohibits discrimination by health or life insurers based upon an individual’s status as a living donor and extends FMLA provisions to living donors. Reported out as committed unanimously.
SB 108 (Senator Bartolotta) – Amends Section 443.1 (Medical Assistance Payments for Institutional Care) of the Human Services Code by providing additional Medicaid funding for facilities serving ventilator or tracheostomy patients. Reported out as committed unanimously.
SB 156 (Senator Mensch) – Establishes a new category of Medical Assistance for Worker with Disabilities called Workers with Job Success by amending the Tobacco Settlement Act. Reported out as committed unanimously.
SB 317 (Senator Browne) – Establishes the Expediated Partner Therapy Act, authorizing health practitioners to prescribe or provide antibiotics to treat sexually transmitted infections without requiring a medical examination. Reported out as committed unanimously.
Aging & Youth and Health & Human Services Committee held a joint public hearing on implementation of the State Vaccination Plan on February 4, 2021
Senator Art Haywood
Committee Chair