Personal care homes are designed to provide safe, compassionate, comfortable, and supportive residential environments for adults in exchange for payment where food, shelter, and personal assistance or supervision are provided for a period exceeding 24 hours. In Pennsylvania, only homes for four or more adults are regulated by the state leaving unregulated, smaller homes with three or fewer individuals to vary in quality. This lack of oversight can result in negligence to those paying to stay there.
 
For these reasons, I am introducing legislation that would enhance oversight of small personal care homes; small personal care homes with three or fewer residents would be inspected by the Department of Human Services at least once annually unannounced, and those responsible for the small personal care home would be required to submit to a criminal background check. Additionally, all small personal care homes would be registered with the department to ensure accountability.
 
We must do everything we can to protect the health, safety, and well-being of residents in small personal care homes in this Commonwealth. Please join me in support of this important legislation and let us work together to ensure our family and friends have access to quality housing.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0483: P.L.31, No.21