Pennsylvania HR 287: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue a report on workplace policies related to perimenopause and menopause offered by public and private employers.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 2156 PRINTER'S NO. 2410
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 287
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY SHUSTERMAN, HILL-EVANS, PIELLI, OTTEN, SANCHEZ,
HANBIDGE, GUENST, HOHENSTEIN, D. WILLIAMS, CURRY AND GREEN,
JULY 18, 2025
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
AS AMENDED, OCTOBER 7, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
study and issue a report on workplace policies related to
perimenopause and menopause offered by public and private
employers.
WHEREAS, Menopause is defined as the point at which a woman
has not menstruated for a continuous period of 12 months, with
the transitional period leading to menopause commonly referred
to as perimenopause; and
WHEREAS, Perimenopause and menopause are frequently
associated with symptoms that may include weight gain, joint and
muscle pain, cognitive impairment often described as brain fog,
increased risk of depression and anxiety, hot flashes, night
sweats, sleep disturbances, changes in sexual function, bone
loss, fluctuations in cholesterol levels and vaginal and urinary
tract complications; and
WHEREAS, In ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR
BIOTECHNOLOGY INFORMATION, IN the United States, approximately
1.3 million women enter menopause annually, with the average age
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of onset at 51 years of age; and
WHEREAS, The ACCORDING TO A MAYO CLINIC STUDY, THE symptoms
associated with perimenopause and menopause may result in
absenteeism, reduced workplace productivity and increased health
care costs, with economic estimates indicating that lost
productivity and medical expenses related to these symptoms
total approximately $26.6 billion per year nationwide; and
WHEREAS, Treatment options for perimenopausal and menopausal
symptoms may include hormone replacement therapy, prescription
medications and dietary or lifestyle modifications, yet many
women remain unaware of the available interventions; and
WHEREAS, A study conducted by the American Association of
Retired Persons found that only approximately 61% of women in
the perimenopausal stage felt knowledgeable about menopause; and
WHEREAS, The same study indicated that more than half of the
women surveyed believed there should be greater focus on
menopause education and women's health generally; and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives is committed to
advancing the health and well-being of women in this
Commonwealth and ensuring that accurate, accessible information
concerning perimenopause and menopause is widely disseminated
and promoted; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue a
report on workplace policies related to perimenopause and
menopause offered by public and private employers; REGARDING
INFORMATION READILY AVAILABLE RELATED TO PERIMENOPAUSE AND
MENOPAUSE; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study include the following components:
(1) An examination of existing perimenopause-related and
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menopause-related education and awareness policies in both
public and private sector workplaces.
(2) A review of workplace policies related to
perimenopause and menopause, including policies concerning
reasonable accommodations, paid leave and other supports for
employees experiencing perimenopause-related and menopause-
related symptoms.
(1) CONSULTATION WITH EXPERTS IN PERIMENOPAUSE AND
MENOPAUSE FROM VARIOUS FIELDS, INCLUDING MEDICINE AND LAW.
(2) A REVIEW OF WORKPLACE POLICIES FOR COMMONWEALTH
EMPLOYEES RELATED TO SUPPORTS FOR COMMONWEALTH EMPLOYEES
EXPERIENCING PERIMENOPAUSE-RELATED AND MENOPAUSE-RELATED
SYMPTOMS.
(3) Recommendations for actions AND EDUCATIONAL
MATERIALS that the Department of Human Services, the
Department of Health, THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY or
other appropriate State agencies may implement OR POST ON
THEIR PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITES to support women
during the perimenopausal and menopausal life stages.
(4) A REVIEW OF LAWS, POLICIES AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
PROVIDED BY OTHER STATES.
(4) (5) Legislative recommendations that the House of
Representatives may consider to improve public understanding
of and support for women experiencing perimenopause and
menopause;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission report
its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives
no later than 18 months following the adoption of this
resolution.
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