Pennsylvania HR631: A Resolution recognizing the week of October 25 through 31, 2026, as "Respiratory Care Week" in Pennsylvania.

What the bill says

A resolution Recognizing the week of October 25 through 31, 2026, as "Respiratory Care Week" in Pennsylvania.

From the introduced text, September 24, 2026:

A RESOLUTION Recognizing the week of October 25 through 31, 2026, as "Respiratory Care Week" in Pennsylvania. WHEREAS, Respiratory therapists are highly educated and skilled health care professionals who provide essential care to patients with conditions that affect their ability to breathe, including some critical conditions and cardiac or pulmonary diseases; and WHEREAS, To become licensed as a respiratory therapist in this Commonwealth, an individual must complete an approved respiratory care program, an examination from the National Board for Respiratory Care and, every two years, a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education for licensure renewal; and WHEREAS, Demand for respiratory therapists is increasing as the United States population continues to age; and WHEREAS, Further, estimates from the American Lung Association show that more than 35 million individuals in the United States live with a chronic lung disease and almost 44 million cases of some type of an acute respiratory disease are diagnosed every year; and WHEREAS, The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates an employment growth rate of 9% for respiratory therapists from 2025 to 2035, which is considered much faster than average; and WHEREAS, Respiratory therapists care for patients of all ages, from premature infants requiring life-sustaining support to critically ill patients requiring advanced airway management and mechanical ventilation; and WHEREAS, Common conditions that a respiratory therapist …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Steven Malagari (D, 53) · primary sponsor
• Carol Hill-Evans (D, 95)
• Manuel Guzman (D, 127)
• Brandon Dukes (D, 12)
• Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D, 129)
• Tarik Khan (D, 194)
• Nikki Rivera (D, 96)
• Arvind Venkat (D, 30)
• Benjamin Sanchez (D, 153)
• Joseph Hohenstein (D, 177)
• Patrick Gallagher (D, 173)
• Dan Williams (D, 74)

Latest actions

1. October 20, 2026: (Remarks see House Journal Page ), Oct. 20, 2026
2. October 20, 2026: Adopted, Oct. 20, 2026 (202-1)
3. September 30, 2026: Reported as committed, Sept. 30, 2026
4. September 24, 2026: Referred to PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, Sept. 24, 2026

Votes

• House Floor: HR631, RC 1544 (October 20, 2026): 202 yea, 1 nay, passed
• House Professional Licensure: Report Bill As Committed (September 30, 2026): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HR631?

HR631 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): A Resolution recognizing the week of October 25 through 31, 2026, as "Respiratory Care Week" in Pennsylvania.

What does HR631 do?

In its own words: A resolution Recognizing the week of October 25 through 31, 2026, as "Respiratory Care Week" in Pennsylvania.

What is the status of HR631?

Passed both chambers as of October 20, 2026. Latest action: (Remarks see House Journal Page ), Oct. 20, 2026 (October 20, 2026).

Who sponsored HR631?

Steven Malagari (D, 53), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HR631?

On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hr631