Pennsylvania is one of the only states where people can be forced to pay the medical or nursing home bills of a parent, spouse, or child who cannot afford them. These are known as “filial responsibility laws.”
 
In practice, this can mean someone suddenly facing huge bills for care they never agreed to and had no control over. Because this law is still regularly used in Pennsylvania, it can put working families at serious financial risk.
 
Last session, the House unanimously passed a bill to reform this law (HB 2094), but the legislative session ended before the Senate could act. Since then, we have worked with stakeholders to strengthen the proposal.
 
The legislation we plan to introduce will fully eliminate filial responsibility in Pennsylvania, ensuring people cannot be forced to pay debts they never agreed to.
 
We look forward to your support in ending this practice and protecting Pennsylvania families.