Pennsylvania HB 1656: An Act promoting indoor air quality in facilities housing or serving vulnerable populations; providing for tax credits, for certification programs, for public education and for data collection; and imposing duties on the Department of Health.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2015
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1656
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY BENHAM, MAYES, WAXMAN, SANCHEZ, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ AND
FRANKEL, JUNE 24, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, JUNE 25, 2025
AN ACT
Promoting indoor air quality in facilities housing or serving
vulnerable populations; providing for tax credits, for
certification programs, for public education and for data
collection; and imposing duties on the Department of Health.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Improving
Indoor Air for Seniors and Children Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"ASHRAE." The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and
Air-Conditioning Engineers.
"Contaminant." A biological, chemical, physical or
radiological agent that pollutes or reduces the purity of indoor
air, including particulate matter or agents identified by the
Environmental Protection Agency or ASHRAE.
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"HVAC." Heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
"Indoor air quality." The degree to which indoor air is free
of excessive levels of contaminants injurious to human health.
"Qualified air filter upgrade." A certified installation or
repair of air filters in compliance with ASHRAE Standard 241 and
achieving MERV 13 or higher.
"Qualified HVAC upgrade." Installation or repair of HVAC
systems meeting the same standards as above.
"Qualified indoor air quality assessment." An assessment
meeting standards issued by ASHRAE and the Department of Health.
"Qualifying property." A commercial or public property
primarily used to house, treat or educate seniors 65 years of
age or older or children under 18 years of age, including
schools, day cares, senior living facilities and nursing homes.
Section 3. Legislative intent.
The General Assembly finds and declares that improving indoor
air quality in facilities serving seniors and children is
critical to public health. It is the policy of this Commonwealth
to promote safe indoor environments through scientifically
grounded standards and equitable public investment.
Section 4. Indoor air quality.
(a) Tax credit.--A taxpayer shall be allowed a nonrefundable
tax credit against the personal income tax or corporate net
income tax for expenditures incurred in the taxable year related
to indoor air quality improvements in qualifying properties.
(b) Amount.--The tax credit shall equal the sum of:
(1) For qualified indoor air quality assessments, $1 per
square foot.
(2) For qualified air filter upgrades, $5 per square
foot.
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(3) For qualified HVAC upgrades, $50 per square foot.
(c) Limitations.--The following limits shall not be
exceeded:
(1) Credits for qualified HVAC upgrades or qualified air
filter upgrades shall not exceed 50% of total expenditures in
the taxable year.
(2) Credits for qualified indoor air quality assessments
shall not exceed the amount actually paid.
Section 5. Indoor air quality certification program.
Within 365 days of the effective date of this section, the
Department of Health shall establish a voluntary certification
program to certify qualifying properties meeting or exceeding
indoor air quality standards. Certifications shall be made
publicly available.
Section 6. Public education.
The Department of Health shall disseminate information
concerning:
(1) Health effects of poor indoor air quality.
(2) Locations and building types associated with risk.
(3) Mitigation methods.
(4) Technologies and remediation actions.
(5) Protection of vulnerable subpopulations.
Section 7. Public health surveillance and research.
The Department of Health is authorized to:
(1) Collect and analyze indoor air quality related
health data.
(2) Coordinate research on contaminants and health
effects.
(3) Collaborate with academic and national partners.
(4) Obtain de-identified data for epidemiological study,
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subject to applicable Federal and State privacy laws.
Section 8. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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