Legislative

Amends the Family Caregiver Support Act further providing for intent, for definitions, for caregiver support program, for reimbursements & for entitlement.

PLS Summary:

(PN 255) Amends the Family Caregiver Support Act removing the definitions of "adult", "chronic dementia" and "relative"; adding definitions of "adult with chronic dementia" and "care recipient"; and expanding the definition of "primary caregiver". The bill also increases the maximum amount available to a qualified primary caregiver whose care receivers' household incomes exceed 200% of the federal poverty guideline for out-of-pocket expenses from $200 per month to $500 per month and for the entire duration of the case, for expenses for home modifications or assistive devices from $2,000 to $6,000.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-30-09 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:193/N: 0)
04-02-09 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Aging and Youth
10-28-09 S Discussed in public hearing, House Aging and Older Adult Services

HB 246

Amends Medical Care Availability & Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act further providing for declaration of policy, Mcare Fund, medical prof. liability insurance by the joint underwriting assoc., approval of insurers & Dept. of Health functions.

PLS Summary:

(PN 256) Amends Medical Care Availability & Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act further providing for declaration of policy, for the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Fund by adding that a health care provider that implements a total quality management health care system shall be entitled to a 20% discount, for medical professional liability insurance by the joint underwriting association, for approval of medical professional liability insurers and for administrative definitions; and providing for functions of the Department of Health.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

02-03-09 H Filed
02-04-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Insurance
09-24-09 H Topic of this bill discussed in public hearing, House Insurance

HB 247

Amends Health Care Facilities Act reenacting & amending provisions relating to def., powers & duties of the Dept. of Health & State health services plan; regs.; certificate of need & issuance of license & payments; repealing sunset provisions.

PLS Summary:

(PN 257) Amends Health Care Facilities Act reenacting and amending provisions relating to definitions, powers and duties of Department of Health and State health services plan; reenacting provisions relating to regulations; reenacting and amending provisions relating to certificates of need and issuance of license; prohibiting certain referrals and claims of payment; and repealing sunset provisions.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

04-27-09 H Hearing on 5/6/09 cancelled, House Insurance
06-24-09 H Hearing set for 9:30 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building, House Insurance
06-24-09 H Public hearing held in committee House Insurance

HB 282

Walko (Resigned 1/3/10)

Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) further providing for the offense of neglect of care-dependent person.

PLS Summary:

(PN 302) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) adding that the offense of neglect of care-dependent person includes intentionally, knowingly or recklessly endangering the welfare of a care-dependent person for whom the offender is responsible to provide care by failing to provide treatment, care, goods or services necessary to preserve the health, safety or welfare of the care-dependent person. The bill further provides for penalties and definitions.

Track Name(s):

MH MR(Neutral), PACAH(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-16-09 H Third consideration
03-16-09 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:195/N: 0)
03-19-09 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary

HB 288

Murphy

Amends the Older Adults Protective Services Act further providing for the definition of "exploitation."

PLS Summary:

(PN 308) Amends the Older Adults Protective Services Act to further define "exploitation" as an act or course of conduct by a caretaker or other person, including an individual who is acting under a power of attorney, against an older adult or an older adult's resources, without the informed consent of the older adult or with consent obtained through misrepresentation that results in monetary, personal or other benefit, gain or profit for the perpetrator or monetary or personal loss to the older adult.

Companions:

HB 161 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

MH MR(Neutral), PACAH(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-30-09 H Third consideration
03-30-09 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:193/N: 0)
04-02-09 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Aging and Youth

HB 309

Johnson

Amends Older Adults Protective Services Act further defining "facility"; providing for definitions of "chronic dementia" & "cognitive impairment" & for certain disclosures to facilities residents; & making editorial changes.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1195) Amends the Older Adults Protective Services Act further defining "facility" to include an assisted living residence and adding definitions for "chronic dementia" and "cognitive impairment". The legislation provides for disclosures to facility residents and prospective residents along with other appropriate parties in instances in which a physician holds a financial or ownership interest and is the attending or primary care physician for a resident or prospective resident of the facility. Also provides the facility resident or prospective resident or a family member or legal representative of the resident/prospective resident may choose the physician making the disclosure or an independent physician to be the primary care provider. (Prior Printer Number: 333)

Companions:

HB 1530 (Refiled from 05R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-30-09 H Third consideration
03-30-09 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:193/N: 0)
04-02-09 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Aging and Youth

HB 310

Act establishing the Long-Term Care Quality Improvement Council; & providing for a system for data collection, benchmarking & dissemination of long-term care provider quality performance reports, annual reports & publication.

PLS Summary:

(PN 334) The Long-Term Care Quality Improvement Act establishes the Long-Term Care Quality Improvement Council and provides for its composition and duties. Among its powers, the council would conduct examinations, investigations and audits and to hear testimony and take proof under oath or affirmation at public or private hearings on any matter necessary to its duties. The council would contract with an independent, qualified, experienced and nationally recognized entity qualified to develop, implement and continuously update and revise voluntary consensus standards for long-term care providers to do all of the following: (1) provide comprehensive comparative information regarding the characteristics of long-term care providers and services provided by them; (2) provide comprehensive comparative information regarding the quality of care services provided by long-term care providers; (3) identify, evaluate and promote the adoption of best practices for long-term care providers and provide comprehensive comparative information regarding the utilization of best practices by long-term care providers; (4) identify and validate performance measures for the evaluation of the quality of long-term care and provide comprehensive comparative information regarding the quality of long-term care offered by long-term care providers based upon such performance measures; (5) provide information for long-term care providers, which benchmarks combine information relating to the characteristics, services, compliance history, adoption of best practices and quality of care as determined by performance measures, for use in a rating system that will assist consumers and family members in making informed choices for obtaining long-term care; (6) provide a comprehensive comparative information system that is readily available to consumers, their family members and the general public without cost both through publications and Internet access regarding long-term care providers and that assists in the selection and utilization of long-term care and services; (7) provide recommendations to the quality improvement council for long-term care policies, practices and procedures that may be instituted for the purposes of enhancing and improving the quality of long-term care provided; and (8) establish annual quality improvement goals for long-term care facilities in PA. The council would report annually to the General Assembly.

Companions:

HB 187 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

MH MR(Neutral), PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

02-09-09 H Filed
02-09-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Aging and Older Adult Services

HB 311

Act providing for the training & certification of qualified assessors of individuals needing long-term care services, for the powers & duties of the Department of Aging & for report to General Assembly.

PLS Summary:

(PN 335) The Long-Term Care Assessor Training and Certification Act provides for the training and certification of qualified assessors of individuals needing long-term care services. The Department of Aging would develop a training and certification program for qualified assessors. Only those qualified assessors trained and certified by the department would be permitted to conduct assessments that identify the services a consumer requires. This program would be separate from the Options program, but nothing in this act would be construed to permit a qualified assessor, other than a local area agency on aging, to perform an Options program assessment. The department would make available to the public a listing of qualified assessors. Within one year of the effective date the department would report to the General Assembly on programs within PA and throughout the country that seek to maximize the effectiveness of charitable pharmaceutical programs and to provide recommendations for new laws and initiatives to enhance the ability of Pennsylvanians to take advantage of such programs.

Companions:

HB 421 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

MH MR(Neutral), PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

02-09-09 H Filed
02-09-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Aging and Older Adult Services

HB 312

Act requiring public notices relating to long-term care providers; & providing for compliance & enforcement, for information to be posted on the Internet; provided directly to consumers & duties of PA agencies & approval of providers.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1196) The Long-Term Care Consumer Notification Act requires long-term care facilities and home and community-based providers to post certain information relating to licensure, notices of enforcement and where to find information relating to the licensing agency. Additionally, long-term care providers must maintain for each consumer a current record of the name, address and telephone number of the consumer's designated person, which must be provided upon request to the Commonwealth agency responsible for oversight of the provider. Whenever a long-term care provider receives a notice of enforcement action and a summary of such action from the Commonwealth, the summary would be transmitted to the consumer's designated person within seven days, where feasible. (Prior Printer Number: 336)

Companions:

HB 2242 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

MH MR(Neutral), PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-30-09 H Third consideration
03-30-09 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:193/N: 0)
04-02-09 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Aging and Youth

HB 313

Act providing for powers & duties of Dept. of Aging & area agencies on aging & for annual review of care plans; requiring criminal background checks & disease screenings, for financial interests, etc. & for procedures of noncompliance.

PLS Summary:

(PN 337) The Home and Community-Based Services Accountability Act grants an area agency on aging providing services under a waiver the overall responsibility to ensure that care management of consumers is competently provided to consumers in accordance with department standards and the care plan. The area agency on aging would coordinate supportive services needed to promote and maintain consumer independence and monitor consumers by using consumer contact plans developed and administered through the area agency on aging. The legislation provides for care plan home visits, an annual review of care plans, criminal background checks, communicable disease screenings, recordkeeping, and consumer telephone access.

Companions:

HB 189 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

02-09-09 H Filed
02-09-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Aging and Older Adult Services

HB 371

Staback

Amends Public Welfare Code, in general powers & duties of DPW, providing for onsite complaint investigations & plans of correction & for determining whether applicants are veterans.

PLS Summary:

(PN 2735) Amends the Public Welfare Code, in general powers and duties of Department of Public Welfare, providing for onsite complaint investigations and plans of correction and for determining whether applicants for cash, medical or energy assistance are veterans; in public assistance, further providing for establishment of county boards and expenses by requiring Senate confirmation of gubernatorial appointments and providing for reasonable limits on allowable income deductions for medical expenses when determining payment toward the cost of long term care expenses; and, in hospital assessment, further providing for definitions of "general acute care hospital" and "high volume Medicaid hospital," for authorization, for administration, for no hold harmless, for tax exemption and for cessation adding high volume Medicaid hospitals to the scope. In order to generate additional revenues for the purpose of assuring that medical assistance recipients have access to hospital services and that all citizens have access to emergency department services, and subject to conditions and requirements specified, a municipality may, by ordinance, (1) impose a monetary assessment on the net operating revenue reduced by all revenues received from Medicare of each general acute care hospital located in the municipality, and (2) beginning July 1, 2009, and subject to advance written approval by the secretary, impose a monetary assessment on the net operating revenues reduced by all revenues received from Medicare of each high volume Medicaid hospital located in the municipality. A municipality shall have the power to enact the assessment either prior to or during its fiscal year ending June 30, 2010. (Prior Printer Number: 389, 1275)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral), 2009 Vehicles(Neutral)

Bill History:

01-05-10 - Set on the House Calendar
01-05-10 0 Set on the House Voting Schedule
01-07-10 7 Set on the House Calendar

HB 372

Staback

Amends the Health Care Facilities Act, in licensing of health care facilities, further providing for definitions; and providing for complaint investigations.


PLS Summary:	(PN 390) Amends the Health Care Facilities Act, in licensing of health care facilities, further providing for definitions and requiring the department to initiate investigations of complaints at long-term care nursing facilities within 24 hours if the complaint is a priority compliant or within 48 hours if the complaint is a general complaint.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

07-14-09 S Reported as committed from Senate Appropriations
08-03-09 S Set on the Senate Calendar
08-03-09 S Laid on the table

HB 373

Wansacz

Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) further providing for the offense of neglect of care-dependent person.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1792) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) by adding that the offense of neglect of care-dependent person includes intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing the death of the care-dependent person. A violation of neglect of a care dependent person would be a felony of the first degree if the victim dies and be punishable by a term of up to 30 years in prison, a fine of $25,000, or both. (Prior Printer Number: 391)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

06-03-09 H Sam Smith Ruling of the Chair Sustained
06-03-09 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:185/N: 0)
06-04-09 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary

HB 454

Bishop

Amends the Nursing Home Administrators License Act, further providing for functions and duties of the board.

PLS Summary:

(PN 498) Amends the Nursing Home Administrators License Act further providing for functions and duties of the board by adding that the right of appeal from decisions of the board shall be in accordance with 2 Pa.C.S. Chs. 5 Subch. A (relating to practice and procedure of Commonwealth agencies) and 7 Subch. A (relating to judicial review of Commonwealth agency action) (changed from the Administrative Agency Law). Additionally, the legislation stipulates that the rules, regulations and actions authorized shall address at least: (1) Treatment of nursing home occupants; (2) Possession of occupants' possessions and removal of belongings by theft or otherwise; (3) Personal bank accounts of occupants; (4) Accounting of occupants' retirement and Social Security payments; (5) Burial expenses; (6) Exercise of occupants, especially where needed for health purposes; and (7) Proper attention to bed-ridden occupants to avoid bedsores.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

02-11-09 H Filed
02-13-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Professional Licensure

HB 494

Costa, P

Act requiring long-term care nursing homes to maintain certain staffing levels in order to protect the health & safety of residents & employees; providing for enforcement by the Dept. of Health; and imposing civil penalties.

PLS Summary:

(PN 546) The Nursing Home Staffing Level Act requires long-term care nursing homes to maintain nurse aid ratios of 8:1 for morning shifts, 10:1 for afternoon shifts and 15:1 for nighttime shifts; and licensed nurse ratios of 15:1 for morning shifts, 25:1 for afternoon shifts and 35:1 for nighttime shifts. No employee designated as a member of the nursing staff may provide food preparation, housekeeping, laundry or maintenance services. The bill provides for enforcement by the Department of Health and imposes civil penalties.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

02-17-09 H Filed
02-18-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Aging and Older Adult Services

HB 513

Harkins

Act establishing a nursing scholarship program; and providing for the powers and duties of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

PLS Summary:

(PN 565) The Nursing Scholarship Act establishes the Pennsylvania Nurse Scholarship Program within the PA Higher Education Assistance Agency, which would consist of the Nursing Baccalaureate Degree Scholarship and the Nursing Program Scholarship. The legislation outlines the procedures for the issuance of grants by PHEAA, eligibility standards, and powers and duties of PHEAA, the State Board of Nursing and the Department of Labor and Industry. Additionally, PHEAA would annually report to the governor and legislature on the program.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral)

Bill History:

02-17-09 H Filed
02-18-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Education

HB 644

DeLuca

Amends Older Adults Protective Services Act further providing for legislative policy; further defining "employee"; involuntary intervention by emergency court order, for grounds for denying employment & applicability to criminal history.

PLS Summary:

(PN 706) Amends the Older Adults Protective Services Act further providing for legislative policy; further defining "employee"; and further providing for involuntary intervention by emergency court order, for information relating to prospective facility personnel, for grounds for denying employment, and for applicability relating to criminal history for employees. The legislation authorizes an agency to petition a court of common pleas for an emergency order to provide protective services to an older adult who is at imminent risk of death or serious physical harm, including exploitation that may lead to imminent risk of death or serious physical harm. The court of common pleas would grant the agency's petition if it finds that if protective services are not provided, the older adult is at imminent risk of death or serious physical harm. Additionally, the legislation lists grounds for denying employment. Individuals convicted of offenses such as incest, homicide, stalking, and assault would be permanently banned from employment and individuals convicted of offenses such as theft, forgery and prostitution would be banned from employment for a period of ten years after conviction. Applicants would have a right of review and current employees would have six months to comply with the legislation once enacted.

Companions:

HB 737 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral)

Bill History:

02-26-09 H Filed
02-27-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Aging and Older Adult Services

HB 721

Solobay

Act providing for drug redistribution within correctional facilities.

PLS Summary:

(PN 2546) The Correctional Facilities Drug Redistribution Act provides for drug redistribution within correctional facilities by stating that a drug that is issued to a correctional facility and has left the control of a pharmacist at a vendor pharmacy may be returned to its vendor pharmacy for the purpose of redispensing that drug to fill other prescriptions for other correctional facilities only if nine enumerated requirements are met. Additionally, the vendor pharmacy may redispense the drug only if eight enumerated requirements are met. The vendor pharmacy, to which drug products are returned, shall credit the correctional facility for the unused drugs that are permitted to be restocked for redispensing at a rate determined by the vendor pharmacy and the correctional facility. Returned drugs that do not meet all the requirements shall be deemed unacceptable for redispensing and processed for disposal. The bill provides for unprofessional conduct. (Prior Printer Number: 800)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Support), PACHSA(Neutral), Courts and Corrections(Support)

Bill History:

08-19-09 H Third consideration
08-19-09 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:189/N: 0)
09-17-09 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Public Health and Welfare

HB 726

Youngblood

Act relating to a silver alert program for missing senior citizens.

PLS Summary:

(PN 812) The Silver Alert for Missing Senior Citizens Act states the Secretary of Aging shall appoint a director to serve as the statewide coordinator of the alert and recruit public and commercial television and radio broadcasters, private commercial entities, State or local government entities, the public and other appropriate persons to assist in developing and implementing the alert. The bill provides for the duties of the State Police and states that a local law enforcement agency may notify the department if the agency receives notice of a missing senior citizen and verifies that at the time the senior citizen is reported missing. The department shall activate the silver alert when it confirms the accuracy of the information from the law enforcement agency. The department shall send the alert to designated media outlets in PA. The bill also provides for the content of the silver alert and its termination.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Support), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-04-09 H Filed
03-05-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Aging and Older Adult Services

HB 763

Petri

Amends the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for a long-term care tax credit.

PLS Summary:

(PN 853) Amends the Tax Reform Code providing for a long-term care insurance tax credit in the amount of 20% of the long-term care insurance expenses incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year. The total amount of tax credits approved by the department shall not exceed $20,000,000 in any fiscal year. Of that amount, $5,000,000 would be allocated exclusively for small businesses. The Secretary of Revenue shall submit an annual report to the General Assembly indicating the effectiveness of the credit no later than March 15 following the year in which the credits were approved. The credit shall expire December 31, 2018.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Support)

Bill History:

03-05-09 H Filed
03-06-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Finance

HB 812

Amends the Public Welfare Code providing for income eligibility verification system and for fraud detection system.


PLS Summary:	(PN 906) Amends the Public Welfare Code requiring the department to establish an income eligibility verification system and a fraud detection system.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-09-09 H Filed
03-09-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services

HB 821

Boback

Act requiring certain long-term care facilities to coordinate with licensing agencies & local area agencies on aging to provide assistance to consumers involving relocation of consumers; & providing powers & duties of Dept. of Aging.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1277) The Long-Term Care Consumer Relocation Coordination Act requires certain long-term care facilities to coordinate with licensing agencies and local area agencies on aging to provide assistance to consumers in circumstances involving relocation of consumers. Further provides for a long-term care ombudsman as an agent for the Department of Aging to investigate and seek to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of older individuals who are consumers of facilities, which complaints may relate to action, inaction or decisions of facilities, public agencies or of social agencies or their representatives and which may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, interest, preferences or rights of consumers. Also provides for the ombudsman's duties. (Prior Printer Number: 928 1276)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Support), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

04-20-09 H Third consideration
04-20-09 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:193/N: 0)
04-24-09 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Aging and Youth

HB 825

Baker, M

Act providing for electronic prescriptions & for duties of the Department of Health; establishing the Medical Assistance Health Information Technology Incentive Payment Program in the Department of Public Welfare; & imposing penalties.

PLS Summary:

(PN 2097) Act requiring health care facilities to develop full and complete implementation plans for e-prescribing with specific goals, key performance indicators, and timelines in order to meet the following requirements: (1) Commencing September 1, 2010, every health care facility shall provide easy and timely access to an e-prescribing system for use by all medical staff who have prescriptive authority; (2) The e-prescribing system chosen by the health care facility shall be able to monitor and notify the medical staff of potentially harmful drug interactions for each prescription filed; and (3) Thereafter, the health care facility shall certify to the department on its application for license or license renewal that it provides access for all medical staff that write prescriptions to an e-prescribing system and permits its use in the facility. The bill establishes the Medical Assistance Health Information Technology Incentive Payment Program in the Department of Public Welfare for eligible acute care hospitals and critical access hospitals that are meaningful electronic health record users as defined under section 4102 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Department of Public Welfare will establish a payment incentive program consistent with the provisions of section 4102 of ARRA. (Prior Printer Number: 932)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

09-11-09 H Set on the Tabled Calendar
09-11-09 H Removed from the table
09-11-09 H Rereferred to House Appropriations

HB 890

Baker, M

Act establishing a nursing and nursing educator loan forgiveness and scholarship program.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1009) The Nursing and Nursing Educator Loan Forgiveness and Scholarship Act shall provide an incentive to PA students wishing to pursue training in the fields of nursing and nursing education. The bill establishes the PA Nurse and Nursing Educator Loan Forgiveness Program, which will offer financing provided by the PA Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to help individuals studying either field repay student loans. The bill stipulates that to be eligible, an applicant must have completed an approved course of study, have been licensed by the State Board of Nursing as a practical or a registered nurse, be employed full time as a nurse or nursing educator, and be a resident of PA. An eligible practical nurse is entitled to receive up to $3,000 over the course of three years, while a registered nurse is entitled to up to $20,000. A nursing educator is eligible for a maximum of $30,000. In order to receive financial assistance, recipients must agree to work full-time in a licensed health care facility or educational institution for at least three years, and must agree to let PHEAA monitor compliance with the work requirement. This agreement is subject to yearly renewal, and also may be nullified if the recipient dies or suffers permanent disability. In the case of gross negligence or the suspension of certification, PHEAA may demand repayment of any financial assistance rendered. Recipients who do not fulfill their contractual obligations shall reimburse the state for the aid they have received as well as a rate of interest upon it. The legislation gives the PHEAA the authority to garnish wages in order to collect damages resulting from a breach of the contract. Any aid received by an eligible recipient is not to be considered taxable income. The act also creates the PA Nurse and Nursing Education Scholarship Program, consisting of the Nursing Post-baccalaureate Degree Scholarship, the Nursing Baccalaureate Degree Scholarship, and the Nursing Program Scholarship. These scholarships are to be conferred after the application of available Federal Pell Grants and State grants A student must also begin working in a health care facility within one year after the completion of study. The amount of money that can be awarded to a student for a Nursing Post-baccalaureate Degree Scholarship is up to $6,000 per academic year for a maximum of two years. The grant amount for the Nursing Baccalaureate Degree Scholarship is up to $3,000 per academic year, for a maximum of four years. The grant amount for a Nursing Program Scholarship is $1,500 per academic year for a maximum of two academic years, or a further year if the student enrolls in an approved course of study that the PHEAA has decided takes three years to complete. The bill specifies that no funds may be granted to anyone enrolled in a customized job training partnership program or continuing education course for which an employer is paying for more than half. Act establishing a nursing and nursing educator loan forgiveness and scholarship program.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Support)

Bill History:

03-11-09 H Filed
03-12-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Education

HB 926

Seip

Amends the Workforce Development Act further providing for membership of the Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board; and establishing the Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1653) Amends the Workforce Development Act further providing for membership of the PA Workforce Investment Board, and establishing the PA Center for Health Careers for the purpose of providing a focused direction and purpose for the development of strategies to address the Commonwealth's short-term and long-term health care work force challenges to ensure the quality and supply of such work force. The bill also provides for the composition and duties of a related Leadership Council. (Prior Printer Number: 1050, 1279)

Companions:

SB 174 (Identical)

Track Name(s):

MH MR(Neutral), PACAH(Neutral), PACDAA(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral), Community & Economic Devel.(Neutral)

Bill History:

05-05-09 H Third consideration
05-05-09 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:160/N: 37)
05-11-09 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Labor and Industry

HB 932 (1)

Killion

Amends the Public Welfare Code repealing certain provisions relating to county liability for nursing home care for persons at county-owned facilities.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1056) Amends the Public Welfare Code repealing certain provisions relating to county liability for nursing home care for persons at county-owned facilities, including language regarding the computation for each month the amount expended as medical assistance for public nursing home care on behalf of persons at each public medical institution operated by a county, county institution district or municipality and the amount expended in each county for aid to families with dependent children on behalf of children in foster family homes or child-caring institutions, plus the cost of administering such assistance.

Companions:

HB 2820 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Support), PACHSA(Neutral), CCAP Master(Support), CCAP Priorities(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-13-09 H Filed
03-13-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services

HB 987

Taylor, R

Amends the Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act, further providing for unlawful practice.


PLS Summary:	(PN 1163) Amends the Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act to state the provisions regarding who may and may not use the title "social worker" would not apply to an individual employed in a long-term care facility licensed by the Department of Health who provides social work services under administrative supervision.

Track Name(s):

MH MR(Oppose), PACAH(Support), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-17-09 H Filed
03-19-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Professional Licensure
03-20-09 H Caption changed from Amending Title 65 re restricted
activity

HB 1001

Marsico

Act establishing the Office of Inspector General; imposing duties upon the Auditor General and the Legislative Reference Bureau; and abolishing an executive office.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1150) The Inspector General Act establishes the Office of Inspector General as an independent agency. The Inspector General would be appointed by the Governor with the consent of two-thirds of the members of the Senate. The term of office would be six years, eligible for reappointment. The office has the following powers: (1) The office would have access to the physical plant, documents, personnel and records necessary to carry out its duties; (2) The office may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths or affirmations, take testimony and compel the production of documents, as necessary to carry out its duties; (3) The office would have access to the head of a Commonwealth agency when necessary to carry out its duties; and (4) The office may require Commonwealth employees to report to the office information regarding fraud, waste, corruption, illegal acts and abuse. The legislation outlines the 15 key duties of the office and provides for records disclosure and reporting office activities. The current Office of Inspector General is abolished.

Companions:

HB 1700 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-18-09 H Filed
03-18-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House State Government

HB 1084

Waters

Act providing for electronic monitoring in nursing homes, personal care homes and assisted living facilities.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1266) The Electronic Monitoring in Nursing Homes Act states that a nursing home, personal care home or assisted living facility should make reasonable physical accommodation for electronic monitoring by providing a reasonably secure place to mount the electronic monitoring device and access to power sources. The bill states that a nursing home, personal care home or assisted living facility would inform a resident of the nursing home, personal care home or assisted living facility or the legal representative of the resident of the resident's right to electronic monitoring. A tape created through the use of electronic monitoring would be admissible in either a civil or criminal action brought in a court of this Commonwealth.

Companions:

HB 1492 (Refiled from 07R Session)
SB 1306 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-24-09 H Filed
03-24-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Aging and Older Adult Services

HB 1087

Waters

Amends Public Welfare Code further providing for treatment of life estates, annuities and other contracts in determining eligibility for medical assistance.


PLS Summary:	(PN 1269) Amends the Public Welfare Code stating that a life insurance policy with a total face value of up to $10,000 would not be included for the purpose of determining the person's eligibility for medical assistance.

Companions:

HB 610 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-24-09 H Filed
03-24-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services

HB 1152

Act establishing the Department of Aging and Long-Term Living and providing for its powers and duties; and making related repeals.


PLS Summary:	(PN 2212) The Department of Aging and Long-Term Living Act establishes a cabinet-level State agency combining the Department of Aging and functions of the Office of Long-Term Living in the Department of Public Welfare and provides for the new department's powers and duties. Also makes related repeals. (Prior Printer Number: 1366, 2094)

Track Name(s):

MH MR(Neutral), PACAH(Neutral), PACDAA(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

06-30-09 H Petri Motion to Table the bill
06-30-09 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:110/N: 84)
07-01-09 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Aging and Youth

HB 1200

Buxton

Act requiring public employers to protect the occupational safety and health of their employees; and providing for enforcement and penalties.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1551) The Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Act requires each employer to furnish to each of its employees, a place of employment free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to its employees and which will provide reasonable and adequate protection to the lives, safety or health of its employees. Each employer shall comply with the occupational safety and health standards promulgated by the Secretary of Labor and Industry. The secretary shall by rule adopt all occupational safety and health standards, amendments or changes adopted or recognized by the US Secretary of Labor. The legislation also creates the Pennsylvania Occupational Safety and Health Review Board to have and exercise the powers, duties and prerogatives provided by the provisions of the act.

Companions:

HB 1325 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), County Governance(Oppose), Insurance(Oppose)

Bill History:

04-20-09 H Filed
04-21-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Labor Relations
04-28-09 H Discussed at PA Fed. of Injured Workers press conference

HB 1208

Marsico

Amends the Health Care Facilities Act, in licensing of health care facilities, further providing for definitions and for licensure.


PLS Summary:	(PN 1435) Amends the Health Care Facilities Act requiring that a long-term care nursing facility that provides care for consumers diagnosed with dementia shall disclose to consumers and their legal representatives and provide a written statement that includes certain information pertaining to the facility.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

04-03-09 H Filed
04-03-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Aging and Older Adult Services

HB 1228

Schroder

Amends Title 42 (Judiciary), in provisions relating to particular rights and immunities, providing for limitations on recovery of punitive damages.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1455) Amends Title 42 (Judiciary) further providing for punitive damages by adding that in an action alleging damages for death, for injury to person or property or for economic loss, a plaintiff must establish a defendant's liability for punitive damages beyond a reasonable doubt. Following an award of punitive damages, 80% of the amount awarded shall be paid directly to the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Fund. These limitations shall not apply to an action alleging damages for death, injury to person or property or economic loss where the action relates to an incident or occurrence for which an individual has been charged and convicted of a criminal act for which a period of incarceration is or may be a part of the sentence.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral)

Bill History:

04-06-09 H Filed
04-07-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Insurance

HB 1250

Gergely

Amends the Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists & Professional Counselors Act further providing for definitions, for license required, for reciprocity, etc; prohibiting unlicensed practice; further providing for penalties.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1483) Amends the Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists & Professional Counselors Act further providing a new definition of "practice of clinical social work"; providing the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors shall have the power to allow individuals who are licensed or certified as a social worker, clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist or professional counselor in another state to practice in PA without licensure for no more than 60 days as part of a relief effort related to a state of emergency as declared by the Governor or Federal Government; and providing for penalties.

Track Name(s):

PCYA(Neutral), MH MR(Neutral), PACAH(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

10-07-09 H Passed over in committee House Professional Licensure
10-21-09 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m., Room 39, East Wing, House Professional Licensure
10-21-09 H Passed over in committee House Professional Licensure

HB 1266

Cohen

Act establishing the Medical Safety Automation Fund; and providing grants to implement medical safety automation systems.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1501) The Medical Safety Automation Fund (M-SAF) Act establishes the Medical Safety Automation Fund to provide grants to health care providers or to regional health information organizations to implement medical safety automation systems for the following: (1) Purchase of health information or telecommunications technology necessary to create an interoperable and integrated medical safety automation system; (2) Payment of costs and expenses associated with preparation of plans, specifications, studies and surveys necessary to determine the scope of a medical safety automation system and the practicality and effectiveness of its use; and (3) Training of physicians and personnel in the use of a medical safety automation system. The amount of a grant to any specific health care provider or regional medical safety automation organization shall not exceed $1,000,000 and no less than 60% of available funds shall be used for grants to health care providers in counties of the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth class. An applicant for a grant shall provide matching funds in the amount of 100% of the amount of the grant; if the applicant is a community-based health care provider, the applicant shall provide matching funds in the amount of 50% of the amount of the grant. The bill provides for the duties of the Department of Health.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Support)

Bill History:

04-15-09 H Filed
04-16-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services

HB 1351

Evans, D

Amends Public Welfare Code further providing for lifetime limit, payments to counties for services to children, providing for necessary action to qualify PA for addt'l Medical Assistance funds under the 2009 American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1666) Amends the Public School Code further providing for lifetime limit, for payments to counties for services to children, for departmental administration of county child welfare services, for needs-based budgeting process, for review of county submissions and for limits on reimbursements to counties; further defining "exempt hospital"; further providing for administration; providing for managed care organization assessments; further providing for other prohibited acts, criminal penalties and civil remedies and for repayment from probate estates; providing for limit on claim reduction and for false claims; and providing for necessary action to qualify the Commonwealth for additional Medical Assistance funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5, 123 Stat. 115).

Track Name(s):

PCYA(Neutral), MH MR(Neutral), PACAH(Neutral), PACDAA(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral), JDCAP(Neutral), S=09R(Neutral)

Bill History:

05-21-09 H Discussed in public hearing on FY 2009-10 budget, House Appropriations
06-18-09 H Discussed in Committee, House Health and Human Services
10-06-09 H Discussed at Press Conference

HB 1373

Murt

Act prohibiting employees of long-term care providers from serving as guardian, agent under a power of attorney, insurance or annuity beneficiary or estate executor of individuals who receive services from a long-term care provider.


PLS Summary:	(PN 1674) The Long-Term Care Consumer Financial Interest Prohibition Act prohibits employees of long-term care providers from serving as guardian, agent under a power of attorney, insurance or annuity beneficiary or estate executor of individuals who receive services from a long-term care provider.

Track Name(s):

MH MR(Neutral), PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

04-27-09 H Filed
04-28-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Aging and Older Adult Services

HB 1405

DeLuca

Act prohibiting certain referrals of patients by health care providers for health care services; providing for powers and duties of the Department of Health; and imposing penalties.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1727) The Patient Self-Referral Act prohibits certain referrals of patients of health care providers for health care services. The bills states that a health care provider may not refer a patient for the provision of designated health services to an entity in which the health care provider is an investor or has an investment interest. The legislation also establishes requirements for accepting outside referrals for diagnostic imaging. Lastly, the bill states that a violation by a health care provider would constitute grounds for disciplinary action by the applicable board, and a violation by a licensed hospital would be deemed a violation of the Health Care Facilities Act.

Companions:

HB 1750 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral)

Bill History:

04-30-09 H Filed
05-04-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services

HB 1410 (1)

Payne

Act directing the Secretary of the Budget to reduce all State appropriations by 10% for fiscal year July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010.


PLS Summary:	(PN 1732) Act directing the Secretary of the Budget to reduce all State appropriations by 10% for fiscal year July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Oppose), CCAP Master(Oppose)

Bill History:

04-30-09 H Filed
05-04-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Appropriations

HB 1429

Dermody

Providing for jt. training & continuing ed. of nursing care providers & nursing facility surveyors, assisted living srvs providers & asst. living residence surveyors & for jt. training & continuing ed. of personal care providers & surveyors.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1759) The Joint Provider and Surveyor Training and Continuing Education Act provides for joint training and continuing education of nursing care providers and nursing facility surveyors, assisted living service providers and assisted living residence surveyors and for joint training and continuing education of personal care providers and personal care home surveyors. The bill provides for the establishment of the joint provider-surveyor program by the Department of Health, in which the department would semiannually in each region provide for joint training for nursing care providers and nursing facility surveyors. Additionally, the Department of Public Welfare would establish the personal care home joint provider-surveyor program and the assisted living joint provider-surveyor program to provide training.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Support), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

05-04-09 H Filed
05-05-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services

HB 1494

Mirabito

Amends The Professional Nursing Law, further providing for use of title.


PLS Summary:	(PN 1858) Amends The Professional Nursing Law allowing for use of the title "nurse" if a person is licensed under the provisions of the Practical Nurse Law.

Companions:

HB 2716 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose)

Bill History:

05-12-09 H Filed
05-13-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Professional Licensure

HB 1495

Mirabito

Amends the Practical Nurse Law, further providing for violations.


PLS Summary:	(PN 1859) Amends the Practical Nurse Law further providing that it is a violation to use the word "nurse" in connection with a person's name, unless the person is licensed under the act or registered under the provisions of the Professional Nursing Law.

Companions:

HB 2715 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose)

Bill History:

05-12-09 H Filed
05-13-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Professional Licensure

HB 1553

Cutler

Act establishing the Medical Safety Automation Program; and providing grants to implement medical safety automation systems.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1928) The Medical Safety Automation Fund Act provides for the establishment of the Medical safety automation program to provide grants to health care providers or to regional health information organizations to implement medical safety automation systems. The amount of a grant to any specific health care provider or regional medical safety automation organization shall not exceed $1 million and no less than 60% of available funds may be used for grants to health care providers in counties of the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth class. An applicant must provide matching funds in the amount of 100% of the amount of the grant, unless the applicant is a community-based health care provider in which case matching funds must equal 50% of the amount of the grant. The bill outlines the eligibility standards and application procedure; provides for accountability; and for the duties of the Department of Health. The sum of $25 million of Federal funds received under section 3013 of the Public Health Services Act is appropriated from the General Fund to the department for the program.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral)

Bill History:

05-28-09 H Filed
05-29-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services

HB 1566

Gibbons

Act providing for public employee occupational health & safety, for standards & procedures & for other duties of the DL&I; establishing Public Employee Occupational Safety & Health Review Board, various advisory committees & for penalties.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1941) The Public Employee Occupational Safety and Health Act provides for public employee occupational health and safety, for the requirements of employers in standards and procedures and for other duties of the Department of Labor & Industry. The bill establishes the Public Employee Occupational Safety and Health Review Board, various advisory committees and outlines penalties for violations and noncompliance.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), County Governance(Oppose), Insurance(Oppose)

Bill History:

05-28-09 H Filed
05-29-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Labor Relations

HB 1594

Maher

Act relating to delivery of services & programs to persons with disabilities; conferring powers & duties on Office of the Governor; & creating Office for People with Disabilities & Advisory Committee; & providing for powers, duties & funding.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1975) The Office for People with Disabilities Act relates to the delivery of services and programs to persons with disabilities; confers powers and duties on the Office of the Governor; and creates the Office for People with Disabilities and Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities; and provides for its powers, duties and funding. The Office for People with Disabilities shall have the power and duty to (1) Assure that all citizens who have disabilities and their families and guardians have access to adequate and coordinated quality services and programs; (2) Identify gaps in disability services and programs and funding shortages in collaboration with the advisory committee and report this information annually to the Governor and to the General Assembly; (3) Act as a system advocate to expand the availability of disability services and programs and access to generic services and programs; (4) Plan for Statewide improvements in services and programs for persons with disabilities and their families and guardians; (5) Develop and enforce all program requirements and regulations necessary and appropriate for the proper accomplishment of the duties imposed by this act; and (6) Employ an executive director. The bill would also create and the Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities.

Track Name(s):

MH MR(Neutral), PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

06-01-09 H Filed
06-02-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services

HB 1611

Hornaman

Act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Nurse Licensure Compact; and providing for the form of the compact.

PLS Summary:

(PN 2090) The Nurse Licensure Compact Act authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Nurse Licensure Compact, which seeks to facilitate the states' responsibility to protect the public's health and safety; ensure and encourage the cooperation of party states in the areas of nurse licensure and regulation; facilitate the exchange of information between party states in the areas of nurse regulation, investigation, and adverse actions; promote compliance with laws governing the practice of nursing in each jurisdiction; and invest all party states with the authority to hold a nurse accountable for meeting all state practice laws in the state in which the patient is located at the time care is rendered through the mutual recognition of party state licenses. The bill provides for the form of the compact.

Companions:

HB 549 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

06-03-09 H Filed
06-05-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Professional Licensure

HB 1640

Amends the Public Welfare Code, in public assistance, providing for prepayment pharmacy audits.


PLS Summary:	(PN 2045) Amends the Public Welfare Code by mandating that the department utilize auditing software to detect abnormalities or patterns of misuse prior to any Medical Assistance payments being made. The bill authorizes the withholding of funds until the abnormality can be justified, and when justified, mandates the swift payment of funds.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral)

Bill History:

06-08-09 H Filed
06-09-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services

HB 1676

Eachus

Amends State Lottery Law providing for definitions; further providing for program generally, generic drugs, indication of price, Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier & for penalties.

PLS Summary:

(PN 2243) Amends State Lottery Law by adding new definitions and providing a new payment formula for PACE. The bill also requires providers to submit documentation of their acquisition costs and broadens PACENET eligibility. The bill requires repayment of funds when a provider does not submit invoices and documentation of acquisition costs upon request. Furthermore, the bill allows the department to set up a medication therapy management program and exempts certain documents submitted by providers from the Right-to-Know Law. The department shall develop and implement a medication therapy management program to assist and counsel claimants who receive prescription drugs in selected therapeutic classes from providers with whom the department has entered into medication management provider agreements. (Prior Printer Number: 2117)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral), PACDAA(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

07-02-09 H Reported as committed from House Rules
07-02-09 H Rereferred to House Appropriations
11-09-09 H Set on the House Voting Schedule

HB 1679 (1)

Gerber

Act providing for liability for false claims, for adoption of Congressional intent of the Federal False Claims Act, for treble damages, costs and civil penalties, for powers of the Attorney General and for qui tam actions.

PLS Summary:

(PN 2120) The False Claims Act is enacted to mirror the Federal False Claims Act. The Act provides certain definitions and allows for treble damages for a committing any one of the enumerated prohibited acts. The Act also provides for the requirements of when damages can be limited. The Act allows the Attorney General of Pennsylvania to investigate and prosecute violations, as well as provides rules for when and how qui tam plaintiffs may bring an action. Furthermore, the Act provides anti-retaliatory discharge provisions to protect qui tam plaintiffs. The Act also establishes a ten-year statute of limitations, the burden of proof, and provides for estoppel after plea agreements.

Track Name(s):

MH MR(Oppose), PACAH(Oppose), PACDAA(Oppose), PACHSA(Oppose), CCAP Master(Oppose)

Bill History:

11-17-09 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m., Room 39, East Wing (Rescheduled, House Health and Human Services
11-10-09 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m., Room 39, East Wing (Rescheduled, House Health and Human Services
11-09-09 H Removed from Meeting Agenda for 11/10/09, House Health and Human Services

HB 1738

Godshall

Amends the Health Care Facilities Act, further providing for issuance of license.

PLS Summary:

(PN 2202) Amends the Health Care Facilities Act by adding that an applicant for a license cannot be convicted of a crime of the Commonwealth, or a felony, or other crime of substantial comparability either of the United States or another state within the last 10 years. The bill also requires applicants to disclose any crime that was disposed of in any manner other than dismissal within the last 10 years, otherwise it is a material omission.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

06-16-09 H Filed
06-17-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services

HB 1778

Boyd

Amends Long-Term Care Patient Access to Pharmaceuticals Act further providing for legislative intent, for definitions, for third-party drugs in long-term care facilities and for civil liability and unprofessional conduct.

PLS Summary:

(PN 2288) Amends Long-Term Care Patient Access to Pharmaceuticals Act further providing for legislative intent, for definitions by deleting references to "drug source facility" and defines "dispense," "drug," "drug source," and "long-term care pharmacy," and provides for third-party drugs in long-term care facilities by adding third-party drugs provided by federal or state program, insurance program or other provider or other entity.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

06-23-09 H Filed
06-24-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services

HB 1804

Frankel

Amends Title 42 (Judiciary), in rules of evidence, providing for benevolent gesture or admission by health care provider or assisted living residence or personal care home.


PLS Summary:	(PN 2340) Amends Title 42 (Judiciary & Judicial Procedure) adding that a benevolent gesture or admission by health care provider or assisted living residence or personal care home prior to the commencement of a medical professional liability action shall be inadmissible as evidence of liability or as evidence of an admission against interest.

Companions:

SB 208 (Identical)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Support), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

06-30-09 H Filed
06-30-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary

HB 1830

Gergely

Act providing for paid sick leave for certain employees, for duties of the Department of Labor and Industry and for enforcement; and imposing a civil penalty.

PLS Summary:

(PN 2395) The Healthy Families, Healthy Workplaces Act provides that employers shall provide a minimum of one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked by an employee. Employers are not required to provide more than 52 hours of sick leave for an employee in a calendar year. Paid sick leave would accrue in hour unit increments. Employees shall be entitled to use accrued paid sick leave beginning 90 business days following the employee's date of hire. No more than 40 hours of paid sick leave of an employee may carry forward from one calendar year to the next. The bill provides for the use of paid sick leave. For leave of more than three consecutive days, an employer may require reasonable documentation that the paid leave is covered. Lastly, the bill states that an employer or small employer shall not take retaliatory personnel action or discriminate against an employee because the employee has requested paid sick leave under this act or taken paid sick leave guaranteed by this act or made a complaint or filed an action to enforce an employee's right to paid sick leave.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral), County Governance(Neutral)

Bill History:

07-06-09 H Filed
07-06-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Labor Relations

HB 1879

Killion

Act providing for identification badge for licensed health care practitioner and for penalties.

PLS Summary:

(PN 2496) The Health Care Practitioner Identification Badge Act requires health care practitioners at any health care facility or when engaged in face-to-face contact with the public in a professional capacity to wear an identification badge displaying the practitioner's name and photograph and the license, certification or registration held by the practitioner. The bill provides for badge requirement guidelines and exceptions.

Companions:

HB 2727 (Refiled from 07R Session)
SB 1435 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral), PACDAA(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

07-22-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Professional Licensure
11-06-09 H Hearing set for 10:00 a.m., Randor Twp Mun. Bldg., Wayne, House Professional Licensure
11-06-09 H Public hearing held in committee House Professional Licensure

HB 1893

Watson

Amends Public Welfare Code providing for violation exceptions for personal care homes.

PLS Summary:

(PN 2512) Amends Public Welfare Code providing for violation exceptions for personal care homes by stating no personal care home shall be cited with a violation for not evacuating a resident during a fire drill when: (1) the resident is being treated and cared for by a licensed hospice provider; (2) a licensed clinician has made a determination that the resident may suffer bodily injury as a result of participation in a fire drill or that participating in a fire drill may accelerate or hasten the death of the resident; and (3) the resident, or designee, has signed a written waiver directing that the resident is not to be evacuated during a fire drill. This provision does not relieve the personal care home of responsibility to provide necessary intervention for the evacuation of any resident in the event of an actual emergency.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Support), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

07-23-09 H Filed
07-24-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Aging and Older Adult Services

HB 1913

Micozzie

Amends Medical Care Availability & Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act further providing for medical professional liability insurance, Medical Care Availability & Reduction of Error Fund & actuarial data; and making repeals.

PLS Summary:

(PN 2558) Amends Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act making calendar adjustments; requiring the balance of the fund as of July 1, 2009, assessments levied for calendar years 2009 through 2012, supplemental funding, any appropriations to the fund and other fund revenue, shall be held in trust for the exclusive purpose of paying the fund's share of settlements and judgments, the fund's operating expenses and the fund's obligations. The bill provides for penalties.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral), Insurance(Neutral)

Bill History:

08-05-09 H Filed
08-07-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Insurance

HB 1972

DePasquale

Amends Tax Reform Code providing for a personal income tax credit for long-term care premiums paid by individuals; and imposing duties on the Secretary of the Commonwealth and the Legislative Reference Bureau.

PLS Summary:

(PN 2653) Amends the Tax Reform Code to state that a resident taxpayer would be allowed a credit against the tax imposed by this article in an amount equal to the lesser of 50% of any premiums paid during the taxable year by the taxpayer for a long-term care policy for the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or both, or one thousand dollars $1,000. The credit would not exceed the amount of the tax otherwise due. The legislation defines "long-term care policy."

Companions:

SB 177 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral)

Bill History:

09-11-09 H Filed
09-14-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Finance

HB 2062 (1)

Watson

Act requiring carbon monoxide alarms in facilities serving care-dependent persons; imposing powers and duties on the Departments of Aging, Health and Public Welfare; and imposing penalties.


PLS Summary:	(PN 2841) The Care Facility Carbon Monoxide Alarm Act requires carbon monoxide alarms in facilities serving care-dependent persons, and imposes powers and duties on the Departments of Aging, Health and Public Welfare to administer this requirement. The bill also provides for the imposition of an administrative penalty of $300 for each day a facility is in operation and in violation of the Act.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral), JDCAP(Neutral), CCAP Master(Neutral)

Bill History:

10-29-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Aging and Older Adult Services
12-08-09 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m., Room G-50 Irvis Office Building, House Aging and Older Adult Services
12-08-09 H Passed over in committee House Aging and Older Adult Services

HB 2065

Gibbons

Amends the Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists & Professional Counselors Act further providing for legislative intent, definitions, licensure, etc.; providing for restrictions on use of title "Licensed Bachelor Social Worker".


PLS Summary:	(PN 2844) Amends the Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act further providing for legislative intent, for the definitions of "licensed bachelor social worker" and "practice of bachelor social work," and providing for restrictions on use of the title "Licensed Bachelor Social Worker".

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral), Human Services(Oppose)

Bill History:

10-26-09 H Filed
10-29-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Professional Licensure

HB 2106

Taylor, R

Act establishing the Pennsylvania Health Information Exchange Authority and the Health Information Technology Fund; and providing for grants and loans for health information technology and for duties of the Department of Health.

PLS Summary:

(PN 2936) The Health Information Technology Act establishes the Pennsylvania Health Information Exchange (PHIX) Authority and the Health Information Technology Fund to facilitate and assist in the development and operation of a statewide health information exchange; and provides for grants and loans for health information technology and for duties of the Department of Health. The authority shall:(1) Define the vision for a Statewide health information exchange system to electronically exchange health care information among entities in the health care system; (2) Encourage, facilitate and assist in the development of the Statewide health information exchange system and the ongoing operation of the Statewide health information exchange system, including monitoring the performance, quality and security of the Statewide health information exchange system; (3) Oversee a collaborative Statewide process using public and private expertise to develop common polices, clinical goals, technical requirements and architectural standards for this Commonwealth's health information exchange system consistent with emerging Federal requirements; and (4) Develop policies using a collaborative Statewide process to ensure compliance with section 305. The board shall report annually to the General Assembly. Loans would be available to assist health care providers in funding for health technology information facilitating and assisting in the development and operation of a Statewide health information exchange. Loans would be disbursed from the Health Information Technology Fund, which would be funded primarily by the General Assembly and grants and loans received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The bill provides for duties of the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Track Name(s):

MH MR(Neutral), PACAH(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

11-19-09 H Filed
11-23-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Insurance

HB 2151

Reichley

Amends Health Care Facilities Act, in licensing of health care facilities, further providing for definitions, for licensure, for term and content of license and for reliance on accrediting agencies and Federal Government.


PLS Summary:	(PN 2979) Amends the Health Care Facilities Act to change the definition of "health care facility" and provides additional definitions. The bill provides for deemed licensure as well as additional requirements for certain ambulatory surgical facilities. The bill also provides for inspection by the department and considerations the department shall take into account when determining licensure.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral)

Bill History:

12-07-09 H Filed
12-08-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services

HB 2159

Stern

Act establishing an informal dispute resolution process for long-term care nursing facilities & panel within the Dept. of Health; providing for membership of the panel, scope of informal resolution review & data collection.


PLS Summary:	(PN 2994) The Long-Term Care Nursing Facility Informal Dispute Resolution Act gives long-term care facilities the ability to refute deficiencies cited in a department survey. The Act provides for a panel, minimum process, scope of review, and data collection.

Companions:

HB 422 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral)

Bill History:

12-09-09 H Filed
12-09-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Aging and Older Adult Services

HR 107

Hennessey

Resolution directing the LBFC to study & issue report to the General Assembly on the impact of expanding the powers & duties of the Dept. of Aging to include administration of certain programs currently administered by the DPW.


PLS Summary:	(PN 740) Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study and issue a report to the General Assembly on the impact of expanding the powers and duties of the Department of Aging to include administration of certain programs currently administered by the Department of Public Welfare.

Track Name(s):

MH MR(Neutral), PACAH(Support), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-02-09 H Filed
03-03-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Aging and Older Adult Services
04-02-09 H Discussed in Committee, House Aging and Older Adult Services

HR 236

Bear

Resolution designating May 10 through 16, 2009, as "National Nursing Home Week" in Pennsylvania.


PLS Summary:	(PN 1513) Resolution designating May 10 through 16, 2009, as "National Nursing Home Week" in Pennsylvania.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Support)

Bill History:

04-20-09 H Introduced as noncontroversial resolution
05-05-09 H Set on the House Calendar
05-05-09 H Adopted (Vote: Y:195/N: 0)

HR 391

Cohen

Resolution establishing and directing a select committee to examine matters relating to the shortage of health care professionals in this Commonwealth.


PLS Summary:	(PN 2351) Resolution establishing and directing a select committee to examine matters relating to the shortage of health care professionals in this Commonwealth.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Support), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

06-30-09 H Filed
07-01-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Health and Human Services

SB 32

Washington

Act requiring long-term care nursing facilities to maintain certain staffing levels in order to protect the health and safety of residents and employees; providing for powers & duties of the Dept. of Health, & imposing penalties.

PLS Summary:

(PN 16) The Nursing Home Staffing Level Act provides for minimum staffing standards for nurse aides and licensed nursing personnel. Facilities that do not meet the standards outlined within two years shall not receive a license renewal. Facilities shall be required to post for each care unit of the facility and for each shift the current number of licensed nurses and nurse aides directly responsible for resident care and any other staff directly responsible for resident care and the current ratios of residents to staff, which show separately the number of residents to licensed nurses and the number of residents to nurse aides.

Companions:

SB 649 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

01-20-09 S Filed
01-20-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Public Health and Welfare

SB 41

Amends the Medical Care Availability & Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act, in insurance, further providing for medical professional liability insurance.

PLS Summary:

(PN 26) Amends the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act, in insurance, by providing that beginning in 2010, a health care provider, other than a hospital, that would otherwise be required to annually insure or self-insure its professional liability in the amount mandated by this section may elect to be insured or self-insured below the mandated amount. The bill requires that a health care provider who elects to be insured or self-insured below the mandated amount must provide annual written notice to the department, as well as to the health care provider's patients of the amount of medical professional liability coverage the health care provider maintains.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

01-20-09 S Filed
01-20-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Banking and Insurance

SB 42

Amends the Medical Care Availability & Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act, in insurance, further providing for Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Fund.


PLS Summary:	(PN 27) Amends the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act, in insurance, by stipulating that beginning in 2010, a health care provider may elect to pay the annual assessment in equal installments, not exceeding four, if the health care provider informs the primary carrier of the election to pay in installments.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

01-20-09 S Filed
01-20-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Banking and Insurance

SB 208

Amends Title 42 (Judiciary & Judicial Procedure), in rules of evidence, providing for benevolent gesture or admission by health care provider or assisted living residence or personal care home.


PLS Summary:	(PN 214) Amends Title 42 (Judiciary & Judicial Procedure) adding that a benevolent gesture or admission by health care provider or assisted living residence or personal care home prior to the commencement of a medical professional liability action shall be inadmissible as evidence of liability or as evidence of an admission against interest.

Companions:

HB 1804 (Identical)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Support)

Bill History:

02-19-09 S Filed
02-19-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Judiciary

SB 255

Tomlinson

Amends the Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act, further providing for unlawful practice.


PLS Summary:	(PN 259) Amends the Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act further providing for unlawful practice by adding that the subsection relating to the usage of the title "social worker" would not apply to an individual employed in a long-term care facility licensed by the Department of Health who provides social work services under administrative supervision.

Companions:

SB 1580 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Support), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

02-19-09 S Filed
02-19-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Consumer Protection & Prof. Licensure

SB 306

Erickson

Act providing for identification badge for licensed health care practitioner and for penalties; and providing for the powers and duties of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs within the Department of State.

PLS Summary:

(PN 305) The Health Care Practitioner Identification Badge Act provides for a uniform standard in health care settings by which patients can be apprised of the identity and licensure credentials of individuals who provide health care services to them. The bill requires each board to issue two identification badges required under this act to a practitioner upon the issuance of an original or renewed professional license, certificate or registration to a practitioner; providing exemptions. Violation of the act is grounds for disciplinary action against the health care practitioner by the practitioner's licensing board or other regulatory authority.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

02-20-09 S Filed
02-20-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Public Health and Welfare

SB 311

Browne

Amends The Professional Nursing Law establishing the Nurses Health Program; and making an allocation.


PLS Summary:	(PN 310) Amends the Professional Nursing Law establishing the Nurses Health Program, a Statewide peer assistance program. This program would identify, assist and monitor nurses experiencing mental health, alcohol and drug problems which may impair their ability to practice, so that they may return or continue to practice safe nursing. This would be administered by an independent contractor.

Companions:

SB 214 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

02-20-09 S Filed
02-20-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Consumer Protection & Prof. Licensure

SB 313

Browne

Amends the Mcare Act further providing for declaration of policy, for patient safety definitions, for powers and duties of the Patient Safety Authority and for powers and duties of the Dept. of Health; & whistleblower protection.

PLS Summary:

(PN 595) Amends the Mcare Act further providing meaningful whistleblower protection and a reporting system for medical errors which is responsive to legitimate concerns in order to enhance patient safety; requiring the Department of Health to respond to complaints within 10 business days; providing for a team that shall consider the appropriate use of patient care standards in the situation under investigation; requiring an administrative penalty of up to $5,000 upon a health care facility for an act or omission which impairs patient safety or the quality of patient care.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-05-09 S Filed
03-05-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Public Health and Welfare

SB 342

Act allowing nursing facilities to obtain medical assistance certified beds under limited terms and conditions; and providing for functions of the Department of Public Welfare.

PLS Summary:

(PN 340) The Medical Assistance Bed Transfer Act establishes the Medical Assistance Bed Transfer Program that would be administered by the Department of Public Welfare. Under the bill, a facility may request that the department transfer a certified bed to it. When such a request is made, the department would determine a fair and reasonable price, not in excess of $10,000, for the transfer of each certified bed. The department would also be required to advertise to facilities that the department is looking for unused or unwanted certified beds for the requested transfer, indicating the price that will be paid for surrendering those certified beds. A facility which receives a certified bed under the program may not be required to place the certified bed in service for the exclusive use of medical assistance-eligible residents.

Companions:

SB 896 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

02-20-09 S Filed
02-20-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Public Health and Welfare

SB 349

Act exempting continuing care retirement communities from the medical assistance bed approval process & allowing certain nursing facilities to obtain medical assistance certified beds under limited terms and conditions.

PLS Summary:

(PN 347) The Continuing Care Retirement Community Act exempts licensed nursing facilities operated by a licensed CCRC from the requirements under 55 Pa. Code Sec. 1187.21(2) (relating to nursing facility participation requirements) and 1187.21a (relating to nursing facility exception requests- statement of policy) under the following conditions: (1) the CCRC has admitted over 400 residents under a continuing care agreement; and (2) the nursing facility is part of the CCRC campus. The bill provides for certified and noncertified nursing facilities on CCRC campus.

Companions:

SB 577 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

02-20-09 S Filed
02-20-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Public Health and Welfare

SB 404

Leach

Amends Title 20 (Decedents, Estates & Fiduciaries) providing for procedures re request & dispensation of lethal medication to patients seeking humane death, for attending physician duties, insurance police, Dept. of Health duties, etc.

PLS Summary:

(PN 597) Amends Title 20 (Decedents, Estates & Fiduciaries) providing any adult resident who is capable and has been determined by the attending physician and consulting physician to be suffering from a terminal disease, and who has voluntarily expressed his or her wish to die, may make a written request for medication for the purpose of ending his or her life in a humane and dignified; prohibiting any person to write a request for medication solely because of age or disability; providing attending physician responsibilities; requiring consulting physician confirmation that the patient is capable, acting willingly, and has made an informed decision; requiring the patient to reiterate the oral request to his or her attending physician no less than 15 days after making the initial oral request; providing a patient may rescind his or her request at any time and in any manner without regard to his or her mental state; providing medical record documentation requirements; providing reporting requirements; providing the sale, procurement or issuance of life, health or accident insurance or an annuity policy or the rate charged for any policy shall not be conditioned upon or affected by the making or rescinding of a request; providing health care provider participation, notification, and permissible sanctions; providing penalties and definitions.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-05-09 S Filed
03-05-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Judiciary

SB 443

White, D

Act establishing a system for payment or reduction in payment for preventable serious adverse events within this Commonwealth; and providing for the powers and duties of the Dept. of Health & Dept. of State.

PLS Summary:

(PN 749) The Preventable Serious Adverse Events Act establishes a system for payment or reduction in payment for preventable serious adverse events within this Commonwealth. Health care providers are prohibited from knowingly seeking payment for a preventable serious adverse event or services required to correct or treat the problem created by such an event when such an event occurred under their control. In the event of payment, a refund would be provided. The bill provides for duties of the Departments of Health and State, including investigating patient or health care payor complaints. The bill also outlines rules governing applicability, contracts and reporting, as well as Medicare payment. (Prior Printer Number: 447, 632)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose)

Bill History:

03-25-09 S Third consideration
03-25-09 S Final Passage (Vote: Y: 50/N: 0)
03-26-09 H Received in the House and referred to House Insurance

SB 464

Browne

Act providing for use of volunteer time by health care professionals in meeting continuing education requirements.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1306) The Volunteer Continuing Medical Education Act provides that beginning with the licensure period commencing after the effective date of the act and following written notice by the appropriate licensure board, health care professionals shall be permitted to apply volunteer time served in a community-based health care clinic toward completion of no more than 20% of the mandatory continuing education required by the appropriate licensure board. Further provides acceptable documentation of volunteer hours shall be done in accordance with policies established by each board. (Prior Printer Number: 474, 781, 864)

Companions:

SB 1451 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Support)

Bill History:

07-15-09 H Removed from the table
07-15-09 H Rereferred to House Appropriations
01-05-10 H Set on the House Voting Schedule

SB 473

Amends the Health Care Facilities Act further providing for administration by Dept. of Health.

PLS Summary:

(PN 483) Amends the Health Care Facilities Act requiring the annual report issued by the Department of Health to the General Assembly to include the total number of facilities licensed in PA; the total number of facilities inspected and given new licenses during the year; the number of residents occupying the facilities; the number of facilities cited and sanctioned for violations; the total number of violations found by the department with a numerical breakdown of violations according to type, scope, and nature; an overview of the department's complaint resolution system; and any other information the department feels is pertinent.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-02-09 S Filed
03-02-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Public Health and Welfare

SB 474

Amends the Health Care Facilities Act further providing for administration by Dept. of Health.

PLS Summary:

(PN 484) Amends the Health Care Facilities Act further providing for administration by the Department of Health by adding that the department would establish and maintain a 24-hour-a-day, toll-free telephone number for receiving complaints regarding a health care facility that the department licenses. The toll-free telephone number would be staffed by live operators 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Health care facilities licensed by the department would be required to post the department's 24-hour-a-day toll-free telephone number for receiving complaints and the telephone number of the long-term-care ombudsman located within the local area agency on aging as established by the Department of Aging in conspicuous public places throughout their facilities and in a manner clearly visible to the residents and visitors

Companions:

SB 194 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-02-09 S Filed
03-02-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Public Health and Welfare

SB 475

Amends the Health Care Facilities Act providing for quality assurance inspections.

PLS Summary:

(PN 485) Amends the Health Care Facilities Act by providing for quality assurance inspections. The department would annually conduct random, unannounced inspections of 25% of the licensed health care facilities within PA. The purpose of the inspection would be to ensure that health care facilities and services continue to meet high quality standards and that all citizens receive the humane, courteous and dignified treatment and the quality care and services to which they are entitled.

Companions:

SB 195 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

MH MR(Neutral), PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-02-09 S Filed
03-02-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Public Health and Welfare

SB 476

Amends the Health Care Facilities Act further providing for term and content of licenses.

PLS Summary:

(PN 486) Amends the Health Care Facilities Act further providing for term and content of licenses. Whenever practicable, the department would prepare and maintain an inspection report for every long-term care nursing facility visited. The inspection report would contain: 1) the date the inspection was completed; 2) the number, nature and scope of violations found, if any; 3) the nature of the sanctions assessed against the long-term care nursing facility, if any; 4) the date(s) the long-term care nursing facility is to be brought into compliance with the law or regulation; and 5) any other information the department deems pertinent. The department would, within 30 days of completion of each long-term care nursing facility inspection, publish in a newspaper of general circulation within the county where the long-term care nursing facility is located a summary of the inspection report of the facility.

Companions:

SB 196 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-02-09 S Filed
03-02-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Public Health and Welfare

SB 477

Act providing for nursing home performance information; and requiring nursing homes to maintain inspection reports and to distribute reports to patients or designees.

PLS Summary:

(PN 487) The Nursing Home Performance Information Act requires the Department of Health to publish in electronic and paper media on an annual basis a consumer guide on nursing home performance. The initial guide shall contain information from calendar year 2006 and the second consumer guide shall contain information from calendar year 2006 and calendar year 2007. The third consumer guide shall contain information about calendar year 2006, calendar year 2007 and calendar year 2008. All subsequent consumer guides shall contain information from the last three calendar years. The legislation provides for the contents and formatting of the guide.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-02-09 S Filed
03-02-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Public Health and Welfare

SB 509

Folmer

Amends the Mcare Act further providing for medical professional liability insurance, for the Mcare Error Fund; and in Health Care Provider Retention Program, est. the Health Care Provider Rate Stabilization Fund.

PLS Summary:

(PN 516) Amends the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act phasing out the Mcare Fund by using existing revenues from the cigarette tax and the CAT fund to pay down current Mcare liability and transition to the private market. It provides that after calendar year 2012 all assessments shall cease and the fund shall be funded by The Health Care Provider Rate Stabilization Fund. The money in the Health Care Provider Retention Program is transferred to the fund effective January 1, 2009. The liabilities and obligations of the Health Care Provider Retention Program are transferred to and assumed by the fund effective January 1, 2009.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral), Insurance(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-02-09 S Filed
03-02-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Banking and Insurance

SB 550

Rafferty

Amends The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act providing for administration of the act by requiring notification regarding theft or loss of controlled substances.

PLS Summary:

(PN 558) Amends the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act providing for administration of the act by requiring notification regarding theft or loss of controlled substances. The legislation requires that a nursing home, assisted living facility, pharmacy or hospital promptly notify local law enforcement agencies and the Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and Drug Control in the event controlled substances are stolen or lost.

Companions:

SB 299 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-02-09 S Filed
03-02-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Judiciary

SB 575

Act requiring public notices relating to long-term care facilities; for compliance & enforcement; for Dept. of Health inspection information available to public; & for transmission of info. to resident's representative; & for penalties.

PLS Summary:

(PN 604) The Long-Term Care Consumer Protection Act requires facilities to display all of the following in a public and conspicuous location where they may easily be observed and read: (1) the license permitting operation of the facility; (2) all reports of inspections issued during the preceding year; and (3) notices of any enforcement actions currently being undertaken against the facility. Facilities would also be required to maintain for each resident, where applicable, a current record of the name, address and telephone number of the resident's representative or representatives, which would be provided upon request to the applicable department.

Companions:

SB 507 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-05-09 S Filed
03-05-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Public Health and Welfare

SB 637

Act providing for workplace health & safety standards for public employees; for powers & duties of Secretary of Labor & Industry; est. the PA Occupational Safety & Health Review Board; for workplace inspections; & for penalties.


PLS Summary:	(PN 692) The Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Act provides for workplace health and safety standards for public employees; provides for powers and duties of the Secretary of Labor and Industry; establishes the Pennsylvania Occupational Safety and Health Review Board; provides for workplace inspections; and imposes penalties.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), County Governance(Oppose)

Bill History:

03-19-09 S Filed
03-19-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Labor and Industry

SB 641

Amends Social Wkrs, Marriage & Family Therapists & Prof. Counselors Act, further providing for legislative intent, definitions, licensing agency, etc., for "Licensed Human Services Professional" title; & describing unlawful practice.

PLS Summary:

(PN 696) Amends the Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act adding licensed human services professionals to its scope. The bill further provides for legislative intent, defines "licensed human services professional" and "practice of licensed human services", provides for licensure of human services professionals, increases the composition of the board to 15 members, provides for the licensing agency and its functions, for licensure qualifications and procedure, for exemptions, for reciprocity and for license reinstatement; provides for restrictions on use of title "Licensed Human Services Professional"; and further proscribes unlawful practice.

Track Name(s):

PCYA(Neutral), PACAH(Oppose), PACDAA(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral), Human Services(Amend-Opposed)

Bill History:

03-19-09 S Filed
03-19-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Consumer Protection & Prof. Licensure

SB 651

Amends Older Adults Protective Service Act further providing for legislative policy, definitions, involuntary intervention by emergency court order, etc.; providing for requirements concerning employees & for comparison study by Dept. of Aging.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1073) Amends Older Adults Protective Service Act to state it is the declared policy of the General Assembly that the conviction of any offense that involves serious physical harm, a threat of serious physical harm or conduct which evidences a reckless disregard for the vulnerability of care-dependent populations may legitimately warrant a lifetime ban on employment in certain facilities. Allows an agency to petition a court of common pleas for an emergency order to provide protective services to an older adult who is at imminent risk of financial exploitation, death or serious physical harm. Also allows the Department of Aging to participate in electronic fingerprinting. The Department of Public Welfare or the State Police may require the applicant to submit additional information from a court or other authority if the criminal history record does not provide the disposition of a criminal charge or the information needed to compare a Federal or out-of-State criminal offense to Pennsylvania criminal offenses. The bill extensively outlines offenses that would trigger the lifetime ban on employment and provisions for such a ban. (Prior Printer Number: 713)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

06-02-09 S First consideration
06-08-09 S Set on the Senate Calendar
06-08-09 S Rereferred to Senate Appropriations

SB 657

Logan

Act requiring certain staffing levels at health care facilities providing renal dialysis services; and providing for powers and duties of the Department of Health.

PLS Summary:

(PN 721) The Dialysis Services Staffing Act states that an end-stage renal disease (ESRD) facility must have properly trained personnel present in an adequate number to meet the medical and non-medical needs of patients receiving dialysis. Whenever a patient is receiving dialysis, the ESRD facility must provide the following staff: (1) two licensed health care professionals, including one full-time registered nurse licensed in Pennsylvania and one health care professional experienced in rendering care for renal dialysis patient care; (2) an adequate number of personnel such that patient/staff ratio is appropriate to the level of dialysis care being given to meet the needs of the patient; and (3) a licensed physician who is onsite or on call.

Companions:

SB 642 (Refiled from 07R Session)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), Courts and Corrections(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-20-09 S Filed
03-20-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Public Health and Welfare

SB 689

Stout

Amends the Health Care Facilities Act, further providing for powers & purpose, for Dept. of Health powers, administration & licensure; for staffing plans & requirements; for license standards, etc., & for nurse recruitment loan programs.

PLS Summary:

(PN 769) Amends the Health Care Facilities Act further providing for purposes, for definitions, for powers of the Department of Health, for administration and for licensure; providing for compliance with staffing plans and recordkeeping, for work assignment policies and for public disclosure of staffing requirements; further providing for license standards, for reliance on accrediting agencies and Federal Government, for medical assistance payments and for civil penalties; and providing for private right of action and for grants and loan programs for nurse recruitment.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-27-09 S Filed
03-27-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Public Health and Welfare

SB 692

Rafferty

Amends the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act, further providing for abatement programs, for procedure and for expiration.


PLS Summary:	(PN 771) Amends the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act extending abatement programs and the act through 2010. The bill shall be retroactive to December 31, 2008.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Support), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

03-27-09 S Filed
03-27-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Banking and Insurance

SB 700

Wonderling

Act providing loans for health information technology.

PLS Summary:

(PN 823) The Health Information Technology Act establishes the Health Information Technology Program to administer grants received under section 3014 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and from other sources to be used to provide loans to health care providers or health information technology regional extension centers to implement health information technology systems. The program shall provide loans for the following: (1)The purchase or enhancement of health information technology or telecommunications necessary to create an interoperable and integrated health information technology system; (2)The payment of costs and expenses associated with the preparation of plans, specifications, studies and surveys necessary to determine the scope and effectiveness of a health information technology system; (3)The training of physicians and personnel in the use of health information technology; (4)The improvement of security in the exchange of electronic health records; and (5)Clinical decision support systems. The amount of a loan to a health care provider or regional health information technology organization may not exceed $1,000,000. No less than 50% of available funds shall be used for loans to health care providers in counties of the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth class. In order to be eligible for a loan, a health care provider must provide medically necessary services to individuals regardless of the individual's ability to pay for the services and must be a participating provider with the Department of Public Welfare of services to individuals eligible for medical assistance. The bill provides for the duties of the Department of Health, including to annually report to the chairmen of the House Health and Human Services Committee and to the chairmen of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee.

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Support), PACHSA(Neutral)

Bill History:

06-17-09 S First consideration
07-01-09 S Set on the Senate Calendar
07-01-09 S Rereferred to Senate Appropriations

SB 847

Yaw

Amends Title 42 (Judiciary & Judicial Procedure) providing for permissible argument as to damages at trial.

PLS Summary:

(PN 992) Amends Title 42 (Judiciary) providing for permissible argument as to damages at trial by adding that in any civil action tried before a judge, jury or other tribunal, a party may make any of the following arguments during closing argument and after the judge, jury or other tribunal, has requested for the argument to be made: (1) specifically argue in lump sums or by mathematical formula the amount he deems to be an appropriate award for all past and future economic or noneconomic damages or both economic and noneconomic damages claimed to be recoverable; or (2) argue that an award of zero damages is appropriate, even if there is a finding of liability against the defendant. A party may not argue a specific sum unless the party first discloses to the court and opposing counsel that the party intends to argue the specific damages prior to the presentation of closing arguments. Arguments as to appropriate amount of economic damages may be made without notice to opposing counsel if evidence supporting economic damages has been introduced to trial.

Companions:

HB 1389 (Refiled from 07R Session)
HB 1444 (Identical)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Oppose)

Bill History:

05-05-09 S Filed
05-05-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Judiciary

SB 922

Kitchen

Amends the Public Welfare Code, in Dept. of Public Welfare duties, for determining if applicants are veterans; and, in public assistance, for establishment of county boards & expenses; for definitions, no hold harmless & tax exemption.

PLS Summary:

(PN 1480) Amends the Public Welfare Code further providing in general powers and duties of the Department of Public Welfare, providing for determining whether applicants are veterans by good faith effort; and, in public assistance for establishment of county boards and expenses by requiring each appointment by the governor to bear the endorsement of the senator of the district in which the nominee resides; providing for reasonable limits (changed from lifetime limit) on allowable income deductions for medical expenses when determining payment toward the cost of long-term care services; further defining "general acute care hospital"; defining "high volume Medicaid hospital"; and further providing for authorization by adding that beginning on or after July 1, 2009, and subject to advance written approval by the secretary, a municipality may impose a monetary assessment on the net operating revenues reduced by all revenues received from Medicare of each high volume Medicaid hospital located in the municipality; and further providing for administration, no hold harmless, and tax exemption. (Prior Printer Number: 1112, 1462)

Track Name(s):

PACAH(Neutral), 2009 Vehicles(Neutral)

Bill History:

10-08-09 H Rereferred to House Appropriations
10-09-09 H Set on the House Calendar
01-05-10 H Set on the House Voting Schedule

SB 927