HB 54  

Frankel

Amends Mental Health Facility Closure Act

PLS Summary:

(PN 79) Amends the Mental Health or Mental Retardation Facility Closure Act providing for proceeds from sales of closed facilities by adding that if a closed facility is sold, the proceeds would come back to the Department and used for community-health based services.

Bill History:

01-19-07 H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services

HB 80  

Leach

Amends Title 42 re mental health court

PLS Summary:

(PN 104) Amends Title 42 (Judiciary) providing for a judicial district to apply for a grant to establish a mental health court division. The mental health court division will provide a single point of contact where a defendant with a mental illness may receive court-ordered treatment and support services in connection with a diversion from prosecution, a sentencing alternative or a term of probation or parole. The Administrative Office, consulting with the Department of Public Welfare Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Department of Corrections, and the PA Board of Probation and Parole, will establish standards, funding schedules, and procedures for awarding grants to establish the mental health court division. The bill provides guidelines for establishing these grants.

Companions:

HB 1233 (Refiled from 05R Session)
HB 1307 (Refiled from 05R Session)
SB 374 (Refiled from 05R Session)
SB 587 (Identical)

Bill History:

01-25-07 H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary

HB 92  

Youngblood

Amends Public Welfare Code re assistance grp

PLS Summary:

(PN 116) Amends the Public Welfare Code further defining "assistance group" by adding that if eligible for temporary assistance to needy families, at the option of the applicant or recipient, the assistance group must exclude any child who receives support payments or any Social Security benefits, including retirement, survivor or disability benefits, provided that such support or benefits are legally limited to the use of the child receiving them. The legislation also states that an applicant or recipient for temporary assistance to needy families may, at the option of that applicant or recipient, exclude from the assistance group any child who receives support payments or any Social Security benefits, including retirement, survivor or disability benefits, provided that such support or benefits are legally limited to the use of the child receiving them. Additionally, in making a determination of need the department would exclude all moneys received by any child which is excluded from the assistance group. Any moneys received under this exclusion would not be assigned under any circumstances to the department or the Commonwealth.

Companions:

HB 55 (Refiled from 05R Session)

Bill History:

01-25-07 H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services

HB 96  

Youngblood

Amends Title 20 re medical consent for a minor

PLS Summary:

(PN 120) Amends Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) providing for medical consent for a minor by an adult caregiver by adding that a parent, legal guardian or legal custodian may authorize an adult person in whose care a minor has been entrusted to consent to any medical, surgical, dental, developmental or mental health examination, diagnosis or treatment, including immunization, to be rendered to the minor under the supervision or upon the advice of a physician, nurse, dentist or mental health professional licensed to practice in PA; and to obtain any and all records with regard to such services; provided there is no prior order of any court in any jurisdiction currently in effect which would prohibit the parent, legal custodian or legal guardian from exercising the power that the parent, legal custodian or legal guardian seeks to convey to another person. The legislation provides an authorization form to be signed by the parent/legal guardian.

Companions:

HB 64 (Refiled from 05R Session)

Bill History:

01-25-07 H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Children and Youth

HB 165  

Boyd

Act re health insurance policy mandated bens

PLS Summary:

(PN 191) The Mandated Benefit Moratorium Act would establish a moratorium during which the General Assembly would not enact any new or expanded health insurance policy mandated benefit. The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee would study the issue of health insurance policy mandated benefits and the cost to employers and individuals of health insurance policy mandates. In conducting the study, the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee would consider cost-benefit analyses to determine the cost-effectiveness of mandated benefits. The Committee would submit a final report with recommendations to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2008.

Companions:

HB 738 (Refiled from 05R Session)

Specific Remarks:

Monitor with regard to mental health services and access to prescription drugs.

General Remarks:

Prescription drugs or legislation limiting scope of PDLs can be interpreted as a mandated benefit. Need to monitor resolution.

Bill History:

01-31-07 H Filed
02-01-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Insurance

HB 282  

Petrone

Act re State Loan Forgiveness Programs

PLS Summary:

(PN 985) The Mental Health and Mental Retardation Staff Member and Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor Loan Forgiveness Programs Act would provide loan forgiveness to PA residents who graduate from institutions of higher education and who apply their degrees to careers in mental health or alcohol and drug addiction counseling in PA. The bill states that loans may be forgiven over four years of full-time staff work. No more than $5,000 would be forgiven in any year, and no more than $20,000 would be forgiven for any applicant. The applicant would enter into a contract with the Commonwealth that states the recipient would agree to be employed by a county mental health or mental retardation service agency located within PA or by a private provider of mental health or mental retardation services for a period of no less than four years in the field. (Prior Printer Number: 314)

Specific Remarks:

MH/MR Staff Worker Loan Forgiveness Program

Bill History:

02-05-07 H Filed
02-06-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services
02-27-07 H Meeting set for 1:00 p.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building, House Health and Human Services
02-27-07 H Voted favorably from committee on House Health and Human Services
03-06-07 H Reported as committed from House Health and Human Services
03-06-07 H First consideration
03-06-07 H Laid on the table
03-13-07 H Removed from the table
03-13-07 H Rereferred to House Appropriations
03-19-07 H Voted favorably from committee on House Appropriations
03-19-07 H Reported as committed from House Appropriations
03-19-07 H Set on the House Calendar
03-19-07 H Laid out for discussion
03-19-07 H 1 Floor amendment(s) adopted
03-19-07 H Second consideration
03-19-07 H Second Consideration Agreed To: 196-1
03-19-07 H Over in House
04-10-07 H Discussed at press conference
04-17-07 H Set on the House Calendar
04-17-07 H Laid out for discussion
04-17-07 H Third consideration
04-17-07 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:191/N: 4)
04-23-07 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Education

HB 300  

Mundy

Amends Insurance Co. Law re Medical Necessity

PLS Summary:

(PN 374) Amends the Insurance Company Law defining "medical necessity" as clinical determinations made by qualified trained health care providers, and set forth in writing to establish a service or benefit which will or is reasonably expected to (1) prevent the onset of an illness, condition or disability; (2) reduce or ameliorate the physical, mental, behavioral or developmental effects of an illness, condition, injury or disability; or (3) assist the individual to achieve or maintain maximum functional capacity in performing daily activities. The bill states that determinations that do not establish medical necessity for covered care and services must be documented in writing.

Bill History:

02-06-07 H Filed
02-09-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Insurance

HB 695  

Walko

Act re private care residence registration

PLS Summary:

(PN 781) The Private Care Residence Registration Act states that the owner or legal entity responsible for the operation of a private care residence would register annually with the department. At the initial registration with the department, the owner or legal entity responsible for the operation of a private care residence would submit with the registration a report of criminal history record information from the Pennsylvania State Police. The bill states that the department may inspect a private care residence to determine if the facility has complied with the registration requirements of this act. The bill also states that the owner or legal entity responsible for the operation of a private care residence that fails to register with the department would be subject to a civil penalty of $500.

Bill History:

03-07-07 H Filed
03-09-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Aging and Older Adult Services

HB 700 (3)

Eachus

Amends Title 40 re reforming healthcare

PLS Summary:

(PN 1011) Amends Title 40 (Insurance) reforming the healthcare system by providing for access to affordable health insurance coverage for previously uninsured individuals. The Cover All Pennsylvanians health insurance program (CAP) would be established to assist certain small business employers to cover their uninsured employees and to provide access to affordable health insurance coverage for uninsured adults. The CAP Fund would be established as a restricted account in the General Fund that would get money from various sources including money appropriated for adultBasic or any alternative program to benefit persons of low-income under the Community Health Reinvestment Agreement of the Tobacco Settlement Act. Rates and premiums for CAP would be annually determined by the Insurance Department and could vary by region and contractor. Premiums of small low-wage employer participants and enrollees could not be increased higher than the average of the change in the medical care component of the Consumer Price Index and the change in the average wage for PA as determined by the Department of Labor and Industry. Premium discounts are further provided for. Each professional health service plan corporation and hospital plan corporation and their subsidiaries and affiliates doing business in PA would have to submit a bid or proposal to the department to carry out the purposes of this bill in the geographic area they cover. Other insurers could also submit a bid or proposal to carry out the purposes of this bill. The basic CAP benefit package would include preliminary and annual health assessments, emergency care, inpatient and outpatient care, prescription drugs, medical supplies and equipment, emergency dental care, maternity care, skilled nursing, home health and hospice care, chronic disease management, preventive and wellness care, and inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services. Pre-existing conditions would not exclude someone from enrollment. Each employer would be subject to a fair share tax as follows: (1) for fiscal years 2007-08 through 2009-10, 3% of the wages paid by the employer; (2) for fiscal years commencing after June 30, 2010, 3.5% of the wages paid by the employer. Tax credits are provided for beginning in FY 2007-08 at $15,000 and reducing every year to $0 in FY 2012-13 and every year thereafter. An employer that offers qualifying health care coverage to each of its employees who works 30 hours per week or more following no more than 90 days of continued employment could get a credit against the fair share tax in an amount equal to 3% of the employer's wages for fiscal years 2007-08 through 2009-10 and 3.5% of the employer's wages for fiscal years commencing after June 30, 2010. The Department of Labor and Industry, in consultation with the department, would have to determine whether the employer's offer is qualifying health care coverage. Penalties and enforcement for non-compliant employers are further provided for. Community rates and plans are also provided for as is mandatory coverage for students and certain children. By January 1, 2008, each hospital operating as a charitable institution would complete a community needs assessment and the terms uniform admission and fair billing and collection practices of hospitals are specifically provided for. A Pennsylvania Drug Retail Price Registry would be created for the purpose of making retail price information for the 150-most-frequently prescribed prescription drugs, together with their generic equivalents where applicable, readily available to consumers. A registry to be known as the Pennsylvania Hospital Payment Registry for the purpose of making readily available to consumers information regarding the payments received by hospitals for the 150-most-frequent admission diagnoses and the 150-most-frequently dispensed drugs would likewise be created as would the Pennsylvania Outpatient Procedure Payment Registry for the purpose of making readily available to consumers information regarding the payments received by ambulatory surgical facilities and imaging centers for the 50-most-frequent outpatient procedures. The Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers would be created within the department. The center would be charged with providing a focused direction and purpose for the development of strategies to address the state's short-term and long-term health care work force. Certifications for medical professionals are further provided for in the bill. Hospice licensure would be required. By September 1, 2008, all hospitals would have to use a uniform electronic surveillance system to report healthcare acquired infections. Nursing homes would report to the council the same infections and in the same manner that hospitals are required to report to the council under the Health Care Cost Containment Act. Standards to reduce healthcare acquired infections and medical errors would be established and a smoking plan in numerous public places is provided for with exceptions being provided for private homes, private residences and private automobiles, a hotel or motel room rented to one or more guests, retail tobacco businesses and cigar bars.

Bill History:

03-19-07 H Filed
03-22-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Insurance
03-26-07 H Meeting set for 11:00 a.m., Room 140 Main Capitol, House Insurance
03-26-07 H Public hearing held in committee House Insurance
03-27-07 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m., Room 140 Main Capitol, House Insurance
03-27-07 H Discussed in public hearing, Senate Consumer Protection & Prof. Licensure
03-27-07 H Public hearing held in committee House Insurance
04-02-07 H Meeting set for 1:00 p.m., Secane Fire Company, Secane and A, House Insurance
04-02-07 H Public hearing held in committee House Insurance
04-03-07 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m., Secane Fire Company, Secane and, House Insurance
04-03-07 H Public hearing held in committee House Insurance
04-11-07 H Meeting set for 1:00 p.m., PPL East Mountain Business Center, House Insurance
04-11-07 H Public hearing held in committee House Insurance
04-12-07 H Meeting set for 9:30 a.m., PPL East Mountain Business Center, House Insurance
04-12-07 H Public hearing held in committee House Insurance
05-02-07 H Meeting set for 1:00 p.m., Chatham College, Mellon Bldg., Wo, House Insurance
05-02-07 H Public hearing held in committee House Insurance
05-03-07 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m., Chatham College, Mellon Bldg., W, House Insurance
05-03-07 H Public hearing held in committee House Insurance
05-07-07 H Press Conference held on 5/7/07 by Governor Rendell for
National Nurses Week
05-17-07 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m., The Beaver Medical Center, 1st Fl, House Insurance
05-17-07 H Public hearing held in committee House Insurance
05-23-07 H Press conference held
05-30-07 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m., Bucks Co. Bar Assn, 135 E. State, House Insurance
05-30-07 H Public hearing held in committee House Insurance

HB 802  

Phillips

Act re Emergency Demand Reduction Program

PLS Summary:

(PN 921) The Residential Addiction Treatment Wait List Reduction Act establishes the Emergency Demand Reduction Program to reduce waiting lists for residential addiction treatment and to provide moneys to single county authorities to address the emergency waiting list for residential addiction treatment.

Bill History:

03-13-07 H Filed
03-19-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services

HB 810  

Bishop

Act re landlords granting medical access

PLS Summary:

(PN 928) The Residential Lease Protection for Illness Act states that if a tenant has a certified illness, the landlord would provide for access to the tenant's dwelling by a person designated in writing by the tenant or the tenant's physician. Also, a tenant with a certified illness may terminate the tenant's lease upon one month's written notice if the tenant did not have knowledge or reason to know about the illness at the time the tenant entered into the lease. The written notice must contain the physician's certification.

Bill History:

03-14-07 H Filed
03-19-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Commerce
05-08-07 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m., Room 302, Irvis Office Building, House Commerce
05-08-07 H Voted favorably from committee on House Commerce
05-21-07 H Reported as committed from House Commerce
05-21-07 H First consideration
05-21-07 H Laid on the table
05-24-07 H Removed from the table
06-11-07 H Set on the House Calendar

HB 1000  

Manderino

Amends Insurance Company Law re mental health

PLS Summary:

(PN 1171) Amends the Insurance Company Law providing for mental health services by stating that if an enrollee has obtained a referral or other authorization through utilization review from a managed care plan or a licensed insurer to receive outpatient mental health care services from a health care provider or specialist, the referral or other authorization would constitute a standing referral for any subsequent outpatient mental health care services provided by any health care provider or specialist until the mental health care service for which the referral or authorization was approved has reached its conclusion.

Bill History:

04-03-07 H Filed
04-03-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Insurance
05-22-07 H Meeting set for 9:30 a.m., Room 302, Irvis Office Building, House Insurance
05-22-07 H Voted favorably from committee on House Insurance
05-22-07 H Reported as committed from House Insurance
05-22-07 H First consideration
05-22-07 H Laid on the table
05-24-07 H Removed from the table
06-04-07 H Set on the House Calendar
06-04-07 H Laid out for discussion
06-04-07 H Over in House
06-04-07 H Laid out for discussion
06-04-07 H 1 Floor amendment(s) adopted
06-04-07 H Second consideration
06-04-07 H Over in House
06-04-07 H Rereferred to House Appropriations

HB 1160  

Metcalfe

Amends Title 18 re license to carry firearm

PLS Summary:

(PN 1475) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) providing for temporary emergency licenses for carrying a firearm by requiring a person seeking a temporary emergency license to carry a concealed firearm to submit to the sheriff of the county in which the person resides all of the following: evidence of imminent danger to the person or member of the person's family; a sworn affidavit containing information required on an application for a license to carry a firearm and attesting that the person is 21 years of age or older; and a temporary emergency license fee established by the Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police for an amount that does not exceed the actual cost of conducting the criminal background check or $10, whichever is less. The amendment also provides that a temporary emergency license issued would be valid for 90 days and may not be renewed and another would not be issued for at least four years after the expiration of the prior temporary emergency license. (Prior Printer Number: 1424)

Bill History:

04-23-07 H Filed
04-24-07 H Discussed in Press Conference - 4/24/07
04-25-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary

HB 1177  

Fabrizio

Act re mental health services reimbursements

PLS Summary:

(PN 1457) The Mental Health Services Reimbursement Act requires health insurance policies issued by insurance companies to reimburse for mental health services provided by licensed clinical social workers.

Bill History:

04-25-07 H Filed
05-01-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Insurance

HB 1220  

Reichley

Amends Title 42 re interagency info sharing

PLS Summary:

(PN 1506) Amends Title 42 (Judiciary) providing for interagency information sharing by stating that the contents of county agency, drug and alcohol, mental health and education records regarding a child who has been accepted for service by a county agency, who has been placed under supervision pursuant to an informal adjustment or consent decree, who has been found to have committed a delinquent act or who has been found to be dependent or delinquent would be provided upon request to the county agency, court or juvenile probation department. The county agency, court or juvenile probation department would use the information contained in the records in furtherance of the disposition under this chapter of the child who is the subject of the records.

Bill History:

05-01-07 H Filed
05-04-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary

HB 1286 (3)

Evans, D

Act re expenses of Exec. Leg. & Jud. FY 2008

PLS Summary:

(PN 1543) The General Appropriation Act of 2007 for fiscal year 2007-08.

Bill History:

05-08-07 H Filed
05-08-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Appropriations
05-09-07 H Meeting set for 11:00 a.m., Room 140 Main Capitol, House Appropriations
05-09-07 H Meeting cancelled for 05/09/07, House Appropriations
05-21-07 H Meeting set for Off the Floor, Room 140 Main Capitol (Tentat, House Appropriations
05-21-07 H Voted favorably from committee on House Appropriations
05-21-07 H Reported as committed from House Appropriations
05-21-07 H First consideration
05-21-07 H Laid on the table
05-21-07 H Removed from the table
05-22-07 H Set on the House Calendar
05-22-07 H Laid out for discussion
05-22-07 H Second consideration
05-22-07 H Over in House
05-23-07 H Set on the House Calendar
05-23-07 H Laid out for discussion
05-23-07 H Third consideration
05-23-07 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:102/N: 97)
05-29-07 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Appropriations

HR 104  

Sturla

Resolution urging reauthorization of CHIP

PLS Summary:

(PN 727) Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to provide timely and meaningful reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program in 2007.

Bill History:

03-07-07 H Filed
03-09-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services
03-14-07 H Meeting set for 3:00 p.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building, House Health and Human Services
03-14-07 H Voted favorably from committee on House Health and Human Services
03-19-07 H Reported as committed from House Health and Human Services
03-21-07 H Set on the House Calendar
03-21-07 H Adopted (Vote: Y:198/N: 0)

SB 91  

Tomlinson

Amends Tax Reform Code re liquor taxation

PLS Summary:

(PN 127) Amends the Tax Reform Code further providing, notwithstanding any other provision of law, if any tax rate for the manufacture and sale of malt or brewed beverages is increased to a level higher than the rate in existence on December 31, 2002, the amount of the difference between the tax collected at the higher rate and the tax that would have been collected at the rate in existence on December 31, 2002, is appropriated on a continuing basis to the Department of Public Welfare for use in behavioral health care programs including, but not limited to, programs which provide drug and alcohol rehabilitation services.

Bill History:

02-15-07 S Filed
02-15-07 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Finance

SB 115  

Piccola

Amends Mental Health Procedures Act

PLS Summary:

(PN 155) Amends the Mental Health Procedures Act by stating that when an incompetency examination is ordered by the court the person would be entitled to have counsel present with him and would not be required to answer any questions that may tend to incriminate the person.

Bill History:

03-05-07 S Filed
03-05-07 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Judiciary