State Advocacy Update: Key Health Care Bills to Watch

April 27, 2026

The House returns to session this week. The week of May 4 will be a joint session week, with both chambers in session.

Here is what happened last week and what to watch for this week:

• Nurse Education Funding Moves Forward:  The Senate passed HAP-supported legislation that would establish the Nurse Education Capacity Expansion Grant Program to support faculty recruitment, compensation, and clinical training partnerships (SB 998). The bill now awaits consideration in the House Education Committee.
• Midwifery Legislation Moves Forward:  The Senate passed HAP-supported legislation authorizing nurse midwives to refer patients for physical therapy services (HB 1251). The bill now moves to the Governor’s desk for consideration. Separately, HAP is monitoring anticipated additional movement on HAP-supported legislation establishing a licensure pathway for certified midwives (SB 507).
• House Floor Activity This Week:
  • Medical Records Price Cap:  The House will take a final vote on legislation capping electronic medical record requests at $200, including for third-party requesters (HB 1104). HAP is preparing a message to the full House ahead of the vote outlining these concerns.
  • Medical Errors Study:  The House is expected to vote on a resolution authorizing a Joint State Government Commission study of medical errors (HR 203). The language was positively amended with HAP-recommended revisions—HAP-neutral.
  • AED Requirements in Schools:  The House will consider legislation requiring Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) at all PIAA interscholastic athletic events in school entities and nonpublic schools (SB 375).
  • Budget-Related Funding Bills:  The House is slated to consider several standalone appropriations and programmatic funding bills including legislation funding the Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in support of its professional licensure boards (HB 2403).
• Upcoming House Committee Activity:
  • Monday:
    • Aging and Older Adult Services Committee:  Hearing on dementia care training for EMS providers (HB 2435).
    • Judiciary Committee:  Voting meeting on overdose-related Good Samaritan protections (HB 1944 and HB 1945).
    • Professional Licensure:  Voting meeting on Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact legislation (HB 1127). This is part of a broader series of licensure compact bills.
  • Tuesday:
    • Health Committee:  Voting meeting on mandatory child lead testing expansion (HB 916).
    • Human Services Committee:  Voting meeting on resolution authorizing a study to improve Home and Community-Based Services Waivers for people with disabilities (HR 137).
    • Education Committee:  Voting meeting on several education/workforce related bills:
      • HB 1045: Requires first aid and seizure recognition training for school professionals.
      • HB 2117: Authorizes Pennsylvania schools to maintain a supply of short-acting asthma medications.
      • HB 2425: Establishes the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Curriculum Modernization Grant Program.