PRINTER'S NO. 315
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
252
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY BOBACK, SANTARSIERO, DAVIS, BROWNLEE, HARKINS,
COHEN, MILLARD, STURLA, MURT, CARROLL, CONKLIN, GINGRICH,
HELM, HENNESSEY, D. COSTA, PASHINSKI, DEAN AND HARPER,
FEBRUARY 3, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, FEBRUARY 3, 2015
AN ACT
Providing for a health registry for the collection of health-
related data associated with unconventional gas well
drilling; imposing duties on the Department of Health; and
providing for funding.
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 Marcellus
Shale Health Registry Act.
Section 2. Purpose.
The purpose of this act is to assess and evaluate the
potential adverse health consequences associated with the
drilling of unconventional gas wells in this Commonwealth.
Section 3. Definitions.
"Department." The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.
"Health care practitioner." As defined in section 103 of the
act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care
Facilities Act.
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"Unconventional formation." A geological shale formation
existing below the base of the Elk Sandstone or its geologic
equivalent stratigraphic interval where natural gas generally
cannot be produced at economic flow rates or in economic volumes
except by vertical or horizontal well bores stimulated by
hydraulic fracture treatments or by using multilateral well
bores or other techniques to expose more of the formation to the
well bore.
"Unconventional gas well." A bore hole drilled or being
drilled for the purpose of or to be used for the production of
natural gas from an unconventional formation.
Section 4. Establishment of health registry.
The department shall establish, by January 1, 2016, a
population-based health registry for the collection of health-
related data associated with unconventional gas well drilling.
The registry shall consist of health-related data collected and
provided by health care practitioners.
Section 5. Reporting by health care practitioner.
All cases of health concerns, which have been diagnosed or
treated by a health care practitioner, that may be associated
with unconventional gas well operations must be reported to the
department on forms furnished by the department or through the
use of a health information exchange.
Section 6. Confidentiality.
Information regarding patient identity received by the
department shall be kept confidential and shall not be subject
to the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the
Right-to-Know Law. The department shall at all times respect the
privacy of patients and patient records, which shall be subject
to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of
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1996 (Public Law 104-191, 110 Stat. 1936).
Section 7. Regulations.
The department shall promulgate regulations necessary to
carry out this act within six months of the effective date of
this section.
Section 8. Funding.
From fees collected under 58 Pa.C.S. ยง 2314 (relating to
distribution of fee) and deposited in the Unconventional Gas
Well Fund for 2015 and each year thereafter, $1,000,000 shall be
distributed to the department to carry out the provisions of
this act.
Section 9. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
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