2413 Home care agency/home care registry stakeholder meetings; draft licensure regulations available for review

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Home Care Agency/Home Care Registry Stakeholder Meetings; Draft Licensure Regulations Available for Review

[36 Pa.B. 7465]
[Saturday, December 9, 2006]

   The Department of Health (Department) has prepared draft regulations for licensure of home care agencies (HCAs) and home care registries (HCRs) and will be holding stakeholder meetings to review the draft regulations. Following the stakeholder meetings, the Department will revise the draft regulations and publish the regulations as proposed for formal public comment.

   Governor Rendell signed the act of July 7, 2006 (P. L. 334, No. 69) (Act 69). Act 69 amends the Health Care Facilities Act (35 P. S. §§ 448.101--448.904b) to require licensure of HCAs and HCRs. The Department is required to publish licensure regulations before July 7, 2007. Act 69 takes effect upon publication of regulations.

   HCAs and HCRs provide nonmedical services to individuals in their home or other independent living environment. Services provided include:

   *  Assistance with self-administered medications.

   *  Personal care such as assistance with personal hygiene, dressing and feeding.

   *  Homemaking such as assistance with household tasks, housekeeping, shopping, meal planning and preparation and transportation.

   *  Companionship.

   *  Respite care such as assistance and support provided to the family.

   *  Other nonmedical services.

   Stakeholder meetings on the draft regulations will be held on the following dates and locations:

Tuesday, December 12, 2006
9 a.m. to noon
Muhlenberg Hospital Center
Auditorium
2545 Schoenersville Road
Bethlehem, PA 18017

Friday, December 15, 2006
9 a.m. to noon
Mayview State Hospital
Regional Conference Center
1601 Mayview Road
Bridgeville, PA 15017

   Persons planning to attend are invited to register by accessing the Department's website at www.dsf.health. state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp?A=189&Q=245787 or by contacting the Department at [phone]. Copies of the draft regulations are available by means of a link on the website. Additional copies of the draft regulations will be available at the meetings. Persons planning to speak at the stakeholder meeting will be asked to sign-in upon arrival and indicate their desire to speak. Persons desiring to speak will be allotted approximately 5 minutes in which to provide comments.

   For additional information, including directions to the locations listed previously, or persons with a disability and desire to attend the meeting or obtain a copy of the draft regulations, or both, and require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation, contact Janice Staloski, Department of Health, Bureau of Community Program Licensure and Certification at [phone] or for speech and/or hearing impaired persons, V/TT [phone] or the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Services at [phone].

   These meetings are subject to cancellation without notice.

CALVIN B. JOHNSON, M. D., M.P.H.,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 06-2413. Filed for public inspection December 8, 2006, 9:00 a.m.]