Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB679

Introduced
3/23/23  

Caption

Further providing for authorization of county departments of health; and repealing provisions relating to dissolution of and withdrawal from county departments of health.

Impact

The implications of HB 679 are notable as it fundamentally alters the previous stipulations regarding local health departments. By mandating that counties must establish health departments, the bill underscores the need for robust local health administration, particularly in response to health crises or needs within communities. This amendment is designed to improve public health outcomes by ensuring that all counties have organized health departments that adhere to state oversight and standards, which could lead to better resource allocation and emergency preparedness across the state.

Summary

House Bill 679 seeks to amend the Local Health Administration Law by enhancing the authorization process for the establishment of county health departments. This bill stipulates that in counties other than first-class counties, the establishment of single-county or joint-county health departments shall be mandatory through resolutions. Additionally, the bill specifies that the State Secretary of Health must approve any proposed county health department that conforms to a county health administration plan, simplifying the systems for accountability and standardization in health management across counties.

Sentiment

The reception of HB 679 appears to be generally positive among health policymakers and public health advocates who argue that the establishment of local health departments is essential for effective health governance. There is a sentiment that having a structured approach will enhance health services and responsiveness in localities. However, some concerns may exist regarding the practicality of implementation in financially constrained counties, where establishing new health departments might impose additional fiscal burdens.

Contention

Discussion around this bill may highlight potential points of contention regarding the financial implications for counties. Critics may emphasize that while the intentions are to enhance public health, counties with limited budgets might struggle to comply with the new requirements. Additionally, there may also be debates about the balance of local versus state control in health matters, especially if some counties feel that they should have the autonomy to decide their health governance structures without mandatory state oversight.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB1685

Further providing for powers and duties of county departments of health and providing for exception for abatement of asbestos or other similar material.

PA SB681

In administrative organization, further providing for departmental administrative boards, commissions, and offices; in organization of departmental administrative boards and commissions and of advisory boards and commissions, further providing for advisory boards and commissions and repealing provisions relating to Environmental Quality Board; in powers and duties of the Department of Agriculture and its departmental administrative commission, further providing for seasonal farm labor; in powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Resources, its officers and departmental and advisory boards and commissions, further providing for Environmental Quality Board and for powers of Environmental Quality Board.

PA HB1237

In powers and duties of the Department of Health and its departmental administrative and advisory boards, further providing for Advisory Health Board; and abrogating a regulation.

PA HB1244

Further providing for title of act, repealing provisions relating to fee schedule, providing for definitions and for fees for recordation of documents and further providing for County Records Improvement Fund and for county demolition fund; and making repeals.

PA HB2303

In preliminary provisions relating to divorce, further providing for legislative findings and intent, for definitions, for bases of jurisdiction, for effect of agreement between parties and for premarital agreements; in dissolution of marital status, further providing for grounds for divorce, repealing provisions relating to counseling, further providing for grounds for annulment of voidable marriages, repealing provisions relating to defenses, to action where defendant suffering from mental disorder and to general appearance and collusion, further providing for hearing by master, providing for general order of divorce proceedings, repealing provisions relating to jury trial, further providing for decree of court and repealing provisions relating to opening or vacating decrees; in property rights, further providing for definitions and for disposition of property to defeat obligations; in alimony and support, further providing for alimony and repealing provisions relating to bar to alimony; and repealing provisions relating to mediation.

PA HB2504

Health; city-county boards of health; city-county health departments; State Commissioner of Health; medical directors; effective date.

PA SB450

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in games of chance, providing for payment and further providing for prize limits, for sales limited, for distributor licenses, for registration of manufacturers and for regulations of department; in club licensees, further providing for club licensee and for distribution of proceeds; in enforcement, further providing for revocation of licenses and for local option and repealing provisions relating to advertising; in tavern gaming, further providing for licenses, for application, for approval, for prize limits, for distribution of net revenue, for tavern games tax, for invoice, for reports and for enforcement.

PA AB881

Town withdrawals from county zoning and the effect of a jurisdiction change on zoning provisions.

PA SB826

Town withdrawals from county zoning and the effect of a jurisdiction change on zoning provisions.

PA HB1658

Further providing for title of act; repealing provisions relating to fee schedule; providing for definitions and for fees for recordation of documents; further providing for County Records Improvement Fund and for county demolition fund; and making repeals.

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