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:

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 430  

Cappelli

Amends Public Welfare Code re employment

PLS Summary:

(PN 498) Amends the Public Welfare Code by stating that adult family members would be required to participate at least twenty hours per week in employment or work-related or educational activities or training to be eligible for assistance for subsidized child day care.

Bill History:

02-13-07 H Filed
02-26-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services
06-21-07 H Meeting set for 9:30 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Bldg., House Health and Human Services
06-21-07 H Passed over in committee House Health and Human Services

HB 614  

DiGirolamo

Amends Administrative Code re Drug and Alcohol

PLS Summary:

(PN 680) Amends The Administrative Code establishing the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, which would include a Bureau of Prevention and Intervention, Bureau of Treatment and Bureau of Administration. The Department would develop and adopt a State plan for the control, prevention, intervention, treatment, rehabilitation, research, education, and training aspects of drug and alcohol abuse and dependence problems. The Pennsylvania Advisory Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse would be the advisory council to the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. The Pennsylvania Drug and Alcohol Abuse Control Act would be repealed.

Bill History:

06-20-07 H Over in House
06-20-07 H Rereferred to House Appropriations
06-21-07 H Voted favorably from committee on House Appropriations
06-21-07 H Reported as committed from House Appropriations
06-25-07 H Set on the House Calendar

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:

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
06-12-07 H Discussed in House Democrats press conference

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 1883) The Residential Lease Protection for Illness Act states that, regarding residential leases, a landlord must provide access to the tenant's dwelling by a person designated under a durable power of attorney, by an attorney-in-fact, or by the tenant or appointed guardian of the tenant. The designation or appointment would be accompanied by a certification of the tenant's illness signed by a licensed physician. A tenant with a certified illness may terminate a residential lease upon 30 days' written notice, provided that the tenant did not know or have reason to know about the illness at the time the tenant entered into the lease. (Prior Printer Number: 928)

Bill History:

06-20-07 H Set on the House Calendar
06-20-07 H Laid out for discussion
06-20-07 H Third consideration
06-20-07 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:198/N: 0)
06-21-07 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Local Government

HB 1000  

Manderino

Amends Insurance Company Law re mental health

PLS Summary:

(PN 1996) Amends the Insurance Company Law providing for mental health services by stating that if an enrollee has obtained a referral to receive outpatient mental health care services from a health care provider or specialist, the referral would constitute a standing referral for any subsequent outpatient mental health care services provided by any health care provider until the mental health care service for which the referral was approved has reached its conclusion. Also adds an article providing for retroactive denial of reimbursement of payments to health care providers by insurers. If an insurer retroactively denies reimbursement to a health care provider, the insurer may only: (1) retroactively deny reimbursement for services subject to coordination of benefits with another insurer, the medical assistance program or the Medicare program during the 12-month period after the date that the insurer paid the health care provider; and (2) retroactively deny reimbursement during a 12-month period after the date that the insurer paid the health care provider. (Prior Printer Number: 1171, 1756)

Bill History:

06-21-07 H Set on the House Calendar
06-21-07 H Laid out for discussion
06-21-07 H Third consideration
06-21-07 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:203/N: 0)
06-21-07 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Banking and Insurance

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 1253  

Solobay

Amends Professional Nursing Law re scope

PLS Summary:

(PN 2019) Amends Professional Nursing Law further providing for scope of practice for certified registered nurse practitioners by adding that they would have authority to do all of the following: (1) Order home health and hospice care; (2) Order durable medical equipment; (3) Issue oral orders under the same conditions and in the same facilities as physicians are permitted to do; (4) Perform physical therapy and dietitian referrals; (5) Order respiratory or occupational therapy; (6) Perform disability assessments for the program providing TANF; (7) Issue home schooling certifications; and (8) Perform and sign initial assessment of methadone treatment evaluations, provided that any order for methadone treatment shall be made only by a physician. A certified registered nurse practitioner would be required to maintain a level of professional liability coverage as required for a nonparticipating health care provider under the Mcare Act, but would not be eligible to participate in the Mcare Fund. (Prior Printer Number: 1548, 1986)

Bill History:

06-21-07 H Set on the House Calendar
06-21-07 H Laid out for discussion
06-21-07 H 1 Floor amendment(s) adopted
06-21-07 H Over in House
06-21-07 H Rereferred to House Appropriations

HB 1286 (3)

Evans, D

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

The FY 2007-08 state budget

PLS Summary:

(PN 1983) The General Appropriation Act of 2007 for fiscal year 2007-08. (Prior Printer Number: 1543, 1907)

Bill History:

06-20-07 S Set on the Senate Calendar
06-20-07 S Laid out for discussion
06-20-07 S Third consideration
06-20-07 S Final Passage (Vote: Y: 49/N: 1)
06-21-07 H Received as amended in House and rereferred House Rules

HB 1498  

DeLuca

Act establishing One PA for drug programs

PLS Summary:

(PN 1875) The One Pennsylvania Act establishes One Pennsylvania, a pharmacy benefits consolidation program to consolidate and unify procedures and requirements for the administration of all Commonwealth-funded, Commonwealth-administered and Commonwealth-supported drug programs and for reimbursement for pharmacy services. The program would administer all Commonwealth prescription drug plans through an integrated system of plan administration using uniform standards and requirements for the reimbursement of pharmacies as provided by the legislation. The bill provides for duties of the Department of Aging, for reimbursement to pharmacies and for rebate agreements.

Bill History:

06-06-07 H Filed
06-08-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Aging and Older Adult Services

HB 1594  

Bishop

Amends PA Drug & Alcohol Abuse Control Act

PLS Summary:

(PN 2035) Amends the PA Drug and Alcohol Abuse Control Act by allowing the family member of a drug dependent person to petition the court of common pleas for the commitment of that person to involuntary drug and alcohol treatment services, including inpatient services, if the person is incapable of accepting or unwilling to accept voluntary treatment. The bill requires the petition to set forth sufficient facts and good reasons for the commitment and provides for assessments and for criteria to be met before the judge can order treatment for up to 90 days at a time. It also sets forth criteria to be followed for hearings on petitions for court-ordered involuntary services. The bill also states that a decision must be made within 48 hours of the close of evidence or the petition must be denied.

Companions:

HB 1683 (Refiled from 05R Session)

Bill History:

06-18-07 H Filed
06-21-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services

HB 1597  

Cappelli

Amends Public Welfare Code re illegal drug use