Pennsylvania SB 731: An Act amending the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law, in pharmaceutical assistance for the elderly, providing for short title of chapter and further providing for determination of eligibility and for the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier ; and making an editorial change.

Bill Text

HOUSE AMENDED
PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 749 PRINTER'S NO. 1308
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 731
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY FARRY, COLLETT, HUGHES, FONTANA, KANE, LANGERHOLC,
HAYWOOD, BAKER, J. WARD, COSTA, CULVER, SANTARSIERO, SCHWANK,
MALONE AND BROWN, MAY 5, 2025
AS RE-REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, NOVEMBER 12, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, No.91), entitled
"An act providing for a State Lottery and administration
thereof; authorizing the creation of a State Lottery
Commission; prescribing its powers and duties; disposition of
funds; violations and penalties therefor; exemption of prizes
from State and local taxation and making an appropriation,"
in pharmaceutical assistance for the elderly, providing for
short title of chapter and further providing for
determination of eligibility AND FOR THE PHARMACEUTICAL
ASSISTANCE CONTRACT FOR THE ELDERLY NEEDS ENHANCEMENT TIER;
and making an editorial change.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, No.91),
known as the State Lottery Law, is amended by adding a section
to read:
Section 501. Short title of chapter.
This chapter may be referred to as the Pharmaceutical
Assistance Contract for the Elderly Act.
Section 2. Section 501 of the act is renumbered to read:
Section [501] 501.1. Legislative findings.
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Finding that an increasing number of the Commonwealth's
elderly citizens who are living on fixed incomes are
experiencing difficulties in meeting the costs of life-
sustaining prescription drugs, the General Assembly, in its
responsibilities to provide for the health, welfare and safety
of the residents of this Commonwealth, hereby continues a
limited State pharmaceutical assistance program for the elderly.
Section 3. Section 503(b) of the act is amended to read:
SECTION 3. SECTIONS 503(B) AND 519(B) OF THE ACT ARE AMENDED
TO READ:
Section 503. Determination of eligibility.
* * *
(b) Social Security cost-of-living adjustment.--
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act to
the contrary, persons who, as of December 31, [2022] 2024,
are enrolled in the PACENET program shall remain eligible for
the PACENET program if the maximum income limit is exceeded
due solely to a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act to
the contrary, persons who, as of December 31, [2022] 2024,
are enrolled in the PACE program shall remain eligible for
the PACE program if the maximum income limit is exceeded due
solely to a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment.
(3) Eligibility in the PACE or PACENET program pursuant
to this subsection shall expire on December 31, [2025] 2027.
SECTION 519. THE PHARMACEUTICAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT FOR THE
ELDERLY NEEDS ENHANCEMENT TIER.
* * *
(B) PACENET ELIGIBILITY.--A PERSON WITH AN ANNUAL INCOME OF
NOT LESS THAN $14,500 AND NOT MORE THAN [$33,500] $45,000 IN THE
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CASE OF A SINGLE PERSON AND OF NOT LESS THAN $17,700 AND NOT
MORE THAN [$41,500] $55,000 IN THE CASE OF THE COMBINED INCOME
OF PERSONS MARRIED TO EACH OTHER SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR ENHANCED
PHARMACEUTICAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THIS SECTION. A PERSON MAY, IN
REPORTING INCOME TO THE DEPARTMENT, ROUND THE AMOUNT OF EACH
SOURCE OF INCOME AND THE INCOME TOTAL TO THE NEAREST WHOLE
DOLLAR, WHEREBY ANY AMOUNT WHICH IS LESS THAN 50¢ IS ELIMINATED.
* * *
Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately. AS
FOLLOWS:
(1) THE AMENDMENT OF SECTION 519(B) OF THE ACT SHALL
TAKE EFFECT JULY 1, 2026.
(2) THE REMAINDER OF THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT
IMMEDIATELY.
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