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SB 1378

An Act amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for third-party access to dental insurance contracts; and promulgating regulations.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dave Argall

SB 1378 would establish rules and regulatory authority to allow third parties to access dental insurance contracts, with oversight on data use and network leasing practices.

Referred to Banking & Insurance
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1378

Overview

  • Bill: SB 1378 (2025-2026 Regular Session)
  • Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
  • Subject: Amends Title 40 (Insurance) to address third-party access to dental insurance contracts and to authorize promulgation of regulations.
  • Principal Sponsor: Senator David Argall
  • Current status: Referred to the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on June 15, 2026

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill aims to expand or create mechanisms for third parties to access dental insurance contracts.
  • It also contemplates the promulgation of regulations to govern this access and related activities.
  • A related memorandum notes a broader concern with regulating the leasing of dental provider networks, suggesting oversight and governance of network arrangements and access practices.

Key Provisions (as indicated by title and summary)

  • Third-Party Access to Dental Insurance Contracts: Establishes rules or framework for how third parties (which could include employers, intermediaries, or other entities) may obtain and use dental insurance contract information.
  • Regulatory Authority: Authorizes or requires the development of regulations to implement and govern third-party access, data sharing, privacy, security, and related operational standards.
  • Relation to Provider Networks: The memo accompanying the bill references regulating the practice of leasing dental provider networks, indicating possible alignment with network leasing practices and oversight to ensure compliance with the insurance statutes and consumer protections.

Note: The bill text itself would provide the precise definitions, scope (e.g., types of contracts, data elements, permissible purposes), and any limitations or prohibitions. The summary above reflects the stated purposes in the bill’s title and accompanying materials.

Affected Entities and Impacts

  • Dental Insurance Issuers and Plans: Would be subject to new procedures and regulatory requirements for third-party access to contracts.
  • Third-Party Requests: Entities seeking access to dental contracts would be regulated, with standards likely addressing authorization, justification, and use of information.
  • Providers and Networks: Dental providers and provider networks may experience changes in how contracts are accessed or leased, with potential impact on network arrangements and transparency.
  • Regulators/State Agencies: Pennsylvania Department or relevant insurance regulators would develop and enforce regulations implementing the new access framework.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and Referral: SB 1378 introduced and referred to the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on June 15, 2026.
  • Regulatory Development: The bill contemplates promulgating regulations, signaling a future regulatory rulemaking phase dependent on passage.
  • Votes and Enactment: No legislative votes are reflected in available materials; as a referred bill, advancement would depend on committee action and chamber floor consideration.

Practical Considerations

  • The bill’s emphasis on third-party access raises considerations for privacy, data security, and consumer protections.
  • Regulatory language will be critical to understanding permissible purposes for access, data handling requirements, duration of access, and remedies for violations.
  • Stakeholders may include insurers, employers, TPAs (third-party administrators), dental networks, providers, and patients.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to focus on specific sections once the final bill text is released, or compare SB 1378 to existing Pennsylvania insurance statutes on data access and network leasing.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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