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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Barb McIlvaine Smith
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Pa. Department of Public Welfare agrees to personal care home
inspections as outlined in McIlvaine Smith bill
HARRISBURG, June 27 – The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare has notified state Rep. Barb McIlvaine Smith, D-Chester, that it will voluntarily post on its Web site a personal care home report as specified in her legislation (H.B. 1788).
McIlvaine Smith introduced the bill after learning that DPW was behind on inspections of personal care homes. The bill would require DPW to submit annual reports on inspections of personal care homes in a timely fashion to the legislature.
"Personal care homes are where some of our most vulnerable citizens are living," McIlvaine Smith said. "They and their families should have the utmost assurance that the environment is safe, clean and secure. Unfortunately, because DPW had fallen behind in inspection of these homes, the state could not give that assurance to personal care home residents."
In March 2007, DPW reported that close to 75 percent of personal care homes had not received an annual inspection. McIlvaine Smith noted that while the department had hired staff to address the situation, the state needs to make sure DPW doesn't fall behind on inspections again.
House Bill 1788 would require DPW to submit a report to the governor and the General Assembly by March 1 of each year that would identify:
- The number of licensed personal care homes and residents in the state;
- The number of homes that received an annual inspection;
- How many homes are operating on a full or provisional license;
- How many homes were closed or were the subject of legal action by DPW;
- Types of violations, classified on the basis of seriousness;
- Whether financial penalties were assessed by DPW for violations; and
- Specific plans by DPW to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
House Bill 1788 passed unanimously in the House in October. It was committed to the Senate Appropriations Committee on June 26.
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