Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB1611

Introduced
6/16/25  

Caption

Extensively revising provisions relating to the protection of abused elderly; establishing a uniform Statewide reporting and investigative system for suspected abuse of the elderly; providing for protective services; prohibiting financial exploitation; providing for funding and for regulations; imposing penalties; and making editorial changes.

Impact

HB1611 will significantly impact local agencies and healthcare providers responsible for the welfare of older adults. It emphasizes the responsibilities of mandated reporters to report suspected abuse and establishes penalties for failure to report. The bill outlines the process for conducting investigations into reports of abuse and mandates collaboration with law enforcement agencies to ensure comprehensive responses to such incidents. The financial implications of implementing these services require securing funding from state resources, which may lead to budgetary considerations for agencies involved in elder care and protective services.

Summary

House Bill 1611 aims to strengthen the protection of older adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation in Pennsylvania. It seeks to establish a uniform statewide reporting and investigative system for suspected abuse of older adults while providing the necessary protective services. The bill revises existing legislation around protective services provided to older adults and introduces new regulations intended to enhance the support systems for vulnerable populations. This includes provisions for emergency court orders to intervene when an older adult is deemed to be in imminent danger, allowing for quicker responses to situations of severe risk.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB1611 reflects a strong consensus among supporters, who argue that it is a crucial step toward safeguarding the elderly and addressing growing concerns about elder abuse. Advocates emphasize the importance of a systematic approach to preventing financial exploitation and ensuring timely protective action. However, there are apprehensions voiced by some stakeholders about the potential administrative burdens the bill may impose on local agencies, particularly regarding compliance and reporting protocols. Additionally, there is concern regarding funding and resources necessary for effective implementation.

Contestion

Discussion surrounding HB1611 may involve contention around the balance between protecting older adults and preserving their autonomy, particularly when it comes to court-ordered interventions. Some critics express worries that the bill might infringe on the personal liberties of older adults by allowing for emergency services without their consent. Furthermore, while the provisions for mandatory reporting and penalties aim to improve accountability, they also raise questions about the practicality and appropriateness of imposing criminal penalties on caregivers and healthcare providers who may be under significant pressure in these situations.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB2663

Providing for older adults protective services; and making a repeal.

PA HB2622

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in administration, further providing for confidentiality of records; and providing for abuse and neglect registry.

PA HB370

Further providing for definitions; providing for domestic abuse reporting by health care practitioners; and making editorial changes.

PA SB885

In administration, providing for Statewide registry of perpetrators of abuse in facilities.

PA HB838

In theft and related offenses, further providing for the offense of financial exploitation of an older adult or care-dependent person and providing for the offense of financial exploitation of a family or household member and for civil causes of action in cases of financial exploitation; and imposing penalties.

PA HB2621

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in administration, further providing for duties of department and agencies; and providing for registration of abuse and neglect perpetrators.

PA HB106

Providing for hospital patient protection provisions; and imposing penalties.

PA HB2066

Providing for financial institutions and fiduciaries.

PA SB548

Providing for health systems protection; imposing a fine; and promulgating regulations.

PA SB247

Providing for hospital patient protection provisions; and imposing penalties.

Similar Bills

PA HB2663

Providing for older adults protective services; and making a repeal.

PA HB1141

In revenues, further providing for taxes and assessments; adding provisions relating to local gaming terminals by providing for general provisions, for administration, for application and licensure, for operation, for enforcement and for revenue; imposing the local gaming terminal tax; establishing the Local Gaming Fund; providing for ethics; in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for the offense of gambling devices, gambling, etc.; in Commonwealth services, establishing the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Programs Fund; prescribing penalties; and making appropriations.

PA SB1142

In revenues, further providing for establishment of State Gaming Fund and net slot machine revenue distribution; adding provisions relating to local gaming terminals by providing for general provisions, for application and licensure, for operation, for enforcement and for revenue; imposing the local gaming terminal tax; establishing the Local Gaming Fund; providing for ethics; in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for the offense of gambling devices, gambling, etc.; in Commonwealth services, establishing the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Programs Fund; prescribing penalties; and making appropriations.

PA SB756

In fantasy contests, further providing for definitions, for general and specific powers of board and for prohibitions; in general provisions relating to gaming, further providing for legislative intent and for definitions; in Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, further providing for Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board established, for general and specific powers, for license or permit application hearing process and public input hearings, for regulatory authority of board, for number of slot machines, for reports of board and for license or permit prohibition; in licensees, further providing for Category 4 slot machine license, for divestiture of disqualifying applicant, for manufacturer licenses, for gaming service provider, for nongaming service provider, for occupation permit application, for slot machine testing and certification standards, for slot machine accounting controls and audits and for renewals; in table games, further providing for regulatory authority and for table game device and associated equipment testing and certification standards; in interactive gaming, further providing for internal, administrative and accounting controls, for interactive games and interactive gaming devices and associated equipment testing and certification standards; in sports wagering, further providing for definitions; in revenues, further providing for slot machine licensee deposits and for transfers from State Gaming Fund; in administration and enforcement, repealing provisions relating to political influence, further providing for investigations and enforcement, for prohibited acts and penalties and for liquor licenses at licensed facilities; in fingerprinting, further providing for submission of fingerprints and photographs; in miscellaneous provisions relating to gaming, providing for live-streaming on casino floor and further providing for severability; in general provisions relating to video gaming, further providing for definitions; in administration, further providing for powers of board; in application and licensure, further providing for key employee licenses, for establishment licenses and for license or permit prohibition; in operation, further providing for video gaming limitations and for compulsive and problem gambling; in enforcement, further providing for prohibited acts and penalties; in revenues, further providing for fees; in ethics, repealing provisions relating to political influence; providing for skill gaming; establishing the Skill Gaming Fund; imposing duties on the Department of Revenue; in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for gambling devices, gambling, etc.; in forfeiture of assets, further providing for asset forfeiture; making appropriations; making repeals; and making editorial changes.

VA SB750

Behavioral Health Hospital Authority; created, report.

VA SB750

Behavioral Health Hospital Authority; created, report.

PA HB2621

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in administration, further providing for duties of department and agencies; and providing for registration of abuse and neglect perpetrators.

VA HB1750

Cannabis control; establishes framework for creation of retail marijuana market.