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Bill > HB790
PA HB790
PA HB790In licensing of health care facilities, providing for hospital emergency abortion services.
summary
Introduced
03/03/2025
03/03/2025
In Committee
03/03/2025
03/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Amending the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), entitled "An act relating to health care; prescribing the powers and duties of the Department of Health; establishing and providing the powers and duties of the State Health Coordinating Council, health systems agencies and Health Care Policy Board in the Department of Health, and State Health Facility Hearing Board in the Department of Justice; providing for certification of need of health care providers and prescribing penalties," in licensing of health care facilities, providing for hospital emergency abortion services.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Health Care Facilities Act to require hospitals with emergency departments in Pennsylvania to provide abortion services when an individual presents with an emergency medical condition that necessitates an abortion to stabilize their health. The bill defines an "emergency medical condition" broadly, including scenarios such as ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy complications, risks to future fertility, preterm membrane rupture, placental abnormalities, and hypertensive disorders like preeclampsia. Hospitals must offer abortion services in these situations, and if the patient or their legal representative refuses treatment after being informed of risks and benefits, the hospital must take reasonable steps to secure written informed consent for the refusal. The bill defines "stabilize" as providing medical treatment to prevent material deterioration of the patient's condition during potential transfer. Hospitals are considered compliant if they offer services and the patient declines after being fully informed. The legislation will take effect 60 days after its enactment, and it overrides any conflicting existing laws to ensure emergency abortion services are available when medically necessary.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (32)
Melissa Shusterman (D)*,
Lisa Borowski (D),
Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D),
Gina Curry (D),
Dan Deasy (D),
Sean Dougherty (D),
Elizabeth Fiedler (D),
Dan Frankel (D),
Paul Friel (D),
José Giral (D),
Roni Green (D),
Nancy Guenst (D),
Liz Hanbidge (D),
Carol Hill-Evans (D),
Joe Hohenstein (D),
Kristine Howard (D),
Malcolm Kenyatta (D),
Tarik Khan (D),
Emily Kinkead (D),
Maureen Madden (D),
La'Tasha Mayes (D),
Jenn O'Mara (D),
Danielle Otten (D),
Chris Pielli (D),
Tarah Probst (D),
Ben Sanchez (D),
Mike Schlossberg (D),
Pete Schweyer (D),
Mandy Steele (D),
Arvind Venkat (D),
Ben Waxman (D),
Joseph Webster (D),
Last Action
Referred to Health (on 03/03/2025)
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