Senator White Wants Study of Personal Care Home Rules

Onerous new regulations may force closure of many small facilities

Concerned that an onerous new set of state regulations may force small personal care homes out of business, Senator Don White introduced Senate Resolution 260, legislation calling for a comprehensive study of the impact the rules will have on the facilities and their residents.

"Several personal care homes have expressed very serious concerns over their ability to continue to operate under these new regulations," Senator White said. "Personal care homes provide an important service for Pennsylvania's families. For the most part, personal care homes are primarily small, family-run operations, but they currently serve approximately 50,000 residents."

Recently, the Department of Public Welfare implemented new personal care home regulations, as set by 55 Pennsylvania Code Chapter 2600. A 144-page "Licensing Measuring Instrument" used as part of Chapter 2600 is available on the Department of Public Welfare website.

"Should these regulations be as onerous as many fear, we could see many of the facilities close their doors. It will have a severe impact on families and the Commonwealth could face a major fiscal crisis as thousands of residents may be displaced," Senator White said. "For those reasons, I introduced this resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact Chapter 2600 regulations will have on personal care homes and their residents."