Pennsylvania 2025_0 Regular Session Status: Passed House 28 D cosponsors

HB 1212 — An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions, providing for drug screening and awareness education and for fatherhood engagement in maternal health; and imposing duties on the Joint State Government Commission.

Last action — Referred to HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Oct. 3, 2025

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the House. Introduced April 15, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Advancing 58% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Moderate

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 28 sponsors

    1 primary, 27 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (28 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

PA Dads Matter Act

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

187 added · 200 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent changes to Bill HB 1212 added a focus on fatherhood engagement in maternal health, introducing new sections that emphasize its importance and outline initiatives such as a public awareness campaign and guidance for maternal care providers. This amendment aims to encourage fathers to take an active role in prenatal and postnatal care, which can benefit both mothers and infants. These updates highlight the recognition that involving fathers in maternal health can improve outcomes for families, making it a significant step in addressing family wellness.

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1935 PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
WILLIAMS, PARKER, CEPEDA- FREYTIZ, RIVERA, DAVIDSON, K.HARRIS, CURRY, BRENNAN AND KHAN, JUNE 16, 2025 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNE 16, 2025 AN ACT Amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania for drug screening and awareness education and for fatherhood engagement in maternal health;
WILLIAMS, PARKER, CEPEDA- FREYTIZ, RIVERA, DAVIDSON AND K.HARRIS, APRIL 15, 2025 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, APRIL 15, 2025 AN ACT Amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions, providing for drug screening and awareness education and for fatherhood Joint State Government Commission.
and imposing duties on the Joint State Government Commission.
imposing duties on the The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:
(2) The participation of the father during prenatal care appointments provides CAN PROVIDE the mother with additional <-- support to recognize potential pregnancy-related complications that could lead to maternal mortality and morbidity.
(2) The participation of the father during prenatal care appointments provides the mother with additional support to recognize potential pregnancy-related complications that could lead to maternal mortality and morbidity.
(3) When the father is involved during pregnancy <-- appointments and milestones, the mother is one and one-half 20250HB1212PN1935 - 2 - times more likely to receive prenatal care in the first trimester, which improves health outcomes for both the mother and baby.
(3) When the father is involved during pregnancy appointments and milestones, the mother is one and one-half times more likely to receive prenatal care in the first trimester, which improves health outcomes for both the mother 20250HB1212PN1360 - 2 - and baby.
(5) (3) Fatherhood engagement reduces CAN REDUCE the <-- risks of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders and contributes to a lower likelihood of a preterm birth and a higher likelihood of a healthier birth weight.
(5) Fatherhood engagement reduces the risks of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders and contributes to a lower likelihood of a preterm birth and a higher likelihood of a healthier birth weight.
(6) Including fathers in conversations about safe sleep <-- guidelines and sharing guidance about infant crying and the risks of shaken baby syndrome can help reduce infant deaths.
(6) Including fathers in conversations about safe sleep guidelines and sharing guidance about infant crying and the risks of shaken baby syndrome can help reduce infant deaths.
(7) (4) Active support of the father during <-- breastfeeding greatly increases CAN INCREASE the chances of <-- successful breastfeeding, which improves the physical and mental health of the baby and the mother.
(7) Active support of the father during breastfeeding greatly increases the chances of successful breastfeeding, which improves the physical and mental health of the baby and the mother.
(8) (5) Physical contact between the father and the baby <-- just after birth and in the months following birth has been shown to improve the health and development of the baby, improve the mental health of the father and foster father- child bonding in the short term and long term.
(8) Physical contact between the father and the baby just after birth and in the months following birth has been shown to improve the health and development of the baby, improve the mental health of the father and foster father- child bonding in the short term and long term.
"Health care facility." As defined in section 103 of the 20250HB1212PN1935 - 3 - Health Care Facilities Act.
"Health care facility." As defined in section 103 of the Health Care Facilities Act.
"Health care practitioner." As defined in section 103 of the Health Care Facilities Act.
"Health care practitioner." As defined in section 103 of the 20250HB1212PN1360 - 3 - Health Care Facilities Act.
(a) Duties.--No SUBJECT TO FUNDING BEING AVAILABLE, NO later <-- than two years after the effective date of this subsection, the department shall conduct a public awareness campaign to increase the understanding of fatherhood engagement in improving overall health outcomes during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum for both the mother and baby.
(a) Duties.--No later than two years after the effective date of this subsection, the department shall conduct a public awareness campaign to increase the understanding of fatherhood engagement in improving overall health outcomes during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum for both the mother and baby.
(2) Resources and information to counter popular <-- narratives that minimize the importance of engaged and involved fathers in pregnancy and parenting.
(2) Resources and information to counter popular narratives that minimize the importance of engaged and involved fathers in pregnancy and parenting.
(ii) The role of the father in promoting the 20250HB1212PN1935 - 4 - behavioral health of the mother.
(ii) The role of the father in promoting the behavioral health of the mother.
(iii) The role of the father in increasing the number of prenatal and postpartum appointments the mother attends.
(iii) The role of the father in increasing the 20250HB1212PN1360 - 4 - number of prenatal and postpartum appointments the mother attends.
(2) RESOURCES AND INFORMATION THAT PROMOTE AWARENESS <-- ABOUT THE IMPACT OF FATHER INCLUSION ON MATERNAL AND INFANT OUTCOMES.
20250HB1212PN1935 - 5 - (a) Duties of department.--No later than one year after the effective date of this subsection, the department shall post materials on the department's publicly accessible Internet website that address how a provider of maternity care, including a hospital, health care facility, birth center, other maternity <-- care provider, managed care organization or other health insurance provider OR HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER, can provide <-- training and education to a health care practitioner about the benefits of fatherhood engagement in improving overall health outcomes during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum for both the mother and baby.
(a) Duties of department.--No later than one year after the effective date of this subsection, the department shall post materials on the department's publicly accessible Internet website that address how a provider of maternity care, including a hospital, health care facility, birth center, other maternity 20250HB1212PN1360 - 5 - care provider, managed care organization or other health insurance provider can provide training and education to a health care practitioner about the benefits of fatherhood engagement in improving overall health outcomes during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum for both the mother and baby.
(b) Contents.--The department shall ensure that the <-- materials under subsection (a) include all of the following:
(b) Contents.--The department shall ensure that the materials under subsection (a) include all of the following:
20250HB1212PN1935 - 6 - (II) Maternal warning signs.
(II) Maternal warning signs.
(V) Breastfeeding practices.
20250HB1212PN1360 - 6 - (V) Breastfeeding practices.
(B) SCREENING FOR PATERNAL DEPRESSION.--THE DEPARTMENT SHALL <-- ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE THE INCLUSION OF PATERNAL DEPRESSION SCREENING BY PROVIDERS OF MATERNITY CARE AS PART OF CARE PROVIDED DURING PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH AND POSTPARTUM FOR BOTH THE MOTHER AND BABY.
No later than six FOUR years after the effective date of this <-- section, the Joint State Government Commission shall conduct a 20250HB1212PN1935 - 7 - study on the implementation of this chapter and submit a report on the study to the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Health and Human Services Committee of the Senate and the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Health Committee of the House of Representatives.
No later than six years after the effective date of this section, the Joint State Government Commission shall conduct a study on the implementation of this chapter and submit a report on the study to the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Health and Human Services Committee of the Senate and the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Health Committee of the House of Representatives.
20250HB1212PN1935 - 8 -
20250HB1212PN1360 - 7 -
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How this bill changes current law

9 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill adds a new subchapter on fatherhood engagement in maternal health and amends existing provisions related to drug screening, thereby imposing new educational and awareness responsibilities on the Department of Health and the Joint State Government Commission.

  • Section 5902(c)

    the requirements of this [chapter] → the requirements of this subchapter

    This change clarifies that the specified requirements apply to the newly defined subchapter regarding drug screening.

  • Section 5911

    Fatherhood engagement can play an important role in improving maternal health care, addressing maternal mortality and morbidity and bettering the development and long-term growth of a child.

    This establishes a declaration of purpose emphasizing the importance of fatherhood engagement in maternal health.

  • Section 5911

    CAN PROVIDE → CAN PROVIDE

    This change highlights the positive effects of father participation in prenatal care.

  • Section 5911

    CAN REDUCE → CAN REDUCE

    This clarifies the potential benefits of fatherhood engagement in reducing risks associated with postpartum mood disorders.

  • Section 5913(a)

    NO SUBJECT TO FUNDING BEING AVAILABLE, NO → No

    This change emphasizes the necessity of conducting a public awareness campaign regardless of funding availability.

  • Section 5913(b)

    Resources and information that promote awareness about the impact of father inclusion on maternal and infant outcomes.

    This expands the scope of the public awareness campaign to include the significance of father involvement.

  • Section 5914(a)

    other maternity care provider, managed care organization or other health insurance provider → or health care practitioner

    This ensures that the guidance includes various types of maternal care providers.

  • Section 5914(b)(3)

    SCREENING FOR PATERNAL DEPRESSION.--THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE THE INCLUSION OF PATERNAL DEPRESSION SCREENING BY PROVIDERS OF MATERNITY CARE AS PART OF CARE

    This addition mandates the inclusion of paternal depression screening as part of maternity care.

  • Section 5915

    six → four

    This change shortens the timeline for conducting the study and submitting the report on the implementation of the chapter from six years to four years.

Action History

  1. (Remarks see House Journal Page 1357-1359), Sept. 29, 2025

  2. Referred to HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Oct. 3, 2025

  3. In the Senate

  4. Third consideration and final passage, Sept. 29, 2025 (198-5)

  5. Re-reported as committed, July 14, 2025

  6. Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, July 9, 2025

  7. Second consideration, July 9, 2025

  8. Re-reported as committed, July 9, 2025

  9. Re-committed to RULES, June 16, 2025

  10. First consideration, June 16, 2025

  11. Reported as amended, June 16, 2025

  12. Referred to HEALTH, April 15, 2025

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 27 co-sponsors · 225 not signed on · 5 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (27)

Not signed on (225)

225 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 225 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

FINAL PASSAGE

Passed 198 Yea · 5 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 100000
Republican 92500
Unaffiliated 6000
Total 198500
% of votes cast 98%2%0%0%
How each member voted (203)
Member Party Vote
Dan Miller — Yea
Joshua Siegel — Yea
Louis Schmitt — Yea
Seth Grove — Yea
Stephenie Scialabba — Yea
Torren Ecker — Yea
Abigail Salisbury Democratic Yea
Aerion Abney Democratic Yea
Amen Brown Democratic Yea
Andre D. Carroll Democratic Yea
Anita Astorino Kulik Democratic Yea
Anthony A. Bellmon Democratic Yea
Arvind Venkat Democratic Yea
Ben Waxman Democratic Yea
Benjamin V. Sanchez Democratic Yea
Brandon J. Markosek Democratic Yea
Brian Munroe Democratic Yea
Bridget M. Kosierowski Democratic Yea
Carol Hill-Evans Democratic Yea
Carol Kazeem Democratic Yea
Chris Pielli Democratic Yea
Christina D. Sappey Democratic Yea
Christopher M. Rabb Democratic Yea
Dan Frankel Democratic Yea
Dan Goughnour Democratic Yea
Dan K. Williams Democratic Yea
Daniel J. Deasy Democratic Yea
Danielle Friel Otten Democratic Yea
Danilo Burgos Democratic Yea
Darisha K. Parker Democratic Yea
Dave Madsen Democratic Yea
David M. Delloso Democratic Yea
Ed Neilson Democratic Yea
Eddie Day Pashinski Democratic Yea
Elizabeth Fiedler Democratic Yea
Emily Kinkead Democratic Yea
Frank Burns Democratic Yea
G. Roni Green Democratic Yea
Gina H. Curry Democratic Yea
Greg Scott Democratic Yea
Greg Vitali Democratic Yea
Heather Boyd Democratic Yea
Ismail Smith-Wade-El Democratic Yea
Jacklyn Rusnock Democratic Yea
Jared G. Solomon Democratic Yea
Jason Dawkins Democratic Yea
Jeanne McNeill Democratic Yea
Jennifer O'Mara Democratic Yea
Jessica Benham Democratic Yea
Jim Haddock Democratic Yea
Jim Prokopiak Democratic Yea
Joanna E. McClinton Democratic Yea
Joe Ciresi Democratic Yea
Joe McAndrew Democratic Yea
Joe Webster Democratic Yea
Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz Democratic Yea
John C. Inglis III Democratic Yea
Jordan A. Harris Democratic Yea
Jose Giral Democratic Yea
Joseph C. Hohenstein Democratic Yea
Justin C. Fleming Democratic Yea
Keith S. Harris Democratic Yea
Kristine C. Howard Democratic Yea
Kyle Donahue Democratic Yea
Kyle J. Mullins Democratic Yea
La'Tasha D. Mayes Democratic Yea
Leanne Krueger Democratic Yea
Lindsay Powell Democratic Yea
Lisa A. Borowski Democratic Yea
Liz Hanbidge Democratic Yea
Malcolm Kenyatta Democratic Yea
Mandy Steele Democratic Yea
Manuel Guzman Democratic Yea
Mary Jo Daley Democratic Yea
MaryLouise Isaacson Democratic Yea
Matthew D. Bradford Democratic Yea
Maureen E. Madden Democratic Yea
Melissa Cerrato Democratic Yea
Melissa L. Shusterman Democratic Yea
Michael H. Schlossberg Democratic Yea
Morgan Cephas Democratic Yea
Nancy Guenst Democratic Yea
Napoleon J. Nelson Democratic Yea
Nathan Davidson Democratic Yea
Nikki Rivera Democratic Yea
Pat Gallagher Democratic Yea
Patrick J. Harkins Democratic Yea
Paul Friel Democratic Yea
Paul Takac Democratic Yea
Perry S. Warren Democratic Yea
Peter Schweyer Democratic Yea
Regina G. Young Democratic Yea
Rick Krajewski Democratic Yea
Robert E. Merski Democratic Yea
Robert F. Matzie Democratic Yea
Robert Freeman Democratic Yea
Ryan A. Bizzarro Democratic Yea
Scott Conklin Democratic Yea
Sean Dougherty Democratic Yea
Steve Samuelson Democratic Yea
Steven R. Malagari Democratic Yea
Tarah Probst Democratic Yea
Tarik Khan Democratic Yea
Tim Brennan Democratic Yea
Tim Briggs Democratic Yea
Tina M. Davis Democratic Yea
Aaron Bernstine Republican Yea
Abby Major Republican Yea
Alec J. Ryncavage Republican Yea
Andrew Kuzma Republican Yea
Ann Flood Republican Yea
Barbara Gleim Republican Yea
Brad Roae Republican Yea
Brenda M. Pugh Republican Yea
Brett R. Miller Republican Yea
Brian C. Rasel Republican Yea
Brian Smith Republican Yea
Bryan Cutler Republican Yea
Bud Cook Republican Yea
Carl Walker Metzgar Republican Nay
Chad G. Reichard Republican Yea
Charity Grimm Krupa Republican Yea
Clint Owlett Republican Yea
Craig T. Staats Republican Yea
Craig Williams Republican Yea
Dallas Kephart Republican Nay
Dan Moul Republican Yea
Dane Watro Republican Yea
David H. Rowe Republican Yea
David H. Zimmerman Republican Yea
David M. Maloney Republican Yea
Donna Scheuren Republican Yea
Doyle Heffley Republican Yea
Eric Davanzo Republican Yea
Eric J. Weaknecht Republican Yea
Eric R. Nelson Republican Yea
Gary W. Day Republican Yea
Jack Rader Republican Yea
Jacob D. Banta Republican Yea
James B. Struzzi Republican Yea
Jamie Barton Republican Yea
Jamie L. Flick Republican Yea
Jamie Walsh Republican Yea
Jason Ortitay Republican Yea
Jeff Olsommer Republican Yea
Jeremy Shaffer Republican Yea
Jesse Topper Republican Yea
Jill N. Cooper Republican Yea
Jim Rigby Republican Yea
Joanne Stehr Republican Yea
Joe Emrick Republican Yea
Joe Hamm Republican Yea
Joe Hogan Republican Yea
Joe Kerwin Republican Yea
John A. Lawrence Republican Yea
John A. Schlegel Republican Yea
Jonathan Fritz Republican Yea
Joseph D'Orsie Republican Yea
Josh Bashline Republican Nay
Joshua D. Kail Republican Yea
Kate A. Klunk Republican Yea
Kathleen C. Tomlinson Republican Yea
Kathy L. Rapp Republican Yea
Keith J. Greiner Republican Yea
Kerry A. Benninghoff Republican Yea
Kristin Marcell Republican Yea
Leslie Rossi Republican Yea
Marc S. Anderson Republican Yea
Marci Mustello Republican Yea
Mark M. Gillen Republican Yea
Marla Brown Republican Yea
Martin T. Causer Republican Yea
Martina A. White Republican Yea
Michael Stender Republican Yea
Mike Armanini Republican Yea
Mike Jones Republican Yea
Milou Mackenzie Republican Yea
Mindy Fee Republican Yea
Natalie Mihalek Republican Yea
Parke Wentling Republican Yea
Perry A. Stambaugh Republican Yea
R. Lee James Republican Yea
Rich Irvin Republican Yea
Rob W. Kauffman Republican Yea
Robert Leadbeter Republican Yea
Roman Kozak Republican Yea
Russ Diamond Republican Yea
Ryan Warner Republican Yea
Scott Barger Republican Nay
Shelby Labs Republican Yea
Sheryl M. Delozier Republican Yea
Stephanie Borowicz Republican Nay
Steven C. Mentzer Republican Yea
Thomas H. Kutz Republican Yea
Thomas L. Mehaffie Republican Yea
Tim Twardzik Republican Yea
Timothy J. O'Neal Republican Yea
Timothy R. Bonner Republican Yea
Tina Pickett Republican Yea
Tom Jones Republican Yea
Valerie S. Gaydos Republican Yea
Wendy Fink Republican Yea
Zachary Mako Republican Yea

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Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 1212 do?
PA Dads Matter Act
Who sponsors HB 1212?
HB 1212 is sponsored by Aerion Abney (Democratic), Morgan Cephas (Democratic), Keith S. Harris (Democratic), Dan K. Williams (Democratic), Joe McAndrew (Democratic), Ben Waxman (Democratic), La'Tasha D. Mayes (Democratic), Carol Hill-Evans (Democratic), Jose Giral (Democratic), Joseph C. Hohenstein (Democratic), Ed Neilson (Democratic), Malcolm Kenyatta (Democratic), Tarah Probst (Democratic), Anthony A. Bellmon (Democratic), Steven R. Malagari (Democratic), Benjamin V. Sanchez (Democratic), Maureen E. Madden (Democratic), Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (Democratic), Nikki Rivera (Democratic), Nathan Davidson (Democratic), Gina H. Curry (Democratic), Tim Brennan (Democratic), Tarik Khan (Democratic), Dave Madsen (Democratic), Joe Webster (Democratic), Liz Hanbidge (Democratic), Darisha K. Parker (Democratic), and Jessica Benham (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 1212?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced April 15, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 1212?
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