PA
Pennsylvania House Bill HB1723

Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB1723

Introduced
9/27/23  

Caption

Further providing for the payment of the salary and medical and hospital expenses of certain employees of State and local government who are injured or contract certain diseases in the performance of their duty; repealing provisions relating to the term "fireman"; and providing for affirmation and for definitions.

Impact

If enacted, HB1723 will significantly refine the process by which injured employees can access benefits. It emphasizes the need for employers to establish clearer guidelines regarding the selection of healthcare providers, and it includes a quarterly affirmation process that ensures compliance and honesty from employees receiving benefits. Additionally, the legislation puts mechanisms in place that require annual audits to maintain transparency and accountability regarding the costs associated with benefits, potentially leading to more systematic tracking of employee welfare and employer obligations.

Summary

House Bill 1723 focuses on enhancing the provisions for compensation and medical coverage for state and local government employees who are injured or contract diseases while performing their duties. It amends the existing Enforcement Officer Disability Benefits Law, specifically updating the definitions of covered individuals and their entitlements to salary during temporary incapacity. This bill seeks to improve the clarity and scope of benefits provided, ensuring that injured employees receive timely financial support and medical coverage.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB1723 appears to be largely supportive among legislators who view it as a necessary step in modernizing employee benefits for first responders and government workers. Advocates argue that it provides essential protections and clarity for workers, which is particularly vital in high-risk occupations. However, there may be concern regarding the potential administrative burden this could place on employers, as well as the implications of the affirmation and compliance requirements on employee privacy and autonomy.

Contention

Despite the general support for the bill, notable contention has arisen regarding the balance between employer regulations and employee rights. Critics may express concerns about the stringent requirements for quarterly affirmations and medical documentation, arguing that they could complicate the process for legitimately injured employees seeking benefits. Furthermore, the necessity for designated healthcare providers could limit workers' choices in their medical care, which raises questions about employee autonomy and satisfaction with the treatment received.

Latest PA HB1723 Activity

View All Events: PA 2023-2024 Regular Session HB1723

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB1521

Further providing for disability benefits and for definitions.

PA SB429

Further providing for disability benefits and for definitions.

PA HB23

Further providing for disability benefits for campus police officers and for definitions.

PA HB1170

Further providing for title of act; in purpose, short title and definitions, further providing for definitions and construction; in organization of the board, further providing for appointment and terms of members and quorum; in licenses of milk dealers, further providing for grounds for refusal, suspension or revocation; in moneys and expenses of board, further providing for expenses and for payment; and, in saving provisions, repealing provisions relating to Joint Study Committee.

PA SB12

Further providing for definitions and for minimum wages; providing for gratuities; further providing for enforcement and rules and regulations, for penalties and for civil actions; repealing provisions relating to preemption; and providing for local option and for taxpayer savings and reinvestment.

PA HB1579

In constables, further providing for townships, providing for bond, further providing for police officers, providing for bail bond enforcement agent, for professional bondsman, for debt collection, for other incompatible employment, for disqualification and for nepotism, further providing for conduct and insurance, for program established, for program contents, for restricted account and for general imposition of duties and grant of powers, providing for constabulary badge and uniform, repealing provisions relating to arrest of offenders against forest laws, further providing for executions, for arrest in boroughs, for fees and for specific fees, repealing provisions relating to impounding, selling and viewing fees, further providing for seizure fees, for election notice in certain areas, for incompetence and for compensation violation, repealing provisions relating to failure to serve in a township and providing for oversight; authorizing county constabulary review boards; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency; and imposing penalties.

PA SB19

Further providing for definitions, for minimum wages and for exemptions; providing for gratuities; further providing for enforcement and rules and regulations, for penalties and for civil actions; repealing provisions relating to preemption; and providing for local option and for taxpayer savings and reinvestment.

PA HB1405

Further providing for definitions and for minimum wages; providing for tipped employees; and further providing for civil actions and for preemption.

PA SB267

In offenses against the family, further providing for newborn protection; in child protective services, further providing for definitions and for taking child into protective custody; and, in newborn protection, further providing for definitions and for incubators for newborns, providing for health care providers at urgent care centers accepting newborns and further providing for reporting acceptance of newborns, for immunity, for duty of hospital and for duties of department.

PA HB1726

Further providing for definitions, for occupations and establishments, for employment of minors in a performance and for duties of employer; repealing provisions relating to work permit; and further providing for administration and for newspaper delivery.

Similar Bills

PA HR143

Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the Commonwealth's preparedness to respond to public health emergencies.

PA HB2056

In abortion, further providing for publicly owned facilities, public officials and public funds.

PA HB1194

In abortion, further providing for publicly owned facilities, public officials and public funds.

PA SB809

Establishing the Primary Care Investment Task Force; and providing for duties of the Primary Care Investment Task Force.

PA SB568

Providing for school entity procedures for tick removal, for notification and for duties of the Department of Health and the Department of Education.

PA SB817

Providing for FQHC primary care workforce initiative; and making an appropriation.

PA SB614

Providing for FQHC primary care workforce initiative; and making an appropriation.

PA SB162

In military educational programs relating to medical officer or health officer incentive program, further providing for definitions, for establishment of program, for program stipend, for additional incentives, for recoupment of incentive payments, for adjustment of stipend amounts and for eligibility; and making editorial changes.