Please wait while the document is loaded.

A00535
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
63
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY LAWRENCE, MARCH 16, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MARCH 16, 2021
AN ACT
Relating to the administration and distribution of COVID-19
vaccinations in this Commonwealth.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the COVID-19
Vaccine Administration and Distribution Act.
Section 2. Administration.
Notwithstanding any other act to the contrary, an individual
authorized by the United States Department of Health and Human
Services to administer a COVID-19 vaccination shall be permitted
to administer the vaccines in this Commonwealth.
Section 3. Expiration.
This act shall expire 60 days after the termination of the
Governor's COVID-19 emergency declaration order, or December 31,
2022, whichever is earlier.
Section 4. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"COVID-19." The novel coronavirus as identified in the
Governor's Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued on March 6,
2020, published at 50 Pa.B. 1644 (March 21, 2020).
"COVID-19 vaccine." A vaccine for COVID-19 that has received
an emergency-use authorization from the United States Food and
Drug Administration.
Section 3. Administration.
Notwithstanding any other act to the contrary, an individual
authorized to administer a COVID-19 vaccine by the United States
Department of Health and Human Services under the Seventh
Amendment to Declaration Under the Public Readiness and
Emergency Preparedness Act for Medical Countermeasures Against
COVID-19 shall be permitted to administer vaccines in this
Commonwealth, including:
(1) A midwife, paramedic, advanced or intermediate
emergency medical technician, physician assistant,
respiratory therapist, dentist, podiatrist, optometrist or
veterinarian licensed, registered or certified to practice
under the laws of this Commonwealth.
(2) A physician, advanced practice registered nurse,
registered nurse, practical nurse, pharmacist, pharmacy
intern, midwife, paramedic, advanced or intermediate
emergency medical technician, respiratory therapist, dentist,
physician assistant, podiatrist, optometrist or veterinarian
who has held an active license, registration or certification
under the laws of this Commonwealth within the last five
A00535 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
years, which is inactive, expired or lapsed, if the license,
registration or certification was active and in good standing
prior to the date it went inactive, expired or lapsed and was
not revoked by the licensing authority, surrendered while
under suspension, discipline or investigation by a licensing
authority or surrendered following an arrest, and the
individual is not on the List of Excluded
Individuals/Entities maintained by the Office of Inspector
General.
(3) A medical, nursing, pharmacy, pharmacy intern,
midwife, paramedic, advanced or intermediate emergency
medical technician, physician assistant, respiratory therapy,
dental, podiatry, optometry or veterinary student with
appropriate training in administering vaccines as determined
by his or her school or training program, and under the
direct supervision of a currently practicing health care
professional who is licensed, registered or certified in this
Commonwealth and who is experienced in administering
intramuscular injections.
Section 4. Requirements.
Individuals who gain authorization to administer COVID-19
vaccines under this act are subject to the following
requirements:
(1) Individuals must have documentation showing:
(i) Current basic life support certification,
commonly known as basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation or
CPR.
(ii) Completion of an immunization training program
endorsed or provided by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy
A00535 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Education or any similar training approved by the
Secretary of Health that, at a minimum, includes:
(A) Hands-on injection technique.
(B) Clinical evaluation of indications and
contraindications of vaccines.
(C) Recognition and treatment of emergency
reactions to vaccines.
(2) (Reserved).
Section 5. Observation period.
Health care professionals and students who gain authorization
to administer COVID-19 vaccines under this act must have
documentation of an observation period by a currently practicing
health care professional experienced in administering
intramuscular injections, and for whom administering
intramuscular injections is in their ordinary scope of practice,
who confirms competency of the health care provider or student
in administration of COVID-19 vaccines.
Section 6. Recordkeeping.
Health care professionals and students who gain authorization
to administer COVID-19 vaccines under this act must comply with
recordkeeping and reporting requirements as determined by the
Secretary of Health.
Section 7. Expiration.
This act shall expire 60 days after the termination of the
Governor's COVID-19 emergency declaration order, or December 31,
2022, whichever is earlier.
Section 8. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
A00535 - 4 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28