# Pennsylvania Lawmakers Push Back on Health Code Overreach

> Pennsylvania lawmakers warn proposed health code rewrite grants bureaucrats police power, risking constitutional override.
- Title: Pennsylvania Lawmakers Push Back on Health Code Overreach
- Summary: Pennsylvania lawmakers warn proposed health code rewrite grants bureaucrats police power, risking constitutional override. Pennsylvania lawmakers oppose…
- Keywords: pennsylvania, health code, governor shapiro, russ diamond, pennsylvania house, public health, constitutional amendment, news, politics, Lawmakers, Push, Back
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/politics/covid-2-0-lawmakers-push-back-sweeping-health-police-power-key-battleground-state
- Author: Charles Creitz
- Published: 2026-09-18T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pennsylvania, health code, governor shapiro, russ diamond, pennsylvania house, public health, constitutional amendment, news, politics
## Health Code Rewrite Sparks Debate
Pennsylvania lawmakers propose 502-page health code update with expanded police powers.

> This absolutely is COVID 2.0, but it's even worse because [Governor] Josh Shapiro is trying to circumnavigate or skirt the constitutional provision that we the people in Pennsylvania voted to take that kind of power away from the governor.
## Constitutional Amendment Limits Gov Power
Pennsylvania voters approved a 2021 constitutional amendment limiting governors' disaster declarations to 21 days.

> We were the only state in the nation to reduce our governor's powers by a constitutional amendment after COVID.
## Critics Warn of Home Entries
Health officials could enter private homes without warrants to investigate disease outbreaks.

> They can enter any building and go in without a warrant to do an investigation.
## Opposition Calls It 'COVID 2.0'
State Rep. Russ Diamond labels proposed changes 'COVID 2.0' with unchecked surveillance powers.

> This absolutely is COVID 2.0, but it's even worse because [Governor] Josh Shapiro is trying to circumnavigate or skirt the constitutional provision that we the people in Pennsylvania voted to take that kind of power away from the governor.
## Governor Defends Health Code
Shapiro says proposed health code updates aim to modernize regulations while preserving public trust.

> Public health depends on trust and government should work closely with the people it serves.
## Public Comment Deadline Approaching
Pennsylvanians must submit feedback on health code changes by Monday to influence revisions.

> Once public comment concludes later this month, [Shapiro] will weigh in, and the regulations will be revised accordingly.
## Opposition Demands Constitutional Review
Critics insist health code changes violate Pennsylvania's constitutional amendment limiting governor's emergency powers.

> We don't want unelected bureaucrats making those decisions. We need to follow the [Commonwealth] Constitution.
## Key takeaway

Pennsylvania lawmakers oppose health code changes that could let officials enter homes without warrants during disease outbreaks.