Pennsylvania SR397: A Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study examining the financial impact of outdated hospital regulations on hospitals in this Commonwealth, the erosion of the scope of practice of physicians in rural areas and measures to preserve physician-led medical practice and improve physician recruitment and retention in rural areas of this Commonwealth.

What the bill says

A resolution Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study on the financial impact of outdated hospital regulations on hospitals in this Commonwealth.

From the introduced text, October 15, 2026:

A RESOLUTION Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study on the financial impact of outdated hospital regulations on hospitals in this Commonwealth. WHEREAS, The Senate recognizes the paramount importance of hospital regulations to ensure that patients receive safe, high- quality care; and WHEREAS, Hospital licensure regulations have not been updated in nearly 40 years and do not reflect the current operating environment; and WHEREAS, Hospital policies, as written, create a greater need to use an exception or waiver process, lead to inconsistent interpretations by the Department of Health surveyors and make it difficult for facilities to plan for new technologies or strategies to ensure health care access; and WHEREAS, Misalignment with Federal regulations imposes undue administrative burden on hospitals in this Commonwealth with no positive impact on patient safety; and WHEREAS, Pennsylvania hospitals expend significant resources, both financial and staff, to ensure compliance with outdated regulations when those resources could be redirected back towards patient care; and WHEREAS, The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, with its proven expertise in conducting impartial research, convening impacted stakeholders, providing objective analyses and drafting actionable recommendations, is uniquely positioned to undertake such an examination; therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study examining the financial impact of outdated hospital regulations …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Michele Brooks (R, 50) · primary sponsor
• David Argall (R, 29)
• Frank Farry (R, 6)
• Judith Ward (R, 30)
• Scott Hutchinson (R, 21)

Latest actions

1. October 20, 2026: Adopted, Oct. 20, 2026 (50-0)
2. October 19, 2026: Reported as amended, Oct. 19, 2026
3. October 15, 2026: Referred to HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Oct. 15, 2026

Votes

• Senate Floor: SR397, RC 575 (October 20, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Health & Human Services: Reported as Amended (October 19, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Health & Human Services: Adopt Amendment (October 19, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SR397?

SR397 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): A Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study examining the financial impact of outdated hospital regulations on hospitals in this Commonwealth, the erosion of the scope of practice of physicians in rural areas and measures to preserve physician-led medical practice and improve physician recruitment and retention in rural areas of this Commonwealth.

What does SR397 do?

In its own words: A resolution Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study on the financial impact of outdated hospital regulations on hospitals in this Commonwealth.

What is the status of SR397?

Passed both chambers as of October 20, 2026. Latest action: Adopted, Oct. 20, 2026 (50-0) (October 20, 2026).

Who sponsored SR397?

Michele Brooks (R, 50), with 4 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SR397?

On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sr397