PRINTER'S NO. 492
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.523
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY FARRY, SCHWANK, TARTAGLIONE, PENNYCUICK,
SANTARSIERO, FONTANA, KANE, SAVAL, ROBINSON AND STEFANO,
MARCH 26, 2025
REFERRED TO VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS,
MARCH 26, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions relating
to emergency management services, providing for health
screenings for firefighters and EMS providers.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 35 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
ยง 7715. Health screenings for firefighters and EMS providers.
(a) Cancer and cardiovascular health screening exams.--A
firefighter or EMS provider employed as a full-time paid
employee of a fire department or a political subdivision shall
have a cancer and cardiovascular health screening exam conducted
by a physician no less than once every three years during the
course of the firefighter's or EMS provider's employment. Where
applicable, a health screening under this section shall include,
at a minimum:
(1) Screenings for the following cancers and
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18 cardiovascular conditions:
(i) Liver.
(ii) Gallbladder.
(iii) Kidney.
(iv) Spleen.
(v) Urinary bladder and prostate.
(vi) Abdominal aorta.
(vii) Testicle and scrotal.
(viii) Pelvic, uterus and ovary external scan.
(ix) Thyroid.
(x) Carotid.
(xi) Colon.
(xii) Lung.
(xiii) Skin.
(2) An echocardiogram.
(3) For a male, a prostate-specific antigen screening.
(4) For a female, a human papillomavirus screening.
(b) Cost of health screenings.--All costs associated with a
health screening under this section shall be covered by a health
care benefits plan included with the firefighter's or EMS
provider's employment, an insurance fund, joint insurance fund
or other manner. An employer shall cover the cost of a
copayment, deductible, coinsurance or employee out-of-pocket
expense for a health screening under this section.
(c) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"EMS provider." Any of the following:
(1) An emergency medical responder.
(2) An emergency medical technician.
20250SB0523PN0492 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 (3) An advanced emergency medical technician.
(4) A paramedic.
(5) A prehospital registered nurse.
(6) A prehospital physician extender.
(7) A prehospital emergency medical services physician.
(8) An individual prescribed by regulation of the
Department of Health to provide specialized emergency medical
services.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
20250SB0523PN0492 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9