All Roll Calls
Yes: 568 • No: 0
PennsylvaniaHB 19612025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
An Act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the PA Licensure Compact; providing for the form of the compact; and imposing additional powers and duties on the Governor, the Secretary of . . . the Commonwealth and the PA Licensure Compact.
Sponsored By: Robert E. Merski (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.
More states open to PA practice
Pennsylvania joins a compact that lets eligible physician assistants practice in other participating states. PAs need an unrestricted qualifying license, approved education, current national certification, and a Commission identifier. Participating states must use shared background checks, licensing data, and complaint systems. Pennsylvania’s medical boards must issue temporary rules and begin accepting and issuing privileges within one year after the implementation paragraph takes effect.
PA privileges continue during withdrawal
If a state is terminated from the compact, affected PAs generally keep their privileges there for 180 days. When a state withdraws, withdrawal takes effect 180 days after it enacts a repeal, and compact privileges continue during the transition. A PA may keep privileges in other participating states after that period by holding or obtaining a qualifying license there within 180 days.
Possible compact fees for PAs
Participating states may charge a fee for granting a PA compact privilege. The Commission may also charge PAs when other revenue does not cover its approved budget. If a PA ends a qualifying license early and has another qualifying license, the PA must notify the Commission and pay any fee required by Commission rules. The compact sets no fee amounts.
Discipline can suspend PA privileges
The state that issued a PA’s qualifying license handles action against that license. A remote state can investigate and act against the PA’s privilege in that state. A license restriction deactivates privileges in all remote states while it lasts and for two years after it ends. A state may recover investigation and case costs from a PA only when its own law allows it, and states cannot discipline practice that was lawful where it occurred.
Commission staff get legal protection
Commission members, officers, staff, and representatives receive protection from civil liability for covered acts within their duties. The Commission must defend them and pay covered settlements or judgments tied to those duties. These protections do not cover intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct. The law does not state a payment amount or funding source.
States share PA licensing records
The Commission runs a shared system for PA licenses, denials, adverse actions, and significant investigation information. Participating states must submit required records, but must leave out criminal-history details when the law bars disclosure. Significant investigation information is available only to participating states, and states may limit public access to information they submit. The Commission must remove a state’s information after that state reports it was expunged; certified Commission records can be used in certain proceedings.
Commission sets binding PA rules
The law creates a Commission to run the compact and give its rules legal force in participating states. Existing Commission rules take effect in Pennsylvania when the compact becomes law there. A court can limit a rule that conflicts with state law on PA services, and a majority of participating state legislatures can reject a rule within four years. Pennsylvania’s commissioner gets no extra pay but can be reimbursed for reasonable expenses actually incurred.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Robert E. Merski
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Benjamin V. Sanchez
Democratic • House
Carol Hill-Evans
Democratic • House
Dan Frankel
Democratic • House
Frank Burns
Democratic • House
Gina H. Curry
Democratic • House
Greg Scott
Democratic • House
Jacklyn Rusnock
Democratic • House
Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz
Democratic • House
Joseph C. Hohenstein
Democratic • House
Keith S. Harris
Democratic • House
Lisa A. Borowski
Democratic • House
Liz Hanbidge
Democratic • House
Malcolm Kenyatta
Democratic • House
Melissa L. Shusterman
Democratic • House
Nikki Rivera
Democratic • House
Patrick J. Harkins
Democratic • House
Steve Samuelson
Democratic • House
Tarik Khan
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 10/20/2026
House Bill 1961 PN2870, Final Passage
Yes: 50 • No: 0
committee vote • 7/10/2026
22 0
Yes: 22 • No: 0
committee vote • 2/4/2026
14 0
Yes: 14 • No: 0
committee vote • 2/4/2026
14 0
Yes: 14 • No: 0
House vote • 11/17/2025
House Bill 1961 PN2551, FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 202 • No: 0
committee vote • 11/17/2025
37 0
Yes: 37 • No: 0
House vote • 10/29/2025
House Bill 1961 PN2470 A01927
Yes: 203 • No: 0
committee vote • 10/28/2025
26 0
Yes: 26 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act No. 76 of 2026
10/22/2026GovernorApproved by the Governor
10/22/2026GovernorPresented to the Governor
10/22/2026HouseSigned in Senate
10/22/2026HouseSigned in House
10/21/2026HouseHouse concurred in Senate amendments (203-0)
10/21/2026HouseRe-reported on concurrence, as committed
10/21/2026HouseReferred to Rules
10/21/2026HouseThird consideration and final passage (50-0)
10/20/2026SenateSecond consideration
7/11/2026SenateRe-reported as committed
7/10/2026SenateRe-referred to Appropriations
5/5/2026SenateFirst consideration
2/4/2026SenateReported as amended
2/4/2026SenateReferred to Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure
11/24/2025SenateThird consideration and final passage (202-0)
11/17/2025HouseRe-reported as committed
11/17/2025HouseRe-committed to Appropriations
10/29/2025HouseSecond consideration, with amendments
10/29/2025HouseRemoved from table
10/28/2025HouseLaid on the table
10/28/2025HouseFirst consideration
10/28/2025HouseReported as committed
10/28/2025HouseReferred to Professional Licensure
10/17/2025House
Bill Text
PN 2870
2/4/2026
PN 2551
10/29/2025
PN 2470
10/17/2025
Related Bills
HB 2545, An Act providing for insurance coverage for vaginal estrogen for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and urinary tract infections.
HB 1827, An Act providing for medical assistance coverage and insurance coverage of screening, prevention and treatment measures for osteoporosis as a result of menopause.
HB 2826, An Act amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for firefighter cancer screening and for firefighter cancer screening program; and establishing the Firefighte . . .r Cancer Screening Fund.
HB 2023, An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in recovery of possession, further providing for hearing, judgment, writ of possession and payme . . .nt of rent by tenant.
HB 1345, An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, providing for medical assistance coverage for menopause treatments.
HB 1346, An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, in casualty insurance, providing for menopause treatment coverage.