PA
Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB730

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB730

Introduced
5/12/25  

Caption

In health care, further providing for applicability, for definitions, for criminal penalties, for emergency medical services, for definitions, for orders, bracelets and necklaces, for revocation, for absence of order, bracelet or necklace and for emergency medical services, repealing provisions relating to advisory committee and providing for discontinuance and for Pennsylvania orders for life-sustaining treatment.

Impact

The enactment of SB 730 will significantly impact existing state laws by enhancing the legal recognition of POLST forms. This legislation allows personalized medical orders that can be honored across different health care facilities, thereby ensuring that patients’ end-of-life care preferences are respected. Importantly, the bill repeals certain provisions related to advisory committees, indicating a shift toward more direct and simplified regulations surrounding life-sustaining treatment orders.

Summary

Senate Bill 730, introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, amends Title 20 concerning health care by establishing a framework for Pennsylvania Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST). The bill aims to streamline the process for individuals to dictate their health care wishes when they become unable to communicate due to medical conditions. Its provisions cover the applicability, definitions of involved parties, and procedures for revocation, emphasizing the need for clear medical orders that reflect patients' desires across various health care settings.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SB 730 appears to be largely positive among health care advocates, who see it as an important step toward empowering patients to have direct control over their health care decisions. Supporters argue that the bill helps overcome many limitations associated with traditional advance health care directives, providing immediate and actionable directives in emergency situations. However, some concerns were raised regarding the potential implications for vulnerable populations and the challenges of ensuring informed consent.

Contention

Key points of contention in the discussions surrounding SB 730 include the distinction between POLST forms and traditional advance health care directives. Critics worry that this new framework might complicate existing health care regulations and could lead to misunderstandings about patients' wishes, especially among those with chronic conditions. Furthermore, there are discussions about ensuring that health care providers fully understand and comply with POLST orders to prevent any lapses in adhering to patients' expressed end-of-life preferences.

Latest PA SB730 Activity

View All Events: PA 2025-2026 Regular Session SB730

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB631

In general provisions relating to health care, further providing for applicability, for definitions, for criminal penalties, for emergency medical services, for definitions, for orders, bracelets and necklaces, for revocation, for absence of order, bracelet or necklace and for emergency medical services, repealing provisions relating to advisory committee and providing for discontinuance and for Pennsylvania orders for life-sustaining treatment; and making editorial changes.

PA HB1212

In general provisions relating to health care, further providing for applicability, for definitions, for criminal penalties, for emergency medical services, for definitions, for orders, bracelets and necklaces, for revocation, for absence of order, bracelet or necklace and for emergency medical services, repealing provisions relating to advisory committee and providing for discontinuance and for Pennsylvania orders for life-sustaining treatment; and making editorial changes.

PA HB294

In general provisions relating to health care, further providing for applicability, for definitions and for criminal penalties; in living wills, further providing for emergency medical services; in out-of-hospital nonresuscitation, further providing for definitions, for orders, bracelets and necklaces, for revocation, for absence of order, bracelet or necklace and for emergency medical services, repealing provisions relating to advisory committee and providing for discontinuance; and providing for Pennsylvania orders for life-sustaining treatment.

PA HB2576

In emergency medical services system, further providing for definitions and for emergency medical services agencies.

PA HB349

In general provisions, further providing for definitions; in Commonwealth services, further providing for definitions relating to intrastate mutual aid and for definitions relating to Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program; in volunteer firefighters, further providing for definitions relating to fire relief association; in emergency responder mental wellness and stress management, further providing for definitions; in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for definitions; and, in incentives for municipal volunteers of fire companies and nonprofit emergency medical services agencies, further providing for definitions.

PA HB2407

In general provisions relating to emergency management services, further providing for definitions; in Commonwealth services, further providing for assistance to fire companies and EMS companies, for State Fire Commissioner and for curriculum, training and education certification management system; in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for definitions, for publication and notice, for award of grants, for consolidation incentive, for establishment, for publication and notice and for award of grants, repealing provisions relating to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program and to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, further providing for allocation of appropriated funds, repealing provisions relating to Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program, to expiration of authority relating to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program and to expiration of authority relating to Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program and further providing for special provisions and for annual reports; and making transfers.

PA SB1169

Further providing for definitions and for drug overdose medication.

PA HB1916

In Commonwealth services, further providing for Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program.

PA SB1099

In grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for definitions, for publication and notice, for award of grants, for consolidation incentive, for publication and notice and for award of grants, repealing provisions relating to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program and to Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program, further providing for expiration of authority, repealing provisions relating to expiration of authority relating to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program and to expiration of authority relating to Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program and further providing for annual reports.

PA HB680

In grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for definitions and for award of grants.

Similar Bills

PA HB1254

In health care, further providing for applicability, for definitions, for criminal penalties, for definitions, for orders, bracelets and necklaces, for revocation, for absence of order, bracelet or necklace and for emergency medical services, repealing provisions relating to advisory committee and providing for discontinuance and for Pennsylvania orders for life-sustaining treatment; and making an editorial change.

PA HB1212

In general provisions relating to health care, further providing for applicability, for definitions, for criminal penalties, for emergency medical services, for definitions, for orders, bracelets and necklaces, for revocation, for absence of order, bracelet or necklace and for emergency medical services, repealing provisions relating to advisory committee and providing for discontinuance and for Pennsylvania orders for life-sustaining treatment; and making editorial changes.

PA SB631

In general provisions relating to health care, further providing for applicability, for definitions, for criminal penalties, for emergency medical services, for definitions, for orders, bracelets and necklaces, for revocation, for absence of order, bracelet or necklace and for emergency medical services, repealing provisions relating to advisory committee and providing for discontinuance and for Pennsylvania orders for life-sustaining treatment; and making editorial changes.

PA HB294

In general provisions relating to health care, further providing for applicability, for definitions and for criminal penalties; in living wills, further providing for emergency medical services; in out-of-hospital nonresuscitation, further providing for definitions, for orders, bracelets and necklaces, for revocation, for absence of order, bracelet or necklace and for emergency medical services, repealing provisions relating to advisory committee and providing for discontinuance; and providing for Pennsylvania orders for life-sustaining treatment.

MO SB228

Modifies provisions relating to do-not-resuscitate orders

TX SB1546

Relating to advance directives, including do-not-resuscitate orders; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB2949

Relating to advance directives, including do-not-resuscitate orders; creating a criminal offense.

HI HB1575

Relating To Physician Assistants.