HR 287 — A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue a report on workplace policies related to perimenopause and menopause offered by public and private employers.

PRINTER'S NO.   2156

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 287
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY SHUSTERMAN, HILL-EVANS, PIELLI, OTTEN, SANCHEZ,
        HANBIDGE, GUENST, HOHENSTEIN, D. WILLIAMS AND CURRY,
        JULY 18, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, JULY 21, 2025


                                A RESOLUTION
 1   Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
 2      study and issue a report on workplace policies related to
 3      perimenopause and menopause offered by public and private
 4      employers.
 5      WHEREAS, Menopause is defined as the point at which a woman
 6   has not menstruated for a continuous period of 12 months, with
 7   the transitional period leading to menopause commonly referred
 8   to as perimenopause; and
 9      WHEREAS, Perimenopause and menopause are frequently
10   associated with symptoms that may include weight gain, joint and
11   muscle pain, cognitive impairment often described as brain fog,
12   increased risk of depression and anxiety, hot flashes, night
13   sweats, sleep disturbances, changes in sexual function, bone
14   loss, fluctuations in cholesterol levels and vaginal and urinary
15   tract complications; and
16      WHEREAS, In the United States, approximately 1.3 million
17   women enter menopause annually, with the average age of onset at
18   51 years of age; and
 1      WHEREAS, The symptoms associated with perimenopause and
 2   menopause may result in absenteeism, reduced workplace
 3   productivity and increased health care costs, with economic
 4   estimates indicating that lost productivity and medical expenses
 5   related to these symptoms total approximately $26.6 billion per
 6   year nationwide; and
 7      WHEREAS, Treatment options for perimenopausal and menopausal
 8   symptoms may include hormone replacement therapy, prescription
 9   medications and dietary or lifestyle modifications, yet many
10   women remain unaware of the available interventions; and
11      WHEREAS, A study conducted by the American Association of
12   Retired Persons found that only approximately 61% of women in
13   the perimenopausal stage felt knowledgeable about menopause; and
14      WHEREAS, The same study indicated that more than half of the
15   women surveyed believed there should be greater focus on
16   menopause education and women's health generally; and
17      WHEREAS, The House of Representatives is committed to
18   advancing the health and well-being of women in this
19   Commonwealth and ensuring that accurate, accessible information
20   concerning perimenopause and menopause is widely disseminated
21   and promoted; therefore be it
22      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
23   State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue a
24   report on workplace policies related to perimenopause and
25   menopause offered by public and private employers; and be it
26   further
27      RESOLVED, That the study include the following components:
28             (1)   An examination of existing perimenopause-related and
29      menopause-related education and awareness policies in both
30      public and private sector workplaces.

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 1          (2)    A review of workplace policies related to
 2      perimenopause and menopause, including policies concerning
 3      reasonable accommodations, paid leave and other supports for
 4      employees experiencing perimenopause-related and menopause-
 5      related symptoms.
 6          (3)    Recommendations for actions that the Department of
 7      Human Services, the Department of Health or other appropriate
 8      State agencies may implement to support women during the
 9      perimenopausal and menopausal life stages.
10          (4)    Legislative recommendations that the House of
11      Representatives may consider to improve public understanding
12      of and support for women experiencing perimenopause and
13      menopause;
14   and be it further
15      RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission report
16   its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives
17   no later than 18 months following the adoption of this
18   resolution.




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