Pennsylvania HB 1376: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, providing for school-based health centers.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1573
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1376
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY KHAN, ISAACSON, SCHLOSSBERG, KOSIEROWSKI, CEPEDA-
FREYTIZ, WAXMAN, RABB, NEILSON, SANCHEZ, PIELLI, HILL-EVANS,
GIRAL, DONAHUE, HOHENSTEIN, FREEMAN, GREEN, KENYATTA, DALEY,
YOUNG, WEBSTER, MAYES AND PARKER, MAY 2, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MAY 2, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in school health services, providing
for school-based health centers.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 1402.1. School-Based Health Centers.--(a) A school-
based health center shall comply with the following standards:
(1) Upon availability of funding by the General Assembly, a
school-based health center:
(i) Shall be open and staffed during the regular hours of
the school district facility in which the school-based health
center is located or which is near the school-based health
center.
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(ii) May not turn away a student due to an inability to pay.
(iii) May not decline care to a student due to insurance
status, health status or existence of a current primary health
care provider of a student. If the student:
(A) Has a primary health care provider, the school-based
health center shall make every effort to coordinate services
with the student's primary health care provider to avoid any
duplication of services.
(B) Is covered under an insurance policy, the school-based
health center may seek reimbursement under the student's
insurance.
(2) A school-based health center shall make a complete range
of services available to any student who enrolls if the student
obtained parental consent, is eighteen (18) years of age or is
otherwise able to provide consent based on existing State law.
(3) When providing services by referral, health care
providers shall minimize financial, geographical and other
barriers to the greatest extent possible.
(4) A school-based health center shall make consent forms
available to each enrolling student to obtain informed written
consent of the parent or legal guardian of the student as
required under the laws of this Commonwealth. Consent forms
shall include a complete list of the specific services provided
at the school-based health center.
(b) A health care provider, through cooperation with a
participating school district, shall make written information
about school-based health center services available to parents
and legal guardians of students, including:
(1) The scope of services offered.
(2) Opt-in instructions.
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(3) The ability of the school-based health center to serve
as the designated primary health care provider or provide
services in collaboration with the student's primary health care
provider.
(4) Staffing patterns.
(c) Services provided by a school-based health center shall
be determined by, in the case of public schools, the school
board of the district or, in the case of private schools or
parochial schools, the private governing body. The school board
of the school district or the private governing body shall
consider conducting an assessment of a participating school
district's, private school's or parochial school's student
population needs and shall be sensitive to:
(1) The age of students served.
(2) The racial demographics and ethnic backgrounds of
students.
(3) The availability, use and access to other school and
community resources.
(4) The size of the enrolled population of the school-based
health center.
(d) If a school district establishes a school-based health
center, the school-based health center shall be integrated into
the school district environment and plans and shall coordinate
health services with school district administration, teachers,
nurses, support or other school district personnel and other
community providers at the school district.
(e) A school-based health center, in partnership with a
participating school district and other service providers at the
school district, shall develop policies and systems to ensure
confidentiality in the sharing of medical information in
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accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-191, 110 Stat. 1936).
(f) Except as provided in paragraph (2), upon availability
of funding from the Commonwealth, the department may promulgate
regulations regarding school-based health centers to meet the
req