Fink Reacts to the Withdrawal of Proposed, Draconian Regulations

September 28, 2026

HARRISBURG – Last week, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) announced it has withdrawn its proposed rewrite of statewide regulations governing communicable and noncommunicable diseases after receiving substantial public feedback and formal objections from more than 80 members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Rep. Wendy Fink (R-Red Lion) was among the co-signing members who cited grave concerns from constituents as a driving force for her opposition.

“First and foremost, I want to thank every resident of the 94th District who submitted comments in an effort to stop these tyrannical proposals,” said Fink. “The people spoke in 2021 when they voted to change the Pennsylvania Constitution to limit the authority of the governor during health emergencies. The state does not have the authority to backpedal this constitutional change.

“I will continue to be vigilant and outspoken against government overreach. We have an obligation to hold government accountable and defend our constitutional rights. Ultimately, I am glad the department listened to the overwhelming feedback from Pennsylvanians and withdrew its proposed regulations.”

The 502 page regulatory package drew widespread concern for provisions that many stakeholders viewed as overly expansive and reminiscent of COVID 19 lockdown era policies. House members’ formal comments to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) outlined concerns that the withdrawn proposal would significantly expand mandatory health reporting, investigative authority in schools and homes, and broad disease control powers. They also warned that the regulations attempted to establish sweeping, permanent public health authority through the regulatory process rather than legislative debate.

Following the widespread feedback, IRRC confirmed that the Department of Health formally withdrew the proposal before it reached the final review stage.

Fink and other lawmakers who submitted comments emphasized the importance of ensuring that any future public health regulations balance effective disease control with transparency, legislative oversight and the protection of individual rights.

The full comment letter submitted to IRRC is available to the public for review.

Questions about this issue can be directed to Fink’s office at 717-244-9232.

Representative Wendy Fink
94th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Katelin Morrison
717.260.6502
Kmorrison@pahousegop.com
RepWendyFink.com / Facebook.com/RepWendyFink