Pennsylvania Act 2016-173 — INFLUENZA AWARENESS ACT - ENACTMENT

Act text

An Act

Requiring the preparation and publication of information relating to the influenza vaccine for individuals residing in assisted living residences and personal care homes; and imposing duties on the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services.

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 Influenza Awareness Act.

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:

"Facility." Any of the following:

(1) An "assisted living residence" as defined under section 1001 of the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code.

(2) A "personal care home" as defined under section 1001 of the Human Services Code.

Section 3. Informational publications by Department of Health.

The Department of Health shall, on the department's publicly accessible Internet website, make available to facilities printable publications that include information relating to the influenza vaccine for individuals residing in facilities. The information shall include:

(1) How vaccination can help prevent influenza.

(2) The availability and efficacy of the influenza vaccine.

(3) A recommendation that individuals consult with their health care practitioners about the influenza vaccine.

(4) Individual and community benefits of vaccination.

Section 4. Dissemination of information by facilities.

Each facility shall ensure that the required influenza information is posted in a public place in the facility year-round.

Section 5. Inspection.

The Department of Human Services, when carrying out its duty to inspect facilities, shall determine compliance with this act.

Section 6. Construction.

Nothing in this act shall be construed to require a resident of a facility to receive influenza vaccination.

Section 7. Effective date.

This act shall take effect in 60 days.