Pennsylvania HB 564: An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, in quality health care accountability and protection, further providing for prompt payment of claims.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 568 PRINTER'S NO. 1831
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 564
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY PROBST, KHAN, VENKAT, KAZEEM, HILL-EVANS, SANCHEZ,
HOWARD, T. DAVIS, WAXMAN, CERRATO, WARREN, GIRAL, GALLAGHER,
RIVERA, STEELE, OTTEN, D. WILLIAMS, MAYES, O'MARA, DELLOSO,
BOYD, JAMES, GREEN, SCHLOSSBERG, KRAJEWSKI, CURRY, K.HARRIS,
MADDEN, SAMUELSON AND McNEILL, FEBRUARY 12, 2025
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNE 4, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, providing for mental health crisis
response; and imposing duties on the Department of Human
Services.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 35 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 53A
MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE
Sec.
53A01. Definitions.
53A02. 988 public education campaign.
53A03. Evaluation and report.
§ 53A01. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
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context clearly indicates otherwise:
"911 system." As defined in section 5302 (relating to
definitions).
"988 crisis call center." A call center designated by the
Commonwealth to respond to Statewide or regional calls from the
988 suicide and crisis lifeline.
"988 suicide and crisis lifeline." The universal telephone
number within the United States designated for the purpose of
the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline
system operating through the National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline program in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 290bb-36c
(relating to National Suicide Prevention Lifeline program).
"Campaign." The 988 public education campaign described
under section 53A02 (relating to 988 public education campaign).
"Department." The Department of Human Services of the
Commonwealth.
"Emergency responder." Any of the following:
(1) A current or former certified emergency medical
services provider or current or former member of an emergency
medical services agency, fire company or rescue company.
(2) A peace officer.
(3) A 911 dispatcher.
(4) A coroner or medical examiner who responds in an
official capacity to an emergency.
(5) A corrections officer.
§ 53A02. 988 public education campaign.
(a) Implementation.-- No later than 180 days after the
effective date of this subsection, SUBJECT TO AVAILABLE FUNDING,
the department shall implement a campaign to increase public
understanding and engagement with the 988 suicide and crisis
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lifeline in this Commonwealth to:
(1) Promote awareness of 988 services and other local
helplines and resources to support individuals during a
mental health crisis.
(2) Encourage the appropriate use of the 988 suicide and
crisis lifeline as an alternative to the 911 system.
(3) Provide information about suicide prevention
measures and the warning signs of suicide.
(b) Consultation.--To administer the campaign and ensure
that the messages of the campaign are effectively tailored, the
department shall consult with the following:
(1) The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
(2) 988 crisis call centers in this Commonwealth.
(3) Advocacy groups focused on suicide prevention,
including organizations that address the unique challenges of
suicide prevention in both rural and urban environments,
provide services and support to veterans and emergency
responders and provide services and support to non-English
speakers.
(4) Crisis counselors and other mental health
professionals specializing in suicide prevention.
(5) Individuals with lived experiences of mental health
or substance use crisis.
(c) Materials and resources.--
(1) To administer the campaign, the department:
(i) Shall utilize a variety of materials and
resources, including print media, social media graphics,
posters and displays, which shall be:
(A) Posted on the publicly accessible Internet
website of the department.
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(B) Designed to be mobile-friendly.
(C) Available in multiple languages, as deemed
necessary by the department.
(D) Designed to ensure effective communication
with the diverse populations and cultures across this
Commonwealth.
(ii) May utilize existing materials and resources,
including 988-related materials and resources developed
by the United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration.
(2) All materials and resources that are produced by the
department for the campaign must comply with the act of
December 20, 2015 (P.L.497, No.90), known as the Taxpayer-
Funded Advertising Transparency Act.
§ 53A03. Evaluation and report.
(a) Initial report.--Within 180 days of the effective da